Horseshoe Bend Campground Loop B

🌄 Introduction / Overview: Your Scenic Basecamp on Bighorn Lake

For Wyoming residents seeking a quintessential high-desert camping experience with spectacular canyon scenery and excellent access to water recreation, Horseshoe Bend Campground Loop B is a highly favored destination. Situated within the dramatic landscape of the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (NRA), Loop B is renowned among local users for striking the perfect balance between accessibility and a traditional outdoor feel. It offers breathtaking views that immediately immerse you in the rugged beauty of Wyoming, overlooking the shimmering Bighorn Lake and the towering red sandstone cliffs of Sykes Mountain.

As one of the distinct sections within the larger Horseshoe Bend Campground, Loop B holds a special appeal: it often serves as a fantastic choice for the casual, spontaneous traveler. Unlike some reservable sections, Loop B frequently maintains a higher number of **first-come, first-served** sites, making it a reliable option for those exploring the Big Horn Basin. It provides a noticeable step up in comfort from more primitive camping areas, featuring modern restrooms while maintaining spacious, well-separated sites—a true desert oasis for RVs and tent campers alike.

📍 Location and Accessibility: Near Lovell in the Bighorn Canyon NRA

Horseshoe Bend Campground Loop B is perfectly positioned within the South District of the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, a vast and spectacular area straddling the Wyoming-Montana border. The campground is easily accessible from the charming town of Lovell, Wyoming, serving as a primary hub for visitors to this section of the park.

The campground is located approximately 14 miles north of Lovell via Wyoming Highway 37. After turning off the main highway, a short drive leads directly to the Horseshoe Bend area, where you will find the campground complex, the marina, and the picnic areas. The campground sits on a hill, providing stunning, elevated perspectives of Bighorn Lake. Its close proximity to the **Horseshoe Bend Marina**—a short, scenic hike away—means boating, fishing, and swimming are practically at your doorstep. While the environment is distinctly high-desert, the location is well-developed to accommodate visitors, providing paved or well-maintained gravel roads for easy access, though travelers should always be prepared for the remote nature of the surrounding area.

Address: Lovell, WY 82431, USA

🏕️ Services Offered: Mixing Convenience with Canyon Views

Loop B is often highlighted by Wyoming campers for providing crucial amenities that enhance the camping experience without sacrificing the wilderness feel. Sites offer a mixture of facilities, accommodating various camping styles.

• **Restroom Facilities:** A significant draw is the availability of **flush toilets** (modern restrooms) within the loop, a welcome upgrade from vault toilets typically found in more remote areas. Note that showers are not provided.
• **Campsite Utility Access:** A selection of sites within Loop B offers **electrical and water hook-ups** for RVs, making it suitable for longer stays and larger rigs. However, none of the sites are full hook-up (sewer).
• **Dump Station:** A convenient **RV dump station** is available near the exit of the campground, ensuring easy disposal of waste before departure.
• **Water and Fire:** Potable drinking water is available seasonally at various points, and every site is equipped with a **fire pit** for campfires (always check local fire restrictions).
• **Site Furnishings:** Each site includes a **picnic table**, and a distinct feature of Loop B is the presence of **sun shades or shelters** over select tables, providing necessary relief from the high-desert sun.
• **Payment Method:** This loop often hosts the **Iron Ranger** stations where campers can conveniently pay their site fees directly on-site, particularly useful for securing a first-come, first-served spot.

✨ Features / Highlights: High Desert Majesty and Water Recreation

The Horseshoe Bend area is a recreational magnet, and Loop B positions you perfectly to enjoy its most striking features and activities.

• **Stunning Scenic Views:** The defining feature is the breathtaking panorama overlooking **Bighorn Lake** and the towering, ruddy red cliffs of **Sykes Mountain**. Campers enjoy these views directly from their sites.
• **Unreservable Flexibility:** Loop B is known to maintain a large inventory of **first-come, first-served** sites, providing the flexibility Wyoming travelers need for spontaneous weekend trips or mid-week getaways.
• **Proximity to the Marina:** The campground is a mere stone's throw (about a one-mile hike) from the **Horseshoe Bend Marina**, which offers boat rentals, supplies (ice/store), and a public **boat launch** for access to Bighorn Lake.
• **Swim Beach Access:** A designated **swim beach** and picnic area are also located near the marina, offering a refreshing place to cool off during hot summer days.
• **Hiking Trails:** The area provides trailheads, including the one for the **Mouth of the Canyon Trail**, accessible near Loop B, offering rewarding hikes with seldom-seen views of the canyon's geological contrasts.
• **Spacious and Quiet Sites:** Sites are typically well-spaced, which is a major benefit in the open, desert climate. The layout promotes privacy and a peaceful experience, making it a quiet retreat, especially in the off-peak season.

☎️ Contact Information

For the most direct and reliable information regarding Horseshoe Bend Campground Loop B, including current site availability, fees, and seasonal operating hours for water and electricity, contacting the park operator is recommended.

Address: Lovell, WY 82431, USA (Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area)

Phone: (307) 899-1401

Mobile Phone: +1 307-899-1401

Note: The campground is managed under a commercial use authorization for the National Park Service. The provided phone number is the best way to connect with the on-site operator for local operational questions.

⭐ What is Worth Choosing Horseshoe Bend Campground Loop B

For Wyoming residents, Horseshoe Bend Campground Loop B is worth choosing because it delivers **developed convenience in an undeveloped paradise**. It is the ideal compromise for those who want to experience the stunning, remote beauty of the Bighorn Canyon NRA without completely sacrificing modern comfort. The presence of **flush toilets**, seasonally available **electric and water hook-ups** in some sites, and an on-site **dump station** makes it an excellent choice for RV users and families.

More importantly, it is the primary choice for **spontaneous travelers** due to its substantial number of first-come, first-served sites, particularly in Loop B. The combination of easy access to the **Horseshoe Bend Marina** for boating and fishing, along with world-class views of the canyon and the lake, makes it a top-tier destination. If your priority is a well-maintained campground with stunning vistas and immediate access to water recreation—all while maintaining the flexibility of a non-reservable, last-minute trip—Loop B is your premier Bighorn Canyon basecamp.