Little Sunlight Camping Area

4.80

17 reviews

Romantic GetawayPeace & Quiet

Featured in:Forest Camping Wyoming Tent Camping Wyoming

Quick Facts

6,952 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Shoshone National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

6,952 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Shoshone National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Little Sunlight Camping Area

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The fee for a single campsite is $10 per night. A 50% discount applies to Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Pass holders for one campsite only....

Standard Site Fee$10.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.80

Top-Rated

Based on 17 reviews

14 Google reviews

"User reviews highlight the campground’s natural beauty and rustic charm, with mentions of its scenic location and peaceful environment."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Little Sunlight Camping Area

44.7177, -109.5912

Driving directionsFrom Cody, take State Highway 120 north for 16 miles. Turn left onto State Highway 296, the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway and proceed about 7 miles to Forest Road 101. Turn left onto Forest Road 101 about 9 miles to the campground.

The campground is accessed via State Highway 296 and then onto an unpaved Forest Road (FR 101) for 9 miles. While the directions are straightforward, the unpaved road may pose challenges, particularly during inclement weather or winter months when snow and ice could make the route inaccessible.

Nearby places

Cody (approximately 23 miles, or a drive of about 45 minutes)

Nearby supplies

The nearest locations for groceries, camping supplies, and fuel are likely in Cody, Wyoming. Specific distances or stores are not provided.

Best Time to Camp at Little Sunlight Camping Area

Little Sunlight transforms with the seasons, each bringing its own magic to this mountain retreat. Winter blankets the campground in pristine snow, with temperatures that demand cozy sleeping bags and crackling campfires. As summer arrives, the forest comes alive—warm days invite exploration while crisp mountain nights (dipping to 44°F even in peak season) remind you of the elevation. During the height of summer, expect glorious days reaching 76°F under predominantly clear skies, with minimal rain to interrupt your outdoor adventures. The shoulder seasons paint the landscape in dramatic transitions, from spring's awakening to autumn's golden farewell.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Summer noted as most favorable and likely peak season for hiking/backpacking.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall offers seasonal beauty and quieter conditions; materials note seasonal magic without specifics.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Spring conditions variable with snowmelt; likely quieter but access and mud can be issues.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.5 / 5

Winter brings substantial snow; open year-round but access may be limited and no services provided.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: The materials do not explicitly define peak seasons, but weather data suggests summer as the most favorable time.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round unless made inaccessible by snow or ice.
Current Alerts: The campground is indicated as "closed" at the time of specific inquiry, potentially due to winter conditions.

About Little Sunlight Camping Area

Tucked away in the wilderness, Little Sunlight Camping Area offers an authentic back-to-basics camping experience across five intimate sites. Here, towering pines and ancient junipers form a natural cathedral overhead, their branches whispering stories of the wild. This is camping as it was meant to be—no running water, no trash service, just you and the untamed beauty of nature. Each site comes equipped with sturdy picnic tables and bear-proof storage boxes, essential companions for your wilderness adventure. Perfect for seasoned campers who arrive self-sufficient and ready to disconnect from the modern world.

The Little Sunlight Camping Area is designed for dispersed camping with a focus on a natural and rustic experience.

Historical SignificanceWhile the written history of this secluded spot remains untold, the ancient pines and weathered rocks hold countless stories of those who've passed through these lands over the centuries.

Weather and SeasonsLittle Sunlight transforms with the seasons, each bringing its own magic to this mountain retreat. Winter blankets the campground in pristine snow, with temperatures that demand cozy sleeping bags and crackling campfires. As summer arrives, the forest comes alive—warm days invite exploration while crisp mountain nights (dipping to 44°F even in peak season) remind you of the elevation. During the height of summer, expect glorious days reaching 76°F under predominantly clear skies, with minimal rain to interrupt your outdoor adventures. The shoulder seasons paint the landscape in dramatic transitions, from spring's awakening to autumn's golden farewell.

