Dispersed camping opportunities around Evanston, Wyoming include several rustic locations within 30-40 miles of town. Most sites sit at elevations between 6,500-8,000 feet, creating cool overnight temperatures even during summer months when daytime highs typically reach 75-85°F. The camping season typically runs May through October, though some lower-elevation areas remain accessible year-round with proper vehicles and preparation.
What to do
Fishing access: Woodruff Narrows Public Access Area offers shoreline fishing opportunities with species including rainbow trout and brown trout. One visitor noted the area provides "Great campsites next to the lake. Excellent views and quiet. Only saw a couple other campers off in the distance. Lots of birds and ducks to watch."
Wildlife observation: Woodruff Narrows Bear Riverside provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, especially at dawn and dusk. A camper described the experience as "A 4 mile-ish drive off the main road this site is located right next to the lake and has vault toilets. It was lovely and peaceful and we woke up to a lovely sunrise."
Hiking trails: In the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest areas south of Evanston, numerous hiking trails start directly from dispersed camping areas. According to one camper: "Hiking along the river will lead you south to Bald Mountain and Bald Lake. Dispersed camping is available throughout the entire area. Vast meadows are filled with various wildlife and gorgeous views!"
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Uinta Dispersed Campsites offers secluded spots with natural spacing. One camper shared: "It's definitely a popular spot with RVs and trailers, didn't see many tents. There were some bugs/mosquitos but it wasn't too bad. No cell service anywhere around."
Morning views: Many campers mention the exceptional morning light at Monte Cristo Pull-off sites. A regular visitor noted: "This is now my current go to for last minute camping. Picked a pull-off spot about 10 min up the highway and was really surprised. It went pretty deep and and truly felt like I was away."
Cooler temperatures: Higher elevation camping near Evanston provides relief from summer heat. One camper at Christmas Meadows commented: "Visited Christmas Meadows for a quick overnight stay with my girls. While pretty cold, it was gorgeous. Stayed in site 1 and loved it. Plenty of room and a little more secluded than other sites."
What you should know
Road conditions: Most dispersed sites require navigating unpaved access roads of varying quality. A camper at Elizabeth Ridge Dispersed noted: "Was just driving til I found somewhere cool and this was it! Beautiful place but bugs were out so come prepared."
Seasonal bugs: Summer months (June-August) bring significant mosquito activity to many sites. A camper in the Uinta area warned: "BEWARE THE MOSQUITOS. Wear so much bug repellant or at least bring it. Idk what the deal was but the last time I was up there just a bit after Trial Lake, there were swarms unlike anything I've seen in my life."
Limited facilities: Most sites lack potable water sources, requiring visitors to bring their own supply. A camper at West Fork Smiths Fork Dispersed Camping explained: "The road is rocky, so rocky that we actually popped a tire on the way in so we camped at one of the first sites with a fire ring. It was right next to the bridge and a brook."
Tips for camping with families
Easier access sites: For family camping with young children, select sites closer to main roads. A family who stayed at Dispersed camping near Monte Cristo shared: "About 1/4 mile down a dirt road from Hwy 39 is a good single boondocking spot with a great view. Not for large RVs. Our 17 ft trailer with 4x4 was tricky to get into the spot because the loop was so small."
Best seasons: Early September offers ideal conditions for family camping with fewer insects and mild temperatures. A visitor noted: "We could not have asked for a more perfect spot. The views were immaculate, the sites were very spread out, it was the end of September and all the leaves were changing."
Cell service planning: Almost no dispersed sites near Evanston have reliable cell coverage. A family camper mentioned: "Limited to no phone service so plan accordingly."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For RVs, arrive early (before 3pm) to secure adequately sized spots. A camper at Curtis Creek advised: "We stayed here for the night on our rooftop tent. It's very quiet, barely any people. There's man made firepits made out of rocks of people who have stayed here."
Road clearance: Many rustic camping areas near Evanston require high-clearance vehicles, especially when towing. One RVer at Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Dispersed Camping warned: "The road gets pretty rough/there's a decent sized dip after the first few sites, which we were able to make with a 4WD high clearance car, with a small trailer. But I wouldn't have attempted it in my sedan."
Water planning: No hookups exist at dispersed sites, requiring RVers to bring all necessary water. A camper at Woodruff Narrows noted: "Very private boondocking area about 10 miles off the highway. Wide open area; fairly level in the campsites we saw."
