How much does camping cost at North Tongue?

Camping fees at North Tongue range from $18/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is North Tongue first-come first-served or reservation?

North Tongue accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at North Tongue before I book?

Yes! North Tongue has 9 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit North Tongue?

North Tongue is open June 04 to September 20. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at North Tongue?

North Tongue does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does North Tongue have?

North Tongue has 12 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at North Tongue?

Yes, pets are allowed at North Tongue. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at North Tongue?

North Tongue offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at North Tongue?

Popular activities at North Tongue include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

North Tongue

4.63

116 reviews

FOREST ROAD 158, DAYTON, WY 82836, USA

Featured in:Spring Camping Wyoming Forest Camping Wyoming Primitive Camping Wyoming +13 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

8,400 ft

Price

$18/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Open from Memorial D...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

8,400 ft

Price

$18/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Open from Memorial D...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds Official Website

Get Directions

North Tongue

$18.00 - $18.00 / night

Campsite Fees

MANAGEMENT: $18.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $18.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Standard Site Fee$18.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

406-587-9054support@rusticfreedom.com

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

FOREST ROAD 158, DAYTON, WY 82836, USA

North Tongue

FOREST ROAD 158, DAYTON, WY 82836, USA

Nearby places

Dayton: 29 miles (approximately 40-minute drive)

Burgess Junction: 1.5 miles (approximately 5-minute drive).

Weather at North Tongue

Best Time to Camp at North Tongue

Best season: summer. Summer offers the clearest access and the best weather at 8,400 ft — expect sunny days in the upper 60s to mid-70s°F (15–24°C) and cool nights dropping into the 30s–40s°F (0–9°C). Trails are dry and wildflowers are at their peak, trout streams are fishing well, and boating on nearby waters is accessible; wildlife viewing (elk, mule deer, occasional moose and bears) is excellent in early morning and dusk. Weekends in July and early August are the busiest, but the campground remains relatively unc Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Best season: open Memorial Day–Labor Day; warm days, wildflowers, peak fishing and hiking conditions.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: June 04 to September 20. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

About North Tongue

North Tongue sits at 8,400 feet in Bighorn National Forest, 20 minutes from Dayton. Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds runs this creekside alpine camp where small sites accommodate tents, RVs, and primitive setups under lodgepole pine. Campers fish for trout, hike forest trails, and watch for elk and moose along the water.

North Tongue is a small, primitive campground offering standard non-electric sites suited for tent and RV camping. "This is a small campground set on a mountain next to a creek," one user observed.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the clearest access and the best weather at 8,400 ft — expect sunny days in the upper 60s to mid-70s°F (15–24°C) and cool nights dropping into the 30s–40s°F (0–9°C). Trails are dry and wildflowers are at their peak, trout streams are fishing well, and boating on nearby waters is accessible; wildlife viewing (elk, mule deer, occasional moose and bears) is excellent in early morning and dusk. Weekends in July and early August are the busiest, but the campground remains relatively unc Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation8400 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryWeathered granite peaks rise above dense lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce, and Douglas fir where the North Fork Tongue River meets Big Willow Creek. The creek runs right through camp. Moose browse the willows, elk bugle at dawn, and mule deer move through the forest. The scenery is classic high-country Wyoming, though passing trucks on the nearby road kick up enough dust to be noticeable.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging is available within the campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNearby attractions such as Shell Falls Visitor Center and Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark offer educational displays and interpretive trails.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14-day maximum stay limit enforced throughout the year.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Two non-towed vehicles allowed per site. Maximum number of guests per site is not specified.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through www.recreation.gov.

AccessibilityThe vault toilets are accessible, and campsites offer gravel back-in parking, though some users mentioned the need for extra leveling. No specific ADA-compliant accommodations for activities are noted.

Site SizeSites are generally small and compact. "Sites are a little small, requiring the tents to be staked down to the pad," one user remarked.

PrivacyPrivacy varies by site. Some sites are semi-secluded, such as campsite #3, described as "the very best site in the campground" with proximity to the river.

Total Campsites12 campsites

Recommended SitesSite #003 is considered one of the best for proximity to the river and semi-privacy. Site #007 offers easy access to toilets and bear boxes.

Best CampsitesSite #3 gets the most recommendations for its river access and semi-seclusion. One reviewer called it "the very best site in the campground." Sites #7 and #12 also show up in reviews, #12 for wildlife sightings.

Need help booking North Tongue?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

North Tongue Campground offers accessible vault toilets, drinking water via hand pumps, trash collection, picnic tables, and campfire rings with grills. "Pit toilets that look and smell clean. Which is impressive for pit toilets," said one reviewer. Another camper noted, "The bathrooms are always some of the cleanest around." Firewood bundles are sold by the campground host for $6. However, there is no Wi-Fi or dump station on-site, though a dump station is available at Burgess Junction, about 2 miles away.

Potable water

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives. "Stream and river fishing and hiking. There are plenty of trails and Sibley Lake 15 min away that allows fishing and paddling," noted one camper. Another review highlighted, "Loved proximity to North Tongue, Tie Flume, and Sibley Lake." Non-motorized boating is available at nearby Sibley Lake.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Cultural and Educational Programs

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not provided; instead, the campground offers accessible vault toilets that are well-maintained and clean according to user reviews.

Food Storage RequiredBear boxes are available at campsites for secure food storage.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.6

116 reviews

Top-Rated

North Tongue is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews highlight the campground's cleanliness, attentive hosts, and serene location, though some users noted the small size of campsites and noise from nearby roads and vehicles.

Review Summaries

Based on 116 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean facilities, friendly and helpful hosts, scenic location next to a creek, and abundant wildlife, including moose and elk.

Based on 116 reviews

Common Concerns

Small and compact campsites with limited privacy, noise from nearby roads and vehicle traffic, and dust issues from the access road.

Based on 116 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #3: "Semi-secluded right next to the river." Site #7: "Conveniently located near toilet and bear box." Site #12: "Saw a bull moose when we arrived." Site #5: "Not a great level spot for a tent...

Based on 116 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Site #3 is highly recommended for its proximity to the river and semi-secluded nature. Campers also suggest bringing Starlink for connectivity and being prepared for dry camping as there are no...

Based on 116 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer is the best season to visit, with wildlife viewing, fishing, and hiking being popular. Winter camping is not possible as the campground closes after Labor Day.

Based on 116 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Pit toilets that look and smell clean. Which is impressive for pit toilets." "The cutthroat trout in the North Tongue were receptive to dry flies! Great fun." "Moose everywhere! Even 10 ft from our...

Based on 116 reviews

Accessibility Features

Vault toilets are clean and accessible. No detailed reviews about other accessibility features.

Based on 116 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but there are no off-leash areas or pickup stations. Trash cans are located at the entrance. "The cattleguard at the front entrance keeps the wildlife out, but also keeps the doggos...

Based on 116 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want high-elevation wildlife viewing and fishing access on a budget and don't mind compact sites near forest roads.

Skip if

You need spacious sites away from road noise or plan to visit outside summer months.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

3.8

(17)

Pine Island Group Area

US Highway 14

Pine Island Group Area sits at 8,400 feet in Bighorn National Forest near Dayton, offering high-elevation alpine camping with electric hookups and access to the South Fork Tongue River. Operated by Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds, this group-focused site features a covered shelter with a fireplace, vault toilets, and potable water. Campers fish the river, hike alpine trails, bike mountain routes, and watch for wildlife in the surrounding forest.