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."
$42 / night
"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."
"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 ."
"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."
"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"
"Easy to find and good roads, just follow the signs from the highway. Good sized sites with trash collection and decently clean bathrooms. Lots of bugs in late June. Quiet with amazing stargazing"
"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."
$45 - $65 / night
"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"
GuideNice hikes accessible from the campground. Away from road noise. Beautiful views of the lake, Hahn's peak, and other mountain views. Stayed in my camper van at Dutch Hill Wheeler loop - no lake view. Bath house with showers is a short walk away. Vault toilet on the loop. Electric site with water close by. Dump station at exit.
GuideWhen we showed up a couple of campers were already in the pinned location for this site, however right across the road was another camping spot with fire ring. It was great for the night! Beautiful view of Mount Zirkel and just down the road there was creek access. Saw three moose and deer! Would definitely come back to this spot!
GuideFollowed signs to Sanger Access area, led us to camping area where we saw 3 large campers and one pit toilet. We continued down the road and saw one more camper. We thought that was it then noticed another road a little more rocky but we took it down a ways and saw more camping spots and fire rings, more ideal for tent campers like ourselves. It was very private and right along the river. Beautiful views of canyon walls. Lots of bird songs.
TravelerWe do not have kids and are mostly off exploring all day so we never take advantage of everything a KOA has to offer - but we stayed here because of the close location to the town of Steamboat Springs. $55 for electricity only. Updating lots of the park and adding more spaces. Hopefully they will circle back and add more gravel for the potholes and areas in the older park where we stayed. They utilize every space so you are packed in tightly… but location, location, location
ScoutWe pulled in around 5 PM. There were a few sites available. We took the second one on left. It was level spacious and perfect views of the snowy mountains and the reservoir.
TravelerWe were the only campers at the time. It’s quiet, by the river with some trees to block a little wind. There’s even clean pit toilets available!
GuideWe are here on a lovely cloudy day. I image it could get hot here in the summer. The sites are about 16 feet apart, which would be close but at this time there is a camper every fourth or fifth site. The sites along to shore are dry camping ($15/night), middle section is electric hookup only($25/night), and top row is dry camping ($15/night). Pay by cash in an envelope at the back of the main toilet area. Locals come and fish here daily.
GuideAn easy stop for the night just off the interstate. There is some road noise but it felt safe and the restrooms were clean.
ScoutDo not make a reservation here unless you are positive you will be able to make it. We could not make our reservation because of I80 being closed due to wind and they would not even consider giving a refund. We call as soon as we knew, but it was less than 24 hours and it wasn't their fault so they wouldn't refund me. Terrible customer service.
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.
Keep Exploring
