Best Dispersed Camping near Cheyenne, WY
The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest west of Cheyenne provides multiple free dispersed camping options, with the Vedauwoo area being particularly popular. Forest Service Road 700 offers designated dispersed sites with numbered posts and established fire rings, though no amenities are available. Sites are well-spaced and often positioned near distinctive granite rock formations that provide natural wind breaks and climbing opportunities. The road becomes rough and washboarded beyond the established campground, challenging for vehicles towing campers.
Pole Mountain and Vedauwoo Dispersed Sunset Camp offer additional free primitive camping with similar lack of facilities. Most sites accommodate both tents and smaller RVs, though some areas require high-clearance vehicles. A review noted, "The side roads have bigger potholes, but are more smooth." The proximity to I-80 means some highway noise is audible at certain sites. Cattle grazing is permitted in the area, and wildlife sightings include deer and chipmunks. Summer temperatures run approximately 10 degrees cooler than in Cheyenne, with sites sitting at elevations above 8,000 feet.
