Evanston is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Wyoming camping has to offer. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Evanston. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
"Very private boondocking area about 10 miles off the highway. Wide open area; fairly level in the campsites we saw."
"I wandered in after dark and the dirt road was easy to navigate. No one was around for miles which was quite nice! A few people drove past (I assume to go hunting) but not much traffic noise."
"About 1/4 mile down a dirt road from Hwy 39 is a good single boondocking spot with a great view. Not for large RVs."
"Two nice boondocking spots just a short drive on a tight dirt road off the highway. The campsite on the right is bigger, the one on the left is very small."
$21 - $29 / night
"this is a wonderful location with 360° views. great trail heads located near the camp and literally at the end of the road. we didn’t camp at the actual camp ground but paid the 6.00 forest fee and camped"
"A great place to do some dispersed camping without being bothered. Right off the creek, and beautiful views. Easy to drive in with a smallish trailer. No defined camp rings to build a fire in"
"Dirt road access off of the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway just past Sulpher Creek campground."
"Lots and lots of dispersed spots off this highway. Clearance needed to reach some of them, but are great clean gorgeous spots. Highly recommended."
"Was just driving til I found somewhere cool and this was it! Beautiful place but bugs were out so come prepared"
"Awesome time love the dirt road love love the trees the nature, everything about it basically the hills and country"
"We stayed here for the night on our rooftop tent. It’s very quiet, barely any people. There’s man made firepits made out of rocks of people who have stayed here. It’s chilly and very pretty around."
"Hiking along the river will lead you south to Bald Mountain and Bald Lake. Dispersed camping is available throughout the entire area."
"It was right next to the bridge and a brook. The sound of the brook was wonderful and the road wasn’t too busy. Take in/take out of course. Limited to no phone service so plan accordingly."
"Something worth noting: the road gets pretty rough/there’s a decent sized dip after the first few sites, which we were able to make with a 4WD high clearance car, with a small trailer."
"I was coming from Wyoming and 464 was not too far past Mirror Lake Campground and just before Lilly Lake, on the right."
"Picked a pull-off spot about 10 min up the highway and was really surprised. It went pretty deep and and truly felt like I was away."
TravelerBeautiful and remote area 10 miles up the road from the Visitor’s Center. Paved road that turns to dirt- both in great condition. High clearance vehicle needed, especially on the BLM land. Visitor’s Center provided a map showing the location of the dispersed camping (road off to the left at the top). Strong internet access. Spectacular views!
TravelerAbout 1/4 mile down a dirt road from Hwy 39 is a good single boondocking spot with a great view. Not for large RVs. Our 17 ft trailer with 4x4 was tricky to get into the spot because the loop was so small. Has a fire pit but with fire restrictions we didn’t have a fire. The view is fantastic of hills covered with aspen and fir trees. Quiet but cars can be heard now and then.
There are many other boondocking spots in this area but this one is a good one.
TravelerTwo nice boondocking spots just a short drive on a tight dirt road off the highway. The campsite on the right is bigger, the one on the left is very small. Very popular for hunters in September, so you'll have lots of people walking right by your camp. The views are beautiful, but it can get quite blustery. We weren't able to have a fire when we stayed there.
LegendCampground Review: Dispersed Camping at Pyramid Lake, UT
Pyramid Lake is another gem of a mountain lake found in the Uinta Mountains of Utah. It is a small-medium sized lake you can drive to (with a small walk in) and has lots of National Forest dispersed camping. This area, while on National Forest, does require a recreation pass. A three-day pass is $6 which you can get at the various self-serve stations found along the main Mirror Lake Highway or it is free if you have a National Parks pass. It is on the honor system. So before I go into the camp area a few notes on getting there. Once you turn off highway 150 towards Murdock Basin, you have 6 miles of dirt/rock road ahead of you. A car can make it the first four miles, but a vehicle with at least 18” of clearance (and recommended AWD/4WD) is required as the road turns into sections of just really large rocks. You can stop and camp anywhere along that forest service road, but to get to either Pyramid or Echo Lake, you need the higher clearance.
The camping area and lake: it is dispersed camping so it is very primitive. No running water (either bring your own or a way to filter lake water), no pit toilets (bring a spade to dig a cat hole and bury or pack out your TP), tent or hammock camping (a pull behind trailer won’t make it the last few miles), scattered fire pits (practice extreme fire safety and make sure you fully put out any fire you start), and no garbage service (pack out whatever you pack in), aka typical backcountry camping. I loved it! The lake is beautiful and there is a trail you can walk around it. I did bring my inflatable paddleboard but didn’t end up breaking it out because it was too windy. But I will definitely return to paddle the lake another day. Multiple people were fishing and I could see the fish jumping as well. There is also a large boulder field on the South side of the lake which is fun to scramble around. I have decided my dog is part mountain goat. I chose a small spot about 50 meters from the water—halfway between the lake and where I parked the car. It was small and perfect for just one person and dog.
Downsides to the lake: While visiting a small mountain lake is always fun, there was a few things that didn’t meet my expectations (which are relatively low). The biggest thing which surprised me was how busy it was considering how rough the road was. It is really fun to see lots of people enjoying the outdoors but there were two larger groups of twenty-somethings that were really loud the whole night. I think one group played music and stayed up all night long and randomly walked down to the lake loudly with flashlights (which was really not necessary considering it was a cloudless, full moon night). They had dogs barking and generally seemed to not take the other people camping at the lake into consideration. Granted it was a killer spot for a group campout but it definitely affected by enjoyment of the evening. Overall, I really enjoyed the area and will return to camp again.
