Ranger Creek Recreation Area
Campground · Wyoming · 12 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Bighorn National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 12
- Bookable sites
- 75 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 150
- People per site
- 2
- Accessible sites
- 7,682 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Ranger Creek Group Campground is located just off the Bighorn Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 14) at an elevation of 7,500 feet. The Bighorn National Forest offers a wide variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, scenic driving and a number of historic sites. The administering organization is Rustic Freedom/Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds; e-mail: support@rusticfreedom.com
Recreation
Scenic off-road driving is available on Battle Creek Road to Medicine Lodge Lake, Ranger Creek Road to Shell Reservoir, Hunt Mountain Road and the Burgess Overlook Jeep trail.Diverse hiking opportunities vary from loop trails to treks along creeks and over mountain peaks including access to the Cloud Peak Wilderness. The Adelaide Trail, for hiking and horseback riding is nearby, providing access to Shell Creek and the Shell Creek Trail.
Many creeks, lakes and ponds dot the region, offering some of the best trout fly-fishing in the state.
Facilities
The campground offers one large group site that can accommodate up to 150 people for overnight camping or day-use picnicking.A shelter covers several picnic and serving tables, and a campfire ring and grill are on-site. Accessible vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided.
The nearest dump station is 20 miles away at Burgess Junction.
Natural Features
The campground is situated on the banks of Ranger Creek in the Bighorn Mountains, where craggy granite peaks rise over 13,000 feet above sea level. The area is forested with a mix of pine and aspen trees. An abundance of wildlife lives in the area.Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (307) 431-7446.Nearby Attractions
The Shell Falls Visitor Center, at the overlook of Shell Falls, is about 8 miles west. Burgess Junction Visitor Center is 20 miles north. Both centers offer interpretive trails, scenic views and educational displays about natural features like flora and fauna, and area history.Elk View Inn and other nearby lodges provide guided horseback riding and fishing adventures, off-road vehicle rentals and fishing supplies, as well as dining options, showers and general stores.
The Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite, near the town of Shell, is the largest of its kind in the state and one of only a few in the world from the Middle Jurassic Period. The tracks found here are approximately 167 million years old.
Charges & Cancellations
Refunds: Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. This cancellation processing fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the non-refundable reservation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation processing fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees (these are the fees retained by the reservation contractor, a different entity).
The facts
- Season: Memorial Day - Labor Day — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 12 bookable sites
- 2 accessible sites
- Vehicles up to 75 ft
- Up to 150 people per site
- Loops: East, West
Site types
- 11 Standard Nonelectric
- 1 Group Standard Area Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.
12 campsites at Ranger Creek Recreation Area
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | East | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | — | 66 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 002 | East | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | — | 75 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 003 | East | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | — | 51 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 004 | East | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Riverfront | 48 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 005 | East | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Riverfront | 50 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 006 | West | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 60 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 007 | West | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 008 | West | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | Riverfront | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 009 | West | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Riverfront | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 010 | West | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Riverfront | 20 ft | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 011 | West | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Riverfront | 25 ft | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| GRP1 | West | Group Standard Area Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 35 ft | 150 | 🐾 |
Getting there
44.54583, -107.49917 · 44°32'45.0"N 107°29'57.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 2.2 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 1.8 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
Group reservation prices depend on number of people in a group; extra fees will be charged for exceeding the number of people stated in the reservation and will be collected at the campground. Family Standard Single sites are allowed to park two non-towed vehicles (and whatever they tow) at each campsite. The first vehicle is included in the basic fee, an additional $10/day fee will be collected at the campground for the second vehicle. Firewood may be purchased from the campground host.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Ranger Creek Recreation Area
- Can you reserve a site at Ranger Creek Recreation Area?
- Yes, Ranger Creek Recreation Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Ranger Creek Recreation Area have?
- 12 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Ranger Creek Recreation Area?
- 75 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Ranger Creek Recreation Area?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Ranger Creek Recreation Area.
- Are campfires allowed at Ranger Creek Recreation Area?
- Campfires are allowed at Ranger Creek Recreation Area. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Ranger Creek Recreation Area also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Ranger Creek Recreation Area's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- $20 per night. Additional vehicle $9. Limit 2 vehicles per site and 8 people per site. Group Fees: $90 for 1-35, $110 for 36-60, $130 for 61-120, $160 over 120 (150 people maximum) 1 site reservable.
Restrictions:
- 14 day stay limit
Camping near Ranger Creek Recreation Area
- Shell Creek 0.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dead Swede 10.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Owen Creek 11.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Tie Flume 11.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Shell Reservoir Camping Area 4.6 mi · Campground
- Shell Falls Interpretive Site 6.4 mi · Facility
- Flash Dam-West Fork Interpretive Site 7.5 mi · Facility
- Wild Fire Interpretive Site 7.6 mi · Facility
- Coney Creek Trailhead 9.9 mi · Facility
- Woodrock Sawmill Interpretive Site 9.9 mi · Facility
- Twin Lakes Picnic Ground 10.7 mi · Facility
- Medicine Lodge Lake Campground 11.4 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 406-587-9054
- Email support@rusticfreedom.com
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-14.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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