Perched along the sparkling waters of Buffalo Bill Reservoir, this state park campground delivers sweeping lake views with the dramatic Absaroka Range rising in the distance. Whether you're road-tripping to Yellowstone or settling in for a lakeside retreat, you'll find a welcoming mix of pull-through RV sites and traditional campsites perfectly positioned between Cody's Wild West heritage and the wonders of America's first national park.
Two main campgrounds (North Shore Bay and North Fork) with a mix of pull-through RV sites and designated tent-only sites; site counts are described in source materials.
Historical Significance
The park and reservoir are named for William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody and are associated with the regional history of ranching, irrigation, and early Reclamation projects (Buffalo Bill/ Shoshone Dam). The reservoir and dam reflect Reclamation-era development that enabled regional irrigation, power, and recreation.Weather and SeasonsThe campground hits its stride from late May through early September, when full services, running water, and hot showers are reliably available and fellow campers fill the sites during the busy summer months of June through August. Shoulder season visitors in May and September should expect occasional service interruptions, while winter adventurers (October through April) will find water systems winterized and some loops like North Fork fully closed for the season. At roughly 5,400 feet elevation, pack layers—even summer nights carry a refreshing mountain chill that makes campfire evenings particularly cozy.
Natural Features and SceneryYour campsite sits in an open basin where the North Fork of the Shoshone River feeds into the expansive Buffalo Bill Reservoir, putting you just steps from the shoreline. The landscape here embraces its high-desert character—rolling sagebrush plains dotted with native grasses stretch toward the foothills, while the rugged peaks of the Absaroka Range command the horizon. With minimal tree cover, you'll enjoy unobstructed, 180-degree vistas that shift from golden hour magic to star-filled Wyoming skies, though you'll want to bring shade if you prefer coverage at your site.
Geological RegionReservoir basin along the North Fork Shoshone River corridor, in the foothills of the Absaroka Range (semi-arid high plains/foothills).
Scenic ViewsExpansive lake views across Buffalo Bill Reservoir, panoramic big-sky horizons, and mountain vistas toward the Absaroka Range and the North Fork canyon corridor. Shoreline and near-shore sites generally provide the best water and mountain views.
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