Looking for the best Elk Mountain dispersed camping? The Dyrt provides you with a diverse selection of places to camp, from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. Search nearby dispersed campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed in most places. From getting away from it all to just enjoying a weekend with friends, dispersed camping can make for a great story. Across the forests, opportunities range from dispersed camping miles into wilderness or just off a forest road in designated dispersed areas. Make sure to bring everything you need when dispersed camping, as water, restrooms, and fire rings may not be available nearby, and always remember to follow Leave No Trace principles.
Use the links below to explore the wide range of dispersed opportunities the forests and grasslands have to offer. For comprehensive information on dispersed camping opportunities, please contact the ranger district office in the area you plan to visit.
Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed in most places. From getting away from it all to just enjoying a weekend with friends, dispersed camping can make for a great story. Across the forests, opportunities range from dispersed camping miles into wilderness or just off a forest road in designated dispersed areas. Make sure to bring everything you need when dispersed camping, as water, restrooms, and fire rings may not be available nearby, and always remember to follow Leave No Trace principles.
Use the links below to explore the wide range of dispersed opportunities the forests and grasslands have to offer. For comprehensive information on dispersed camping opportunities, please contact the ranger district office in the area you plan to visit.
Scout
This spot will no longer allow overnight camping. It is day use only
Guide
Loads of sites along the FS roads out here, you don’t have to look hard, easier with more ground clearance
Scout
Very few other boondockers, and well dispersed. Very quiet with minimal traffic.
ScoutA little way off of WY-130 on a good dirt road. Good for up to mid-size trailers or smaller. Scattered informal sites, no water or hookups, two pit toilets. Signs indicate that camping is OK. Beautiful location on the North Platte River.
Guide
A dirt road about 1.25 miles leading to a boat ramp, with parking for cars/ trailers. There is a bridge with a 12ton limit per vehicle. more allowed if you are towing. peaceful and quiet at night with a very nice trail and bridge over the river . This is not really a campsite, just a nice free place to spend the night and then move on, but you can stay up to 5 days. had dirty bathrooms, no toilet paper.
Guide
Good Verizon service, was able to work remote. Got pretty windy but it was nice on the hot days. Idk if I’d swim in the water. There was a pit toilet. Good view of the mountains. Agree with review below that it’s not a destination spot, but if you’re in the area I’d do a night
Guide
Plenty of camping, epic fishing, and tons of water! This camp spot is between 2 reservoirs and offers plenty of camping for RVs or tents right on the water with access to restrooms. Amazing fishing and floating opportunities. Make sure to get all of your shopping needs before heading out, because the closest marina for restocking is about 40 minutes away. There is no cell phone reception. But it's all 100% worth it if fishing is your thing... you'll soon learn why it's called The Miracle Mile.
ScoutClearly marked directing you to the location. Bumpy dirt road until you reach the lot. It’s a parking lot camping location. Clearly marked camping area designated (5 days max). Clean, quiet, will stay again.
Ranger
Good spot . Road was very iffy for my 2wd sedan, but I made it. Perfect on the way in or out of medicine bow.
Ranger
Stayed one night at the coordinates of camper 1 . Had a great time with my dog, very close to medicine bow, and awesome views of the river. Heard no cars throughout the night, there were three other campers I believe .
RangerStopped in late, made it fine with 2w low clearance, I stayed at the first spot, I’m not sure how many there were. Light traffic throughout the night, but overall peaceful stay.
GuideLovely location with secluded spots. The stars and view were awesome and the wind blew just right all night.
Scoutwouldn't recommend if you are tent camping, but i was very comfortable in my car despite very strong winds. ATT is intermittent but works nonetheless! no toilet paper in toilets so bring your own! nice quiet spot but as others have said, it's definitely not a destination spot
Traveler
Very peaceful campground, right by a lake with a nice view. People came and went throughout the day to go fishing at the lake and some with ATVs.
During the night there was only one other group of campers but its a fairly large campground with plenty of spots so they were far away. The total amount of offroading is ~3 miles as most of the drive is paved road. The dirt road is well taken care of and almost any car could make it. This area seemed to be part of a wildfire as there are many trees cut down that have scorch marks. The lake is relatively small but theres another body of water just across the far end. I didnt venture over there but youre able to see it across the lake.
