The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
If you live in Wyoming and have been scouring the web for "BLM camping near me," then look no further than the Shoshone River. The Shoshone River is a waterway that runs for more than 100 miles through the northern part of Wyoming. The river passes through four major Wyoming cities: Cody, Powell, Byron, and Lovell. Yellowstone National Park is one of the most-visited national parks in the United States. The North Fork of the Shoshone ends near the park's eastern entrance.
While much of the river is inaccessible by road, there are many spots along with the Shoshone that attract hunters, fishermen, boatsmen, hikers, and campers willing to foray off the beaten path to explore what this river has to offer. The Shoshone also passes through the Shoshone National Forest, which is a major destination for camping, hunting, and fishing, among other natural pursuits. Campsites in the forest must be 100 feet away from streams and creeks and 200 feet away from wetlands, trails, or any bodies of water.
A 1.5-mile loop near Cody, the Shoshone River Trails allow visitors to explore the Wyoming wilderness and participate in activities such as birding, hiking, and surveying wildlife. A relatively easy hike, there isn't too much change in elevation throughout, making it an ideal pick for families with young children who want to explore nature.
Length: 1.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
Bridal Veil Falls is situated in the Shoshone National Forest, one of Wyoming's premier destinations for nature lovers. This trail offers camping spots, fishing spots, and plenty of opportunities to see examples of Wyoming wildlife. Plus, the trail is also pet-friendly, as long as they're leashed.
Length: 3.9 miles
Intensity: Moderate
There are plenty of fishing spots along the hundred-mile length of the Shoshone. The north and south forks are two of the most-visited fly-fishing destinations in Wyoming. These destinations are ideal for fishermen looking for trout varieties, with some of the most commonly found being rainbow, brown, Yellowstone, and cutbow. One of the most under-fished rivers around Yellowstone, the Shoshone River has plenty of isolated fishing spots.
There are a number of caves and natural climbing spots along the Shoshone River, including ice climbing spots along the river's South Fork. About 35 miles southwest of Cody, the Absaroka Mountains host the highest concentration of frozen waterfall climbing routes. These climbs are not for beginners, so it's recommended that any climbers have plenty of experience. These routes are very remote, so proceed with caution.
Mummy Cave is a popular destination near the river's North Fork. A friendlier climb, this cave is known for its evidence of 9,000-year-old human settlements, including the remains of "Mummy Joe."
The Shoshone River is host to many types of wildlife native to Wyoming. These include coyotes, gray wolves, grizzly bears, bison, moose, deer, and elk. Some bird varieties include the peregrine falcon, blue grouse, and Clark's nutcrackers. One of the cutest animal species found in the Shoshone is the river otter. However, visitors shouldn't get too close, as these adorable creatures are highly territorial. As you might expect, feeding/touching wildlife is not permitted.
Those visiting the Shoshone River would do well to set up a picnicking spot along its hundred-mile length. The Blackwater Pond Picnic Site offers visitors picnic tables, fire pits, and restroom facilities. It is located along the North Fork of the Shoshone River, near Cody.
The Cody Trout Ranch Camp in Cody offers visitors a fully stocked RV camping experience with 39 RV sites, along with restroom/shower facilities, laundry, a coffee shop, and a playground. They also offer ten teepee rentals, eight of which sit directly on the Shoshone itself. All on-site facilities are furnished with bedding, towels, lanterns, and other amenities. The Horseshoe Bend Campground offers 58 campsites that overlook the Bighorn Lake. Located about 15 miles north of Lovell, the campsite has 28 large RV sites. The rest of the sites will fit small RVs. There are also many boat launching sites for those wishing to explore the natural beauty of the Bighorn Lake and the Shoshone River in general.
Dispersed camping in the Shoshone National Forest and along the Shoshone River is permitted on BLM land. However, as mentioned previously, all Bureau of Land Management campgrounds must be located at least 100 feet away from streams and creeks and 200 feet away from trails, lakes, and wetlands.
The Shoshone River is over 100 miles long, meaning you'd have to visit for quite a long time to see all it has to offer. We'd encourage you to decide what activities attract you to it the most, whether it's fishing in the river's North or South Fork, camping in the Shoshone National Forest or along the river's edge, or climbing in the Absaroka Mountains.
We'd definitely recommend BLM RV camping in the area in the spring or summer, as this is before it gets too cold out (temperatures in Wyoming can get incredibly harsh in the fall and winter), and this is when you'll have the best chance to see a wide variety of fauna and flora in full bloom. Areas around the Shoshone river can be extremely remote, and cell phone service can be spotty or non-existent.
Whenever you visit, don't approach wildlife. There are many potentially dangerous animals along the river, including coyotes, bears, wolves, and more. Also, make sure you bring enough supplies if you're planning on visiting a more remote part of the river. Before you go about exploring the Shoshone River, feel free to explore our blog on BLM camping for additional tips and tricks.
When visiting the wilderness, it's incredibly important to leave nothing behind. People visit nature to see wildlife, mountainsides, and other wonders of the natural world—not your snack food wrappers. The best hikers and campers are those who leave an area untouched.
The Shoshone River runs in northern Wyoming from Bighorn Lake to the Absaroka Mountains in Shoshone National Forest. To get to the river from Lovell, WY, take US-14 east for approximately 9.5 miles. You will arrive at the river in under 10 minutes.
Ready to visit Shoshone River? 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.
