East Fork Campground

**Introduction / Overview: East Fork Campground**

Nestled high in the captivating **Bighorn National Forest**, **East Fork Campground** is one of Wyoming's truly authentic mountain retreats. Known to local residents as a hidden gem, this small, remote campground offers a perfect blend of rustic seclusion and well-maintained facilities. It is a welcome escape for anyone seeking peace, quiet, and direct access to the Bighorns' natural wonders. The campground is situated alongside the **East Fork of Big Goose Creek**, providing the soothing, constant soundtrack of rushing water that defines a great mountain camping experience.

Its reputation for **exceptional cleanliness** precedes it, with customer reviews frequently highlighting the immaculate condition of the grounds and facilities. This dedication to maintenance, often attributed to the attentive camp hosts, ensures a high-quality stay for all visitors. East Fork Campground is perfectly sized—small enough to feel intimate and quiet, yet spacious enough that its sites are not crowded, accommodating both tent campers and RVs seeking a non-electric, traditional forest stay. This location is a prime basecamp for fishing, wildlife watching, and simply unplugging from the demands of modern life in the Wyoming high country.

**Location and Accessibility**

East Fork Campground is positioned within the Bighorn National Forest's Tongue Ranger District, generally accessed from the eastern side of the Bighorn Mountains near the historic town of **Buffalo, Wyoming**. The official address guides you to **Red Grade Road**, which is the local name for Forest System Road (FSR) 26.

To reach this serene location, one typically travels from the Sheridan area, heading south, before transitioning onto FSR 26 (Red Grade/Big Goose Road). The campground sits at a refreshing **elevation of approximately 7,500 feet**, which is important for visitors to note for acclimation and rapidly changing mountain weather conditions. The journey involves driving on dirt and gravel forest roads, which are generally well-maintained but require careful driving, especially for larger RVs or trailers. While the road is scenic, those traveling in inclement weather, such as an unexpected early or late-season snowstorm, should exercise caution and be prepared to change plans, as one customer learned the hard way. Its slightly remote location off the main paved scenic byways contributes directly to its quiet atmosphere and its appeal as a genuine forest retreat for locals.

**Services Offered**

East Fork Campground provides essential, well-maintained amenities that focus on the traditional camping experience in a National Forest setting. The goal is to maximize comfort while minimizing environmental impact.

Services include:

• **Vault Toilets**: The campground is equipped with vault toilet facilities, which are consistently praised by guests for being **spotlessly clean** and well-maintained.
• **Drinking Water**: Potable water is available on-site, typically via a hand pump, providing a necessary convenience for campers.
• **Campsites**: The campground features approximately **11 to 12 spacious single-family sites** that can accommodate both tents and RVs/trailers.
• **Site Furnishings**: Each campsite is outfitted with a sturdy **picnic table**, a **fire ring**, and a **BBQ pedestal** for cooking.
• **Camp Hosts**: Dedicated and friendly hosts are generally on-site during the operating season to assist campers, manage the grounds, and ensure cleanliness.
• **Firewood Sales**: Firewood is often available for sale from the camp host, a great convenience for those wanting an authentic campfire experience.
• **Stay Limit**: The maximum stay permitted is typically **14 days**, allowing for extended exploration of the Bighorns.
• **Trash Collection**: Designated receptacles are available for trash disposal, helping keep the forest tidy.
• **No Hookups**: It is important to note that all sites are non-electric and no hookups for water or sewer are available, reinforcing the rustic, off-grid nature of the stay.

**Features and Highlights**

The core appeal of East Fork Campground lies in its exceptional setting and the wealth of traditional outdoor recreation that is literally at your doorstep. It’s an ideal spot for those who cherish solitude and an intimate encounter with Wyoming’s wildlife.

Key features and highlights include:

• **Creekside Camping**: The campground is located directly along the **East Fork of Big Goose Creek**, with many sites offering beautiful creek views and the relaxing sound of the flowing water.
• **Fishing Access**: The creek and numerous nearby streams and smaller lakes offer excellent opportunities for **trout fishing**, making it a fantastic destination for local anglers.
• **Abundant Wildlife Sightings**: The surrounding meadows and forest are rich with native wildlife. Visitors should keep their cameras ready, as customer reviews confirm the frequent, exciting presence of animals like **moose**, as well as deer and elk.
• **Spacious and Quiet Sites**: The small number of sites and their generous spacing create a quiet, uncrowded atmosphere, perfect for a peaceful retreat.
• **Trail System Access**: The surrounding Forest System Roads (FSR) and trails provide routes for **hiking, mountain biking, and OHV/ATV riding**, allowing for varied exploration of the Bighorn National Forest.
• **Remote, Wilderness Feel**: Situated off the main thoroughfares, the campground offers a genuine sense of being deep within the wilderness, far removed from traffic and commercial noise.
• **Cleanliness Guaranteed**: The consistently reported **spotless condition** of the entire campground (including the restrooms) is a major highlight and a strong assurance of a pleasant, stress-free stay.

**Contact Information**

East Fork Campground is managed by the Bighorn National Forest. For current operating season dates, road conditions, or other official information, the primary contact is the Forest Service office.

Address: Red Grade Rd, Buffalo, WY 82834, USA (Located in the Bighorn National Forest)

Phone (Bighorn National Forest Supervisor’s Office): (307) 674-2600

Mobile Phone (General Forest Service Contact): +1 307-674-2600

**What is Worth Choosing East Fork Campground**

For the Wyoming local seeking a reliable, high-quality, and genuinely remote mountain camping experience, **East Fork Campground** stands out as an excellent choice. What makes it truly worth choosing is the powerful combination of its **impeccable cleanliness** and its **pristine creekside location**. When you are setting up camp in the Bighorns, knowing that the facilities are maintained to such a high standard (as repeatedly confirmed by the "spotless" customer reviews) provides an immediate sense of comfort and ease. The remote setting, tucked along the East Fork of Big Goose Creek, delivers that quiet solitude that is increasingly hard to find, making it perfect for unwinding and de-stressing.

The camp's smaller size and first-rate location along a prime fishing creek—with the added excitement of frequent moose sightings—cement its status as a local favorite. It is an ideal spot for anglers, wildlife photographers, and anyone who appreciates a tranquil, traditional, non-electric camping experience. It serves as a beautiful reminder of the unspoiled nature that defines our state. Choose East Fork if you value a well-kept site, a peaceful night's sleep under the pines, and a high chance of having a close-up wildlife encounter, all within the accessible grandeur of the Bighorn National Forest near Buffalo, Wyoming.