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The southeastern Wyoming town of Encampment sits at the gateway to multiple camping environments managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Medicine Bow National Forest, and private operators. Encampment River Campground offers riverside sites with basic amenities at affordable rates ($10 standard, $5 with senior passes), while nearby Bottle Creek Campground provides similar rustic accommodations from mid-June through mid-October. For those seeking more amenities, Lazy Acres Campground in Riverside features full hookups, showers, and laundry facilities along the Encampment River. Dispersed camping options include Green Mountain Overlook along Highway 70, where pull-offs accommodate various vehicle sizes with natural screening from road noise and mountain views.
Road conditions vary significantly across the region, with some campgrounds requiring navigation of steep, winding routes unsuitable for large trailers. As one camper noted about Encampment River Campground, "The road is steep and has a good twist or two in it," making access challenging for some vehicles. Cell service remains limited throughout the area, with reviewers reporting "very weak T-Mobile and AT&T service" at established sites. Weather patterns demand preparation, particularly at higher elevations in the Snowy Range above Encampment where conditions can change rapidly even in summer months. Most developed campgrounds operate seasonally, typically closing by mid-October, though some like Saratoga Lake Campground remain open year-round.
Riverside camping locations receive consistently high ratings from visitors, with the Encampment River serving as a focal point for many preferred sites. Campers frequently mention the quality of fishing opportunities, particularly for trout in both lakes and rivers. Several reviewers highlight the separation between sites at Encampment River Campground, noting the "good separation between sites" and "trees and foliage" providing privacy. Wildlife sightings are common, with bighorn sheep reported along mountain roads near Pike Pole Campground. Wind exposure presents a consistent challenge throughout the region, particularly at higher elevations and open lake sites. Mosquitoes are frequently mentioned as a concern during summer months, with multiple reviewers recommending bug spray as an essential item.
"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."
"Short walk to his/hers vault toilets in day use area. Trash cans nearby. Site was level & accommodated my van. Area for setting up tent. Hammock camping possible."
"A pretty and small campground right on the Encampment River. There is a boat ramp just before you come to the campground."
"Sits on the Encampment River. Owners Lee Ann & Leroy were very friendly & helpful."
"Easy highway access,but virtually no cell service with Verizon. The campground provided WiFi was decent. Leroy runs a tight ship at the camp, but it’s worth it."
from $42 / night
Check Availability"There is a sign at the beginning of the dirt road for high clearance and 4 wheel drive. This is not a suggestion. This spot was beautiful, peaceful and primitive."
"Clearly 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)."
"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 ."
"Fantastic getaway in the middle of a beautiful part of Wyoming."
"Located where the North Platte river cuts through sagebrush country, the hills and peaks resembling prehistoric boulders... in the middle of ranch country, the drive in takes you all the way to the end"
"All along hwy 70 West of Encampment there are various pull offs most with trees and views. Most accessible are close to the hwy."
"Walk-in availability only and about 11 sites which worked out fine. Only about 9 were filled when we were there. The bugs here got pretty annoying pretty quickly so be prepared."
"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."
"Easy walking distance into town for bars and restaurants. Best to call to reserve, request Riverside if you want to be on the river."
"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"
from $45 - $65 / night
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TravelerVault toilet onsite. The reservoir is full of wildlife: Storks, Prairie Dogs, Pronghorn, Beavers, ducks, Canadian Geese, and Trout. Horse flies ate me alive but mosquitoes weren't bad. One big tree for shade but other than that sites are exposed. Fire rings available. Small pier and boat ramp.
GuideI’ve camped along this road multiple times and it’s best to get in by Fri AM for the best ones. Some spots are wetter while others are not close to stagnant water at all. Many aspens, great trail network for mountain biking or trail running/ hiking.
ScoutMedicine bow is incredible, this is the best spot in the whole park
TravelerFirst of all this is a great spot but, not set up for rv's most. Blew a tire on the way up. Roads are rough even coming from walden side, despite making it here I would never take my 25ft b+ here again. Sites are on an incline. Great for tent camping though. Lots of masquitos.
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!
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!
The Encampment area offers camping opportunities at elevations ranging from 7,200 to 9,000 feet within the Medicine Bow National Forest and surrounding public lands. Seasonal temperature fluctuations are significant, with summer nights often dropping below 50°F even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s. Camping options near Encampment, Wyoming typically remain accessible from late May through early October, with higher elevation sites opening later in the season.
Fishing access points: Bennett Creek Campground provides excellent North Platte River access with a boat ramp for oar-float boats and rafts. According to one camper, the campground is "located where the North Platte river cuts through sagebrush country, the hills and peaks resembling prehistoric boulders... in the middle of ranch country."
Wildlife watching: The area around Saratoga Lake Campground offers diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. One visitor noted, "Great bird watching and pronghorn sightings" while another mentioned seeing "tons of different birds (pelicans to meadowlarks)" during their stay.
