Best Tent Camping near Cheyenne, WY

Tent camping options around Cheyenne, Wyoming include several dispersed sites in the nearby Medicine Bow National Forest. Upper Blaire Dispersed Camping offers primitive tent sites approximately 35 miles west of Cheyenne, with multiple secluded spots situated among boulders and trees. Backcountry options are also available across the state line in northern Colorado at locations like Horsetooth Mountain Open Space and Lory State Park, both within 60 miles of Cheyenne.

Most dispersed tent sites have minimal amenities and require self-sufficiency. Upper Blaire campsites feature established fire rings but no drinking water, toilets, or trash collection. Forest Service roads leading to these areas can be rough with washboard sections, particularly after leaving paved highways. Campers should bring their own water supply, pack out all waste, and prepare for variable weather conditions. The 14-day stay limit applies to all Medicine Bow National Forest dispersed camping areas, though reviews suggest enforcement may be inconsistent.

Areas farther from main roads provide better experiences for tent campers seeking quiet. Upper Blaire sites are positioned where highway noise is minimal, with adequate separation between camping areas. The terrain features a mix of trees providing some shade and rock formations creating natural site boundaries. Summer brings moderate temperatures at higher elevations, though strong winds can occur unexpectedly. Wildlife encounters may include cattle grazing freely throughout the area. One camper noted, "There are at least three camp sites that are all secluded by boulders and trees, each with established fire sites." Cell service is spotty but sometimes sufficient, particularly for T-Mobile customers who reported adequate signal for basic needs.

Best Tent Sites Near Cheyenne, Wyoming (6)

    1. Upper Blaire Dispersed Camping

    4 Reviews
    Buford, WY
    32 miles
    Website

    "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."

    2. Backcountry Campground — Horsetooth Mountain Open Space

    3 Reviews
    Masonville, CO
    48 miles
    +1 (970) 498-5610

    $25 / night

    "This would be a perfect first backpacking trip for beginners! Once you park, you sign in to the backpacking log to the right of the main entrance by the kiosk. The sites are first come first serve."

    "Great sunrises and away from traffic noise tho you may have to deal with a little bit of noise from the hiking trail but other than that horse tooth has 3 back country sites that are perfect. highly recommend"

    3. Lory State Park Backcountry Campsites

    3 Reviews
    Bellvue, CO
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 493-1623

    $18 / night

    "We did a quick overnight backpacking trip to one of the backcountry sites at the top of the Timber trail. It’s a beautiful meadow with wildflowers in the summer."

    "We did a quick overnight backpacking trip to one of the backcountry sites at the top of the Timber trail. It’s a beautiful meadow with wildflowers in the summer."

    4. Boat In Sites — Horsetooth Reservoir

    2 Reviews
    Masonville, CO
    46 miles
    +1 (970) 619-4570

    $30 / night

    "The water also will go from so far above the trees that there is no shade to so far below that you're hoofing your gear 100 yards from the boat in the mud up to your campsite."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Cheyenne, WY

537 Reviews of 6 Cheyenne Campgrounds


  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2021

    Dowdy Lake Campground

    Reflections

    Status: Open year round 

    Reserve mid spring through September 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov 

    weekend reservations recommended 

    70 sites including 10 walk-in tent 30 sites year round $24.00 tent sites $32.00 electric $64.00 double sites 

    Vault toilets, water during season ,tent sites have bear boxes, picnic table, fire ring/grill, trash no sewer or water hookups The campground has beautiful Ponderosa Pines but the Pine beetle is beginning to take its toil. 

    The back loop closes early fall. all sites have electric except the tent sites. There are 5 double sites. The campground can accept various size rigs. The day use area with a boat ramp and pit toilet with a nice size parking lot. There were a lot of people fishing from the shore. The lake is beautiful with small islands and rock formations. The road to and in the campground is gravel and rather dusty. Potholes 

    Directions: Drive 21 miles north of Fort Collins on US Highway 287. Turn left (west) onto the Red Feather Lakes Road (County 74E) and travel approximately 22 miles. Turn right (north) and travel another mile to signed campground entrance on the right.

