Camping areas near Daniel, Wyoming range from 7,000-8,500 feet elevation, explaining the region's short summer season from May through September. The mountain-fed rivers and lakes are typically clearest in late summer after snowmelt subsides. Nighttime temperatures drop significantly even in July and August, often falling below 45°F.
What to do
Boating on Half Moon Lake: Access the 12 campsite area with a small beach perfect for launching kayaks and small watercraft. "There are two overflow parking spots that allow access to the beaches on lake," notes one camper at Half Moon Lake Campground.
Wildlife viewing at Soda Lake: Set up with binoculars to spot diverse wildlife around this open-water habitat. "We saw a fair bit of wildlife in the area as well; pronghorn, horses, hummingbirds, bald and golden eagles, osprey, hawks, sea gulls, grebes, beavers, a plethora of ground squirrels, and a lot of cows on the hike to Little Soda Lake," reports a visitor at Soda Lake WHMA.
Eagle watching near Boulder: The riverside campsites provide excellent vantage points for bird watching opportunities. One camper at Warren Bridge Recreation Area described a remarkable experience: "Directly across the river from our site is a tall pine with an eagles nest. 2 large Bald Eagles hang out there in the evening, while a large Golden Eagle watches the nest and fights off the peregrine falcons while they're gone."
What campers like
Level sites for easy setup: Campers consistently mention the quality of parking areas at several locations. A visitor to Warren Bridge Campground and Picnic Area noted, "We stopped here in our 30 ft class A on our way to the Grand Tetons. We pulled in 8pm on a Wednesday and there were about half the spots left and only two more filled in after us. Perfect for a night or two."
Fishing opportunities without crowds: Several lesser-known lakes provide good fishing with minimal competition. A reviewer at Willow Lake mentioned, "I love this spot because it is less populated than others. Camp spots are spread out so you aren't on top of each other. The lake is beautiful and great for kayaking or sup."
Cost-effective overnight options: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate the value of several area campgrounds. "Small BLM CG along Green River. 16 sites all pull thru, 21 miles outside of Pinedale WY on main hwy #191. Water spigots around, vault toilets, garbage can at each site, camp host onsite. Only $10/$5 nite senior. Even an RV dump included in camp fee," shared a Warren Bridge Campground visitor.
What you should know
Road conditions vary dramatically: Some access roads require high-clearance vehicles, especially after wet weather. A camper at New Fork Lake cautioned, "Very rough and run down campground. 15 sites but most are overgrown and small. Not advised for TT it or RVs as the access road is the roughest I have ever encountered, almost need high clearance vehicle."
Cell service inconsistency: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "No T-Mobile nor AT&T cell service," reported a visitor at Half Moon Lake, while Soda Lake WHMA campers noted: "AT&T service was poor without a booster, with 0-2 Bars of 3G service, but nearly no data throughput. With our weboost, it got a little better with 3-4 bars of LTE and speeds up to about 0.5 MB/s."
Limited water access: Many primitive sites lack potable water. "This is a nice quite place for a trailer or motor home of any size. There are even nice concrete fire pits with a cooking grates," shared a camper at Warren Bridge, but visitors should plan to bring sufficient water supplies.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access considerations: Not all waterfront campgrounds have suitable swimming areas. A reviewer at Soda Lake WHMA warned, "The lake has leeches so no swimming... which was a huge disappointment. Like someone said earlier people leave trailers there for days at a time with no one coming to check so there are quite a few occupied spots with no one in them."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Schedule early morning or evening animal watching sessions. "There is amazing Wildlife viewing right from the campground. On my last visit I saw mule deer, moose, and Antelope right from my campsite," shared one Warren Bridge Recreation Area camper.
Temperature planning: Pack extra layers for children regardless of season. "We stayed there and loved the serenity and the pronghorns. A little crowded but the rec area across the street was great," noted a Warren Bridge visitor, but families should be prepared for temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Assess each campground carefully for turning radius and overhead clearance. At Highline Trail RV Park, a camper noted, "The sites all looked very level and are very spacious for a private CG. Ours was almost perfectly level. Some sites were open while others had a few trees."
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited in the Daniel area. "We are full-timers in a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and needed a place to dump, do laundry and take on fresh water after a week of boondocking outside of Rawlins and this place fit the bill nicely," shared an RVer at Highline Trail, highlighting the importance of planning utility stops.
Leveling requirements: Many sites require minimal leveling despite the mountainous terrain. "All sites are level, so drive in and relax and enjoy the vastness of the Prairie," noted a camper at Warren Bridge Campground and Picnic Area.
