Medicine Lodge Lake Campground

🏔️ **Introduction / Overview: Experience the Solitude of Medicine Lodge Lake**

For Wyoming residents seeking a quintessential mountain camping experience that truly elevates the senses, the **Medicine Lodge Lake Campground** stands as a magnificent destination. Located deep within the rugged and spectacular **Bighorn National Forest**, this campground is perched at a high elevation—around 9,300 feet—overlooking the shores of Upper Medicine Lodge Lake. It is situated in the remote Paintrock Recreation Region of the Bighorns, known for its breathtaking solitude and proximity to some of the area's most pristine wilderness.

This is a destination for the prepared and adventurous traveler. The campground provides a welcoming basecamp with recently renovated sites, but its remote setting offers immediate access to the high alpine environment. Here, you trade convenience for unparalleled views, quiet waters for excellent trout fishing, and easy access for proximity to the stunning **Cloud Peak Wilderness Area**. It’s a place that fosters a deep connection with the vast, untamed beauty of the Wyoming mountains, making it a perfect spot to unplug and recharge.

🗺️ **Location and Accessibility: The Important Route Warning**

Medicine Lodge Lake Campground is located near the town of Hyattville, Wyoming, but its elevation and isolation require a significant drive on unpaved Forest Service roads. The campground's official coordinates place it along **Forest Road #326** off the primary access route, **Forest System Road (FSR) 17**.

The site sits at approximately 9,300 feet, which means the season is short, typically running from late May or early June through late September, weather depending. As a local user, your familiarity with unpredictable mountain roads is key, and this location demands caution. **Attention to this critical, locally-verified warning is essential for a safe trip:**

DO NOT TAKE FS ROAD 344 FROM HYATTVILLE TO GET HERE!!! Take FSR 17 from Hwy 14 instead. Both Google Maps and Garmin are both convinced 344 is a passable route. IT IS NOT, YOU WILL DAMAGE YOUR VEHICLE AND TAKE UNNECESSARY CHANCES. Seriously, FSR 17 might seem longer, but 344 ain't worth the risk.

Based on this crucial local advice, the recommended approach is to access the area from U.S. Highway 14 (the Bighorn Scenic Byway). Specifically, from Shell, WY, travel east on US Highway 14 for about 17 miles, then turn south onto the dirt road **Forest System Road (FSR) 17**, which you will follow for approximately 24.5 miles to reach the campground area. **High-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended, and large RVs or trailers are generally not advised** due to the nature of the road. Always check the Bighorn National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for the most current route information.

amenity **Services Offered**

Medicine Lodge Lake Campground provides basic, but essential, amenities that enhance the rustic camping experience without compromising the wilderness feel. The campground features 13 campsites, typically available on a first-come, first-served basis, though it's always worth checking with the Forest Service for current reservation policies.

• **Water:** Potable drinking water is generally available on-site, typically via hand pumps. However, this service is seasonal and may be shut off during late season or winter.
• **Restrooms:** Vault toilets (pit toilets) are provided and are generally maintained.
• **Campsite Equipment:** Each campsite is relatively large and can accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs (though high-clearance is necessary). Sites include a picnic table, a fire ring, and a grill.
• **Campground Host:** A campground host is often on-site during the peak season to assist visitors and sell essential items like firewood.
• **Trash Collection:** Trash collection services are provided during the main season, encouraging a clean and pleasant environment for all campers.
• **Accessibility:** Some campgrounds within the Bighorn National Forest feature accessible vault toilets, though it is best to confirm specific ADA site availability directly with the Forest Service.
• **Power:** There are no electrical hook-ups or dump stations available at this primitive Forest Service site.

⭐ **Features / Highlights**

What draws local campers to Medicine Lodge Lake is the incredible array of recreational opportunities enabled by its high-altitude setting and proximity to pure wilderness.

• **Access to Cloud Peak Wilderness:** The campground is situated only about a half-mile from the boundary of the Cloud Peak Wilderness, offering nearby trailheads that lead to extensive loop trails, mountain passes, and deep backcountry trekking.
• **Outstanding Fishing and Water Activities:** The location on the shores of Upper Medicine Lodge Lake provides excellent opportunities for fishing (Rainbow and Brook Trout are common), quiet kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. Note that only electric motors are typically allowed on the lake.
• **Trail Riding and OHV Access:** Reviews frequently praise the "lots of close trail riding," indicating this is a popular hub for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) and Overlanding enthusiasts who want to explore the extensive network of Forest Service roads and trails in the Bighorns.
• **Dramatic Mountain Views:** Situated at 9,300 feet, the campground is set among mature Engelmann spruce, offering stunning views of the surrounding meadow, mountain peaks, and the vast, beautiful landscape of the Bighorn National Forest.
• **Geological Interest:** The area is close to Spanish Point, which is locally known as a source of beautiful Spanish agates, offering a unique opportunity for rock hounding.

☎️ **Contact Information**

Before embarking on your journey to this remote location, especially concerning the critical road access, it is always recommended to contact the managing Forest Service office for the latest road status updates and weather reports.

The campground is managed by the Medicine Wheel Ranger District of the Bighorn National Forest.

• **Address:** Bighorn National Forest, Forest Road #326, Hyattville, WY 82428, USA (Note: Use FSR 17 from Hwy 14 for best access)
• **Phone (Bighorn National Forest Supervisor's Office):** (307) 674-2600
• **Mobile Phone (Alternative/General Forest Service):** +1 307-674-2600

🎯 **What is Worth Choosing Medicine Lodge Lake Campground**

Medicine Lodge Lake Campground is worth choosing for the local Wyoming camper who is seeking a high-altitude, secluded, and amenity-lite experience with maximum recreational potential. This campground is not just a place to sleep—it’s a launchpad for adventure. Its most compelling selling points are its incredible views, its status as a gateway to the spectacular **Cloud Peak Wilderness**, and the ready access to a network of trails for hiking, fishing, and OHV riding.

The challenge of the drive, particularly the need to heed the local warning about avoiding FSR 344, means that the destination remains relatively uncrowded, preserving the solitude that so many value in the Bighorns. The reward for navigating the rugged dirt roads is a tranquil site on a pristine mountain lake—a "Great area to camp!" where the views are truly indescribable and must be experienced firsthand, as one satisfied local user noted. If you are prepared for self-sufficient camping at 9,300 feet and are equipped with a high-clearance vehicle, Medicine Lodge Lake offers an unparalleled slice of authentic Wyoming mountain wilderness.