The spread creek dispersed camping area in the Bridger-Teton National Forest of Wyoming is a popular spot for boondockers. The Bridger-Teton National Forest has over 3.4 million acres of public land and is a part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which is the largest intact ecosystem in the lower 48 US states.
According to Bridger-Teton’s official website, the national forest is known for “…the four W’s – Wildlife, Winter opportunities, Wilderness, and Wild and Scenic Rivers.”
The unique area has everything nature lovers enjoy; vast untouched wildlands, extensive watersheds, and plentiful wildlife.
Recreational Activities
There are 6 main Ranger Districts in the Bridger-Teton National Forest: Kemmere, Big Piney, Greys River, Jackson, Blackrock, and Pinedale.
Kemmere
There are many different trails for mountain biking and hiking in this district, as well as scenic driving areas. There are various areas for skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and other winter sports.
If you enjoy fishing there are many different rivers, streams, and ponds, for you to enjoy. If you’re more into hunting, there are opportunities for big game, small game, and even waterfowl/game birds.
Big Piney
The Big Piney district is excellent for nature viewing such as observing different wildlife, plants, and scenery. It also has hunting and fishing opportunities, as well as non-motorized boating.
There are regular hiking and mountain biking trails for the warmer months, and for the winter months there are various skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling trails
Greys River
There are various beaches and dunes in this district for picnicking, swimming, and boating in the warm months, and snowmobiling and skiing is available in the winter months. There are also various hunting and fishing opportunities, as well as horseback riding trails.
Jackson
Similar to other districts the Jackson area hosts a wide variety of hunting and fishing opportunities, as well as scenic picnic spots. It also has many different trails for mountain biking and hiking, as well as picturesque driving areas.
There are plenty of places for both winter sports as well as water activities. In addition to this, there are OHV riding trails for people who have their licenses.
Blackrock or Buffalo
The Blackrock district hosts big game hunting only, you won’t be able to fish here. There’s cabin options if you want to stay in one, as well as horseback riding.
There are many different scenic hiking trails and driving routes located here, where you can find various picnic spots throughout. In the winter months, there are a few different snowmobiling trails for you to drive through as well.
Pinedale
There are few different beaches and dune areas located in the Pinedale district. Swimming is permitted as well as both motorized and non-motorized boating. You can fish in both the winter and the summer. There are mountain biking and regular hiking trails, as well as snowmobiling and skiing trails in the winter.
Costs and Stays
Luckily, there are no reservations needed in order to stay at a dispersed camping area in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. All developed and underdeveloped campgrounds located there are completely free with no cost to you, as well as the fact that they are “first come first serve.”
However, if you require a group site or a rental cabin, you will need to reserve a spot on recreation.gov, the parks official website. Group sites and rental cabins in the park may range from $15-$80, depending on which area you stay in as well as how many people you have in your group. The max amount of days you are allowed to stay at the free campground is 5 days.
Before You Go
It’s important to know that accessibility to the camping area is not always guaranteed, as it is not a developed campground.
Additionally, you should be sure to research ahead of time if there are any closures or special orders in the area that you plan on visiting.
Special orders may include but aren’t limited to things like Bear Food Storage, wildlife closures, or different permits that may be required for you to participate in certain recreational activities. Permits may include activities such as harvesting items such as firewood, herbs, or mushrooms, as well if you’re planning on filming the park for commercial use.
