If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Jelm, look no further. Find the best information on dispersed campgrounds near Jelm, including photos, reviews, and tips. From secluded to easily reachable, we offer dispersed campsites near Jelm just for you.
This walk-in dispersed campground provides access to biking, hiking and fishing.
Located on the southern end of the Medicine Bow Mountain Range in north central Colorado, Rawah Wilderness was designated by the Wilderness Act of 1964 and now contains 73,868 acres. "Rawah" is a Native American term meaning "wild place."
Elevations in the Rawah Wilderness range from 8,400 to 13,000 feet. The high peaks were carved by glaciers, resulting in spectacular cirque lakes and moraines. There are twenty-five named lakes, ranging in size from five to 39 acres. This high alpine area contains the headwaters of the McIntyre, Rawah, and Fall Creeks, as well as the Laramie River.
The Rawahs are host to mammals such as elk, moose, mule deer, black bear, bighorn sheep, marmot and beaver. There are many species of birds including the red-tailed hawk, white-tailed ptarmigan, golden eagle, raven, Steller's Jay and a variety of warblers. Lakes and streams are inhabited with lake, cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout. Graylings are also found in this area.
The Rawah Wilderness is very popular with summer backpackers, hikers and anglers. It is also popular with hunters in the fall. To encounter the fewest people, plan your trip for mid-week and use less popular trails.
Always use Leave No Trace techniques to help keep this area wild, clean and pristine.
Motorized equipment, or mechanized transportation is prohibited, including motorcycles, chain saws, bicycles or carts. Wheelchairs are exempt. Group size is limited to 12 people and/or livestock combined. Camping and campfires are prohibited within 200’ feet of all lakes, streams and trails to protect water quality, sensitive vegetation and to help assure solitude. Thin soils and mountain vegetation are easily damaged by fire and fires scar rocks and soil. Use a stove, a fire pan or an existing fire ring when and where fires are allowed. Campfires are prohibited in the alpine areas above 10,800 feet. Campfires consume scarce vegetation and leave permanent scars on the fragile soils of the area. Pets must be on a handheld leash at all times if hiking. Equestrian riders can have dogs under voice control.
Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed in most places. From getting away from it all to just enjoying a weekend with friends, dispersed camping can make for a great story. Across the forests, opportunities range from dispersed camping miles into wilderness or just off a forest road in designated dispersed areas. Make sure to bring everything you need when dispersed camping, as water, restrooms, and fire rings may not be available nearby, and always remember to follow Leave No Trace principles.
Use the links below to explore the wide range of dispersed opportunities the forests and grasslands have to offer. For comprehensive information on dispersed camping opportunities, please contact the ranger district office in the area you plan to visit.
Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed in most places. From getting away from it all to just enjoying a weekend with friends, dispersed camping can make for a great story.
This small campground no longer provides designated camp sites. It has become a dispersed camping area, meaning amenities are no longer offered. There is fishing access at Miller Lake and flyfishing for trout. 14 day stay limit. It is located in the Snowy Range and is managed by the Laramie Ranger District.
Guide
Loads of sites along the FS roads out here, you don’t have to look hard, easier with more ground clearance
Guide
Stayed 5 days here (stat limit 16 days). Close to Summit Rest Area (potable water March-October, flush toilets), Laramie for restocks, and the Vedauwoo Recreation Area. So much free camping here, only downsides are wind, & road noise. Absolutely beautiful views of the valley. Would stay again 100%
Scout
Very few other boondockers, and well dispersed. Very quiet with minimal traffic.
Traveler
-Moderate to heavy foot traffic -Busy, mostly big groups staying at sites having their own fun but plan ahead for finding a site -Friendly and respectful people -Very well maintained sites, trails, signage, and other infrastructure -I’d recommend at least AWD but 2wd should absolutely be able to go on the main road and access most sites (2-4) wil require awd/4wd
Guide
A dirt road about 1.25 miles leading to a boat ramp, with parking for cars/ trailers. 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 . This is not really a campsite, just a nice free place to spend the night and then move on, but you can stay up to 5 days. had dirty bathrooms, no toilet paper.
Traveler
Stayed here 2024/09/11. Easy access, well marked and well separated dispersed campsites. Good views. Only downside was distant traffic noise from I-80. Would stay here again.
Scout
We showed up at night and it was very quiet, no problem finding a spot to camp. However, during the day the gnats, bugs, and ants were everywhere. Literally crawled up our boots and bodies. Great place to over night, but terrible place to hang out during the day unless you have a bug net.
Guide
Stayed here over a weekend and wanted to stay longer. Pulled our 33’ travel trailer and there were good spots off the road.
Scoutsimple, and easy place to get to… flat awesome sunset
Guide
Good Verizon service, was able to work remote. Got pretty windy but it was nice on the hot days. Idk if I’d swim in the water. There was a pit toilet. Good view of the mountains. Agree with review below that it’s not a destination spot, but if you’re in the area I’d do a night
Guide
had to drive pretty far on some dirt roads to get to the location maps took us too. also checked to see if there was service before going and said we would on verizon but not exactly true. there was some service at the sight we stayed at, 1 bar, but most of the road/sights there was nothing. not that odd for dispersed camping but just something to note.
we only saw one car drive in while we were there and saw a set up not too far from where we stayed but besides that didn’t hear or see anyone. very beautiful area and saw lots of deer on the drive in and drive out.
very good experience if you’re used to dispersed camping or being far from anyone else.
