The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Cheyenne. Cheyenne is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Cheyenne, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
"Just past the campground is dispersed primitive camping 🏕️. All sites are well established. There was a 🔥 ban so no campfires. Good hiking and rock climbing"
"Great section of national Forest between Cheyenne and Laramie. Easy access off the interstate. Lots of atv traffic but otherwise quiet and easy to find your own spot away from 'neighbors'"
"Need high clearance and a good off roading car to get all the way through. Also side note, turns out the road goes all the way through! Both ends go straight to a high way which is sweet."
"Stayed here on a Saturday night in June and arrived around 10pm. This site is awesome- there are many labeled camp sites and the dirt road was easy to drive down."
"Easy to access (I have 4wd), and each spot is massively spacious with really cool rock formations."
"There were aspen grove near by.. did not see any bears .. but chipmunk n deer were close."
"Coordinates are accurate to camp location spot, it is right off the highway, giving you easy access. I recommend getting there early because minimal site locations."
"There are a lot dispersed camping sites, you just need to get there early enough. You need to find a spot with a defined access road to it and a built fire ring. Generator use is allowed."
"Multiple dispersed campsites approaching the Pawnee Buttes trailhead from the west and southwest."
"There are several areas to pull off, and if you are pulling a trailer, or you have a big rig, there is a loop parking lot at the Pawnee Buttes Trailhead that you can turn around in if you need to."
"Just pull out onto one of the dirt roads and there are fire pits. Real dispersed camping."
"The washboard road coming off the highway is harsh but it smooths out when you get closer to camp. There are at least three camp site I saw that are all secluded by boulders and trees."
"If you’re going to camp & especially go to dispersed camping areas, make sure to leave no trace and pack in, pack out people!!!"
"The road to lost lake requires high clearance. It is located 30 min away from Red Feather Lakes. There are a lot of dispersed camp sites."
"As long as you steer clear from the private property you'll find a site. Some roads will turn sour and require high clearance."
"The gravel road in is in very good condition. The drive is totally beautiful especially during the fall. The road is lined with aspens and large boulders and massive rock bluffs."
"FS 726 & 728 ARE on the Forrest Svc usage map.
We found FS728 to have a structure at the entrance from old HWY30."
"Close to Summit Rest Area (potable water March-October, flush toilets), Laramie for restocks, and the Vedauwoo Recreation Area. So much free camping here, only downsides are wind, & road noise."
GuideThere are tons of sites along the back roads. As long as you steer clear from the private property you'll find a site. Some roads will turn sour and require high clearance.
ScoutI went on Labor Day weekend, it was quite busy BUT I was still able to find a spot. Need high clearance and a good off roading car to get all the way through. Also side note, turns out the road goes all the way through! Both ends go straight to a high way which is sweet. There are many animals so make sure everything is bear proof and prepared for one to come by!
The road winds through and there are many different roads that brand off and have a bunch of sites at too
TravelerEasy to access (I have 4wd), and each spot is massively spacious with really cool rock formations. The view is gorgeous...lovely fire rings...you definitely have to bring water and everything you need--there are no facilities her--but it is wonderful camping!
LegendI have camped here multiple times and always have a great time. There are a few primitive sites here with fire pits, plenty of firewood for gathering, flat spots for a tent and fairly accessible with a high clearance vehicle. This campground is an especially good option for those wanting to avoid the summer crowds of the close by and popular campgrounds of Red Feather Lakes and Lost Lake. I often use this as a home base for exploring some of the trails in those areas. There are also lots of fun boulders in the campground area to climb around on or tuck your tent next to if needing protection on a windy night.
TravelerMultiple dispersed campsites approaching the Pawnee Buttes trailhead from the west and southwest. I camped (rooftop tent) on the bluff overlooking the trailhead parking lot, approached from the south. Chilly at night (10 degrees) but no wind.
Spectacular view of the Pawnee Buttes to the east. Perfect spot to catch sunrise and sunset. This area is also a “dark site,” so on clear, moonless nights the stars / Milky Way are phenomenal.
During winter snow often drifts onto the roads. If snowy, 4-wheel drive / high clearance helpful for accessing some of the dispersed sites.
Trailhead restrooms are open year-round.
Consistent 3 bars 5G (AT&T). 200 Mbps down / 16 Mbps up.