Hot springs visits: When staying at campgrounds near Encampment, visitors can access the free hot springs in Saratoga. A camper at Saratoga Lake Campground shared: "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!)."
Riverside sites: Lazy Acres Campground receives positive reviews for its location on the Encampment River. One visitor described it as an "excellent small campground. Everything from full hookups to grassy tent spots. Bathroom with showers. Laundry facilities. Sits on the Encampment River."
Stargazing conditions: The remote location of Bennett Creek Campground creates ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts. A camper mentioned the area is "quiet with amazing stargazing" and noted that even on the 4th of July weekend, "more than half the sites were available."
Natural screening: Dispersed camping at Green Mountain Overlook offers privacy from highway traffic. A visitor explained, "This place marked had a row off trees blocking road view and awesome views of Green Mountain and even Mtns down by steamboat springs. Easy parking even with full size truck pulling bumper pull trailer."
Water availability: Many campsites near Encampment require visitors to bring their own water. At Bottle Creek Campground, water is available on-site, but one camper advised: "You will need a bear bag or vault. There are vault toilets and bear proof trash cans available."
Insect conditions: Bugs can be problematic throughout the camping season. A visitor to Hog Park Campground advised: "Prepare yourself for a lot of biting insects so I would bring a screen house if you are staying for more than one night."
River temperature: The Encampment River and other waterways in the area remain cold even during summer months. A camper noted about Encampment River: "The river is COLD and fast, though not deep near the campground. I would not advise wading out too deep."
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires careful navigation on unpaved roads. A visitor to Hog Park Campground reported: "Road in was gravel with washboards in the curves. Last few miles in were very rough."
Beach access: Foote Public Access offers camping spots next to the North Platte River. A camper observed, "This tiny dispersed site is on the North Platte River with boat access and a few weedy, private sites spread out in this area tucked inside private property."
Wildlife sounds: Children may enjoy the natural sounds at riverside camping areas. One camper at Foote Public Access mentioned, "It is next to a farm, which meant various wild and farm animal noises all night which kept me on my toes."
Low-cost options: Families on a budget can find affordable options throughout the area. One camper reported that Saratoga Lake Campground offers sites at "$10/night without hookups and $15 for electric sites."
Site leveling: Some campgrounds present challenges for leveling RVs. A visitor to Hog Park Campground found their reserved site was "very narrow & steep (definitely not level) and filled with large rocks that would have made leveling very difficult."
Hookup availability: For RVers needing full services, Lazy Acres Campground and Motel offers complete amenities. A camper noted it has "excellent small campground. Everything from full hookups to grassy tent spots. Bathroom with showers. Laundry facilities."
Limited cell service: Many camping areas around Encampment have poor connectivity. A visitor to Lazy Acres Campground reported "virtually no cell service with Verizon. The campground provided WiFi was decent."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to go camping in Encampment, Wyoming?
The prime camping season near Encampment runs from late spring through early fall (May-September), with July and August offering the most reliable weather. High-elevation sites like Lost Creek in the Snowy Range above Encampment have shorter seasons due to snow persistence. Big Creek Lakes Campground, just across the Colorado border, is only open June through August due to its 9,000+ foot elevation, where campers should prepare for potential snow even in summer. Early fall brings stunning colors but cooler temperatures, especially at night. Summer weekends can be busier, particularly around holidays. For more solitude, consider mid-week visits in June or September when temperatures are moderate and crowds are thinner.
Where are the best camping spots near Encampment, Wyoming?
Encampment offers diverse camping options for all preferences. Encampment River Campground — Bureau Of Land Management provides affordable camping at $10 per night ($5 with senior/interagency pass), featuring level sites, vault toilets, and trash facilities. For those seeking scenic views, Green Mountain Overlook offers dispersed camping along Highway 70 west of Encampment with spectacular mountain vistas and natural tree barriers from road noise. Other quality options include Lost Creek in the Snowy Range (featuring standard amenities like vault toilets and fire pits) and Pike Pole Campground (best for small parties with tent sites and basic facilities). The area also offers high-elevation camping at Brooklyn Lake and Freeman Reservoir for those wanting alpine experiences.
Is there an RV park in Encampment, Wyoming and what amenities does it offer?
Lazy Acres Campground and Motel is the primary RV accommodation in Encampment, offering full hookup sites alongside tent camping options. This excellent small campground provides bathrooms with showers, laundry facilities, and scenic positioning along the Encampment River. The owners are noted for being friendly and helpful. For those seeking public land options, Dugway Campground near Sinclair (about an hour's drive) offers five sites including a pull-through option suitable for RVs. Located approximately 6 miles from Interstate 80, Dugway provides a more rustic experience. Both locations offer different amenities depending on whether you prefer private facilities with full services or more basic public camping with potentially more space and privacy.
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