Best Dispersed Camping near Kemmerer, WY
Dispersed camping dominates the landscape around Kemmerer, Wyoming, with Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sites offering primitive, no-fee options for self-sufficient campers. The Fossil Butte National Monument BLM area provides remote camping opportunities approximately 10 miles from the visitor center, while Woodruff Narrows Public Access Area offers lakeside camping with basic amenities. These areas primarily support tent camping and smaller recreational vehicles, with limited facilities and no hookups. The region's camping areas typically feature wide-open terrain with minimal shade, providing expansive views of Wyoming's high desert landscape.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the camping areas near Kemmerer. The Fossil Butte BLM land requires high-clearance vehicles to navigate steep gravel roads with grades up to 17% and challenging hairpin turns. As one camper noted, "Once the road turns to gravel, it gets steep. We have a 15k pound fifth wheel and a 2wd dually and were only able to make it a couple 100 yards up the hill before we started spinning." Woodruff Narrows access roads are unpaved but generally passable when driven slowly. Cell service is surprisingly good in some areas, with visitors reporting strong internet access at Fossil Butte. The Wyoming wind presents a consistent challenge across all camping areas, particularly at exposed lakeside sites.
Campers consistently highlight the solitude and natural beauty available at sites near Kemmerer. Woodruff Narrows receives praise for its peaceful lakeside setting, with one visitor noting, "Great campsites next to the lake. Excellent views and quiet. Only saw a couple other campers off in the distance." Wildlife viewing opportunities include birds, waterfowl, and occasional moose sightings. The Fossil Butte area earns recognition for its exceptionally dark night skies and quiet environment. Seasonal considerations include summer insects, with recent reports indicating heavy bug activity at Woodruff Narrows during warmer months. Despite minimal amenities, the clean pit toilets at Woodruff Narrows receive positive mentions from multiple visitors.
