Devils Tower National Monument sits at 5,112 feet elevation in northeastern Wyoming, creating a distinctive camping environment with temperature swings between day and night even during summer months. The area near this geological formation offers rv camping near Devils Tower with average summer high temperatures around 85°F while dropping to 50°F at night. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October with limited winter accommodations available.
What to do
Morning hikes: Visit the Tower Trail circling the monument base for an accessible 1.3-mile paved loop. "We drove up late at night, had a perfect spot that we noticed that light which perfectly is set just outside base of devils tower nothing better than waking up to that morning and had breakfast with a gorgeous view of devils tower," notes a camper at Devils Tower KOA.
Evening entertainment: Watch outdoor movies at select campgrounds featuring "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" screened with Devils Tower as backdrop. According to a visitor, "They show 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' every night, outside with the tower in the background. Very cheesy but very cool."
Wildlife observation: Spot local fauna including deer, pronghorn, and wild turkeys throughout the area. A camper at Devils Tower View Campground shared, "Beautiful views and backdrops with plenty of wildlife including deer, pronghorn and turkeys. Great place to camp!"
Stargazing: Enjoy dark skies away from light pollution for exceptional night sky viewing. "We almost had the place to ourselves. Fantastic view of the tower at sunset!" writes a visitor. Another camper mentioned, "I heard Coyotes and Great-horned Owls!"
What campers like
Proximity to monument: Select campgrounds offer direct views of Devils Tower from campsites. "The campground is right on the road, and there was some traffic all night, as well as bright lights. The bath house is very clean, and I slept ok despite the traffic," reports a tent camper at Devils Tower View Campground.
Onsite dining: Enjoy local food options at camp cafes without leaving the grounds. "The view of devils tower is amazing but the little cafe on-site is AWESOME! Their food is great homemade food at a great price!" shares a visitor at Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and shower houses. According to a camper at Mountain View RV Park & Campground, "This campground got new owners a few years ago. It looks pretty good now, with recently remodeled bathroom/showers. There is a store and laundry facilities, and a pool."
Off-peak quiet: Weekday camping typically offers more peaceful experiences than weekends or during rallies. As noted by a visitor at Tatanka Campground, "During the week things are quiet... most of the spots have some shade and an awesome cement picnic table. They're also spaced far enough apart that each one has privacy."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most facilities close during winter months with limited year-round options. "We visited at the end of the season, so a lot of their sites were already closed up in preparation for shutting down for the year," notes a visitor to Mountain View RV Park & Campground.
Non-resident fees: State parks charge additional fees for out-of-state visitors. A camper at Tatanka Campground reports, "Wyoming state parks seem to be hostile to non residents. It's cheaper to stay at a regular rv park and you have better amenities... The price is double if you're from out of state."
Site variability: Levelness varies considerably between campgrounds and individual sites. "Our site was not very level, but we were able to manage," notes a visitor at Tatanka Campground, while another camper states, "Terraced level spots on a hill side overlooking Sundance WY and a gorgeous valley below."
Reservation requirements: During peak times advance booking becomes essential, especially for RV camping near Devils Tower. "Been through Wyoming a few times. First time staying at a Wyoming state park. Possibly the last," shares a frustrated camper due to complex reservation requirements.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Some campgrounds offer swimming facilities for children during hot summer days. "The park was easy to get to though our RV GPS wanted to take us up to I-90 and back around versus just taking a left across US-85 into the campground," notes a visitor to Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins, adding "They have a pool-side bar, dog park, basketball and pickleball courts, coffee bar and laundry."
Recreation amenities: Look for campgrounds with playground equipment and game areas. "They have a pool table and ping pong table (free!). They have a nice outside covered area with picnic tables and Giant Jenga! We spent 5 nights here and loved it!" shares a family at All Seasons RV Park.
Water activities: Consider lakeside camping for additional recreation options. "There is fun lake for families and friends of all ages about 5 minutes away. Rocks to jump off, live music and boats are allowed," notes a visitor to Tatanka Campground.
Quiet policies: Check enforcement of noise regulations, especially for family-focused stays. "Our first night a couple had a loud, drunken argument, ending with the wife telling her child (maybe 7) to F*** off. The camp host didn't really do anything about noise," warns a camper about inconsistent enforcement.
Tips from RVers
Rig cleaning services: Mobile detailers operate in the region for cleaning dusty RVs. "Our rig was a dirty mess from the boondocking and Elk Horn Ridge even has local mobile companies that come to your site and clean your rig. Ours was cleaned while we hiked the Spearfish Canyon!" shares an RV camper.
Water pressure variations: Use pressure reducers at hookup sites to protect RV plumbing systems. "Utilities were conveniently located to include outstanding water pressure so use a reducer," advises an RV owner.
Site locations: Request specific areas within larger campgrounds for better experiences. "The staff put us out in an area pretty much by ourselves with our traveling partner. We used their cable (good variety of channels)," notes a motorhome camper at Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins.
Internet connectivity: Plan accordingly for variable signal strength. "We did not upgrade from their free WiFi (about average but the park was not very full) and got 3 bars on Verizon," reports an RV camper, while another notes, "The Wi-Fi is strong."