Grouse Mountain Dispersed Camping

Last update, I swear
It’s open passed the gate to dispersed camping, the gate was opened this morning and I spoke with the forest service worker about what happened.

2nd update
A sheriff came by this morning at 7am, he drove right up to my car. I thought he was for sure going to stop, I waved and smiled, he waved and smiled then drove off. It is completely legal to camp down at the end of this road in front of the gate but do so at your own risk.

**Update**
I’m going to assume the old red pickup with its fog light out was the land owner of the property next to this area. S/he came up at 9:50pm with their headlights directly into my car. I rolled down my window, waved my arms around, & called out “excuse me” several times to see what s/he wanted. No response. After 10 minutes I repositioned my car to put my headlights at them. We sat like that for 30 more minutes. My window slightly down in case they said anything. Finally leaving, me feeling incredibly uneasy. At 11:30 the truck came barreling back up the road coming straight for my car, got right next to me then burned out and left, again.

It’s late, the weather is bad and most campgrounds aren’t open. There’s absolutely no reason to treat anyone like that. There’s no home insight, I’m not in the way of anyone, my car is not in view of a home.

**Original**
This spot is closed. & the road after this spot doesn’t open until June 15th and it’s the 13th. I am by the gate hoping no one comes to tell me I can’t stay here. There’s a girl in a van doing the same thing. Fingers crossed that it’s late enough no one will notice us.

Aside from that, this is an absolutely stunning location. The wild flowers are different purples, yellows and whites and the snow covered mountains.. seriously to die for.

Stayed Late June.

Great place with great internet. Views are awesome!!!

Here is the catch now.
Third day here a crazy Karen came barreling down the road. We were at the very end at the loop of the road. The woman came out shouting at me that we needed to leave as this was a cow pasture. I informed her this was Dispersed Camping and that its National Forrest. She replied this is a cow pasture can't you see the cow poop. She stormed off say expletives to her friend in her car. She then stormed off and stopped at another trailer. Later same day a Forrest Range came by and nicely informed us that they where closing this area for the next year to help grow an rare grass. They gave use until next day to move out. They posted little signs on posts that are easy to miss. Don't Camp on FSR 402.

Closest freshwater was 30 minutes away at the Leigh RV Dump Station. Closest dumpstation was 13 minutes in Cenex Gas Station.

This was truly a gem! Beautiful 360 scenery everywhere you look, mountains, mountains, mountains. Easy parking and leveling with lots of space. No nosy neighbor next to you! We had both Verizon and AT&T cell service, 1-2 bars, but NO INTERNET! You will have to go to the local library to do any work on your computer or a McDonalds in town.

The downside was we had to leave 7 days early. A park ranger came on a Friday and told us to be out by Monday. They were spraying for a weed that the animals will not eat and did not want any campers there. We had to scramble to find a place within that amount of time! I wish they would have given us more notice or other camping options, but they did not. There is further camping into the forest with no cell service from Verizon or AT&T (we drove to different campsites looking for other possibilities).

As of June 28th, it is closed and not sure how long. Please check with the forest office, which is in Buffalo. Buffalo is a cute town to visit, but some of their stores were closed on Sunday (the historical area).

Cows were brought in while we were still there. It was quite a sight to see! They moved them across the freeway, so they were no bother to us.

This is a great place to stay if you do not have to work and want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Stores and laundry, and any tourist type of activities are about 10 miles east of the campground, located in the heart of Buffalo.

Absolutely drop dead gorgeous boondocking site! 10-11 miles west of Buffalo WY. On the way to Yellowstone and Tetons. We stopped here on a Thursday in early June. Wildflowers covered the hills. So many nice spots to choose from! We are in a 40’ Fifth wheel and extra vehicle - no problems what so ever (and my husband is anal about leveling!) I would stay here and skip Yellowstone if I could!

Driving up from Buffalo, Wy on Hwy 16 to here was a beautiful drive. The road was paved and in excellent shape although you go up in elevation gradually, the views were amazing. When we arrived we had gottten a winter weather advisory and did receive about 1 ft of snow which added to the wow factor. We will definitely be coming back here

Boondocking site in the Bighorn National Forest. Only 11 miles west of Buffalo, WY off Rt 16.
Easy access on gravel road to a field that is relatively flat.
Called the Grouse Lake dispersed camping area.
Good phone signal; 4 bars for Verizon.
Nice view of Bighorn Mountains to the west.
A few other boondockers scattered here and there- this is late in the season, though.