Wyoming camping spans a diverse landscape across two iconic national parks and surrounding national forests, offering options from tent-only sites to full-hookup RV parks, cabin rentals, and glamping experiences. Grand Teton National Park offers sites like Jenny Lake Campground and Gros Ventre Campground, while Yellowstone National Park hosts several campgrounds including Madison and Bridge Bay. Dispersed camping options exist in areas like Shadow Mountain and along Fall Creek Road. Accommodation ranges from tent-only sites to full-hookup RV parks, cabin rentals, and glamping experiences at locations such as Devils Tower KOA.
Roads to dispersed camping areas often present challenges, particularly for larger vehicles or during wet conditions. "The road up is very bumpy and makes the drive feel longer than it is, but there is plenty of wildlife to see on the way," noted one camper about a dispersed site. Most national park campgrounds operate seasonally from May through September or October, with specific opening and closing dates varying by elevation. Cell service is limited or nonexistent in many camping areas, particularly in more remote dispersed sites. Bear safety precautions are mandatory throughout the region, with proper food storage required at all camping locations.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, with sites along creeks and lakes being particularly sought after. Campers frequently mention the spectacular mountain views available from many Wyoming campsites, especially those near the Tetons. Several campgrounds prohibit pets or have restrictions on where pets can go within the park boundaries. A camper described one dispersed area as having "spots along this road sporadically for about 3.5 miles, some require AWD. We found one with a fire ring and a gorgeous view." Reservations are strongly recommended for developed campgrounds during the peak summer season, especially in national parks where sites often fill months in advance. First-come, first-served sites typically fill by mid-morning during summer weekends.
$78 / night
"This was the first place I ever camped in Wyoming and I’ve been back three times since! The views are amazing. The drive to the site is kind of rough but it’s definitely worth it."
"This experience was my first to Wyoming and the first glimpse of the beautiful Tetons! I did a climb with Summit for Someone (SFS), to raise money for underprivileged city youth."
"Shadow Mountain dispersed camping is just a few miles across the way from the Moose, Wyoming, entrance to Grand Teton National Park."
"Most of the campsites that we could get to with our camper are right next to each other, but there are actually 20 something campsites. Most are in the mountain."
"Campground is in middle of park so it’s not a quick drive in but the drive is beautiful! The campground is easily laid out and clean and fire rings at each spot."
"There is a small store and boat rentals by the bay for those who want to explore the lake. Multiple camp sites for tents, motor homes and camper trailers."
"We were right next to the trail that leads you to the riverside which was nice."
"This is a great location to explore the park, easily access hiking and fishing , and enjoy the wildlife which may even walk through the campground as did a family of Bison. "
"Grant village is located incredibly close to many of the nearby attractions you’ll find at Yellowstone. It’s on the southern part of the large ring road you’ll use to visit everything."
"One of the nicest campgrounds I’ve encountered and made new friends here as well. easlily access to all the parts of the park via Automobile."
"Great KOA at the edge of the park. No a/c in the cabins. Plenty of souvenirs, a nightly movie and a great view of the Wyoming hills. Price is reflective of them having the only campground around."
"The dump station had a somewhat odd placement requiring me to drive around reverse of the campsite order to get on the right side, but that seems somewhat usual apparently."
$13 - $58 / night
"The campsites were well spaced and tucked into the trees for some privacy and space. The tent pads were level and each site had a bear box. Facilities were clean."
"Absolutely worth the price to be staying smack in the middle of the GTNP. extremely close to south entrance of yellowstone too. Staff is fantastic. On-site grocery and gas station."
$122 - $127 / night
"We stayed in the Rv area with full hook-ups and a good sized site which was gravel with a picnic bench and surrounded by shade."
"Me and my family decided to take a spontaneous weekend trip up to Wyoming. We were there the 26th & 27th of September, it was so awesome!"
"Around 630 it appeared all the sites were full as we saw a lot of vehicles heading back down the road. So I'd suggest getting there fairly early."
"Close to Park entrance. We pitched a tent in an open area with plenty of spots available. The wind picked up unexpectedly...if you're tent camping, be sure to stake it well!"
$10 - $200 / night
"There are so many different types of sites, from those with several trees, lake side, open, or group spots. Water is available for filling bottles, but not campers."