LegendThis is a beautiful area and well worth the visit. The gravel road in is in very good condition. The drive is totally beautiful especially during the fall. The road is lined with aspens and large boulders and massive rock bluffs. The road leads to several homes and there is quite a bit of traffic. The dispersed camping is a little over 3.4 miles in. If you follow the GPS you will be fine. All sites have rock fire rings and most sites are fairly level. All sites are in the sun which is great for solar. Verizon cell service was a major bonus. We did have several herd of cattle that would visit but the only downside were the gifts they would leave us. Just watch your step. There is a small stream that runs along the back side of the sites. Most sites were on the right side of the road. Be aware there is a lot of private property. Be courteous. Stay off. At the highway is is a post office and small grocery store and a hardware store.Â
LNT
 Pack it in Pack it out
Stay safe happy travels
GuideJust past the campground is dispersed primitive camping 🏕️. All sites are well established. There was a 🔥 ban so no campfires. Good hiking and rock climbing
TravelerWe were coming from Nebraska and heading West in a Ford F-150 pick up truck pulling a 22 foot travel trailer. We stopped in Sterling, CO to fill up gas. If you are taking road 14, just know that it is at least 60 miles before the next gas station, so plan accordingly. We left Sterling heading west on highway 14, until we got to county road 129 where the pavement ends and we headed north into the grasslands. We simply followed the Google maps directions to get all the way to the Pawnee Buttes Trailhead parking lot from there! It was pretty easy, honestly! The roads are all gravel, so just take your time. They were pretty well maintained, due to the industry traffic that goes through there. We came across a couple of eighteen wheelers. The gravel was pretty compacted and seemed pretty safe. There are several areas to pull off, and if you are pulling a trailer, or you have a big rig, there is a loop parking lot at the Pawnee Buttes Trailhead that you can turn around in if you need to. The picture of me and the dog is standing on County Road 110 just before you get to the parking lot for the trail head. Our camping spot was one of many flat areas off of road 110 that you can pull off on, as long as it is 300 feet or less from the edge of the road. Our spot was before you get to the trail head, but if you pass the parking lot and keep going up the hill on Pawnee Buttes Trailhead Road, there are tons more spots to camp up on the ridge about a quarter mile or so. There are a lot of cows, but they are shy, curious animals. We had our pit bull with us, and we didn’t feel threatened. Just make sure that if you go through any gates while wandering the grasslands, you shut them behind you. There are no garbage facilities, so please LEAVE NO TRACE! There are some vault toilets in the parking lot.
TravelerGreat area w/ views & peace! Sites were spacious. Definitely check out your campsite before you decide on it. Ours had so much broken glass that we had to pick up the whole time and trash bags (full of gross things) scattered in the trees. If you’re going to camp & especially go to dispersed camping areas, make sure to leave no trace and pack in, pack out people!!!
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Cheyenne, Wyoming, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, you'll find the perfect spot to unwind and explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find dispersed camping near Cheyenne, Wyoming?
The Cheyenne area offers several excellent dispersed camping options. Pole Mountain Dispersed Camping is a popular choice with easy highway access, though arriving early is recommended as sites are limited. For those seeking stunning rock formations, Vedawoo Dispersed Sunset Camp provides spacious sites among impressive geological features. Both areas are within a reasonable drive from Cheyenne. Be aware that some access roads in the region may require high clearance or 4WD vehicles, especially during wet conditions. Many dispersed sites in the area are found along Forest Service roads, offering varying levels of privacy and scenic views.
Is there free camping available near Cheyenne, WY?
Yes, free camping is available near Cheyenne in several areas. Forest Service Road 700 Designated Dispersed Camping offers well-established primitive sites just past the main campground area. Pawnee Buttes - Dispersed Camping provides free camping with spectacular views of the grasslands and buttes, with multiple sites along the approach to the trailhead. These free sites typically operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early, especially on weekends, is recommended. While free, these areas have strict regulations about maximum stay lengths (typically 14 days), and you should always practice Leave No Trace principles.
What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites around Cheyenne?
Dispersed camping sites around Cheyenne are primarily primitive with minimal to no amenities. At Lost Lake Dispersed, you'll find spacious sites in meadows surrounded by boulders, but no facilities. Similarly, Comanche Peak View Campground offers primitive sites with existing fire pits and flat tent spots, but no services. Most dispersed sites have established fire rings, though fire bans are common during dry periods. You must bring all necessities including water, as potable water is not available. Toilet facilities are absent, so come prepared with a shovel and knowledge of proper waste disposal techniques. Cell service is typically limited or non-existent. Pack-in, pack-out principles apply to all trash and waste.
What are the regulations for dispersed camping in the Cheyenne area?
Dispersed camping in the Cheyenne area follows standard Forest Service regulations. At Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest Dispersed Camping, campers must stay clear of private property and camp only in designated areas. In areas like Upper Blaire Dispersed Camping, the typical 14-day stay limit applies within a 30-day period. Fire restrictions are common, especially during dry seasons, so always check current conditions before your trip. Camping is generally permitted only in previously used sites, indicated by fire rings. Maintain at least 100 feet distance from water sources, and pack out all trash. Some areas may have seasonal closures for wildlife protection or road conditions, so verify access before traveling.
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