Bighorn National Forest dispersed camping public forums

Bighorn National Forest recreation managers will be hosting a series of six public forums to collect input on dispersed camping management.  

The Forest Service is asking the public to join them anytime during the meeting and come and go freely as there will be no formal presentations. The intention is to create conversations around dispersed camping management and the public’s thoughts about the Dispersed Camping Task Force recommendations that managers are considering implementing.

Aug. 4- Gillette, Campbell County Public Library 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Aug. 18- Lovell, Fire Hall 4-6 p.m.

Aug. 23- Sheridan, Sheridan College Broadway Center 4-6 p.m.

Aug. 25- Buffalo, Johnson County Fire Hall 4-6 p.m.

Aug. 30- Worland, Washakie County Library 4-6 p.m.

Sept. 6- Greybull, Town Hall 4-6 p.m.

The Forest Service reports that during the summer of 2022, managers have been asking for public input to update camping regulations based on recommendations from the citizen-led Dispersed Camping Task Force. The proposal includes changing the moving requirement, a consistent approach to scenic by-way management where Highway 16 would have a no-camping buffer, much like Highway 14 and 14A, and consistency with all other national forests in the region to change to a year-round 14-day stay limit.

In addition to updating the regulations, the Task Force suggested the following items, which are also being considered by Forest managers:

Implement a sticker program to authorize dispersed camping

Identify and assign designated dispersed camping sites

Expand Jaws Trailhead to allow overnight camping, including livestock.

In 2016, the Big Horn Mountain Coalition, in coordination with Bighorn National Forest staff, initiated a public discussion of dispersed camping in the Forest. The Coalition found the public agreed that issues with dispersed camping are a widespread problem. In response, the Coalition solicited each of the four counties comprising the Forest to seek interested citizens to participate in a collaborative task force. The goal of the Dispersed Camping Task Force was to review the findings of the Coalition surveys, hear the concerns of the Forest, and work on building possible solutions. 

After a year of monthly public meetings that were advertised by the counties and Coalition, the Task Force submitted a list of recommendations to Bighorn National Forest managers. Due to staffing shortages and the pandemic, Forest officials were only able to implement one recommendation, an extension of the ending dates of the camping stay limits in 2020 – from Sept. 10, to Sept. 30.