Miller Lake dispersed camping area provides primitive camping options at an elevation of 9,000 feet, roughly 15 miles southwest of Jelm, Wyoming. The area sits in Medicine Bow National Forest where summer temperatures typically range from 45-75°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Roads into many camping areas remain closed until late May due to snowmelt and mud.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Twin Buttes Reservoir, you can spot various wildlife while fishing. "We saw a family of eagles, a golden eagle, and many shore birds and water fowl," notes Susan D., who advises caution as "the soil is very clay - so slippery when wet."
Wildlife viewing: The lake areas provide excellent bird watching opportunities. At Twin Buttes Reservoir, campers report seeing eagles and waterfowl regularly, making it ideal for nature photographers.
Paddle sports: Lake Hattie Public Access Area offers good paddling conditions when winds cooperate. According to Megan V., "The lake area is beautiful and there were plentyyy of areas open. This spot is well away from the road, so very quiet."
Hiking trails: Explore the historic railroad paths in the Medicine Bow National Forest. Near Lake Owen Campground, "the Medicine Bow Rail Trail was great bike riding for my grandsons who are 8 and 6," shares RoseMarie C.
What campers like
Mountain views: At Laramie Overlook Dispersed Camping, campers enjoy spectacular scenery. "The stars and view were awesome and the wind blew just right all night," reports Matthew S. This area features secluded spots perfect for stargazing.
Peaceful settings: Many sites offer quieter alternatives to busier established campgrounds. At Evans Creek, Samuel C. found "Quiet and pretty spot. Stopped in late, made it fine with 2w low clearance, I stayed at the first spot."
Pet-friendly options: Dog friendly campgrounds near Jelm include dispersed sites throughout the national forest. Twin Buttes Reservoir welcomes pets and has "bathrooms that are clean, and not many people out and about," according to Hunter B., making it good for dogs that need space.
Beach-like lakeshores: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near the Jelm area feature sandy shores. At Lake Hattie, Juana B. notes, "We stayed here at the lake. Camping limit is 5 days. Beautiful Mountain View, swimming and fishing."
What you should know
Wind conditions: Strong winds affect many camping areas around Jelm. At Twin Buttes Reservoir, Hunter B. reports, "The site has no cover from trees and is completely flat; therefore, it is very windy!"
Seasonal closures: Most high-elevation campgrounds open late May through mid-October, depending on snow conditions. Access roads can be impassable in early spring.
Cell service variations: Reception varies significantly between sites. At Twin Buttes, Olivia E. found "Good Verizon service, was able to work remote. Got pretty windy but it was nice on the hot days."
Bug activity: Miller Lake dispersed has periodic insect issues. Iris K. mentions, "The vault toilets are still there, so if you bring your own TP and hand sanitizer, it can be pretty nice. There was hardly any traffic—just a couple ATVs and trucks in the early evening."
Cattle presence: Some dispersed areas have grazing cattle. At Miller Lake, Andrew B. warns, "Very pretty but absolutely covered in cow pies. We started setting up and then left because of the smell."
Tips for camping with families
Water safety: Lakes in the area require supervision. At Lake Hattie, campers note the shoreline can be muddy and drop off quickly in spots.
Easy access sites: Choose campgrounds with minimal hiking required. At Twin Buttes, Susan D. explains their setup: "We picked a spot here that is right off the road by the 'beach'. Our 33' 5th wheel fits just fine."
Weather preparation: Pack for significant temperature swings. Days can be hot while nights drop below 45°F even in summer.
Bathroom facilities: Wood Landing Campground offers more amenities for families. Rich D. found it "has log cabins with common facilities and 5 available water/30 amp electric and a dump station. The sites are small but the location is feet from fine trout fishing."
Wildlife education: Use the eagle sightings at Twin Buttes as learning opportunities. Bring binoculars and field guides for impromptu nature lessons.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Laramie Overlook, Izzy T. advises, "There are a couple of loops right as you enter, which are the most level places to park a rig. Then another path leads about a half a mile to a few other sites that are more secluded, but not very level."
Road conditions: Many access roads require careful driving. For Evans Creek, Samuel C. mentions making it "fine with 2w low clearance," but notes other areas may require higher clearance vehicles.
Utilities: Limited hookup options exist in the Jelm area. Wood Landing Campground offers some electric sites, with Rich D. noting they stayed "for a week and explored Big Creek Lake, the North Platte and the Snowy Range, earning the weekly rate."
Level parking: At Twin Buttes Reservoir, the clay soil can make leveling challenging, especially after rain. Bring leveling blocks and check weather forecasts.
Dump station access: The forest service office near Laramie Overlook has dump facilities. Izzy T. notes, "The dump/water is decommissioned at this site, but as you turn in there is dump/water at the forest station."
