Sibley Lake Campground

🏛 Introduction / Overview: The Bighorn Basecamp with Essential Comforts

For Wyoming residents who dream of high-elevation mountain camping without sacrificing the convenience of electricity, Sibley Lake Campground, located in the Bighorn National Forest, is an exceptional find. Situated at a cooling elevation of 7,900 feet along the Bighorn Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 14), this campground is widely celebrated as one of the best basecamps for exploring the magnificent Bighorn Mountains. It manages to balance the seclusion of the forest with essential amenities, a rare combination in this rugged terrain.

The campground's setup—featuring spacious sites nestled among large, beautiful trees—provides a welcome sense of privacy, making it feel less crowded than many other developed areas. Campers consistently rate Sibley Lake highly, calling it one of their "favorite places." Its appeal is multi-faceted, serving both anglers drawn to the lake and Tongue River, and hikers eager to tackle the abundant nearby trails. Crucially, Sibley Lake Campground is noted for offering electrical hookups at many sites, a distinct advantage that makes it unique among U.S. Forest Service campgrounds in the Bighorns. Due to its popularity, users are strongly advised to "definitely get your reservations in advance."

📍 Location and Accessibility for Wyoming Users

Sibley Lake Campground is located in north-central Wyoming, managed under the Bighorn National Forest's Tongue Ranger District. While its mailing address is associated with Buffalo, WY (82834), the camp is physically situated approximately 21 miles west of Dayton and about 30 miles from Sheridan, placing it centrally within the northern Bighorns accessible via the Bighorn Scenic Byway (US-14).

The general location is:

US-14, Buffalo, WY 82834, USA.

Access is excellent, with a paved road leading directly from US-14 to the campground sign. However, its high elevation location on the scenic byway means the road can be steep and winding, requiring caution, particularly when hauling large RVs or trailers. A significant logistical note for travelers, as highlighted by a camper, is the lack of an on-site dump station. There is a convenient, donation-based dump station located "roughly 5 Mi down the road" (near Burgess Junction), and campers are strongly advised to dump before descending the mountain's steep grades. The setting near the lake and Prune Creek offers a perfect balance of ease of access and mountain remoteness.

✅ Services Offered at Sibley Lake Campground (U.S. Forest Service)

Sibley Lake Campground is managed to provide essential comforts for travelers while maintaining its national forest setting. It offers a mix of developed and rustic amenities, which is highly appreciated by the local camping community.

• Electric Hookups: A significant portion of the 25 total sites (specifically 15 sites) are equipped with electric hookups, making it a desirable destination for RVs.
• Water Availability: Individual water hookups are not available at the campsites, but potable water spigots are conveniently located throughout the campground for filling tanks.
• Restroom Facilities: Clean, accessible vault toilets (restrooms) are provided, maintained by the camp host. Note that showers are not available on-site.
• Dump Station Access: No on-site dump station. A convenient, donation-based dump and fill station is available approximately 4-5 miles down the road (near Burgess Junction).
• Camp Host Services: An attentive, on-site camp host manages the grounds and sells firewood, ensuring a smooth and informed stay.
• Site Amenities: Each of the spacious, large sites includes a picnic table, a fire ring with a grill, and often a bear box for safe food storage, as black bears are known to frequent the area.

⭐ Features / Highlights for the Local Traveler

Sibley Lake Campground’s greatest features revolve around its serene, natural setting and the rich recreational opportunities it provides in the Bighorn National Forest.

• Excellent Fishing Opportunities: The lake itself is stocked with rainbow trout and is excellent for fishing using belly boats (float tubes) or fishing from the accessible dock. The nearby Tongue River is also highly rated for fly fishing (dry fly with a dropper works well).
• Non-Motorized Water Recreation: Sibley Lake is open exclusively to non-motorized craft, making it ideal for peaceful kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding, without the noise of gas motors.
• Abundant Hiking Trails: The entire area is crisscrossed with numerous trails, providing extensive opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and exploring the Bighorns. There are also designated trails for winter cross-country skiing.
• High Wildlife Viewing Potential: Campers must keep a watchful eye out for the abundant wildlife, including frequent sightings of moose, elk, deer, and various bird species, adding significant thrill to any hike.
• Privacy and Spacious Sites: The intentional spacing between campsites, coupled with the surrounding lodgepole pine forest, offers a high degree of privacy, making the campground a truly restful environment.
• Digital Detox/Backup Connectivity: There is absolutely no cell service at the campground, which is a key feature for a true digital detox. Travelers needing Wi-Fi can utilize the public internet available a short distance down the road at Bear Lodge.

📞 Important Contact Information

As a U.S. Forest Service site, the primary contact for Sibley Lake Campground is the Bighorn National Forest Supervisor's Office, which manages the Tongue Ranger District.

Address:

US-14, Buffalo, WY 82834, USA (Best for navigation).

Bighorn National Forest Office Phone (Reservations/General Info):

(307) 674-2600

Reservations:

Reservations are strongly suggested due to high demand and can be made via the National Recreation Reservation System: www.recreation.gov or by phone at 1-877-444-6777.

Note: A few sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but they "go pretty quickly."

🎉 What is Worth Choosing Sibley Lake Campground

For the Wyoming resident planning a Bighorn Mountains adventure, Sibley Lake Campground is the optimal choice because it offers the most advantageous blend of access, essential amenities, and pristine mountain recreation. The availability of electrical hookups—a rarity in a scenic national forest setting—provides a critical level of comfort and convenience for modern RV camping.

By choosing Sibley Lake, you are securing a highly-prized location that serves as the perfect launchpad for both aquatic activities (non-motorized boating, fly fishing in the lake and river) and extensive hiking through moose habitat. The privacy afforded by the spacious, forested sites ensures that your mountain escape is truly peaceful. Just remember to heed the local advice: reserve early and dump your tanks before you drive down the big hill! Sibley Lake is a truly gorgeous, well-managed mountain sanctuary that captures the best of Wyoming's Bighorn National Forest.