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Bobcat Draw Badlands WSA

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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Bobcat Draw Badlands WSA

The Bobcat Draw Badlands WSA is located near Worland, Wyoming, about two and a half hours from Yellowstone National Park. The WSA spans 17,150 acres of BLM land and 1,390 acres of state land. The area is located in the Willwood geological formation and is part of the Fifteenmile Wild Horse Herd Management Area. Visitors can explore a range of landscapes, take in the area’s natural beauty, or visit the nearby Fifteenmile Creek or the Gooseberry Badlands, both of which have been marked as potential National Natural Landmarks.

BLM locations like the Bobcat Draw Badlands WSA have been set aside for visitors’ enjoyment and to protect the landscape and wildlife within them. Many of these sites offer recreation activities, including camping. To find BLM sites with camping options, search for “BLM camping near me.”

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Gooseberry Badlands Trail

This beautiful trail passes many fascinating rock formations and offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

Length: 1.5 miles

Intensity: Easy

Rainbow Terraces Trail

Located in the nearby Hot Springs State Park, this trail passes by some of the area’s geothermal springs.

Length: 0.6 miles

Intensity: Easy

East Tensleep Lake Trail

This trail in the Bighorn National Forest offers stunning views of the lake and provides easy access to fishing and camping options.

Length: 9.5 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Sherd Lake Trail

Located in the nearby Cloud Peak Wilderness, this trail passes by Sherd Lake and is a great hike for birdwatching.

Length: 3.5 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Outlaw Trail

This looping trail near Cody offers incredible views of the area’s landscape and rock formations. It’s popular with both hikers and mountain bikers.

Length: 8.7 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Fishing and Boating

The nearby Paintrock Creek and the Paintrocks Lakes offer excellent fly fishing opportunities. There are also many options for boating and fishing at Hot Springs State Park. Anglers can generally catch catfish, bass, sunfish, walleye, and crappie.

Climbing

Tensleep Canyon is one of the best nearby locations for rock climbing. Locations within the canyon, such as Mondo Beyondo, the Circus Wall, and the Wall of Denial, offer over 800 traditional, sport, and ice climbs. Most climbs in the area are sport routes, and these routes vary in difficulty, making the area ideal for beginner and experienced climbers alike.

Wildlife Viewing

The Bobcat Draw Badlands WSA is the perfect location to view wildlife, but visitors can also head to Yellowstone National Park or the nearby Bighorn National Forest for great wildlife viewing options. Animals native to the area include bighorn sheep, wild horses, moose, elk, antelope, bears, hawks, mountain lions, eagles, and wolves.

Picnicking

Boysen State Park is a fantastic spot for a picnic. The area offers several playgrounds, and there are also many picnic areas with tables. There are also picnic tables available at Riverside Park. The area offers beautiful views, and there is a small playground.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

BLM RV camping and more commercial RV options are available throughout the area around the Bobcat Draw Badlands WSA. The Worland RV Park offers 46 sites, including several large campsites, in a quiet, secluded setting. The sites have full hookups, and a laundry area, store, and picnic tables are also available. The Ten Sleep RV Park offers 52 sites with full hookups. Showers, restrooms, a dump station, and a laundry area are also available.

Free Camping

You can enjoy Bureau of Land Management free camping throughout the Bighorn National Forest. Visitors can set up a dispersed site almost anywhere, but there are few amenities. Free camping options can also be found at the Castle Gardens Scenic Area. There are four campsites with tables and fire rings.

RV Rentals Near Bobcat Draw Badlands WSA Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Bobcat Draw Badlands WSA BLM trip

The Bobcat Draw Badlands WSA is a remote, wide-open space that covers thousands of acres. The size of the area means that you’ll most likely have a private wilderness experience, but it can also be dangerous. Always tell someone where you’ll be and when you plan to return. Bring plenty of supplies, including water and a first aid kit. Check the weather before you leave and ensure that you have the necessary supplies in case of inclement weather.

The area around the Bobcat Draw Badlands WSA sees relatively mild summers, with temperatures reaching into the 80s and low 90s. Only a few days see rain. Winters are harsh and incredibly cold. The area gets about 30 inches of snow each year. Snowstorms can occur suddenly, so always be extremely careful and pack for cold weather if you’re traveling in the winter, late fall, or early spring.

Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

It’s always a good idea to utilize Leave No Trace policies to protect Bureau of Land Management campgrounds and wild areas. Plan ahead, and always be courteous of other visitors to the area. Observe wildlife from a distance, and never try to scare or catch wildlife unless you are hunting. If you do plan to hunt, observe all regulations and only hunt animals that are currently in season. If you plan to build a fire, only build it in a controlled, designated area like a fire pit. Pick up all of your trash, and pick up any trash you see along the way. Stay on trails wherever possible, and only set up campsites on stable ground.

Bobcat Draw Badlands WSA Location

From Worland, take State Highway 431 north for 25 miles. Turn right onto Murphy Draw Road, also known as BLM Road 1302. Continue for 7.7 miles. Turn right again on Squaw Teats Road, which is also called BLM Road 1301. Continue for 2.6 miles. There will be a primitive route heading north that leads to the Bobcat Draw Badlands WSA. If you’re heading to the area from Meeteetse, take State Highway 120 south for 9.1 miles and turn left onto Squaw Teats Road. Continue for 14.25 miles before turning onto the primitive road. When coming from north of Worland, take Fifteen Mile Road for about 33 miles to the border of the area.

Ready to visit Bobcat Draw Badlands WSA? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.