Rex Hale
Shoshone National Forest
Rex Hale Campground is located along the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway about 36 miles west of Cody, in northwestern Wyoming. It is just over 16 miles east of Yellowstone National Park's east entrance. The surrounding area offers many outdoor recreational opportunities, including fishing, hiking and viewing local wildlife.
The campground is named after Rex Hale, one of 15 firefighters who died in the 1937 Blackwater Fire, which burned more than 1,700 acres of Forest Service lands within the Shoshone National Forest.
The campground offers several campsites, some of which have electric hookups. Each site is equipped with a table, campfire ring and food storage locker. Potable water, vault toilets, and trash collection are provided. Campers are allowed to gather firewood in the area.
Notifications and Alerts
The Shoshone National Forest Campgrounds are no longer reservable via Recreation.gov, it will be available first come, first served. Reservations that were made prior to March 13, 2025 will be honored.
Need to Know
- Grizzly bears frequent the area; all food, beverages, coolers, trash and other attractants must be properly stored at all times
- Horses and other livestock are not permitted to stay in the campground, but they are allowed to pass through
- An additional fee will be collected at the campground for extra vehicles
- Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
- Click here for more information on the Shoshone National Forest
Natural Features
The campground is situated near the banks of the North Fork of the Shoshone River and offers views of spectacular red cliffs, where bighorn sheep may be seen early in the season.
A wide variety of wildlife lives in the surrounding area. Visitors often glimpse grizzly bears, deer, elk, bison, moose, fox, coyotes and bald eagles.
Nearby Attractions
Pahaska Tepee, west of the campground, is home to Buffalo Bill's original hunting lodge, built in 1904. Tours are offered daily between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Pahaska also offers guided horseback rides, a gift shop, restaurant and lodging.
Yellowstone National Park's east entrance is 18 miles from the campground via the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway. The park offers unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities, as well as breathtaking scenery and unique geological features.
The small, historic city of Cody offers a variety of dining, lodging and shopping options. The Buffalo Bill Historical Center offers extensive displays of Greater Yellowstone natural history, Plains Indians artifacts, western art, firearms, Buffalo Bill memorabilia and a wild sheep exhibit.
Recreation
Great opportunities for hiking, fishing, scenic driving and wildlife viewing are available around the campground. The North Fork of the Shoshone River is a popular fly-fishing location for rainbow and Yellowstone cutthroat trout.
A firefighter memorial is located along the highway, just over a mile west of the campground. Forest Service Trail 758 leads to two additional memorials, which mark the locations where other firefighters lost their lives in the Blackwater Fire.
Mummy Cave is less than a mile from the campground. This historical site was discovered in 1957 and found to have been occupied for a period of over 9,000 years. Many artifacts, including a mummified ancient inhabitant, were excavated from the large alcove, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
Contact Information
Default
203A YELLOWSTONE AVE CODY WY 82414
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 307-527-6921 - THIS NUMBER IS NOT FOR RESERVATIONS. FOR RESERVATION OR INQUIRIES ABOUT RESERVATION STATUS, GO TO RECREATION.GOV 1-877-444-6777
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Cody, Wyo., follow Sheridan Avenue west through Cody until the road leaves town and becomes the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 14/16/20). The campground is located 36 miles from Cody, on the south side of the highway. It is between Newton Campground to the west and Clearwater Campground to the east.
Available Campsites
- Site 022, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Electric
- Site 023, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Electric
- Site 024, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Electric
- Site 025, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Electric
- Site 028, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Electric
- Site 004, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Electric
- Site 015, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 030, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Electric
- Site 029, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop REX HALE , Type Standard Electric
Photo Gallery
