Buffalo Hump WSA

Facility · Wyoming ·

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management

Rock Springs Field Office (Bureau of Land Management WY) · Open Access

6,767 ft
Elevation
The Buffalo Hump Wilderness Study Area (WSA) encompasses 10,300 acres of BLM-administered land with no private or state inholdings. This is a sand dune area of many sand valleys, blowouts, dunes and hills.

The northern and western part of the area contains ponds, grass-covered marshes and playas. The southern and eastern part includes active dunes and meadows. This area and the adjacent Sand Dunes WSA are part of the range of the only herd of desert elk in Wyoming.

Most of the primitive and unconfined recreation opportunities are found in the eastern and southern portions of the unit including hiking, backpacking, camping, bird watching, wildlife photography, horseback riding and hunting. The outstanding scenic quality of this WSA enhances the recreational values. The moving sand dunes provide for a dynamic viewshed.

Getting there

US Highway 191 north to the 10 mile marker. Turn east onto County 4-17 for 15 miles. Turn west onto the Tri-territory Short Loop Road for 1 mile to the UPRR railroad grade. The railroad grade serves as the boundary for both the Sand Dunes and Buffalo Hump WSAs.

42.02309, -109.31644 · 42°1'23.1"N 109°18'59.2"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 83°F in Jul, down to 28°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F283043546474838171574130
Low °F-4-2142232404544332210-2
Precip in0.30.30.50.81.51.10.50.70.80.60.30.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 10 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

This is a fee-free site

Stay limit: 14 Days

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Member photos

Common questions about Buffalo Hump WSA

Can you reserve a site at Buffalo Hump WSA?
No. Buffalo Hump WSA is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
How long can you stay at Buffalo Hump WSA?
14 Days

Camping near Buffalo Hump WSA

Comments

Contact

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.