Gear Review: Matador Transit30 Duffle
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get the opportunity to test out gear for our awesome partners from time to time. I was given the privilege of testing out the Matador Transit30 packable duffle bag in grey. This bag, when stuffed is shorter but thicker than my phone but when unpacked is a full 30 liter duffle bag. For those who don’t speak liter size it is about the size of a typical medium Adidas duffle bag. It is made up of water resistant ripstop material, has one seam sealed zippered pocket, and the main pocket is accessed by a two-way seam sealed zipper.
Pros:
Cons:
Overall, I am very excited to use this bag for quick overnight camping trips and overall general duffle bag usage. I can see myself including this bag when I travel in case I need extra storage space. If you have a slight love obsession with gear bags (as I do), this is a must addition to your packing arsenal. Its versatility and weight are unmatched and time will tell on the durability (but I have a feeling it will hold up just fine!).
LegendThis is a great free camping site on BLM land. It is right across from the Moosehorn campground and is very close to Mirror Lake. Also only 5min drive from the Bald Mountain hime which offers incredible sunsets. There are a number of sites in this area and requires going down a dirt road. RVs can access the majority of sites. There are preexisting firepits and small clearings where tents can go. The prime, level spots are the best. There are a number of other sites that still have fire pits, but it is hard to find level ground for tents. There are lots of trees for those who like hammocking. Services are about 30 min drive from this location. Pack your own water!
TravelerThere were lots of different site options, like mentioned in other reviews. Some of them are fairly close together, but there’s a good amount of visual privacy from trees etc. We didn’t have any issues with loud neighbors which was super nice. This was a great free option. Something worth noting: the road gets pretty rough/there’s a decent sized dip after the first few sites, which we were able to make with a 4WD high clearance car, with a small trailer. But I wouldn’t have attempted it in my sedan. There’s still spots before this spot in the road but be aware :)
LegendBeautiful spot up in the Uinta National Forest. The only fee is the recreation day pass which costs about $5 for 3 days. That's just to park your car. The trailhead begins about 50 yards to the right of the info kiosk. You hike in about 1.5 miles and the lake is surrounded by camping sites. Many firepits exist around the area and are all within 100-200 yards of the lake. You can hike around the lake which is very scenic. Mountain weather changes quick and we got caught in snow with a sudden drop in temp. Gear worked well and it turned out great. Make sure you sign the hiking log so rangers know you're out there. Can be found at the Wall Lake trail head. Cross over the little bridge at the lake and hike a little behind the trees to find some amazing camping spots!
LegendSlate creek is right at the bottom of Mirror Lake Highway. It’s the first campground you’ll pass, even before going by the National Forest check-in Station. There are about 3-4 walk-in sites, first come first serve. No water, electric, or sewer hookups, but there are small rock fire pits that campers have used over the years. The area is big enough to get an RV or Trailer into if that’s your fancy.
There is a trail to the north that goes straight up Slate Creek for several miles. Beautiful scenery, lots of wildlife (elk, deer), and it’s only 10 minutes up the canyon!
GuideWe stayed here the first night with our new escapod. Totally alone and absolutely silent! So nice! The road up was interesting. I would not attempt without a 4wheel drive with high clearance. Our 4runner did great even with the camper. I'm not an experienced off road driver, but we took our time and were careful picking our line. Was a little over an hour to make the last 4 miles (both up and down). We'll worth the trip!
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Evanston, Wyoming, where nature lovers can enjoy serene landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities. With several well-reviewed spots available, campers can find the perfect place to unwind and connect with nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there free camping available near Evanston, Wyoming?
Yes, free camping is available near Evanston. Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Dispersed Camping offers numerous free sites with good visual privacy from trees. Moosehorn Dispersed Camping is another free option on BLM land near Mirror Lake and just a 5-minute drive from Bald Mountain hiking trails. Some areas like Duchesne Tunnel and Murdock Basin require Forest Service fees ($10 for 3 days or $20 per week). Wall Lake charges only a $5 recreation day pass for 3 days. Always check current regulations as fee structures may change seasonally, and some areas implement fire restrictions during dry periods.
What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites near Evanston?
Dispersed camping sites near Evanston typically offer minimal amenities. Murdock Basin provides some picnic tables and a single vault toilet near the top of the area. Pyramid Lake Dispersed Camping has established fire rings in National Forest land. Most dispersed sites feature primitive fire pits, though fire restrictions are common during dry periods. Vault toilets may be available at trailheads or nearby established campgrounds, but most dispersed sites don't have toilet facilities. None of the dispersed sites offer potable water, garbage service, or electrical hookups. Cell service is typically spotty or nonexistent. Plan to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste.
Where can I find dispersed camping near Evanston, WY?
The Evanston area offers several dispersed camping options. Fossil Butte National Monument BLM provides remote sites about 10 miles from the Visitor's Center on well-maintained roads, though high clearance vehicles are recommended for the BLM land sections. Another option is Woodruff Narrows Bear Riverside, which offers lakeside camping with easy access from Highway 101. The Uinta Mountains south of Evanston provide additional dispersed camping opportunities in Utah. Most sites are accessible via dirt roads, with varying difficulty levels. During hunting season (particularly September), sites fill quickly, so arrive early to secure a spot.
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