Best Campgrounds near Riverton, WY
Camping near Riverton, Wyoming encompasses a range of options from full-service RV parks to primitive lakeside sites, all set against the backdrop of Wyoming's high desert landscape and mountain views. The area includes established campgrounds like Wind River RV Park in town and Jim Moss Arena Campground about 20 minutes outside Riverton. Nearby lakes provide additional camping opportunities, with Ocean Lake offering free camping along its shoreline and Bull Lake providing dispersed camping on Wind River Reservation land. Boysen State Park, located northeast of Riverton near Shoshoni, features multiple campgrounds including Poison Creek and Lake Side, providing access to reservoir recreation.
Most campgrounds in the Riverton area are accessible via paved roads, though some lake access requires travel on dirt roads that can become muddy after rain. Bull Lake access roads are particularly susceptible to mud holes depending on weather conditions. Summer temperatures can reach 90°F, while winters bring snow and below-freezing temperatures. Cell service varies significantly, with good coverage in town and at developed campgrounds, but limited or no service at remote lake sites. Campers at Bull Lake need a Wind River Reservation fishing license and camping permit. Verizon service is generally reliable at most established campgrounds but spotty at dispersed sites.
The camping experience varies widely across the region. Lander City Park, about 30 minutes southwest of Riverton, offers free camping for up to three days with basic amenities and is popular with travelers passing through. According to reviews, "It's clean, shady, and quiet next to a small river and within walking distance to downtown." For those seeking more remote experiences, Ocean Lake provides secluded lakeside camping with minimal facilities. One visitor noted, "The actual camp sites are along the coast of the lake. We even had our own mini private beach." Sinks Canyon State Park, though farther from Riverton, offers camping in a dramatic canyon setting with hiking trails, climbing opportunities, and the unique geological feature of a river that disappears underground.
