Cowley, Wyoming sits at an elevation of around 4,100 feet in the Big Horn Basin with the Big Horn Mountains to the east and the Pryor Mountains to the north. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-90°F while winters can drop well below freezing. The area's camping options include both established campgrounds and dispersed sites, with most facilities open from May through October due to seasonal weather patterns.
What to do
Wildlife viewing in Bighorn Canyon: The Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area offers excellent opportunities to spot wildlife. At Trail Creek/Barrys Landing - Bighorn Canyon National Rec Area, visitors can observe diverse species. "Be warned: ZERO cell signal. I mean none at all. But that's my favorite part! It is so peaceful and beautiful!" notes camper Samantha L.
Fishing opportunities: Local reservoirs provide good fishing spots for anglers. Deaver Reservoir is "a very pretty and isolated spot" according to David D., who added it was "quite a pretty spot" for water activities.
Visit Medicine Wheel: This ancient Native American sacred site is accessible from several nearby campgrounds. "My favorite part of the trip to this area was the Native American Medicine Wheel site, but we found some great hikes around here too. Good wildlife viewing," reports Amber A. who stayed at Porcupine Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Travelers appreciate the well-maintained facilities in the area. At Lovell Camper Park, visitors find "showers and bathrooms as clean as home, close to restaurants and a cute movie theater, and close to the Bighorn Canyon with great wildlife," according to Annie C.
Affordability: Many campgrounds offer reasonable or free camping options. "It's hard to believe that a town creates a free campground for anybody to use. This is well laid out with RV and tent sites. Water, restrooms and showers are all available," writes Art S. about Lovell Camper Park.
Mountain views: The surrounding mountain ranges create scenic backdrops for camping. Bald Mountain Campground offers "views are amazing with the beautiful mountains for the back drop," according to camper N I., who noted the campground has "picnic table, fire ring, lantern post, ped grill, pit toilets."
What you should know
Wind conditions: Strong winds can affect camping experiences, particularly for tent campers. In the dispersed camping areas near Cody BLM Dispersed, "The area we stayed in is flat and quite large with a stone fire pit. It did get very windy but died down through the night," reports Laura M.
Seasonal water levels: Creek access for pets varies based on seasonal water flow. By midsummer, many creeks run low enough for safe play, but spring conditions may differ.
Hunting seasons: Be aware of local hunting activities when exploring. "There was a group of hunters that came around to check things out in the evening, then returned the next morning and shot an antelope from the next ridge over," notes Laura M. about the Cody BLM area.
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have limited or no cellular coverage. Come prepared with offline maps and information.
Legend