    LNT

    Better than when you found it 

    Stay safe Happy travels

  • I
    Aug. 31, 2020

    Vedauwoo Tent Campground (Wy) — Medicine Bow Routt N Fs & Thunder Basin Ng

    Pretty, close to HWY, nice trails, not much water

    Checked in about 8:30pm on weekday for car/tent camping.  Got last spot on upper tent loop (FC/FS-self serve).   Upper tent loop also has some RV spots. It seems like a very popular spot for XC RV drivers. The upper loop was very quiet, both the people and the area, and far enough from Interstate that Hwy noise was not an issue. The only problems were the wind(strong in am), and the lack of running water. Vault toilets were clean enough. The faucets near toilets did not work. The only available water was from the green well pump, and it had noticeable color to it. I used it for cooking and cleaning, but not drinking. Great trails! We did a nice 3.5 mile loop around Turtle Rock. It has good and climbing/bouldering, wish I had more time for that. It was cool due to a recent rainfall, and the 8000'ish elevation kept it that way at night. All creeks were dry in late august, and the 3 ponds were nearly so. Very pretty spot that feels more remote than it is. There is a lower tent walk in loop, which is much better sheltered from road noise and wind.  The lower tent loop has vault toilets, but it does not have water as far as I could tell.  Lower tent loop was completely vacant and available, while upper RV/tent area was full.

  • M
    May. 26, 2022

    Backcountry Campground — Horsetooth Mountain Open Space

    Private, beautiful, and easy backpacking site!

    This would be a perfect first backpacking trip for beginners! Once you park, you sign in to the backpacking log to the right of the main entrance by the kiosk. The sites are first come first serve. From the parking lot, it’s only about a mile and a half. The site is off the main trail and is secluded enough so you don’t see hikers or bikers. It has a nice view of Horsetooth Reservoir and you are surrounded by the trees/rocks. There isn’t much shade coverage though. This site would be a perfect base for exploring Horsetooth rock/Horsetooth falls! There’s a wooden table about 50 yards from where you set up your tent so no need to bring chairs. There isn’t a water source close by so you’ll have to pack all your water. Also leave no trace and pack all your trash when you leave!

  • Carrie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2018

    Vedauwoo Tent Campground (Wy) — Medicine Bow Routt N Fs & Thunder Basin Ng

    Ranger Review: ICEMULE Cooler at Vedauwoo Campground

    This place is fantastic and easy to get to. Located right off I-80 and less than 20 miles from Laramie WY.

    Campground Review: We arrived on the Friday afternoon of Father’s Day weekend, and there were a few tent sites available. All sites are $10.00-- If just visiting the park, there is a $5.00 day use fee. There are two loops that both accommodate large RV's down to tents. We chose a pack-in tent site that was down a trail about an 1/8 mile surrounded by the granite rock formations the area is know for. It was kind of tucked away from the rest of the campers in the area. Even way back in here, they had a very nice picnic table and metal fire rings with a grill for use. The campground was very clean. In the main area, there are restrooms and drinking water available. The camp host was very helpful with directions. (wish I could recall his name) He gave us some trail maps of the area. There are multiple mountain biking trails which we had a ball exploring. They are open to hikers and horseback riders as well so be aware and be courteous. The area is very well known for off-width rock climbing. There Is a wall of sport climbing and many boulder projects. Be aware the granite can flake off so use established routes.

    Restrooms were tidy and well stocked with TP. there is water available near the restroom area.

    The Badger Creek Fire was currently burning to the south causing a lot of smoke in the area. There was not a fire ban at the time we visited.

    There Is free dispersed camping nearby. See Vedauwoo Road Dispersed Camping for my review of that area.

