Leave No Trace 
There is no trash service at Medicine Lodge WSA. Therefore, you must do your part to protect this natural environment by packing out what you bring in. That way, the area stays pristine for future generations to enjoy.
BLM Camping
Medicine Lodge WSA
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
There are many reasons you will want to visit the Medicine Lodge Wilderness Study Area (WSA), including climbing, hiking, fishing, and hunting. It comprises 7,740 acres on the edge of Bighorn National Forest near the town of Hyattville in Wyoming. The Medicine Lodge WSA is one of the public lands that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees. The BLM manages one out of every 10 acres of US land to preserve its natural resources. The wilderness area is about three hours and 45 minutes east of Yellowstone National Park and four hours and 26 minutes northeast of Grand Teton National Park.
While the Medicine Lodge WSA doesn't provide any designated camping areas, and there are very few roads, you can go camping for up to 14 days in any region of the wilderness area where camping is not expressly prohibited. There are other nearby Bureau of Land Management campgrounds that you will want to consider along with other free camping opportunities nearby. You can stay at most Bureau of Land Management camping facilities for up to 14 days out of 28 days for free or a very minimal fee.
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Dry Medicine Lodge Creek Trail
This trail is open for hiking, biking, ATVing, and horseback riding and follows a single-track road through Medicine Lodge Canyon, which is about an hour northeast of Medicine Lodge WSA, before climbing back to the top of the canyon. There are stunning sandstone rock formations along the way. While the course is relatively flat initially, it gets very steep near its end. A great time to hike this out-and-back trail is in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom.
Length: 10.7 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Misty Moon Trail
Misty Moon Trail begins on the east side of West Tensleep Lake, which is an hour and 34 minutes southeast of the Medicine Lodge WSA, and runs through forests and meadows before reaching Mistymoon Lake. You will pass Lake Helen and Lake Marion as you hike this trail that gains elevation as you cross several switchbacks. Anglers will want to bring their fishing gear as these lakes are popular fishing spots. You may see moose along this trail.
Length: 7 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Solitude Loop Trail #038
This trail starts at Mistymoon Lake and travels towards several lakes before reaching the Kearney Lake Reservoir, where you will likely see elk. This part of Solitude Loop Trail #038 can be confusing as several paths intersect, so be sure to stay on the right one. As you approach Lake Geneva, you may see black bears. The last part of this trail is a strenuous climb through Geneva Pass.
Length: 57.9 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Fishing and Boating
Medicine Lodge Archeological Site is a terrific spot to access Medicine Lodge Creek. This creek, an hour and 22 minutes northeast of Medicine Lodge WSA, is a great place to go brown trout fishing using traditional and fly-fishing techniques. If the fish do not seem to be biting at this location, head nearby to Paintrock Creek, 12 minutes southwest of Medicine Lodge WSA, and Lower Paint Rock Lake, which is an hour and 14 minutes northeast of Medicine Lodge WSA.
Climbing
While there are some climbing opportunities at Medicine Lodge WSA, Tensleep Canyon, which is about 46 minutes southeast of Medicine Lodge WSA, attracts climbers worldwide. The vertical to overhanging pocketed faces of dolomite in this canyon offer over 800 named climbing routes. The best parking is along Wyoming 16 near Tensleep Creek.
Wildlife Viewing
When you explore the Medicine Lodge WSA, you are likely to see various animals. Elk and deer often use it as their winter home, and you may see bighorn sheep in the summertime. Nearby, the Big Horn Scenic Byway offers many opportunities to spot wildlife. You will especially want to stop along the highway at Big Horn Basin, where you may see bears, elk, bighorn sheep, and other animals.
Picnicking
Cabin Creek Picnic Area along the Bighorn Scenic Byway an hour and a half north of Medicine Lodge WSA is a terrific place for a picnic. There are four picnic tables in a small, wooded area. Nearby, you will love exploring the open meadows with their beautiful wildflowers in the spring and summer.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
If you want to go RV camping near the Medicine Lodge WSA somewhere where there are amenities, you have a couple of choices in the area. Deer Park, which is an hour and a half to the southeast, provides pull-through sites with 50-amp hookups, Wi-Fi, free cable TV, showers, a heated pool, and a camp store. Forty minutes south of Medicine Lodge WSA is Ten Sleep RV Park, where there are 52 pull-through RV sites, laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, a dump station, and hot showers. At Worland RV Park, which is 54 minutes southwest of Medicine Lodge WSA, provides 46 RV sites with full hookups. There also are picnic tables, Wi-Fi, horseshoe pits, a laundry room, and a store.
Free Camping 
You can go dispersed BLM RV camping at Medicine Lodge WSA but only for 14 days in a 28-day period. You can only camp in designated areas, and the destruction or removal of any items from this historic area is forbidden. If you search for "BLM camping near me," you'll find that there are a few other Bureau of Land Management free camping opportunities in this area. You can find free camping at Elgin Park Trailhead, an hour and 34 minutes southeast of Medicine Lodge WSA, where there are vault toilets and some horse camping amenities. Battle Park Trailhead is located an hour and 42 minutes east of Medicine Lodge WSA and provides potable water and vault toilets. You can also stay at Shell Reservoir Camping Area an hour and 20 minutes northeast of Medicine Lodge WSA. The only amenities here are pit and vault toilets.
RV Rentals Near Medicine Lodge WSA Plan your next adventure
Planning your Medicine Lodge WSA BLM trip
Wildfires can be a problem in this area. You should first have a way, such as an NOAA emergency radio, to receive emergency broadcast information. You can also use InciWeb to see all wildfires in the state. Authorities may notify you that you may need to leave a particular area. If they do, act as though they have told you to leave. This will give you time to get out of the area safely.
Get ready to enjoy your trip by checking out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Leave No Trace
Medicine Lodge WSA Location
You can reach the Medicine Lodge WSA from Hyattville, Wyoming by getting on Cold Springs Road. Follow the curve to the left in about 2.1 miles to get on County Road 52. This road becomes Dry Medicine Lodge Creek Road. You will see the site on your left.
Address: Medicine Lodge WSA, Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site, 4800 Country Road 52, Hyattville, WY 82428
Ready to visit the Medicine Lodge 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.