Tent campsites near Hartville, Wyoming include Waters Point at Glendo State Park and Lost Springs City Park in Shawnee. Waters Point offers 12 primitive tent sites with basic amenities including vault toilets, benches, and fire pits, though fire bans may be in effect seasonally. Lost Springs City Park provides basic tent camping with toilet facilities but lacks many other amenities typical of established campgrounds. Packer Lake Campground, located further from Hartville, accommodates tent campers with both drive-in and walk-in tent sites.
Most tent camping areas around Hartville feature minimal services and rustic conditions. Waters Point provides vault toilets but lacks drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods, with complete bans enforced at certain times. Sites typically have limited improvements, with natural ground surfaces rather than developed tent pads. Lost Springs City Park offers toilet facilities but does not permit pets, fires, or provide trash collection. These primitive tent camping areas generally do not require reservations except for Waters Point, which accepts bookings for tent sites.
Walk-in tent sites at Packer Lake Campground offer a more secluded experience than drive-in options, though the overall quality of the area has been criticized by some visitors. The campground permits alcohol and allows pets, features toilet facilities, and accommodates various camping styles including primitive tent camping. Waters Point tent sites, while not especially scenic, provide adequate spacing between campsites for a reasonable level of privacy. A review mentioned that Waters Point is "small and primitive" but noted that sites are "not on top of each other," providing tent campers with some breathing room. Packer Lake has received less favorable reviews, with one visitor reporting the area as "dirty, not maintained" with abandoned vehicles near the shoreline.
$8 / night
"Waters Point is a small primitive campground with 12 tent sites, vault toilets and bench and fire pits but there is a fire ban at the moment. Not the prettiest area but not on top of each other."
LegendThis city park is right next to the river. It is a decent sized loop with picnic tables scattered through out. It is primitive so no electric, but offers a shower/bathroom. It’s first come first serve with a 2 night max stay. Fires and liquor are not allowed and you can fish if you have a permit. People are courteous and free is always a great thing.
LegendWaters Point is a small primitive campground with 12 tent sites, vault toilets and bench and fire pits but there is a fire ban at the moment. Not the prettiest area but not on top of each other.
GuideWe stayed at Colter Bay Campground in the tent only section site 134 F. We had a campervan and a tent and had plenty of space. As with many national parks, neighbors are a little close but not terrible. We liked our site location and would come back again. We were across from the bathrooms and the water and had a huge bear box with a picnic table and fire grate. We had some cell service, but not great as expected. Firewood is sold nearby in the general store. Tent only sites were great because there weren’t any generators. All facilities clean and nicely maintained. Definitely would come back.
LegendCuster Cove has some super pretty sites with lake views. These sites are primitive and include a picnic bench and fire ring even thou there is a fire ban at the moment. There are 20 sites with 1 restroom. This area is very popular and is by reservation only.
LegendBennett Hill Campground has 3 electric hook ups and 40 non electric sites. The campground has a water spigot, a fish cleaning station, 2 vault toilets, a few shelters with grills and a boat ramp. Each site has picnic bench and a fire ring even thou there is a fire ban at the moment. Sites are spread out so you don’t feel like you are on top of each other. One unique thing is they have loaner life jackets to use for boating or swimming or water activities.
LegendWe stayed here for 4 days. We weren’t sure what to expect from such a small town but we’re pleasantly surprised. This KOA Has putt putt golf for $2,activities, a tennis court, basketball and swimming. Also something extra is a s’more shack and coffee cabin. There are ample amount of RV and tent sites. They offer cable and WiFi. We were frustrated with the WiFi as it was very spotty. There are 3 cabins with picnic benches and grill, and a yurt that they use for activities. As there is a fire ban right now there were no fire rings. The shop has RV and other essentials needed if you need. Also has a few groceries and souvenirs. Staff are helpful and kind and we had a nice stay.
LegendArrived at the state park gate and checked in with no issues. However, getting to Reno Cove Campground (CG) was a little confusing. The very nice lady at the gate was pretty sure you took the first left past the gate, which was correct. We were glad we had filled our fresh water tank before leaving our last stop (only had a little over an hours drive as we do not travel with a full tank on long drives) as there was no water spigot in the top portion of Reno Cove. We were in RC-11, which is a large, wide back-in with 50/30/20AMP electric. We were told at check in that if we didn’t like our site, we could go look at Two Moon CG. Glad we didn’t because Two Moon CG has several entrances and is large with 87 sites, most of which are primitive. The electric sites are stretched around the playground area. I would not suggest traveling around Two Moon with a large 5th wheel as there are pine trees overhanging and narrow roads that would have scraped the heck out of our 39’ 5th Wheel. You’d be fine with a smaller travel trailer but be sure to check site lengths and reviews on what type of trailers have been in a particular sites. Two Moon does have potable water spigots near each of the entrances. The rest of the CGs are primitive and we did not take the time to explore them all but they do have various sized sites, for example Shelter Point has big-rig friendly sites, but no electric. The challenge for some of the smaller ones are the rough gravel roads in. The Glendo State Park website under 'Campgrounds' gives a pretty good rundown on sites and which ones are electric. There was no shade at any of the Reno Cove sites but really good views of the landscape and reservoir in our site plus sites 7-10. We did not get any OTA channels nor is there WiFi in this CG. We got 4 bars on Verizon. The dumpsters for the Reno Cove area are down by the boat launch. The nearest potable water is straight past the main park entrance a couple of miles away just past the Marina across from the State Park Headquarters at the dump station. There was a fire ban while we were here but the fire pits we saw were pretty full of garbage. We would have better enjoyed the clear dark skies if the trailer across from us wasn’t lit up like a Christmas tree from dusk until literally dawn. That’s not the park’s fault, just more and more rude campers out there these days. You could also hear the trains from Glendo, but the sounds were not overwhelming.
