Cowley, Wyoming camping sites provide access to the diverse terrain of north-central Wyoming where elevations range from 3,900 to 4,600 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F during the day and drop to 50-60°F at night. Weather patterns can change rapidly throughout the region with afternoon thunderstorms common during summer months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Horseshoe Bend Campground on Bighorn Lake offers both lake access and a marina for anglers. "The campground sits about a 1/2 mile or so from the lake. The marina/boat dock has a tiny store and there is a great area for day use (bring mosquito spray!)," notes a camper at Horseshoe Bend Campground.
Canyon boat tours: Take a guided boat tour from the marina near camping areas to see the canyon formations. "The host was super friendly and had great ideas about taking the canyon boat ride (about $40 for a two hour tour), checking out Devils Canyon, or looking for bighorn sheep and Pryor Mountain wild horses (both of which I saw!)," mentions a visitor to Horseshoe Bend.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. "Heard coyotes at night but sounded far away. Sky is very, very dark and you can see so much on a clear night. Great for anybody with an astronomy hobby!" reports a camper at Horseshoe Bend Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many rv parks near Cowley, Wyoming maintain well-kept restrooms and shower facilities. "Bathrooms are fine but not ada accessible," notes one visitor to Parkway RV Campground. Another camper at Buffalo Bluff RV Park reports, "Clean and very nice bathrooms with showers. Like home. Internet is good. Away from noisy interstates."
Helpful staff: Campground hosts often provide local knowledge about the area. "Lois in the office is a life long resident of Cody and full of great information on local places to see and things to do and she is a super nice lady," shares a guest at Buffalo Bluff RV Park.
Dark skies: The region's limited light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. At Perry's RV and Campgrounds near Red Lodge, a visitor notes, "This family owned and operated campground is located outside of the quaint town of Red Lodge and at the entrance to Beartooth Scenic Byway. At first glance you might not think it is that great but tent sites give you a primitive feel and are right on the heavy flowing Rock Creek making sleeping nice."
What you should know
Weather variations: Temperature swings can occur rapidly. "The first night got chilly at night but was perfect. The second night was incredibly windy so we couldn't have a fire and had to park our truck in front of our tent to block the wind," reports a camper at Horseshoe Bend.
Limited shade: Many campgrounds in the region have few trees. "High desert camping overlooking Bighorn Lake and the marina. I highly suggest you pay the extra couple bucks for a site with the covered picnic table to get some shade," advises a visitor to Horseshoe Bend Campground.
Wildlife precautions: The area has active wildlife including bears. One campground visitor at Trail Creek Barry's Landing Campground notes, "This campsite is tucked away in a valley, humidity is usually low so u can beat the summer heat by staying in the shade. Very quite. Not many people visit this place."
Tips for camping with families
Consider campgrounds with recreation options: Some rv campsites near Cowley provide activities for children. "There's so much to do here! My littles (6&8) loved the playground, the fishing pond, it's far enough from the road to be quiet and safe," shares a parent who stayed at Cody Trout Ranch Camp.
Plan for insect protection: Mosquitoes can be prevalent in certain areas, especially near water. "The mosquitoes in the area can carry you away so prepare your campsite for that," warns a family who visited Perry's RV and Campgrounds.
Check for pet policies: Rules regarding pets vary between campgrounds. A Buffalo Bluff RV Park visitor notes, "Enjoyed our stay here. The sites are little tight, but very level. Clean showers and laundry facility. No shade."
Tips from RVers
Watch for electrical placement: Some RV sites have awkwardly positioned hookups. "Only hiccup was how low to the ground the electric was—we had to bend the cord to connect," mentions an RVer at Billings Village RV Park.
Consider site size limitations: Some campgrounds have tight spacing. "This a no-frills spot to spend a night, but wouldn't want to stay longer. Sites are tightly-spaced without so much as a place for more than one camper to park while checking in," cautions a visitor to Billings Village RV Park.
Check road noise levels: Campgrounds near highways may experience traffic sounds. "There is some highway noise and didn't seem to give up throughout the night," reports a camper at Absaroka Bay RV Park, though they add, "The staff is very friendly and the entire facility was extremely well kept and clean."