    Gear Review: Occasionally the Dyrt will offer gear to test out and demo on a camping trip. I was lucky to have the opportunity to test and review theICEMULE Pro size Large 23L backpack cooler https://icemulecoolers.com/collections/pro-coolers/products/the-icemule-pro-large This cooler is amazing! I was skeptical at first. I let my teenage daughter use it prior to this trip on a beach outing and it is now the new favorite cooler for these girls! They raved about it! The ICEMULE Pro 23L held 10 pounds of ice and 10+ beverages and our food that needed kept cold. There was still ice In the bottom 2 1/2 days later when we returned home. The website says this will hold an 18 pack of beer, I don’t doubt that. Since we were camped at a pack In site, being able to pack In our cold stuff like a backpack was a great feature! We were even able to pack everything out between the two of us In just one trip! Normally a cooler of this capacity would require a singe trip for 1 or possibly 2 people. The cooler seals by rolling the opening down and buckling it closed. No zippers or latches. There is an air vent you can blow into to create additional insulation for the cooler. The cooler also folds/rolls down to a compact size when not in use. This cooler is easy to use, a dream to pack anywhere you need a cooler, and most Importantly: keeps stuff COLD! This is now an every trip favorite item! And they are currently on sale (20% off!) on the ICEMULE website!

  • Tonya Y.
    Jun. 30, 2017

    Upper and Lower Ansel Watrous Campgrounds

    Between the Mountains and the River

    We came into this campground on a Tuesday after camping through Wyoming. We stopped at the NFS visitor center to get a map of the Theodore Roosevelt National Forest and a list of all the dispersed campgrounds as we thought all campsites would be full. They had several people in them, but were definitely not full.

    We were tent camping and were thrilled when we came upon this great walk in site. The site was very close to the parking lot, but didn't matter because of the beautiful terrain.

    On one side of the campground (across from the road) is an enormous grassy hill. We looked for bighorn sheep with no luck! The other side of the campground is surrounded by the Cache la Poudre River.

    Each site had a great tent pad (tough ground though, bent some tent stakes), a great picnic table, and very nice fire rings. There is a nice little trail that meanders through the campground. There were two other campers in the campground, but due to the terrain, we didn't even notice them.

    The bathrooms are vault toilets and were very clean. There is drinking water available via a hand pump that was very easy to use.

    We camped in a Big Agnes Tent and were very glad that we put every single guy line out! There was some amazing wind coming through the canyons during the night! It was very clear overnight and the sky view was awesome.

    There seemed to be a lot to do in the area, lots of outfitters putting people in the river on rafts and kayakers around.

  • Morgan Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 13, 2020

    Vedauwoo Tent Campground (Wy) — Medicine Bow Routt N Fs & Thunder Basin Ng

    Vedauwoo Dispersed

    This review is for the abundant dispersed camping, not the two official camping loops.

    I love this place. With an asterisk. This seven mile dirt road is filled with sprouts of other dirt roads that is stunningly beautiful and fairly quiet. Beautiful spots to camp and you can tuck yourself away behind a rock formation and far from your neighbors. 

    Great rock formations for climbing, mountain biking, abundant Aspen trees for your hammock and right on the edge of Curt Gowdy State Park, which has a broad network of wonderfully maintained mountain bike and hiking trails and plenty of motorized and non motorized water sports. Showers and flush toilet bathrooms and a camp store can be found in here in non-COVID days. 

    The animal life is great too. We've had moose and pronghorn deer right at our campsite. And that gets me to…the asterisks. Not only are moose around, but so are mice. In 2 of my 7 visits here we have taken on mice. The last time it was a lot of mice. I mean a lot of mice. I now carry mouse traps with me because of this place. We had tens of mice inside our camper for two days straight. Eating our food and gnawing on wood. Ended up bringing some of them home with us too. The cat got 3. I trapped another 5. Our garbage can was like a Civil War photograph for mice. Also, this place has become popular and can get a little overrun on the weekends with people running generators, shooting shotguns and running around on OHVs. Hard to be more annoying. Last, Wyoming is synonymous with wind. So be prepared for that possibility.

