Middle Fork Campground

BIGHORN NATIONAL FOREST
BUFFALO - WYOMING

Just a short drive up the Cloud Peak Skyway from Buffalo WYO is Middle Fork Campground in the Bighorn National Forest. This campground is small, quiet and one of my favorites. During the summer if you absolutely have to stay here be sure to make reservations (Reserve America or Recreation.gov. We spent four nights here on this trip and made our reservations six months back to the day to ensure we got the site we wanted. This is the sort of campground where you see reservations for an entire two weeks which is the maximum stay.

On this trip we travelled with family and therefore needed two sites. What you see here are the two sites from the vantage point of the creek in the rear of each site. Lots of tree cover and plenty of space in between each site. 

The (Middle Fork) of the Clear Creek runs thru the entire campground and can be heard throughout. This was the middle of July and there was plenty of water. We talked to a family from Gillette WYO who told us they had been in the campground a month before and were amazed how much lower the water level was. The water flow was great for walking in and getting feet wet. 

Another picture of the Clear Creek and of the one campsite that is furthest from the creek (Campsite #3). Plenty close for those of us who live a long ways away from here. 

This picture is taken from a high point around the campground and is looking out towards US 16 (Cloud Peak Skyway). Because of the Clear Creek and the campground being surrounded by hills I dont ever recall hearing traffic from the highway. The beautiful rolling hills here are typical of this are. Open areas and densely woods.

Rock climbing possibilities from anywhere in the campground. This is looking down at the Clear Creek. Campsite #3 with the popup camper is to the left of the creek when you get to the bottom. 

Another view looking down at the campground. Amazing views and not that much effort is needed. I'm not telling you its going to be easy but its not dangerous either. This picture is looking down on site number 3. 

We woke up one morning and heard the faint sound of cattle shuffling about. Those early morning states of dreaminess had me wondering if it was really happening. It was and its not that uncommon. Turns out part of the fence had been compromised and needed fixing. I also learned about "fence out" from the campground host. I would have thought it the responsibility of the ranchers to fix the fence as they only rent land for their cattle to graze on during the summer. That is not the case. The campground concessionaire is responsible because the rule of the forest is "fence out" which means you have to fence out what you dont want to come in. 

This is a view of the campground looking in from the vantage point of Campsite #3. The apparent lack of tree cover is deceiving. The rocks are fun to climb for all ages with many trails up which require no skill but a large lung capacity. 

Another view of the Clear Creek. If only these pictures could talk. Here is a link to a short video I made of our visit. 

VIDEO