Dispersed camping near Centennial, Wyoming offers primitive sites across Medicine Bow National Forest at elevations ranging from 7,000-10,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 70-80°F during daytime but drop to 40-50°F overnight, requiring proper cold-weather gear even in July and August. Forest Service roads throughout the area provide access to numerous rustic camping options with varying levels of accessibility depending on vehicle type and seasonal conditions.
What to do
Wildlife observation: Forest Road 318 provides excellent locations for viewing local wildlife including moose. "About 3 other campers were here, but I was able to find a secluded campsite behind some trees. Dogs appreciated being off leash," notes William L., who found this area a "great alternative to Sugarloaf Campground."
Hiking access: Forest Service Road 330C sites position campers near Medicine Bow trails. One camper reports: "We found a great spot right next to the river on forest road 330C near North Fork Campground. The area was fairly busy on Labor Day weekend but we were basically isolated in this spot."
Fishing opportunities: Twin Buttes Reservoir offers fishing access with basic amenities. "Seems to be a popular area for fishing. However, the site has no cover from trees and is completely flat; therefore, it is very windy!" reports Hunter B. Another camper mentioned "lots of birds to see, and also some pretty cool rocks if you are into that."
What campers like
Riverside locations: Campers appreciate spots near water sources. Samuel C. notes about Forest Service Road 330C: "Stayed one night at the coordinates of camper 1. Had a great time with my dog, very close to medicine bow, and awesome views of the river. Heard no cars throughout the night."
Secluded options: Miller Lake dispersed provides remote camping with fewer neighbors. "Very peaceful campground, right by a lake with a nice view. People came and went throughout the day to go fishing at the lake and some with ATVs. During the night there was only one other group of campers but it's a fairly large campground with plenty of spots," writes Kaden B.
Mountain vistas: Sites on higher elevation roads offer panoramic views. One camper at Forest Road 318 appreciated the "beautiful views and level site. And moose!" while another noted "this was my first ever camping trip and I was so impressed with the setup and the views!"
What you should know
Road conditions: Many dispersed sites require appropriate vehicles. Megan V. warns about Forest Road 318: "4WD and decent clearance is a must. The road is in rough shape and sections had standing water and mud with deep ruts."
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather changes rapidly, particularly at higher elevations. "Nights can be cool even in summer at these higher elevations," with temperatures often dropping below 50°F.
Insect activity: Bug protection is essential in certain areas. At Laramie Overlook Dispersed Camping, one camper observed: "Lastly there were swarms of mosquitoes who were out with vengeance, I managed to keep them at bay with few bites but don't come ill prepared to deal with skeeters."
Tips for camping with families
Safe swimming spots: Check water quality before swimming. At Twin Buttes Reservoir, a camper noted: "Skipped the swim due to potential algae blooms" while another mentioned "I'd swim in the water. There was a pit toilet. Good view of the mountains."
Space for activities: White Rock Canyon Dispersed Site offers room for families to spread out. "Huge area for camping in groups if you continue down road make left. Use satellite view you'll see what I'm talking about," suggests Christopher E.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for possible wildlife sightings. Beyond the moose mentioned in reviews, cattle are common in some areas. At Forest Service Road 700, one camper shared: "There is a herd of grazing cattle that came up to us, but they were mostly curious and extremely skiddish of people."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Forest Service Road 700 Designated Dispersed Camping accommodates various RV sizes. "Designated Dispersed camping at its best. We camped near the Devil's Playground rocks and even though most of the better sites were full, we found quite a few open sites on a Saturday," one RVer reported.
Leveling challenges: White Rock Canyon requires preparation for uneven ground. According to Anita M.: "We have a 36 ft fifthwheel. The road has washboard and is quite steep in places. The biggest issue was finding a place to turn around. No sites are level so bring your legos."
Connectivity considerations: Work-from-road RVers should note varying cellular coverage. "We work from our camper so cell service was important. T-mobile was dismal, but Verizon was usable with a solid 4G 2bars," observed a camper at White Rock Canyon.
