Buffalo, Wyoming sits at 4,600 feet elevation in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains. Weather can change quickly, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 45°F at night to 85°F during the day. The area features diverse camping options beyond RV parks, including dispersed sites in the nearby national forest and lakeside campsites with mountain views. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October due to harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: Grouse Mountain Basecamp serves as an excellent starting point for mountain adventures. "This site is unreal. And the fact that it's free makes it even more unbelievable. The views are spectacular, and the sites are pretty level. Hands down one of the best dispersed camping sites ever!" The area provides access to numerous hiking trails within a 15-minute drive.
Fishing at Lake DeSmet: Mikesell Potts Recreation Area offers lakefront camping with fishing access. "Beautiful lake. You can camp next to the lake. They're doing improvements to the campground." The lake is stocked with trout and offers boat launches for anglers. Camping costs $15 per night.
Explore Ten Sleep Canyon: Located about 45 minutes from Buffalo, the Ten Sleep area provides rock climbing and scenic drives. "Ten Sleep RV Park is right outside the Bighorn Mountains, which offers beautiful views (check out Crazy Woman Canyon!) and recreational opportunities."
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Buffalo KOA receives consistent praise for its upkeep. "Great bathrooms & showers... VERY clean bathrooms and showers with appropriate hooks, dry shower entries (probably because they had great shower curtains). Sites had reasonable spacing and some shade. Nice pool."
Nearby wildlife viewing: Many campers appreciate the natural surroundings. "The nature trail near the front of the CG—about a half-mile loop—where we spotted several deer. A peaceful walk and a nice touch to the stay." Morning wildlife sightings are common at multiple campgrounds in the area.
Wildflower displays: Spring and early summer bring colorful wildflowers to dispersed camping areas. "Truly one of the most magical campgrounds I've ever been to. At night we had a gorgeous sunset and woke up in a cloud! Very few other campers but there's so much space I doubt there would be much crowding."
What you should know
Seasonal weather considerations: The Buffalo area experiences significant temperature changes, especially at higher elevations. "The temperature got down to 45° which is perfect for me for sleeping. The mountains nearby were snow capped."
Road conditions: Some dispersed camping areas require careful navigation. "Long gravel road, may get bumpy or icy." Many campgrounds become inaccessible during winter months, with most open from April through October.
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies significantly by location and carrier. Ten Sleep RV Park is located where cellular service can be limited. "No T-Mobile service." Verizon typically offers the most reliable coverage throughout the region.
Fire restrictions: Pay attention to current fire regulations. "There is a fire ban so no fires but that was to be expected." Fire restrictions are common during dry summer months and can change quickly.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several rv parks in Buffalo, Wyoming offer dedicated play areas. "Had a park for playing that was a big hit. A store right near by had some supplies including wood for $7.50."
Swimming opportunities: Indian Campground provides a pool that families appreciate. "Nice heated pool. It was a great place for family. Very nice restaurant across the street. Super clean and nice bathrooms with electricity."
Nature exploration activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated nature trails. "One of our favorite features was the nature trail near the front of the CG—about a half-mile loop—where we spotted several deer." These short trails are perfect for kids to explore safely.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds provide information about local wildlife and plants. "We noticed that while the price per night has increased by $20 since we stayed in site 105 in September 2021, the facilities and the grounds haven't changed."
Tips from RVers
Site positioning for utilities: When staying at rv parks near Buffalo, Wyoming, pay attention to utility placement. "The site included a picnic table, and the utilities were centered on the pad. We were able to position ourselves well between the two black tank dump outlets."
Seasonal availability: Most RV parks in the area operate seasonally. The Lake Stop near Lake DeSmet offers "beautiful lake side sites. Little odd to find, very nice level sites with picnic tables. Really quite also." Their season runs from April 15 to November 1.
Connectivity options: Several RV parks offer enhanced WiFi options. "While there are mature trees throughout the CG, satellite reception should be possible at most sites—especially if you can adjust your antenna. I connected to the first (WiFi) I saw and got a surprising 279 Mbps upload and 119 Mbps download."
Pull-through availability: For larger rigs, look for parks that advertise pull-through sites. "We were guided to premium pull-through site 104. There's not much 'premium' about this gravel site—aside from its generous 80-foot length, which was more than enough for our 40' fifth wheel and F-450."
