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Medicine Bow National Forest surrounds Elk Mountain, Wyoming, offering diverse camping experiences from developed sites to remote dispersed areas. Bow River Campground, situated on the edge of the forest not far from Interstate 80, provides a true nature experience with the Medicine Bow River running through the grounds. Deep Creek Campground and White Rock Canyon Dispersed Site offer alternatives for those seeking different levels of amenities. Within a short drive, campers can access Brooklyn Lake Campground, which features lake views from every site and proximity to multiple trailheads. The region includes both free dispersed camping options requiring minimal preparation and established campgrounds with basic facilities like vault toilets and picnic tables.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping in the Elk Mountain area, with most developed campgrounds operating from June through September or early October. Many forest roads become impassable during winter and spring snowmelt. As one camper noted, "Make sure to get a map (or download) so you can get around all the paved and dirt roads around here." Wind presents a consistent challenge throughout the year, with several reviewers mentioning strong gusts even during summer months. Cell service varies widely across the region, with better coverage at campgrounds closer to Interstate 80 and towns. Permits are required for some dispersed camping areas like East Fork Wagonhound Creek, while established campgrounds typically charge modest fees between $5-15 per night.
Campers consistently praise the area's natural beauty and stargazing opportunities. "We were treated to a gorgeous sunset and once the sun went down, the clearest skies we've seen in a while," reported one visitor to Sugarloaf Campground. Wildlife viewing ranks high among visitor experiences, with moose, deer, and various bird species commonly spotted. Fishing opportunities abound in the region's lakes and streams, particularly for rainbow and brook trout. Mosquitoes present a common challenge during summer months, with multiple reviewers recommending bug spray as essential equipment. Hikers appreciate the network of trails accessible from many campgrounds, particularly around Brooklyn Lake where "three trailheads at the campground all with multiple hike options" allow visitors to explore without driving to separate trailheads.
"Nice isolated spot in the National Forest, 5 mi from the main highway. Nice view with few fire rings. No one was around."
"It’s 4th of July weekend so all the spots/areas had someone in them by the time I got in around 9pm. I could see how it would be awesome on a slower weekend."
"I stayed here on a bicycle tour across American in 2016 and again while driving across later in 2016."
"Is Saratoga lake, and the aptly named Saratoga Lake Campground. It has tiers of camp sites mostly set up for RV'S but a few towards the water which tent campers will be comfortable."
"This is on the edge of the main part of Medicine Bow National forest, not too far from interstate 80. The Medicine Bow river runs through camp."
"I am not the biggest fan of campgrounds because they are usually packed, noisy and not a fun way to 'get away from it all'."
"If you have time, hike the nearby Crater Lake Trail for a view of an alpine lake."
"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."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"We drove 12 miles from this cabin to hike to Crater Lake; it's pretty country. Dusty roads, loads of stars, other little creeks nearby."
from $135 / night
Check Availability"This was my first experience in this area of SE Wyoming, but it did not disappoint. My boyfriend pulled off here on a cross country drive via I-80. We enjoyed our drives to and fro the site."
"Lots of hikes and lakes in walking distance"
from $20 / night
Check Availability"When nobody is here it’s wonderful - right next to a creek, dogs can run around, and it is so very quiet and secluded. If I’m ever in Wyoming I’ll head back to this little spot."
"Got here around 3pm only 2 other people. Only a few spots are larger for 5th wheels etc. road was pretty bumpy coming down, you pass a few farms and a lot of private property which can be confusing."
"We were up at Brooklyn Lake over the holiday weekend. The campground was closed but apparently in Wyoming a campground becomes dispersed if it’s not officially open."
"One of my favorite parts about this campground is that every site does have a view of the lake."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Great fire ring, and access to the lake!"
"I saw a handful of campers on the main fire road, but then as I drove further down, I saw offshoot that only four-wheel-drive vehicles could get to which is where I went."
GuideThe drive thru part of site is packed which is nice, the rest of it is round peak size river rock which looks nice but a bear to walk in
Your in a fairly good size city so everything is available for a drive.
ScoutMedicine bow is incredible, this is the best spot in the whole park
ScoutCampground is nice. Snagged a spot at about 11pm right next to the river. Easy 1-night layover.
Well water pump, vault toilets, campfire rings. Plenty of space between sites.
Seminoe Road was paved up to the campground entrance, the dirt road in the campground itself is plenty doable for most 2wd vehicles.
Legend$10 per night or five with the senior pass but several sites right on the North Platte River and while it's a little out of the way, the camp is Serene and beautiful with excellent well water and garbage disposal and a vault toilet. 11 spaces here and seldom if ever are they all full. Fantastic getaway in the middle of a beautiful part of Wyoming.
