Welch Ranch
Facility ·
Managed by the Bureau of Land Management
Buffalo Field Office (Bureau of Land Management WY) · Open Access
- 3,532 ft
- Elevation
The Welch Ranch area includes more than 1,700 acres of open space along the Tongue River approximately 10 miles north of Sheridan, Wyoming. This area offers excellent hiking, wildlife viewing, hunting, and fishing just a short drive from Sheridan. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department releases pheasants in the fall for hunting purposes.
The Tongue River flows through the recreation area and offers opportunities for non-motorized river trips.
Welch Ranch has limited visitor services; there is no bathroom facility, garbage collection, or potable water. Please plan accordingly if planning to stay overnight and practice Leave No Trace principles. Dispersed camping is allowed; however, the area is closed to motorized use, and target shooting is strictly prohibited.
Getting there
To reach Welch Ranch from Interstate 90, take exit 339 and head east. Go over the railroad tracks and turn left (north) onto WY 338. Go about 5.5 miles. The first parking area will be on your left, just before the Tongue River, and the second parking area will be on the right, just after the river.
44.94480, -106.94284 · 44°56'41.3"N 106°56'34.2"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 3.4 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 0.6 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Member photos
Common questions about Welch Ranch
- Can you reserve a site at Welch Ranch?
- No. Welch Ranch is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Camping near Welch Ranch
- Sibley Lake 27.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Prune Creek 28.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Pine Island Group Area 28.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sheridan Inn 19.8 mi · Facility
- Hogback Interpretive Site 20.5 mi · Facility
- Fallen City Interpretive Site 21.4 mi · Facility
- Ranger Creek Campground 27.4 mi · Campground
- East Fork Campground 27.4 mi · Campground
- Sibley Lake Campground 27.5 mi · Campground
- Twin Lakes Picnic Ground 29 mi · Facility
- Coney Creek Trailhead 29.5 mi · Facility
- Tie Flume Campground 29.5 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 307-684-1100
- Email buffalo_wymail@blm.gov
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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