"We were pleasantly surprised to find the favored spot open since it is walk up only in the park this late in the season. "
GuideThis place was amazing. I came here a few years ago when I lived in Casper and swam and loved the place. I had no idea there was camping, let alone FREE. Amazing caretakers, amazing grounds, AMAZING birding. Up close and personal with cliff swallows. We were all alone after 8pm and had a great time walking and viewing wildlife! Definitely worth the drive out, an oasis in Wyoming.
RangerNeeded to get to a higher elevation and some shade with consistent winds, and I found it. Last spot on the left at end of the road, or at least the fairly easy part. Very isolated and quiet, save for the birds and the breeze.
TravelerDrive past the first several spot and you can get into the trees and have a nice secluded spot.
TravelerSpent one night here. Pulled in late on a Saturday in July and there were still a few sites available. There are only 7 sites. Walked to the end of the road and enjoyed part of the hike. We possibly could’ve driven our RV down there (single lane may have scraped the sides) but we didn’t want to lose our campsite. We would’ve liked to have done more but got in too late. Dogs and kids enjoyed swimming in the river.
TravelerThis is a fully dispersed site— it’s about ten minutes from Blue Forest if you’re interested in rockhounding for fossilized wood.
We pulled up at 6pm on a Saturday night, and most of the spots were still available.
The entire camp was maintained and clean. There’s a river to fish on and swim in (if you can brave the cold) and a hill to the river which makes it easier to put a boat in.
We had no issues until sunset around 9pm and the amount of gnats that came out was so insane, you could hardly breathe without inhaling a few.
Not mosquitos— gnats.
We had bug nets for our van so it was fine, but it forced an early bedtime. 🤣
ScoutViews aren’t the best but after struggling to get a campsite in the surrounding area during peak season, i will gladly take this spot. Also has great T-mobile service. Road coming in is a mix of well maintained and washboard gravel roads. Im in a 22ft class C and was able to cruise down the road going 10-30mph. But once you get to the campsite area it does get pretty bad, i could crawl at 5mph but it gets very rocky and very uneven.
GuideWe stayed here one night during the heat wave and had to leave during the daytime and return later when the heat wasn't so bad. The shore power is strong as hell though, everyone running their ACs at max with no breaks and nothing tripped. The views were unbeatable. Big sky all around. The horses were sweet and there were little bunnies running around, too! The host dog was very friendly and so were the hosts. The dog can be kind if in your business though, if you have any animals that aren't too into that, keep your door closed.
GuideGood views, little to no mosquitoes, privacy, a great road, what more can you ask for! We stayed at the first spot past the gate (on the first road to the left at the first split in the road at the top) We saw several people going to the right, looks like there’s probably plenty of spots back there as well. Highly recommend!
GuideThis is a popular, heavily-wooded campground with both reserved and first-come sites.
We arrived on Thursday night thinking we'd have our pick of sites since it wasn't the weekend yet. Turns out there was only one site available! It's a smaller campground with only 16 sites (half of which are reservation-only) and highly desirable because of its ease of access, extremely pleasant atmosphere, and proximity to both Laramie and HIGHLY primo recreation in Medicine Bow National Forest along 130. Also, my fiance and I ended up finding this place because we were looking for somewhere to camp outside of the level 2 fire restrictions currently in place in most of Colorado, and I expect there are others like us filling the southern Wyoming campgrounds right now.
It seems to me that you will have pretty different experiences depending on which side of the road your site is on. As you drive in, all of the sites on your right are along the creek and have creek access, as well as more mature trees that provide better shade. The tradeoff is that the creek access means there are tons of mosquitoes! The sites on your left-hand side do not have creek access and have younger trees that provide less shade, but no bugs and great stargazing!
The one site that was open and that we ended up in was a left-side-of-the-road site (site 7). We had decent shade in the morning and evening when the shadows were long but almost none in midday. Aside from the plentiful trees, there were also tons of wildflowers all over the campground and in the sites at the time we visited (mid-July).
