Camping sites near Lysite, Wyoming offer access to high desert terrain at elevations ranging from 4,800 to 5,500 feet, creating significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. The region experiences strong winds, particularly around Boysen Reservoir where water recreation is popular. Most dispersed camping requires preparation for limited facilities and rough access roads.
What to do
Fishing access points: Lower Wind River Campground provides excellent fly fishing opportunities directly from the campground. A camper noted, "If you enjoy fly fishing, you'll appreciate the easy river access right from the campground."
Wildlife viewing: Grave Springs Campground offers excellent wildlife spotting opportunities in a secluded setting. One visitor reported, "I enjoyed numerous deer and some antelope passing by. I didn't see another car for almost 18 hours!"
Water recreation: Tough Creek Campground at Boysen State Park offers direct lake access for swimming and boating. A camper mentioned, "Beautiful spot by the lake. Large sites well away from neighbours."
Star gazing: The remote location offers exceptional night sky viewing, particularly at Poison Creek Campground. A visitor described it as the "Perfect campground for star-gazing and just getting away from it all."
What campers like
Remote solitude: Grave Springs Campground provides a truly isolated experience. A camper described it as "Secluded, clean, and unique" and mentioned "I didn't see another car for almost 18 hours!"
River views: Many campers appreciate sites along Wind River. At Lower Wind River Campground, one visitor commented, "I stayed on one of the sites on the ledge just above the water," noting the spacious tent sites.
Train watching: Several campgrounds offer unique train viewing opportunities. At Boysen State Park Campground, campers mentioned the "extremely long train going through a mountain" and called it "Wild!" Children particularly enjoy this feature.
Desert landscapes: The stark beauty of the high desert terrain appeals to many visitors. At Poison Creek Campground, a camper described the "stark beauty of this primitive camping area was beyond words" with views of "water, mountain range in the distance and curious herd of pronghorn."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to remote sites requires appropriate vehicles. At Grave Springs Campground, a camper warned, "The roads here EAT tires. Regardless whether you have 4wd, Awd, or 2wd...you NEED high clearance and good tires in good condition."
Reservation systems: Many campgrounds use reservation systems with different policies. At Upper Wind River Campground, sites switch from reservation-required to first-come-first-served seasonally. One camper shared, "We camped 1 week before site changed from reservation to FF."
Limited services: Most campgrounds have minimal facilities. For Lake Cameahwait, a camper advised, "No cell service at the campground but there is a sweet cell spot about a mile away. Take a right out of the site...go about a mile and there are some truck tracks that go up a hill."
Noise considerations: Highway noise affects several campgrounds. One Lower Wind River Campground visitor noted, "The campground is adjacent to the road so there is some road noise, but the river drowns out a lot of that."
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Upper Wind River, a visitor mentioned, "There's a good amount of open space in the middle of campground, surrounding the playground."
Water safety: When camping near Boysen Reservoir, be prepared for changing water levels. At Lake Cameahwait, one camper observed, "Most of the sites are flooded" during high water periods.
Insect preparation: Many waterfront sites experience heavy insect activity. A Lake Cameahwait visitor reported, "Great place to stay if you can work around the mosquitoes" while another mentioned it was "Pretty buggy but great views."
Kid-friendly activities: Children often enjoy train watching at campgrounds in Wind River Canyon. At Boysen State Park Campground, a visitor noted, "Kids love the train that runs thru the canyon."
Tips from RVers
Site confusion: At Lake Cameahwait, RVers should note the unusual setup. One camper explained, "The area is a series of day use parking lots, we drove and found some signage that indicates they are valid for camping, but you are essentially setting up in one of several parking lots."
Limited hookups: Most camping areas near Lysite offer primitive setups. A camper at North Fork Campground noted, "No electricity or sewer for RV's. 2 water pumps, which were shut off when we were there end of September."
Generator considerations: For RVers requiring power, know where generators are permitted. At Tough Creek Campground, a visitor observed, "Campspots are spread apart enough that running generators from other campers weren't too noisy."
Site layouts: Some campgrounds have unusual site arrangements. An Upper Wind River visitor warned, "I've never seen a CG where a pull through is split into 2-3 'sites'."
