North Tongue Campground

Tucked away in the stunning Bighorn National Forest, just a short drive from Dayton, North Tongue Campground offers a quintessential high-country camping experience. This is not a bustling RV resort; rather, it’s a small, rustic, and peaceful retreat designed for those who appreciate the true essence of wilderness camping. Situated alongside a babbling creek, the campground provides a serene backdrop of soothing sounds and breathtaking views that instantly transport you away from the stresses of daily life. With only 12 campsites, the atmosphere is intimate and quiet, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in nature. It's an ideal spot for anyone seeking a primitive camping experience with just enough amenities to be comfortable, making it a perfect basecamp for exploring the vast Bighorn wilderness.

The core of the North Tongue Campground experience is its simplicity and natural beauty. It's a "dry camping" site, meaning it doesn't offer electric, sewer, or water hookups at the individual sites. This is a deliberate feature that maintains the campground's tranquil, undeveloped character. Instead, you'll find a peaceful, woodsy setting where you can enjoy the sounds of the creek and the sight of local wildlife. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, a fire ring with a grill, and a designated spot for your tent or RV. While it may require a little extra effort for some, like bringing a pad for a motorcycle kickstand on the gravel, the rewards are well worth it. The friendly camp hosts add to the welcoming atmosphere, and the ability to purchase firewood on-site makes setting up a campfire a breeze. This campground is a testament to the fact that a truly great outdoor experience doesn't require a lot of bells and whistles—just a beautiful location and a quiet place to enjoy it.

North Tongue Campground is located at Forest Rd 158, Dayton, WY 82836, USA, just one mile north of Burgess Junction. This places it at a strategic point where the Bighorn Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 14) and the Medicine Wheel Passage Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 14A) come together. Its location at an elevation of 8,400 feet means it offers cooler temperatures and stunning mountain views. The campground's proximity to these major scenic routes makes it incredibly accessible for those on a road trip, while its small size keeps it from feeling like a crowded rest stop. While it’s in a remote, high-elevation area, the nearby town of Dayton is about 29 miles away, and there is a dump station conveniently located in Burgess Junction just two miles down the road. This makes it a great balance of seclusion and practicality.

The accessibility of the area is also a key feature. The campground provides a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking lot, demonstrating its commitment to being a welcoming spot for all visitors. While cell service can be spotty or non-existent in the mountains, a camper review noted that Starlink worked, providing a potential option for those who need to stay connected. The drive to the campground is part of the scenic experience, and its location serves as a perfect hub for exploring a wide variety of activities in the Bighorns. Whether you're interested in the nearby Sibley Lake, which is just 15 minutes away, or the countless hiking and fishing opportunities, everything feels within reach from this central point.

Services Offered:

• Tent sites: Designated sites for tent camping, with some offering more secluded options.
• Running water: Potable water is available via a hand pump.
• Public restrooms: Clean and well-maintained pit toilets are available on site.
• Picnic tables: Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table and a grill for cooking.
• Firewood: Bundles of firewood are available for purchase from the camp host.
• On-site parking: Dedicated gravel parking aprons are available at each site.

Features and Highlights:

• Secluded and Woodsy: A small, quiet campground with a peaceful, natural atmosphere.
• Babbling Creek: Many sites are located alongside a small creek, providing a soothing soundtrack to your stay.
• Dog-Friendly: The campground allows dogs, although visitors should be prepared to handle their own waste and navigate a cattle guard at the entrance.
• Scenic Views: Situated on a mountain with views that are described by visitors as lasting "for days."
• Proximity to Burgess Junction: A convenient two-mile drive to a dump station, which is a significant amenity for dry camping.
• Easy Access to Recreation: Within a short drive to Sibley Lake for fishing and paddling, and numerous hiking trails.
• Clean Pit Toilets: Campers are impressed by the cleanliness and lack of odor in the pit toilets, which is a rare and highly-valued feature.
• Wheelchair Accessible: The campground offers a wheelchair-accessible entrance and a parking lot.

Contact Information:

Address: Forest Rd 158, Dayton, WY 82836, USA

Phone: (877) 444-6777

Mobile Phone: +1 877-444-6777

What is worth choosing:

North Tongue Campground is the perfect choice for campers who value a serene, natural environment over a long list of modern amenities. Its greatest asset is the peaceful atmosphere created by its small size and stunning location. The sound of the creek is a constant, calming presence that makes it an ideal spot for relaxation and reflection. A camper's review highlights this perfectly, noting they spent most of their day listening to the creek and how it put them "right to sleep." This alone is a compelling reason to choose this spot. The campground's cleanliness is another major selling point. The fact that the pit toilets are consistently described as "clean" and "odor and bug free" speaks to a level of care that is often hard to find in primitive campgrounds and is a testament to the dedication of the staff.

For the active adventurer, the campground's proximity to Sibley Lake and countless hiking and fishing opportunities makes it an excellent basecamp. You have a huge backyard to explore, with a peaceful place to return to at the end of the day. The dog-friendly policy is a bonus for those traveling with pets, allowing the whole family to enjoy the trip together. While it is a dry camping site, the availability of a hand pump for potable water and a nearby dump station in Burgess Junction shows that essential needs are still met. The cost is also a factor, offering great value for the tranquil experience it provides. North Tongue Campground is a recommended choice for anyone who wants an authentic, no-frills camping experience that is rich in natural beauty and simple comforts, making it a true gem in the heart of the Bighorn National Forest.

North Tongue Campground

Forest Rd 158, Dayton, WY 82836, USA