ElevationNestled high in the mountain wilderness, Little Sunlight sits at an elevation where the air grows thin and the stars shine brilliantly close.

Natural Features and SceneryStep into a living postcard where fragrant pine and juniper create a verdant canopy that filters sunlight into dancing patterns on the forest floor. The rugged grandeur of Shoshone National Forest surrounds you in every direction, offering a landscape carved by time and weather into dramatic peaks and hidden valleys. Morning mist often clings to the trees, while evenings bring alpenglow to distant ridges. This is raw, unfiltered wilderness—where the only sounds are wind through branches, birdsong at dawn, and perhaps the distant bugle of an elk echoing through the valleys.

Geological RegionLittle Sunlight Camping Area rests within the magnificent tapestry of Shoshone National Forest, where ancient geological forces have sculpted a dramatic mountainous landscape. Millions of years of uplift and erosion have created this rugged paradise, where resilient pines and junipers sink their roots into rocky soils. The surrounding peaks and valleys tell the story of ice ages past, volcanic activity, and the patient work of wind and water that continues to shape this spectacular corner of the American West.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

16-day stay limit

Groups

Group camping is not mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe campground has five dispersed sites, each equipped with picnic tables and bear boxes.

Reservation PlatformsReservations are not available for this campground, indicating it operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Walk-in AvailabilityThe campground operates entirely on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations available.

Cancellation PolicyThe source material does not provide specific information about cancellation rules or penalties.

AccessibilityThe site is not accessible to persons with mobility impairments.

Site SizeNo specific details on site sizes are provided beyond there being five campsites.

PrivacyThe campsite is described as being nestled under a canopy of pine and juniper, which may contribute to a sense of seclusion.

Total Campsites5 campsites

Recommended SitesNo specific recommendations for site selection are provided.

Amenities available

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

Little Sunlight Camping Area offers a variety of outdoor activities that align with its rustic and natural setting. Activities include hiking, backpacking, wildlife viewing, and horseback riding.

Hiking"Hiking" and "backpacking" are mentioned as recreational activities available at the site. The nearby trailhead also has parking for horse trailers, indicating access to trails.

Wildlife viewing"Viewing Wildlife" is listed as an activity, suggesting opportunities to observe local fauna.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include encounters with wildlife due to the food storage requirement, as well as challenges posed by the lack of potable water and garbage services. Winter weather conditions may also make the site inaccessible.

Active AlertsThe campground is indicated as "closed" at the time of specific inquiry, potentially due to winter conditions.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

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

Food Storage RequiredBear boxes are provided at individual campsites to ensure safe food storage.

Fire PolicyNo Forest Service fire rings are provided, and fire policies are not explicitly detailed.

Emergency ServicesEmergency services closest to this campground would likely be in Cody, Wyoming. Specific details about hospitals, police stations, and ranger stations are not provided.

Trash & RecyclingGarbage pickup is explicitly noted as unavailable.

Water FeaturesNo specific water bodies, such as lakes or rivers, are mentioned near the campground.

Camp HostThere is no information provided about campground hosts.

Weather at Little Sunlight Camping Area

Reviews

4.8

17 reviews

Top-Rated

Little Sunlight Camping Area is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground’s natural beauty and rustic charm, with mentions of its scenic location and peaceful environment.

Review Summaries

Based on 17 reviews

What Campers Love

Users appreciate the 'gorgeous vale' and the 'canopy of pine and juniper,' describing the site as a 'beautiful, secret little campground.'

Based on 17 reviews

Common Concerns

No specific complaints are provided in the user reviews.

Based on 17 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

No user-provided tips are explicitly mentioned.

Based on 17 reviews

Seasonal Insights

No specific seasonal review trends are mentioned, though one user noted camping there for nearly 30 years, implying year-round appeal.

Based on 17 reviews

Camper Quotes

"This was such a beautiful, secret little camp ground nestled in a gorgeous vale." - Austin Petak. "Beautiful! A long drive back especially towing a camper but totally worth it!" - Haley Rhoden

Based on 17 reviews