Clearwater Campground

Campground · Wyoming · 12 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Shoshone National Forest (NF) · Open Access

12
Bookable sites
30 ft
Max rig length
up to 50
People per site
6,021 ft
Elevation
Clearwater Campground site 1 which shows a picnic table and bear box nestled among trees. There are mountains and blue sky in the background.
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Overview

Clearwater Campground is located along the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway, about 32 miles west of Cody, in northwestern Wyoming. It is 20 miles east of the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park. The surrounding area offers many outdoor recreational opportunities, including fishing, hiking and viewing local wildlife.

Recreation

Great opportunities for hiking, fishing, scenic driving and wildlife viewing are available around the campground. The North Fork of the Shoshone River is a popular fly-fishing location for rainbow and Yellowstone cutthroat trout.

Facilities

The campground offers one group camping area, which provides private parking, three large picnic tables, two food storage lockers and campfire circle.

Additionally, 11 single-family campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, campfire ring and food storage locker.
Vault toilets and trash collection are provided, but drinking water is not available. Campers may gather firewood from the area.

Natural Features

The campground is situated on the banks of the North Fork of the Shoshone River and has beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Douglas fir and large juniper trees cover the campground, which sits at an elevation of 6,000 feet.

A wide variety of wildlife lives in the area. Visitors often glimpse grizzly bears, deer, elk, bison, moose, fox, coyotes and bald eagles.

Nearby Attractions

Pahaska Tepee, west of the campground, is home to Buffalo Bill's original hunting lodge, built in 1904. Tours are offered daily between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Pahaska also offers guided horseback rides, a gift shop, restaurant and lodging.

Yellowstone National Park's east entrance is 25 miles from the campground via the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway. The park offers unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities, as well as breathtaking scenery and unique geological features.

The small, historic city of Cody offers a variety of dining, lodging and shopping options. The Buffalo Bill Historical Center offers extensive displays of Greater Yellowstone natural history, Plains Indians artifacts, western art, firearms, Buffalo Bill memorabilia and a wild sheep exhibit.

The facts

  • 12 bookable sites
  • Vehicles up to 30 ft
  • Up to 50 people per site
  • Loops: East -Reservable Group Area, East Area, West Area

Site types

  • 11 Tent Only Nonelectric
  • 1 Group Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Picnic tables
  • Grills

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, shade, pets allowed.

Book on Recreation.gov

12 campsites at Clearwater Campground

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
Group Area SiteEast -Reservable Group AreaGroup Standard NonelectricBack InGravel—50
09East AreaTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft—
10East AreaTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft—
11East AreaTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft—
01West AreaTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft—
02West AreaTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft—
03West AreaTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft—
04West AreaTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft—
05West AreaTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft—
06West AreaTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft—
07West AreaTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft—
08West AreaTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft—

Getting there

From Cody, Wyo., follow Sheridan Avenue west through Cody until the road leaves town, and becomes the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 14/16/20). The campground is 32 miles west of Cody, on the south side of the highway and next to the river.

44.46222, -109.66833 · 44°27'44.0"N 109°40'6.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in3.53.43.94.24.02.91.41.62.53.13.83.9

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 8.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

CLEARWATER CAMPGROUND OVERVIEW
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov
CLEARWATER CAMPGROUND SHADE SITE
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Member photos

Common questions about Clearwater Campground

Can you reserve a site at Clearwater Campground?
Yes, Clearwater Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Clearwater Campground have?
12 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Clearwater Campground?
30 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Also listed by

Clearwater Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Clearwater Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • Overnight Use: Single Site: $15/night. Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes provide a 50% discount to Single Campsites ONLY. *The discount applies only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder, not to any additiol fee or campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass ho

Restrictions:

  • Food storage is required

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Clearwater Campground

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.