Dispersed camping near Frannie, Wyoming offers primitive sites across BLM lands with elevations ranging between 4,000-5,000 feet. The terrain alternates between grassy plains and rocky hillsides with seasonal temperature fluctuations common in the high desert. Summer daytime temperatures often reach 85-95°F, dropping significantly at night, while spring and fall camping periods feature milder conditions.
What to do
Fishing at reservoir sites: At Hogan Reservoir BLM Campground, visitors can enjoy fishing in a pristine setting. "The reservoir is perfect for fishing, floating and cooling off after a hike," notes camper Lia T.
Wildlife watching: The open landscapes provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. At Sheep Mountain BLM, one camper reports: "It was beautiful landscape and silent. We could let our dogs explore and had lots of space... The view made it so worth it plus the darkest nights to see the stars."
Stargazing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. A camper at Sheep Mountain BLM mentioned: "The view was beautiful. I loved it." Another noted the "darkest nights to see the stars" as a highlight of their stay.
What campers like
Proximity to attractions: Many campers appreciate the strategic location between regional destinations. "Awesome site 45 minutes from East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park and about 20 minutes to Cody," reports Bruce S. at Sheep Mountain BLM.
Budget-friendly option: The free camping appeals to travelers watching expenses. One Cody BLM Dispersed visitor appreciated it as a "Great stop before heading into Cody or Yellowstone! Nice flat camp spots!"
Spaciousness: The dispersed nature of these sites provides ample space between campers. At Cody BLM Dispersed, Mariana T. observed, "This area is huge so there's plenty of space to camp, you may see other RVs in the distance."
What you should know
Weather considerations: The exposed terrain experiences significant wind. Lisa D. at Sheep Mountain BLM reported: "It was a windy day and calmed down around dinner time but at bedtime it was very windy! We have a rooftop tent and platform in the van. It felt like the RTT was the sail to our van."
Road conditions: Access roads vary considerably in quality. At Lake Fork Roadside Camp, Nichole D. noted: "Lovely spot near a river. Lots of space. Road was a bit rough in the back."
Limited facilities: Most sites lack basic amenities. At Cody BLM Dispersed, Laura M. advises: "No water or any other amenities so pack in and pack out. The area was mostly free from litter but there were some bullet casings around which is almost a given in BLM territory."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife safety awareness: Families should prepare for wildlife encounters. At Cody BLM Dispersed, Sophie B. discovered: "Upon exploration we found several bones (femur of a cow we think, spine of a smaller animal, and coyote skull we think) didn't see any animals while we were there but just seemed like remnants of the coyotes we heard at night."
Terrain considerations: The open landscape lacks natural shade. At Rock Creek Dispersed, campers find that bringing portable shade structures is essential during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
Noise factors: Some sites experience road noise. Scott C. at Cody BLM Dispersed mentioned camping was "mostly peaceful but a little road noise nearby."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: RVers should scout locations before committing. At Sheep Mountain BLM, Cameron L. shared: "We were able to haul our 45-ft fifth wheel and find level ground. There are some additional locations to park higher on the hill but the road to get there is a little more rough. I've seen smaller camper vans but we couldn't haul our big rig up there."
Ground clearance requirements: Low-clearance vehicles may struggle on certain access roads. Lisa D. warns: "We have a Chrysler Pacifica hybrid and for whatever reasons they like to make these van low to the ground. The gravel rocky road didn't look too bad even though it was rough so we headed up to the top and boy do I regret that! We bottomed out a few times."
Leveling considerations: The terrain often requires strategic parking. Mariah K. notes about Sheep Mountain BLM: "It was easy to level out the RV using the terrain."
