Ranger Creek Recreation Area

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Creek near group area
Ranger Creek Recreation Area
Grill Area

Featured amenities

Parking Parking

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

8 total sites

RV Sites

8 sites

About Ranger Creek Recreation Area

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 Rustic Freedom/Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds; e-mail: [email protected]

Number of accommodations: 8

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - May 22 to Sep 21

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Firewood Available
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

8 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001, Loop: East RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 002, Loop: East RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 003, Loop: East RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 004, Loop: East RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 005, Loop: East RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 006, Loop: West RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 007, Loop: West RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 008, Loop: West RV
No Hookups
Price not available

Reviews (37)

What Guests Are Saying

Ranger Creek Recreation Area offers a fun experience for all ages, with an enjoyable creek and excellent fishing opportunities. The campground is scenic and has ample space between sites, with friendly hosts and nearby hiking trails filled with wildflowers. However, those seeking peace and quiet may be disturbed by the noise from four-wheelers and speeding vehicles.

Review Summary

4.3
37 reviews
5
67.6%
25
4
16.2%
6
3
5.4%
2
2
0.0%
0
1
10.8%
4

Cynthia T

Verified

July 16, 2024 Stayed at: 004, Loop: East

5

This area has a few camp sites, so reserve early or take a chance that one will be available. Our site backed up to Shell Creek and we could walk down to the creek to experience the water. A moose visited two days in a row. The pit toilets are far enough away you don't smell them. According to the Forest Service, these toilets are only pumped out once a year. There is a trail for ATVs right there, but far enough away to not be noisy. The whole area is green and peaceful, a perfect place to camp.

Dillon B

June 17, 2024

1

Absolutely terrible camp host. Purposefully lied and over booked our campsite. Camp host has a terrible attitude and tried to incite a physical altercation. Even the forrest service employees agreed that he is a person that is very difficult to deal with. Really ruined a good family vacation tradition and experience.

Dillon B

June 17, 2024

1

Absolutely terrible camp host. Purposefully lied and over booked our campsite. Camp host has a terrible attitude and tried to incite a physical altercation. Even the forrest service employees agreed that he is a person that is very difficult to deal with. Really ruined a good family vacation tradition and experience.

Fred W

Verified

August 27, 2023 Stayed at: 008, Loop: West

1

Everything was great with the exception of the previous days camper in our spot did not leave on time so we had to sit around and wait to get set up in our site.

Fred W

Verified

August 27, 2023 Stayed at: 008, Loop: West

1

Everything was great with the exception of the previous days camper in our spot did not leave on time so we had to sit around and wait to get set up in our site.

Tom H

Verified

August 7, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: East

4

The camp host was very accommodating.
The campground was very beautiful.
#8 campsite was located away from other campsites and secluded.
Fishing was superb!
Shell creek canyon was gorgeous!

Tom H

Verified

August 7, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: East

4

The camp host was very accommodating.
The campground was very beautiful.
#8 campsite was located away from other campsites and secluded.
Fishing was superb!
Shell creek canyon was gorgeous!

Mike H

September 11, 2022

4

Had a good 4 days saw moose and deer in camp ground. Will stay again

Mike H

September 11, 2022

4

Had a good 4 days saw moose and deer in camp ground. Will stay again

jon g

Verified

August 10, 2022 Stayed at: 002, Loop: East

5

Nice spacious camping spots. Beautiful setting.

Location Ranger Creek Recreation Area

Address:
Forest Road 17
Shell, WY, 82441
United States

Highway access

Ranger Creek Recreation Area is accessible via U.S. Highway 14, located 34 miles west of Greybull, Wyoming.

Elevation: 2342 feet

Distance to downtown

18 mi drive to downtown Shell (about 32 min)

Policies & Rules

Cancellation policy

  • Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
  • Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
  • Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
    • Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
  • Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
  • Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
  • Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.

Site types & loops

  • Campsites 9, 10, and 11 are designated for group use and can also be utilized for day use at the same rate as overnight camping.

Vehicles & parking

  • The organization may substitute sites without notice. Each site allows two vehicles, with a fee for the second vehicle.

Fires & fuel

  • Firewood is available for purchase from the campground host.
  • To prevent the spread of pests, obtain firewood locally and burn it on-site.

General

  • Click here for more information on the Bighorn National Forest

Cancellation policy

  • Refund requests incur a $10 processing fee and some fees are non-refundable.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: September 8, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service