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Dead Swede Campground is located just off the Bighorn Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 14) near the Burgess Overlook and Woodrock areas at an elevation of 8,400 feet. The Bighorn National Forest offers a wide variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, scenic driving and a number of historic sites. The administering organization is Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds; e-mail: [email protected] Recreation Off-road vehicle trails, scenic jeep roads, hiking, fishing and canoeing are available in the surrounding area. Diverse hikes vary from loop trails to treks along creeks and over mountain peaks; many trails access the Cloud Peak Wilderness. Nearby Sibley Lake is open to non-motorized craft and offers an accessible fishing dock on the shoreline. Anglers fish for rainbow, brown and brook trout. Facilities The campground offers several single-family sites, two of which are accessible, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. Natural Features The campground is situated on the banks of the South Tongue River in the Bighorn Mountains, where craggy granite peaks rise over 13,000 feet above sea level. A forest of lodgepole pines covers the area, creating great wildlife habitat. Nearby Attractions Decades ago, many trees in the Tie Flume area were cut for railroad ties. Remnants of the old splash dams and tie flumes are found on the nearby river. Shell Falls Visitor Center, at the overlook of Shell Falls, is about 21 miles southwest. This center offers interpretive trails, scenic views, and educational displays about natural features such as flora and fauna and area history. Bear Lodge, Elk View Inn and other nearby lodges provide guided horseback riding and fishing adventures, off-road vehicle rentals and fishing supplies, as well as dining options, showers and general stores. The Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite, near the town of Shell, is the largest of its kind in the state and one of only a few in the world from the Middle Jurassic Period. The tracks found here are approximately 167 million years old. ADA Access: N
From Dayton, Wyoming, travel 26.5 miles west on U.S. Highway 14 to Burgess Junction. Continue 5 miles south on U.S. Highway 14, then turn east onto Forest Road 26 and travel about 5 miles east to the campground.
Two non-towed vehicles allowed per site. The first vehicle is included in the basic fee; the second vehicle will be charged an extra $9.00 fee at the campground.
Firewood bundles may be purchased from the campground host.
Although this campground will accommodate large RVs, there are no hookups. There is fresh water available through a few water well hand pumps throughout the campground. So, bring in your water or be prepared to hand-pump and carry it. But, the water quality is excellent. This campground is small, but most of the sites are spacious. The sites are clean and well-kept. Same for the vault toilets. The Tongue River runs around the boundary of the campground and is easy to access. The camp hosts were great. Beware there are large wild animals that frequent the campground. If you bring a dog, keep him on a leash and nearby. He will be no match for an angry moose as some campers have found out the hard way. The only downside to this campground is the constant roar of off-road vehicles up and down the main access road that leads to the park, stirring up dust that will blow into the campground if the wind is right. Hopefully, the Forestry Service will soon deal with this If they did, this campground would be a bargain at twice the price. I'm sure that most of the Bighorn Mountain campgrounds suffer from this. But otherwise, this campground is a real gem.
First time at a paid campsite. Good access to the South Fork of the Tongue for fishing. Saw 4 moose, one got a little too close. Host was very nice and helpful. Firewood for sale on site. Clean restrooms. Luckily I had nice neighbors and we had a good time hanging out!
A remarkable place to camp! Five miles off the main road on a dirt road. The road is well maintained however some potholes and washboard. Situated on South Tongue River.
We had wonderful time Family Camping for a week! Nice & quiet campground and extremely clean outhouse. Jan was a lovely and friendly Camp Host. We had a 5th Wheel & both our son & son-in-law & families had Toy Haulers. It was fun using our 4-wheelers on many of the trails nearby. We plan to go again next year!