LegendCamped at site #6 for a few nights in early September 2024. Site #6 was set back from campground road. Level. Perfect site for campervan. Wooded. Dirt/gravel driveway and picnic area. Picnic table, grill, metal fire ring. Large "backyards" behind sites. Short walk to one of 2 single vault toilets. Campground has a hand water pump. Sites are well separated, providing a some privacy. Access to Sunset Hill hiking trail. Campground road is gravel and ends in a loop. Campground is very quiet and peaceful. Only a few other campers here during our stay. Did receive T-Mobile data service. The road approaching the campground from the east is a little rough in places. Wonderful campground; would stay here again.
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Ranger Review of Larson Park Campground Wyoming.
Larson Park Campground is a city owned campground and is attached to the Guernsey golf course, so if you like to golf this one might just be for you. The campground has 15 sites RV sites with 30/50 power on shared power pedestals. These are back in sites all right next to each other. Their is a nice grassy area for tents. The grassy area as several picnic tables and BBQ grills, but not enough for every camp location. A pavilion has quiet a few picnic tables allowing you to eat get out of the rain, or in the shade on a hot day. The site has a restroom facilities and showers. A small play ground structure is available for the kids. Their are several historical sites in the area, a must see is the Oregon Trail ruts located just a short distance away. Be sure to visit Register Cliff just a few miles away and Fort Laramie is 30 minutes down the highway. The campground has a small store with friendly staff. Water is available, each shared pedestal has a frost-free for water. Hookup sites are $20, Dry camp $14 and Tents $12.
Ranger Review of Ice Mule Cooler Pro Large (23L)
We used our Ice Mule cooler as our cooler for our trip to Guernsey Wyoming. Placed our snacks and drinks in the cooler with two ice packs at 6am Friday morning. Was amazed that this kept everything cold through Sunday evening. Being able to carry a cooler on you back is a nice feature. We are looking forward to taking this on our canoe trips this summer as this is going to be way easier than lugging a hard sided cooler from our canoe to campsite each day. The pack/cooler is also comfortable to wear making it useful to long day hikes on hot days. It is going to be nice to have a nice cold drink on a hike when it is 90 degrees out.
Tent camping opportunities around Hartville, Wyoming concentrate in the eastern Wyoming high plains region at elevations between 4,500-5,000 feet. The area experiences dramatic temperature fluctuations, with summer highs frequently exceeding 90°F and winter lows well below freezing. Most camping areas near Hartville operate seasonally from late spring through early fall, with closures during winter months due to harsh conditions.
Fishing access points: Waters Point at Glendo State Park provides shore fishing opportunities for walleye, trout and other species. This primitive area serves as an alternative to more developed fishing spots around the reservoir.
Historical exploration: Visit the nearby Fort Laramie National Historic Site, approximately 30 miles from Packer Lake Campground. Despite the campground's condition, its location serves as a convenient base for exploring regional historical sites.
Wildlife viewing: The grassland terrain around Lost Springs City Park supports pronghorn antelope, prairie dogs, and various raptor species. The lack of developed facilities creates minimal disturbance to local wildlife patterns.
Minimal development: The simple, rustic nature of tent sites appeals to those seeking basic camping experiences. One visitor noted about Waters Point that it's "a small primitive campground with 12 tent sites, vault toilets and bench and fire pits."
Lower crowds: Tent camping near Hartville typically means fewer neighboring campers compared to more popular Wyoming destinations. The less-developed nature of these sites naturally limits visitation.
Budget-friendly options: Waters Point — Glendo State Park provides affordable tent camping with minimal fees compared to fully-developed campgrounds in the region. The primitive nature of the sites keeps costs lower.
Limited amenities: Most tent camping areas near Hartville require self-sufficiency. Jeannie R. described Packer Lake as "not much bigger than a pond" with visible neglect, indicating campers should adjust expectations accordingly.
Fire restrictions: Seasonal fire bans frequently affect the region, particularly during summer and fall. Campers should verify current restrictions before arriving and prepare alternative cooking methods.
Water concerns: Drinking water is not available at most tent camping locations near Hartville. Plan to bring all potable water needed for your stay, calculating at least one gallon per person per day.
Cell service: Coverage varies significantly throughout the Hartville region, with most primitive camping areas receiving minimal or no service. Download maps and information before arrival.
Site selection: Choose sites at Packer Lake Campground away from the immediate shoreline, as reviews indicate debris and abandoned vehicles near the water. The walk-in sites provide better separation from potential hazards.
Wildlife awareness: Teach children about local wildlife, particularly how to identify and avoid rattlesnakes which are common in the region. Morning and evening hours require particular vigilance during warm months.
Temperature planning: Eastern Wyoming experiences extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night. Pack appropriate clothing layers as nighttime temperatures can drop 30+ degrees from daytime highs, even in summer.
Site limitations: Most tent camping areas near Hartville have significant limitations for RVs. The primitive nature of Waters Point makes it unsuitable for larger rigs or those requiring hookups.
Alternative locations: RVers seeking more amenities should consider the main campgrounds at Glendo State Park rather than the primitive tent areas. These provide more suitable options including hookups and dump stations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hartville, WY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hartville, WY is Waters Point — Glendo State Park with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Hartville, WY?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Hartville, WY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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