Johnson County · Hunt Areas 34–38
Johnson County, Wyoming Hunting Cabins
Two basecamps in the Bighorn Mountains elk country around Buffalo — one bordering national forest directly, one backing onto BLM land minutes from town.
Johnson County and the Bighorn Mountains around Buffalo fall within Wyoming elk hunt areas 34–38. Wyo Stays manages two basecamp cabins here: Piton, bordering Bighorn National Forest directly at 8,500 feet, and Clear Creek Crossing, backing onto BLM public land minutes from downtown Buffalo. Confirm current hunt area boundaries and season dates at wgfd.wyo.gov/HuntPlanner before applying.
Bighorn Mountains Elk Country
The Bighorn Mountains surrounding Buffalo and Johnson County are consistently among Wyoming's most competitive draw areas — elk hunt areas 34 through 38 span the range from the high country down into the foothills, with mule deer and antelope opportunities in the same general country. Boundaries, quotas, and season structures are set annually by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and do shift; the WGFD Hunt Planner at wgfd.wyo.gov/HuntPlanner is the authoritative source before you apply.
A cabin basecamp changes a hunt in ways a motel room can't: a real kitchen for pre-dawn breakfast and post-hunt dinners, actual freezer and fridge space, a mudroom for wet gear, and — depending on the property — direct trail access into the country you're hunting.
Basecamp Cabins
Both currently bookable, both managed locally.
Buffalo, Wyoming
Piton — Secluded Bighorn Cabin
Bordering Bighorn National Forest directly, at 8,500 feet on 5 private acres. The closest thing in the collection to a walk-out basecamp — steep driveway, no cell service, real freezer space, a wood stove for the evening after a long day in the field.
Sleeps 12 · 3 bed · 1 bath
View Cabin →
Buffalo, Wyoming
Clear Creek Crossing
BLM public land opens up directly behind the cabin, minutes from downtown Buffalo — an easier basecamp for a party that wants forest access without the mountain drive. Sleeps up to 14 with the bunkhouse, useful for a multi-hunter camp.
Sleeps 14 · 3 bed · 2 bath
View Cabin →Season Logistics
Elk season in the Bighorns generally runs from early September archery through late fall rifle seasons, with exact dates set annually — confirm at wgfd.wyo.gov before booking. Late-season hunts push into genuinely cold, sometimes snowy conditions at elevation; Piton's own winter access shifts to snowmobile-in once the road closes, about 1.5 miles from the nearest plowed parking, so a late hunt there requires real planning.
Buffalo has licensed game processors and a full-service grocery and hardware store downtown — plan on driving field-dressed animals into town rather than expecting on-site processing at either cabin.
Hunting Cabin FAQ
Which Wyoming elk hunt areas does Johnson County cover?+
Johnson County and the surrounding Bighorn Mountains fall within elk hunt areas 34 through 38 — among the most heavily applied-for hunt areas in the state. Boundaries and season structures are set by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and can shift year to year; confirm current boundaries and season dates at the WGFD Hunt Planner (wgfd.wyo.gov/HuntPlanner) before applying.
Is Piton a good basecamp for a Johnson County elk hunt?+
Yes, for a party that wants genuine seclusion and doesn't mind the drive: Piton borders Bighorn National Forest directly, at 8,500 feet, with real freezer space and a wood stove for cold mornings. The tradeoffs are real too — a steep driveway, no cell service on the property, and snowmobile-in winter access once the roads close. Confirm current road conditions before a late-season hunt.
What game is available in the Bighorn Mountains near Buffalo?+
Elk, mule deer, and antelope are the primary big game species in the hunt areas surrounding Buffalo and Johnson County. Exact season dates, license types, and draw requirements are set annually by Wyoming Game and Fish — see wgfd.wyo.gov for current regulations before planning a trip.
Do the cabins have freezer space and gear storage for a hunt?+
Both Piton and Clear Creek Crossing have full kitchens with real refrigerator and freezer space, and enough mudroom-style entry space for boots, packs, and wet gear. Neither is a dedicated game-processing facility — plan on a local processor in Buffalo for field-dressed animals.
Is there cell service at these hunting cabins?+
Clear Creek Crossing, close to downtown Buffalo, has normal cell coverage. Piton does not — there is no cell service on the property, by nature of its elevation and distance from town. Starlink WiFi is available at Piton for connectivity once you're back at the cabin.
Book Your Basecamp
Tell us your season and party size. We'll match you with the right cabin for the hunt.