ScoutLoved this spot, we went over the 4th of July and came in early that Friday morning. Was already pretty filled up out there but managed to find this one still. Road is rough but plenty doable. Mosquitoes weren’t all that bad (and I am someone who normally gets eaten alive!), didn’t have to be covered in spray 24/7 which was wonderful! Great fire ring, and access to the lake!
ScoutA little tired, but our site (SD34) was clean and had excellent table, chairs and grill. It was a fine overnight stop.
When booking online, there was an added $20 “booking fee” and a $3 “convenience fee.” It is misleading and seems shady to add these at the end of the booking process. We will be cautious about booking RJourney locations in the future.
GuideThis is a popular, heavily-wooded campground with both reserved and first-come sites.
We arrived on Thursday night thinking we'd have our pick of sites since it wasn't the weekend yet. Turns out there was only one site available! It's a smaller campground with only 16 sites (half of which are reservation-only) and highly desirable because of its ease of access, extremely pleasant atmosphere, and proximity to both Laramie and HIGHLY primo recreation in Medicine Bow National Forest along 130. Also, my fiance and I ended up finding this place because we were looking for somewhere to camp outside of the level 2 fire restrictions currently in place in most of Colorado, and I expect there are others like us filling the southern Wyoming campgrounds right now.
It seems to me that you will have pretty different experiences depending on which side of the road your site is on. As you drive in, all of the sites on your right are along the creek and have creek access, as well as more mature trees that provide better shade. The tradeoff is that the creek access means there are tons of mosquitoes! The sites on your left-hand side do not have creek access and have younger trees that provide less shade, but no bugs and great stargazing!
The one site that was open and that we ended up in was a left-side-of-the-road site (site 7). We had decent shade in the morning and evening when the shadows were long but almost none in midday. Aside from the plentiful trees, there were also tons of wildflowers all over the campground and in the sites at the time we visited (mid-July).
Each site has a picnic table, metal fire ring with grate, and a metal grill (like the kind you see at parks). During level 1 fire restrictions (which a lot of Wyoming is currently in), you are allowed to have campfires in metal fire rings. The sites do not have tent pads which, combined with the abundant wildflowers, meant we had to squash a couple plants to set up our tent. But what I thought was really cool is that most sites seem to have a little tucked-back clearing to set your tent up in that keeps you a little secluded and cozy.
There are a few vault toilets that seem well-maintained and which are stocked with hand sani. There are also water pumps , but they either weren't working or I wasnt using them correctly. We had heard the water at this campground was hit or miss so we had brought several gallons to be safe, so it was all good.
There is a hiking trail that leaves from between sites 10 and 11 that is fairly easy and a great way to see a lot of local nature. However, if you're not interested in leaving your site you'll still see plenty! In the two nights we stayed our site was visited by the usual birds, squirrels, and butterflies, as well as a deer and a fox (unfortunately I had already used up my entire camera battery before the fox visited our campfire)!
The small town of Centennial is about a five minute drive away. There is a general store there where you can pick up local firewood (always burn local wood!) and ice on your way in.
Oh also! At the fee station there were booklets with information on local hiking, fishing, hunting, and other outdoor recreation nearby, as well as maps of nearby hiking trails! What a sweet thing to provide, especially somewhere where I didn't have any signal and couldn't use Google maps to find trails to check out.
ScoutBeautiful location. Road gets extremely difficult the further you drive back. Flat spot, fire ring.. but bring the OFF and mosquito net. They are thick and hungry!
ScoutNice and flat. Right next to a cute little creek. Not far from the road.
Medicine Bow National Forest offers numerous campsites near Elk Mountain, Wyoming, ranging from established facilities with amenities to remote dispersed sites. The elevation in this region varies from 7,000 to 10,000 feet, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the season. Wind speeds commonly reach 25-30 mph even during summer months, particularly at higher elevations.
Hiking options: Brooklyn Lake Campground provides direct access to multiple trails without needing to drive elsewhere. "There are three trail heads at the campground all with multiple hike options which was really nice to have access to some beautiful hikes without getting into the car," notes a reviewer. Trails lead to glacial lakes with views of the Snowy Range.
Fishing access: Saratoga Lake Campground offers prime shoreline camping for anglers. "Friend and I did a spur of the moment road trip down through the Snowies. We stopped Sunday night, drove into town to find the bath house (free hot spring, freaking awesome!)," writes Kevin C. The North Platte River runs through this area, providing excellent fishing opportunities.
Hot springs visits: The town of Saratoga, located about 20 minutes from several campgrounds, features free public hot springs. "Visit Hobo Hot Springs, the free hot springs in town," recommends one camper at Saratoga Lake. These natural springs offer a welcome respite after hiking, especially during cooler weather.