Traveler
We did not find a campsite right on the pin we drove up a little ways and came to a couple different dispersed spots. When you hit a Y in the road head left you will come across a couple fire pits. Great camping for dirt bikes, four wheelers and toys. We were right next to private property but the only ones out here.
GuideGreat area all up Pingree Park Rd. The spots you can stay in without being bothered are all in the first mile or two. Good road, rather washboarded, but go slow and you'll be fine.
The first main area, and the top of the first hill is the best. Two areas of sites, and the one on the left as you go up has access to the rocks on the hill, which are from another world. Best sunset spot by far.
Farther up, there's a road, 127, off to the left with even more spots. The ones at the top of here have a veiw of the mountains on the north side of Estes park: Stormy, Evaline, the Mummy Range, etc.
GuideWe stayed at site 7, big enough for our caravan of 3 campers. Very spacious! Great views and nice center fire pit!
Guide
Came here in late July, no wind and great weather! Went down to about 65° at night which was perfect in the tent. Only downside was it was a little crowded (took us 45 mins to find an open spot) but I wouldn’t expect much else from such a great site!
Scout
I had an awesome site but I guess it was too good to be true. Not one but two other cars came, one pulling a horse trailer crashed on my site. It’s a campsite not a campground. Then, the day I was leaving, someone else came and dumped a trailer on the site. I packed up and left. That would never happen in Montana or Idaho where people actually have manners!
Guide
We drove up here on July 3rd hoping to camp at Barnes Meadow Reservoir. You can't drive in to Barnes Meadow so we took County Road 103 north around Chambers lake and found a lot of open spots beneath lodgepole pines. Several spots have a large pull in parking area where you could have a large RV, truck and trailer, or park several cars. I couldn't help thinking this area is perfect for a large group to set up several tents and have several individual campsites with their own fire right next to each other.
There is no water, electrical or toilets, but there are toilets at the Lost Lake trailhead which is a 2-3 minute drive up the road or a 15 minute walk.
We did walk down to the lake right behind our campsite. The bank is steep but passable by kids so most people can get down there and back up. We fished a bit in Chambers and Lost Lake. On the other side of the lake is the improved Chambers Lake Campground but it's a 15 minute drive around to the other side of the lake. And a further drive up Rd 103 takes you to lots of stream fishing, hiking trails, and more dispersed camping.
Scout
We liked the spot and the view was pretty but it was too close to the road AND twice our dog had some kind of reaction. Honestly, it looked like he was high. He started out looking sleepy and swaying as his eyes became heavy. He was very lethargic with dilated pupils. The first time we thought it was heat stroke so we took extra precautions but our third night there both of our dogs exhibited the same symptoms. Our smaller dog was barely responsive and we thought he was going to die. We never found out what it was...no ticks either.
GuideWe were driving through the area and needed a quick/easy place to camp for the night. Even in mid-July, we were the only people there. Spots are labeled well, with great fire pits at every sight. Rock formations were awesome. We nestled behind a rock and couldn’t even hear the traffic by nearby road. Definitely planning another trip soon
ScoutWe came up on a Friday afternoon and found a really nice spot right away. Camp sites have a good amount of room, spaced to allow privacy, and easy to get in and out of. Peaceful and quiet, surrounded by mountain views. loved it all the way around.
ScoutClearly 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). Clean, quiet, will stay again.
Guide
There are only a handful of sites, but we were fortunate to find one. The road was a little rough, but our lifted trailer of 22 feet in length cleared it just fine. There were other campers present. All were very friendly and quiet. There are hiking trails at the beginning of the road. There is also a potable water station and trash disposal at the Summit Rest Area just up the road. There was some trash at our site, but it was minimal, and we picked it up. Someone left us some great firewood, which we appreciated. We were very comfortable here. We stopped at the trailhead to pay the fee. There were envelopes and a pen.
Ranger
Good spot . Road was very iffy for my 2wd sedan, but I made it. Perfect on the way in or out of medicine bow.
Ranger
Stayed one night at the coordinates of camper 1 . Had a great time with my dog, very close to medicine bow, and awesome views of the river. Heard no cars throughout the night, there were three other campers I believe .
RangerSpent a night here with my dog. Very cool rock formations along the road , very big spots, very peaceful and secluded from neighbors, open and beautiful. Will be staying again on my way through.
RangerStopped in late, made it fine with 2w low clearance, I stayed at the first spot, I’m not sure how many there were. Light traffic throughout the night, but overall peaceful stay.
RangerLots of cool rock formations, close enough to the highway but far enough away to be peaceful. Perfect spot for visiting medicine bow peak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Jelm, WY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Jelm, WY is Forest Service Road 700 Designated Dispersed Camping with a 4.4-star rating from 33 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Jelm, WY?
TheDyrt.com has all 64 dispersed camping locations near Jelm, WY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
