Big Game Campground

Some of the campgrounds along Highway 20 do not allow tent campers due to high bear activity in the area but Big Game is one of the camps that are open to tent campers. Upon my arrival, I noticed a new-ish sign posted at the fee station stating that there were recent bear sightings in/near the camp. And the camp host stopped by shortly after I had settled into my site for the night to warn me about bears as well. I'm used to camping in bear country and take all precautions necessary to be as safe as I can be so I just brushed off the speech given to me by the camp host as a "but they tell everyone that no matter what" sort of thing. I set up my tent and decided to take a break by walking down to the river...where I had to step around not one but two very large and fresh piles of bear poo within about 30 yards of my campsite. So if someone tells you there are bears in the area I'd say you'd better believe them.
Most of the sites are quite large, double-wide gravel pads. Some sites are large enough to accommodate Class A's. There are brush and trees in the area so there is plenty of shade in most of the sites. There are garbage dumpsters in camp as well. The pit toilets are a little old and the lock on the ladies room wasn't working during my stay (thankfully it wasn't busy in camp). There is no water available on site but other camps further west do have water if you need it. Nothing available for firewood in the area so bring your own. The highway is quite busy during the day but traffic dies down at night so noise isn't too much of an issue. No cell service in camp but there is service at a roadside pullout about 4 miles to the east.

We camped at Big Game campground for two nights in July. It was the perfect spot to explore Yellowstone and visit with family in Cody. Nice wooded sites with more privacy than most campgrounds. It’s right off Hwy 20, but you couldn’t hear any road noise from site. #10. It’s a primitive site with only a vault toilet, but worked great for our family adventure.

This is a smaller campground on the north side of the hwy from Yellowstone NP to Cody, WY., with a very nice camp host. Not many amenities in the campground, and there is no water. Each site does have a bear box, picnic table, and fire ring and there is one vault toilet in the campground.

Our site was level but there are very few sites with open views and there will be some highway noise. The campground is prone to spring flooding in wet years. Do you remember those? Consequently, the river bank that outlines the north side of the campground is undercut and is not stable near the river's edge. Mosquitos will be a problem after a rain.

Its an easy campground to get in and out of, and a couple of sites would accommodate larger rigs.

We just returned from camping near Big Game, but when we drove over on Sept 18 to check on moving there, we found this campground was closed already even though the FS web site says it's open until October 12. Do your due diligence by calling the FS offices in advance of a trip.

Still closed for season as of May 15 2024

January 26, 2023
This campground hosts 16 sites next to the North Fork of the Shoshone River. This campground provides wonderful wildlife viewing and fishing.

16-day stay limit
Reservable

Water: Not available
This facility is not accessible to persons with mobility impairments.
No cell service

Notes: Maximum spur 32 feet.