GuideI had a rough time at this campsite, but I don’t want to discount it entirely. There were tons of mosquitoes. My spot was out in the open so when thunderstorms rolled through I opted to sleep in my car. There was a couple different spots, mine was away from some of the seemingly main spots. Beautiful riverside
GuideGreat camping spot within Medicine Bow National Forest. Some of this area requires a $5 day fee which can be paid online or using an envelop system with cash.
When you first pull onto FS RD 200 you will wind down past many easy to reach sites with 2wd. Small RVs should be fine as well. As you continue on, you will come across multiple splits in the road leading to more sites. If you are going when there is still a lot of snow melt (through late June) I would recommend 4x4 the further back you go.
I personally camped across from the Keystone Reservoir and it included a level site and a nice fire ring.
Traveler
Such a tranquil setting, we had the whole place to ourselves. About 3 miles off the beaten path , through the T&A Ranch. We will return.
ScoutStoped by and there are no camping signs everywhere
Scout
Stopped here on my way through. 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. Boat launch doesn’t allow camping, camping is right around the bend. Right next to the river and absolutely beautiful. NO OPEN FIRES. Close to houses, secluded but not entirely out in nature by yourself. Would definitely camp again! Easy to find, good Verizon cell reception. Quiet spot.
Scout
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. We did find a place to stay but most were already filled with hunting campers that had been brought up and left. I'm guessing hunting season starts next week and they have staked their claim. No sites are level so bring your legos. We work from our camper so cell service was important. T-mobile was dismal, but Verizon was usable with a solid 4G 2bars. The location is beautiful and remote. Lots of trees and the aspen are turning yellow. Probably won't come back again but plan to hike around and enjoy the area while we are here.
GuideWe found a great spot right next to the river on forest road 330C near North Fork Campground. The area was fairly busy on Labor Day weekend but we were basically isolated in this spot. One family was camping a little further up the road, but we had zero traffic on our road and the spot was beautiful. We were nestled up against the Little Laramie River which was awesome. We did explore the area a little and found numerous dispersed camping spots in/around the area but none as nice as the spot that we settled on. The exact coordinates are:
41.35475° N, -106.16955° W
TravelerNice isolated spot in the National Forest, 5 mi from the main highway. Nice view with few fire rings. No one was around.
GuideA truly scenic spot where I saw that people were able to pull up an RV. I tent camped tucked into the forest a bit. The birch was dripping sap all night and I think I would have put my tent in the open if I had known. Some nice little fire pits. Don’t miss the turn into the camp circle, you’ll drive yourself up the mountain which is not very car friendly. Lastly there were swarms of mosquitoes who were out with vengeance, I managed to keep them at bay with few bites but don’t come Ill prepared to deal with skeeters
GuideIt was a nice area next to the river. Some tall grass but that wasn’t much a bother. I had no issues with mosquitoes. There are ground toilets, I do recommend packing in your own toilet paper because there was none while I was there. Several other people were camping nearby with no problems. It is next to a farm, which meant various wild and farm animal noises all night which kept me on my toes.
Video is of some of the noises going on throughout the night
Scoutthis was our second choice for a camp site, our 1st was the bridge upstream, and it was so grown up with weed there was no place to put a tent
TravelerWe arrived around sunset for a quick night on our road trip heading West. There were some bugs out but nothing crazy. Peaceful sounds of birds and waterfowl. Fell asleep to thunderstorms way off in the distance. We stayed at first spot near the closest pit toilet, was a tad dirty but serviceable. Probably wouldn’t recommend for multiple nights and definitely not a destination type location but worked for us, lucky to have no major winds.
ScoutNear freeway, relatively secluded. Good camp site, some areas RV friendly. Tent sites hard to come by at night
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Elk Mountain, WY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Elk Mountain, WY is White Rock Canyon Dispersed Site with a 3.3-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Elk Mountain, WY?
TheDyrt.com has all 22 dispersed camping locations near Elk Mountain, WY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
