Dispersed camping options surround Elk Mountain, Wyoming, at elevations ranging from 6,700 to 8,500 feet with most sites experiencing strong winds year-round. The North Platte River corridor provides several riverside camping options with limited cell coverage throughout the region. Extreme temperature variations are common, with summer nights frequently dropping below 45°F even during peak season.
What to do
Riverside fishing access: The North Platte River near Dugway Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities where campers can catch trout right from their sites. "This was such a beautiful place with the North Platte River right next to our site. In the morning there were deer right next to the car," reports one visitor who enjoyed the convenient location.
Hot springs relaxation: Just 4 minutes from Deer Haven RV Park in Saratoga, travelers can soak in the natural hot springs. "It's also only 4 minutes away from hobo Hot springs. And there is a wonderful ice cream shop downtown that makes their own ice cream it's delightful," notes a camper who visited in September.
Hiking to alpine lakes: The Sugarloaf Campground area provides access to multiple mountain lakes via nearby trails. "Easy access to a bunch of trails," states one visitor, while another mentions, "Amazing location. Good trails. Water and clean toilets. First come first serve."
What campers like
Wildlife encounters: Early mornings at Deep Creek Campground frequently reward visitors with moose sightings. "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," shares one camper who stayed in June.
Winter recreation: The Medicine Bow area provides snowshoeing opportunities during winter months for those with proper vehicles and cold-weather gear. "Beautiful hike in the summer or snowshoeing in the winter. Not matter the time of year is the best time to go," notes a winter visitor to the area.
Free camping amenities: Basic but useful facilities at no cost attract budget-conscious travelers. "Cost is perfect at free. Easily accessible from the interstate. Very quiet. We spent a week here and were mostly alone during the day," reports a camper who stayed at Dugway Campground over the July 4th holiday.
What you should know
Extreme winds: Expect consistent strong winds in the Medicine Bow region, particularly at higher elevations. "The wind was consistently 25mph+ the whole weekend, but the hiking and alpine lakes just off the campground were great," notes a visitor to Sugarloaf Campground.
Limited availability: The most popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "We arrived on Wednesday morning to find all sites occupied. So we drove around for a little while before heading to Brooklyn Lake," reports a disappointed visitor to Sugarloaf who couldn't secure a spot.
Wildlife hazards: Bow River Campground and surrounding areas have reported rattlesnake encounters. "The grounds are all open sagebrush and there are a lot of rattlesnakes in the area - we saw four. Terri had a close encounter with one on the side of the road and 2 days later our dog was bitten," warns one visitor who needed emergency veterinary care.
Tips for camping with families
Insect preparation: Pack strong insect repellent for mosquitos, particularly during early summer months. "Bring plenty of bug spray. Tons of mesquites unless there is a breeze," advises a camper at Dugway, while another Bow River visitor cautions, "But damn there were a lot of mosquitoes. I don't mean like a few dozen or hundreds… I mean millions."
Kid-friendly activities: Red Desert Rose Campground offers additional activities for children despite needing maintenance. "Putt-putt is free to guest as well as a nice sized playground. Only downside is also an upside. Close to interstate, so easy to find and get to but you can hear the cars at night," shares a family camper.
Off-peak timing: For better site selection and fewer crowds, visit mid-week. "We stayed here Sunday - Wednesday and we really lucked out getting a spot, I think we got there right after the weekenders checked out," reports a visitor to Sugarloaf who secured a prime location by avoiding weekends.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose premium sites when staying at Laramie RV Resort for more room. "Small enclosed dog area in the rear of the park. Note: WiFi available but it's not strong enough for much," shares one RVer who stayed during winter, while another advises selecting sites with more separation.
Water management: Many campgrounds have limited or seasonal water access. "There is a vault toilet and water crank for campers to use," reports a Dugway visitor, while another warns, "No water could be collected from the handpump. Thankfully, we brought some water with us, but our friends had none so we had to be very frugal."
Cold-weather preparation: RVers camping near Elk Mountain should prepare for sudden temperature drops even in summer. "Got below 30 degrees at night so come prepared!" warns a September visitor to Sugarloaf Campground, while another mentions, "I decided to stay here while a spring winter storm blew through."
