The US Forest Service operates Porcupine Campground within Bighorn National Forest, where 16 sites accommodate both RVs up to 100 feet and tent campers along a mountain creek. The campground sits at elevation among pine trees, accessible via a gravel road that reviewers note can become rough. Sites spread across forested and open terrain, with some offering solar exposure while others provide shade.
A creek runs through the campground, dropping low enough by midsummer for children to wade and fish. Gretchen B. notes the facility "is clean, has nice large sites with trees, and is a good base camp for hiking, 4-wheeling, fishing, and visiting the Medicine Wheel Archaeologic site." The campground includes drinking water, restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings, with a camp host stationed at nearby Bald Mountain Campground. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist in the surrounding forest.
The $18 per night fee applies during the June 15 to September 5 season, when water and trash services operate. Reservations help secure spots at this popular location. When full, dispersed camping options exist along surrounding dirt roads for overflow camping.
Description
Overview
Porcupine Campground is located along the Medicine Wheel Passage Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 14A), 33 miles east of Lovell, Wyoming. The Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark is nearby. Visitors enjoy the area for its scenic natural beauty, recreational opportunities and excellent habitat for a variety of wildlife species. Fishing is popular on nearby streams and lakes. The administering organization is Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds; e-mail: gccampgrounds13@gmail.com
Recreation
From the area's historic mining sites to the ancient Native American Medicine Wheel, to hiking through open meadows and along the cliffs on the west rim of the mountains, the Bighorn National Forest offers many recreational opportunities. Jaws Trailhead is near the campground, offering access to Bucking Mule Falls Trail and Porcupine Creek. Scenic off-road driving is available on Hunt Mountain Road or Burgess Overlook jeep trail.
Facilities
The campground offers single-family sites, each with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets, drinking water from a hand pump and trash collection are provided. The nearest dump station is 25 miles east at Burgess Junction.
Natural Features
Nearby Bald Mountain is part of the Bighorn Range in northern Wyoming. A forest of pine and aspen covers the campground at an elevation of 8,900 feet. Temperatures can drop significantly once the sun goes down. Summer daytime temperatures range from 60s-90s with nighttime temperatures down to the 50s. June is sometimes rainy while the rest of the summer offers fair, clear, sunny days. Thunderstorms and snowstorms can arise at any time. Autumn temperatures are cool with frosts by mid-September.
Nearby Attractions
The Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark is four miles from the campground. This unique geoglyph signifies all creation, all races of people, birds, fish, animals, trees and stones. According to tribal beliefs, the circular shape of the wheel represents the earth, sun, moon, cycles of life, seasons and day to night. High Country Lodge is nearby, offering guided horseback riding and backcountry pack trips, off-road vehicle rentals and guided fishing trips.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (307) 431-7446.
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).
Fee Info
Two non-towed vehicles (and whatever they tow) may be parked 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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundPorcupine Campground (WY) is located in Wyoming
Directions
From Lovell, Wyoming, take U.S. Highway 14A (not U.S. Highway 14) 33 miles east, then 1.6 miles north on Forest Road 13. The highway has a 10% grade. From Dayton, Wyoming, take U.S. Highway 14/14A west 73 miles via Burgess Junction. This is the recommended route for RVs and motorhomes.
Address
Forest Road 136
Lovell, WY 82431
Coordinates
44.8308333 N
107.8583333 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 3 hrs 9 min from Billings, MT
- 3 hrs 40 min from Casper, WY
- 4 hrs 28 min from Bozeman, MT
- 7 hrs 42 min from Idaho Falls, ID