Moose sightings: Deep Creek Campground regularly hosts wildlife visitors. "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," reports Bryan P. Wildlife viewing peaks during early morning and evening hours.
Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution at higher elevation sites creates exceptional stargazing conditions. One camper at Sugarloaf Campground noted: "We were able to observe millions of stars" at night. The campground's 10,000-foot elevation contributes to clear, dark skies.
Lake access: Several campgrounds feature direct waterfront access. "Every site does have a view of the lake. My buddies and I came here pretty late in the day, and still got a pretty great spot with a view of the lake!" reports Drew W. about Brooklyn Lake Campground. Many campers bring kayaks or stand-up paddleboards for lake recreation.
Weather extremes: High elevation camping means significant temperature drops after sunset, even in summer. "Got below 30 degrees at night so come prepared!" warns Maya G. about Sugarloaf Campground. Snow can persist at some sites into July.
Insect pressure: Mosquitoes pose a significant challenge at many sites, particularly those near water. "The mosquitoes were relentless. Our poor dogs were getting bit all over," reports a camper at Foote Public Access Area. Bug pressure typically peaks from June through mid-August.
Road conditions: Access to many campsites requires traveling on rough forest roads. About White Rock Canyon Dispersed Site, Christopher E. notes: "Road in is about 5 miles, keeps going to few pullouts. Huge area for camping in groups if you continue down road make left." Four-wheel drive is recommended for dispersed sites.
Bathroom availability: Established campgrounds typically provide vault toilets. At Deep Creek Campground, "the bathrooms were quite run down and dirty. The pits themselves seemed as though they had been cleaned out, but the doors were rotting and the floors were littered with paper and covered with dirt," reports one camper. Bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
Water sources: Water access varies by location and season. "NO water while we were there, but vault toilets were decent and open," notes Dave about Brooklyn Lake Campground. Many campgrounds shut off water pumps early in the season due to freezing temperatures.
Arrival timing: Campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. "We arrived on Wednesday morning to find all sites occupied. So we drove around for a little while before heading to Brooklyn Lake," shares a camper at Sugarloaf. Arrive before noon mid-week for best site selection.
Site limitations: Foote Public Access Area offers minimal space for larger vehicles. "This is a primitive camping spot with 3 to maybe 5 sites if you are pushing it. Free, with pit toilet," notes James K. Most sites accommodate smaller trailers but turning space is limited.
Leveling challenges: Dispersed sites often feature uneven terrain. At White Rock Canyon Dispersed Site, Anita M. reports: "We have a 36 ft fifthwheel. The road has washboard and is quite steep in places. The biggest issue was finding a place to turn around. No sites are level so bring your legos." Bring extra leveling blocks for dispersed camping.
Cell service: Coverage varies significantly across the region. "T-mobile was dismal, but Verizon was usable with a solid 4G 2 bars," notes an RVer about White Rock Canyon. Sites at higher elevations or near the interstate generally offer better connectivity for those needing to work remotely.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best season to camp at Elk Mountain in Wyoming?
Summer through early fall (June to September) is the ideal time to camp in the Elk Mountain area of Wyoming. Brooklyn Lake Campground is popular during summer months, with some campers visiting over holiday weekends when the weather is pleasant. Late September can still offer beautiful camping experiences at Sugarloaf Campground before sites close for winter. Wyoming's high elevation means camping seasons are shorter than lower regions, with potential for cold nights even in summer. Snow often closes mountain access roads and campgrounds from October through May, so verify openings before planning a spring or late fall trip.
Where is Elk Mountain campground located in Wyoming?
Elk Mountain camping options are located in southeastern Wyoming, primarily within the Medicine Bow National Forest region. Bow River sits on the edge of Medicine Bow National Forest, near Interstate 80 with the Medicine Bow river running through camp. For those seeking a more remote experience, French Creek Campground is nestled in the Snowy Range via a scenic drive from Laramie, the closest populated area. The region is characterized by its mountainous terrain, forests, and waterways, providing access to numerous hiking trails, fishing spots, and recreational opportunities.
What amenities are available at Elk Mountain campground?
Campgrounds in the Elk Mountain area offer varying levels of amenities. Encampment River Campground provides vault toilets, trash cans, a water pump, and level sites suitable for tents, hammocks, and smaller vehicles for $10 per night (half-price with senior/interagency passes). For those preferring more facilities, Dugway Campground offers five sites including a pull-through option, making it suitable for various camping setups. Most campgrounds in the area feature basic facilities like pit toilets and picnic tables, with some providing access to rivers or lakes. Cell service is typically limited, and hookups are rare, so be prepared for a more rustic camping experience.
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