Best Dispersed Camping near Hartville, WY
Dispersed camping near Hartville, Wyoming centers around several reservoir areas that permit primitive overnight stays without developed facilities. Grayrocks Reservoir Public Access Area and Wheatland Reservoir #1 provide shoreline camping on public access lands. These dispersed sites allow campers to stay directly along the water with minimal restrictions, offering alternatives to established campgrounds. Both areas feature open terrain with limited shade and function primarily as boondocking locations for self-contained camping.
Many access roads to these reservoir camping areas consist of gravel surfaces that may present challenges during or after wet weather. Grayrocks Reservoir enforces a 5-day camping limit and currently prohibits campfires, requiring visitors to bring propane cooking equipment instead. Neither location provides drinking water, hookups, or other amenities beyond basic vault toilets at some access points. Vehicle access varies by location, with some sites requiring slow navigation across unpaved terrain, though most are accessible without high-clearance vehicles under normal conditions.
The reservoir camping areas attract visitors seeking waterfront experiences with views of surrounding hills and cliffs. Wind exposure is common at both locations, particularly at Grayrocks Reservoir where campers should secure equipment properly. Wildlife viewing includes fish activity along shorelines and occasional cattle in surrounding areas. Privacy levels vary based on visitation, with weekends typically seeing higher occupancy. "Beautiful place, real authorized camping there. Nice view on the reservoir, however pretty popular among locals so don't expect to be alone there," notes a visitor to Wheatland Reservoir #1. At Grayrocks, visitors mention that "there are many spots right on the water" though "the flies were definitely biting" during summer months.