    Leave no trace (and run no generators)

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2021

    Upper and Lower Ansel Watrous Campgrounds

    Peace in the Valley

    Open: All year 

    Reservations: 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov 

    Out of season FCFS 

    Fees: Reservation on line $9.00 call enter $10.00 

    water, pit toilets, picnic table, trash, bear box for tent sites, fire ring/w grill 

    No sewer hookups The sites are on the small side and a bit cramped. The Cache La Poudre River runs along the back side of the campground and provides a beautiful backdrop along with the tumbling towering rock bluffs. The drive along the canyon is a delight. 

    Directions: Drive 11 miles north of Fort Collins on US Highway 287. Turn left (west) onto Colorado Highway 14 (Poudre Canyon) and travel approximately 13 miles.  

    LNT 

    Better than when you found it 

    tay safe and travel happy

  • Grayce F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 2, 2025

    Pawnee Buttes - Dispersed Camping

    Easy Access Dispersed Camping

    A few little pull offs with fire rings - very pretty scenery and nice sunsets / stargazing. No trees obviously because of the grassland, so no shade or wind protection. Wasn’t very cold or super windy when we visited in July. Good stopover if you’re stretching from Missouri or Nebraska to/from Colorado.


Guide to Cheyenne

Tent camping near Cheyenne, Wyoming offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal escape for nature enthusiasts.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Upper Blaire Dispersed Camping features secluded sites surrounded by boulders and trees, each equipped with established fire pits for cozy evenings.
  • Comanche Peak View Campground provides primitive sites with picnic tables and ample firewood, perfect for gathering around the campfire.
  • Horsetooth Mountain - Backcountry Site 2 offers a secluded camping experience with a wooden table nearby, enhancing comfort during your stay.

Local activities for outdoor enthusiasts

  • At Upper Blaire Dispersed Camping, enjoy hiking and rock climbing in the nearby "Upper Blaire" climbing area, with easy access to scenic trails.
  • Comanche Peak View Campground is a great base for exploring the trails of Red Feather Lakes and Lost Lake, avoiding the summer crowds.
  • The Cache la Poudre River area is perfect for fishing and enjoying the serene river views, making it a popular spot for nature lovers.

Tent campers like these nearby features

  • Lory State Park Backcountry offers beautiful meadows filled with wildflowers, ideal for a peaceful overnight backpacking trip.
  • Horsetooth Mountain - Backcountry Site 2 provides stunning views of Horsetooth Reservoir, making it a picturesque spot for photography and relaxation.
  • Upper Blaire Dispersed Camping allows for campfires and the chance to spot local wildlife, including roaming cows, adding to the rustic camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping near Cheyenne, Wyoming?

For dispersed camping near Cheyenne, Upper Blaire Dispersed Camping in Medicine Bow National Forest is an excellent option. Located about 30 minutes west of Cheyenne, this area offers spacious sites with established fire pits and plenty of shade. The road is generally manageable for most vehicles. It's typically quieter on weekdays, though you might find some vacant RVs occupying sites. This area is less windy than some other Medicine Bow dispersed camping areas, making it preferable for tent camping.

What are the best tent camping sites in Cheyenne, Wyoming?

The best tent camping sites near Cheyenne include Canyon Lakes Ranger District Dispersed Camping, which offers primitive camping opportunities just a short drive from the city. While navigation can be challenging (some sites are adjacent to private land), persistent campers will find secluded spots with established fire rings. For a more structured experience, consider Cache la Poudre River campgrounds, which provide beautiful streamside camping within reasonable driving distance from Cheyenne.

What campgrounds are available near Cheyenne for tent camping?

Several excellent tent camping options exist within driving distance of Cheyenne. Backcountry Campground — Horsetooth Mountain Open Space offers a perfect beginner backpacking experience with sites just 1.5 miles from the parking area, featuring panoramic views and wildlife viewing opportunities. Lory State Park Backcountry Campsites provides beautiful meadow camping accessible via the Timber trail, ideal for families or quick overnight trips. For a unique experience, Boat In Sites — Horsetooth Reservoir allows tent camping in secluded coves accessible only by water.