Camping near Centennial, Wyoming offers access to the Medicine Bow National Forest with elevations ranging from 8,000 to 10,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 70°F during the day but drop to near freezing at night, even in July and August. Winter camping isn't practical at most sites due to heavy snowfall that closes forest roads from late October through June.
What to do
Fishing in alpine lakes: The Medicine Bow National Forest contains numerous fishing spots near Sugarloaf Campground. "Lots of lakes and very peaceful. Only open a short window of the year due to being high altitude and road closes in the winter," notes one camper.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings provide opportunities to spot moose and other wildlife. A visitor to Deep Creek Campground reported, "We had six moose, one with a very tiny baby come through our site at night and in the morning and the site next to us to feed in the big meadow."
Hiking mountain trails: Multiple trail networks connect camping areas to alpine lakes and meadows. "From any site, there are terrific views of the Snowy Range, and numerous trails in the area offer great hiking to lots of pretty little lakes," writes one Sugarloaf visitor.
What campers like
High elevation cooling: During summer heat, campers appreciate the naturally cooler temperatures at higher elevations. "We stayed for a night only. Just passing through. It is very beautiful," mentions one visitor to Deep Creek Campground.
Night sky viewing: Limited light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. A visitor to Lake Hattie Public Access Area praised the "Beautiful Mountain View, swimming and fishing. No cell phone service with Verizon."
Swimming access: Several camping areas provide lake access for summer swimming. "The lake area is beautiful and there were plentyyy of areas open. This spot is well away from the road, so very quiet," notes a Lake Hattie camper.
What you should know
Mosquito intensity: Multiple campgrounds report significant mosquito populations, especially in early summer. A visitor to Bow River Campground warned, "I don't mean like a few dozen or hundreds… I mean millions. It was like a horror movie with them covering the windows of our RV."
Wind exposure: The region experiences strong, consistent winds that affect camping comfort. A Sugarloaf visitor noted, "The wind was consistently 25mph+ the whole weekend, but the hiking and alpine lakes just off the campground were great."
Season limitations: Most campgrounds operate on restricted schedules due to weather. "Woke up to slight skiffs of snow on 8/20," reported a Deep Creek camper, highlighting unpredictable mountain weather even in August.
Tips for camping with families
Bring extra blankets: Nighttime temperatures drop significantly even in summer. "We bundled up and stargazed and felt so lucky to have detoured to this spot," noted a visitor to Bow River Campground.
Check reservations systems: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others operate first-come, first-served. A camper at North Fork Campground observed, "Went on a Friday night, it was pretty busy but found one of the last first come first serve spots around 6 pm."
Plan for limited facilities: Many campgrounds have minimal amenities. "The campground is wooded but sites aren't too shady. Nice low key simple spot. No reservations but don't worry about not getting a site," explains a Bow River visitor.
Tips from RVers
Road condition awareness: Access roads to rv sites near Centennial, Wyoming vary significantly in quality. "The forest service road into the campground is in great shape, and although it's a little rocky, there are no pot holes or rutted terrain," notes a Bow River camper.
Water supply planning: Not all rv camping options near Centennial provide reliable water sources. At Laramie Overlook Dispersed Camping, a visitor recommended, "There is a dump/water at the forest station. During our stay there were a couple of RV's and some off road fanatics. Quiet and cool summer evenings."
Size limitations: Many forest campgrounds have limitations for larger vehicles. "I wouldn't recommend towing anything down there with the condition of the dirt road and low hanging tree branches," cautions a Laramie Overlook visitor about certain camping areas.