Each site has a picnic table, metal fire ring with grate, and a metal grill (like the kind you see at parks). During level 1 fire restrictions (which a lot of Wyoming is currently in), you are allowed to have campfires in metal fire rings. The sites do not have tent pads which, combined with the abundant wildflowers, meant we had to squash a couple plants to set up our tent. But what I thought was really cool is that most sites seem to have a little tucked-back clearing to set your tent up in that keeps you a little secluded and cozy.
There are a few vault toilets that seem well-maintained and which are stocked with hand sani. There are also water pumps , but they either weren't working or I wasnt using them correctly. We had heard the water at this campground was hit or miss so we had brought several gallons to be safe, so it was all good.
There is a hiking trail that leaves from between sites 10 and 11 that is fairly easy and a great way to see a lot of local nature. However, if you're not interested in leaving your site you'll still see plenty! In the two nights we stayed our site was visited by the usual birds, squirrels, and butterflies, as well as a deer and a fox (unfortunately I had already used up my entire camera battery before the fox visited our campfire)!
The small town of Centennial is about a five minute drive away. There is a general store there where you can pick up local firewood (always burn local wood!) and ice on your way in.
Oh also! At the fee station there were booklets with information on local hiking, fishing, hunting, and other outdoor recreation nearby, as well as maps of nearby hiking trails! What a sweet thing to provide, especially somewhere where I didn't have any signal and couldn't use Google maps to find trails to check out.
Camping in Wyoming offers a unique experience with stunning landscapes and a variety of campgrounds to choose from. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there's something for everyone.
Camping in Wyoming can be a fantastic adventure, filled with beautiful scenery and memorable experiences. Just be prepared for the unique aspects of each campground!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best places to camp in Wyoming?
Wyoming offers spectacular camping experiences, particularly in its national parks. Gros Ventre Campground — Grand Teton National Park is a top choice with amazing Teton views and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. The drive in may be a bit rough, but the scenery makes it worthwhile. For mountain lovers, Medicine Bow National Forest Brooklyn Lake Campground provides a clean, remote experience with excellent hiking trails and a beautiful lake. While it can get busy during peak season, the pristine surroundings make it popular. Yellowstone National Park campgrounds are also exceptional, with sites that provide access to the park's geothermal features, wildlife, and hiking trails. For dispersed camping options, the Bridger-Teton National Forest offers spectacular views with fewer crowds.
Are there good campgrounds in southern Wyoming?
Southern Wyoming offers several excellent camping options. Curt Gowdy State Park Campground stands out with its two lakes and variety of campsites, including both full hook-up and no hook-up options. The park provides beautiful scenery and recreational opportunities despite occasional weather challenges. For those seeking a unique historical experience, Connor Battlefield State Historic Site offers an affordable option ($20.34 for non-residents) with vault toilets, playground facilities, and plenty of grassy areas. While essentially a city park, it's conveniently located away from highway noise. In the southwest corner of Wyoming, Flaming Gorge NRA Dispersed provides spectacular red rock canyon views and water access for those comfortable with more primitive camping conditions.
What are the top tent camping options in Wyoming?
Wyoming's diverse landscape offers excellent tent camping opportunities. Jenny Lake Campground — Grand Teton National Park is among the most sought-after tent sites, with stunning mountain views and proximity to hiking trails, though it fills quickly during summer months. Wapiti Campground provides a strategic location approximately midway between Yellowstone's east entrance and Cody, making it ideal for park exploration. It's one of the few campgrounds in the area that permits tent camping. For a more rustic experience, consider Shadow Mountain Dispersed Camping near Jackson, which offers free camping with panoramic Teton views. Remember that Wyoming's high elevation means chilly nights even in summer, so pack appropriate sleeping gear.
What RV campgrounds are available in Wyoming?
Wyoming offers diverse RV camping options to suit various preferences. Fishing Bridge RV Park--Yellowstone National Park is a premium choice for those wanting to stay within Yellowstone, offering full hookups and the ability to accommodate groups of RVers traveling together. Wildlife sightings are common, so evening strolls require flashlights. For those traveling I-80, Riverside RV Park in Kemmerer provides a no-frills but clean and safe option with full hookups for $35 nightly. In northern Wyoming, Sheridan/Big Horn Mountains KOA offers convenient highway access and proximity to town amenities, though it can be windy. For travelers along I-25, Mountain View Park in Wheatland provides affordable overnight options with hookups under $50.
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