Facility Overview

The Burgess RV Dump Station is an open-air public utility and staging facility nestled high in the Bighorn National Forest along scenic U.S. Route 14 near Burgess Junction, Wyoming (postal address Dayton, WY 82836). Designed primarily to serve recreationists, road-trippers, and campers traveling the Bighorn Scenic Byway, this wide pull-through surface lot allows motorhomes, fifth wheels, toy haulers, and overland vehicles to easily maneuver, park temporarily, and service their waste tanks. Because the facility is completely open-air without any overhead canopies, structures, or low clearance barriers, it accommodates all high-profile recreational vehicles regardless of height, length, or towing configuration.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated in the heart of northern Wyoming’s alpine wilderness near the historic Burgess Junction, this location serves as a critical gateway to world-class outdoor recreation, historic landmarks, and scenic mountain lodges:

• Burgess Junction Visitor Center: Located less than a mile away, offering interpretive exhibits, trail maps, and forest ranger information.
• Bear Lodge Resort & Elk View Inn: Situated within 1 to 2 miles along US-14, providing rustic dining, fuel, lodging, and winter snowmobile / summer trail rentals.
• Sibley Lake Recreation Area: Approximately 4 miles to the east, famous for trout fishing, non-motorized boating, scenic picnic grounds, and cross-country ski trails.
• Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark: Located approximately 20 miles west along Alternate US-14 (US-14A), an extraordinary Native American sacred stone structure offering panoramic views of the Bighorn Basin.
• Bighorn Scenic Byway: Stretching across the crest of the Bighorn Mountains connecting Dayton and Sheridan to the east with Lovell and Greybull to the west.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The dump station and turn-off area are accessed directly from U.S. Highway 14, just east of the major junction where US-14 meets US-14A. The turnouts are wide and paved to allow heavy rigs to decelerate safely off the mountain highway. There is no scheduled public municipal transit in this remote alpine national forest zone; private vehicles, campers, and touring motorcycles are the primary modes of travel. Drivers should note that US-14 climbs through steep mountain grades and switchbacks rising from Dayton (elevation 3,920 ft) up to over 8,000 feet at Burgess Junction, requiring careful transmission management and vigilant brake monitoring.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Generous Pull-Through Design: Extra-wide asphalt lanes tailored for multi-axle trailers, large Class A motorhomes, and overland expeditions.
• Waste Station Infrastructure: Designated sanitary sewer dumping ports with rinse connections for holding tanks.
• Water Station: Non-potable flush water and seasonal potable water fill stations (available during frost-free summer months).
• Open Sky Clearance: Completely unobstructed overhead space suitable for tall campers, roof racks, and satellite equipment.
• Trash Receptacles: Bear-proof refuse bins installed on-site for proper backcountry waste disposal.
• Informational Kiosks: Forest service bulletin boards detailing trail conditions, fire restrictions, and wildlife safety guidelines.

Ideal For

• RV & Camper Enthusiasts: Travelers exploring the Bighorn National Forest who require sanitation facilities before or after boondocking.
• Road-Tripping Tourists: Drivers navigating between Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, and Yellowstone National Park seeking a clean, dependable mountain rest stop.
• Outdoor Adventurers: Hunters, anglers, and hikers using the pull-off to organize gear before heading out to nearby trailheads and mountain streams.
• Commercial Truck & Van Drivers: Vanlifers and truckers needing a brief, safe roadside pull-off to stretch, inspect equipment, or check tie-downs.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Due to its high mountain elevation (around 8,000 feet above sea level), the water service at the Burgess RV Dump Station is strictly seasonal. Water lines are typically shut off and winterized from mid-autumn through late spring to prevent freezing damage. Mountain weather can change abruptly, bringing snow as early as September and lasting well into June. If traveling with a large rig, ensure you utilize engine braking on the steep descents down toward Dayton or Shell Canyon. Always leave the dump station tidy and rinse any surface spills thoroughly for the next traveler.