Hikers seeking forest camping with creek access will find dispersed sites scattered throughout this Forest Service area near Laramie Peak. The hike-in requirement filters out casual visitors, creating a more secluded experience among mixed terrain of forested sections and open meadows. Basic amenities include vault toilets, picnic tables, and designated fire rings, while trash service eliminates pack-out concerns.
Creek proximity provides water access for filtering, though campers should bring purification methods. Pets accompany their owners on leash, and alcohol is permitted within the camping area. The nearest developed campground, Friend Park Campground — Medicine Bow Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG, sits 5.4 miles north for those preferring drive-up sites with additional facilities.
Description
The Laramie Peak area is located in east central Wyoming, stretching from southeast of Casper to west of Wheatland. This portion of the Medicine Bow National Forest is part of the Laramie Range and is dominated by the jagged 10,274 foot crest of Laramie Peak. The Laramie Peak area is managed by the Douglas Ranger District. With nearly 180,000 acres on the Medicine Bow National Forest, the Laramie Peak area offers many public uses and recreation opportunities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, OHV riding, and many others. From I25 at Douglas or Glendo, expect to drive one hour just to get to the National Forest boundary and another half hour to an hour to get where you are headed. Dispersed Camping is allowed on all Forest Service Land in the Laramie Peak Unit, the restrictions are on motor vehicle parking and road access. The Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) identifies what roads are open to the public. From there, you can camp along open roads and trails, parking 1 to 2 car lengths from the road and in selected areas up to 300' from the road (see MVUM) and in either case, you cannot cause habitat damage. After the Campgrounds close (Esterbrook, Friend Park, Curtis Gulch and Campbell Creek), they can be used for dispersed camping. The vault toilet will be open but water and trash services are not available. Please pack in and pack out, limit stays to 14 days and bear in mind that many of the county roads have limited maintenance from November to May.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Dispersed CampingLaramie Peak Area is located in Wyoming
Coordinates
42.18072387 N
105.45503967 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Laramie Peak Area needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 30 min from Casper, WY
- 3 hrs 3 min from Cheyenne, WY
- 3 hrs 39 min from Fort Collins, CO
- 3 hrs 53 min from Greeley, CO
