Ranger Creek Recreation Area
Ranger Creek Recreation Area
Part of Bighorn National Forest
Overview
Ranger Creek Group Campground is located just off the Bighorn Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 14) at an elevation of 7,500 feet. The Bighorn National Forest offers a wide variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, scenic driving and a number of historic sites. The administering organization is Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds; e-mail: gccampgrounds13@gmail.comFacilities
The campground offers one large group site that can accommodate up to 150 people for overnight camping or day-use picnicking.A shelter covers several picnic and serving tables, and a campfire ring and grill are on-site. Accessible vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided.
The nearest dump station is 20 miles away at Burgess Junction.
Natural Features
The campground is situated on the banks of Ranger Creek in the Bighorn Mountains, where craggy granite peaks rise over 13,000 feet above sea level. The area is forested with a mix of pine and aspen trees. An abundance of wildlife lives in the area.Recreation
Scenic off-road driving is available on Battle Creek Road to Medicine Lodge Lake, Ranger Creek Road to Shell Reservoir, Hunt Mountain Road and the Burgess Overlook Jeep trail.Diverse hiking opportunities vary from loop trails to treks along creeks and over mountain peaks including access to the Cloud Peak Wilderness. The Adelaide Trail, for hiking and horseback riding is nearby, providing access to Shell Creek and the Shell Creek Trail.
Many creeks, lakes and ponds dot the region, offering some of the best trout fly-fishing in the state.
Nearby Attractions
The Shell Falls Visitor Center, at the overlook of Shell Falls, is about 8 miles west. Burgess Junction Visitor Center is 20 miles north. Both centers offer interpretive trails, scenic views and educational displays about natural features like flora and fauna, and area history.Elk View Inn and other nearby lodges provide guided horseback riding and fishing adventures, off-road vehicle rentals and fishing supplies, as well as dining options, showers and general stores.
The Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite, near the town of Shell, is the largest of its kind in the state and one of only a few in the world from the Middle Jurassic Period. The tracks found here are approximately 167 million years old.
Important Notices
Campsites 9, 10 & 11 are included in the group area for group use
Group area is also available for day use for the same rate as overnight useThe administering organization reserves the right to substitute sites without prior notice.
Two non-towed vehicles allowed per site. The first is included in the basic fee; the second will be charged an extra $10.00, collected at the campground.- Firewood may be purchased from the campground host.
- Click here for more information on the Bighorn National Forest
- Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
Refunds: Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. This 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 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).
Available Activities
- WILDLIFE VIEWING - Wildlife Viewing
- HORSEBACK RIDING - Horseback Riding
- HIKING - Hiking
- FISHING - Fishing
- CAMPING - Camping
- BIKING - Biking
Directions
Located 34 miles east of Greybull, Wyoming on U.S. Highway 14. Turn off onto Paintrock Lake Road (Forest Road 17). Ranger Creek Campground is 3.5 miles from the turnoff, 2 miles beyond Shell Creek Campground.
Cancellation Policy
<p><strong>Refunds: </strong>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).</p>
Contact Information
Phone: 406-587-9054
1380 Wolverine LaneBozeman, MT 59718 Forest Road 17
Shell, WY 82441
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site 007, Loop West, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop East, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop West, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop West, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site GRP1, Loop West, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop East, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop West, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop East, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop East, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop West, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop West, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop East, Type Standard Nonelectric
