Lander sits at an elevation of 5,358 feet where the Wind River Mountains meet the plains. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, while summer days can reach the 80s with cool evenings in the 40s-50s. The surrounding Shoshone National Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands offer varied terrain from riverside campsites to mountain settings with significant elevation changes that affect weather conditions throughout the camping season.
What to do
Hiking to Popo Agie Falls: Follow the trail from Louis Lake Campground for a moderate hike ending at natural water slides. "If you drive a little ways from there you can do an AMAZING hike that ends in beautiful waterfalls and a 'slide rock' that is very smooth and you can slide over the falls. Park at Bruce's then hike Popo Aggies trail to the falls," recommends Suzy H. from Louis Lake Campground.
Mountain biking events: The Lander area hosts seasonal biking festivals. "Just so happened to also be the Jurassic Classic Mountain Bike Festival too! Bonus!" notes Carrie C. who stayed at Hugh Otte Camping Area, adding that some trails are "difficult bike trails...with very rocky terrain."
Fishing in mountain lakes: The streams and lakes around Lander provide fishing opportunities. "Fishing the Popo Agie is challenging but rewarding!" notes Carrie C. who visited Sinks Canyon State Park, where anglers can find trout in the rushing waters.
What campers like
Riverside white noise: The sound of moving water helps create a peaceful camping environment. "The Popo Agie River runs next to the park which makes for a nice sound machine to fall asleep to," shares Annie C. from Lander City Park. Similarly, Susan B. notes the "cascading river next to the camper area provides lots of white noise."
Free camping with amenities: Lander City Park allows camping without cost. "It's free! And that's hard to beat (especially in this economy)!" says Tate W., adding "It's right in town so you get excellent service and you can go snag something to eat if you are tired of boiling water for cup o noodles."
Dark skies for stargazing: Mountain locations offer exceptional night sky viewing. Sarah N. from Sinks Campground notes "The Milky Way is spectacular on a clear night" when describing the night sky visibility from the yurts, particularly during winter stays.
What you should know
Weather challenges: Mountain weather can change rapidly. "Be prepared for afternoon rain," advises Carrie C. about Louis Lake Campground. Emma K. shares a similar experience: "I woke to snow I didn't anticipate" during an overnight stay at Sinks Canyon.
Sprinkler schedules: City park campers should note irrigation timing. "They went off at 6am. So be prepared for rain if you set up a tent," warns Susan B. about the Lander City Park's sprinkler system.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Lander: Most campgrounds welcome pets with specific amenities. Savannah at Wild Iris notes their "sites are fairly large" providing room for pets to settle in, while Matt R. mentions the Hugh Otte area is "very quiet" making it suitable for campers with dogs that might be sensitive to noise.
Tips for camping with families
Free recreation options: Children can enjoy various activities at dog-accessible sites. "It's at the park so you can grab all your new hobo friends there and go play a quick game of kickball on the diamond fields, show off your horseshoe throwing skills at the horseshoe pits...slam some spikes at the volleyball pit, tennis it out at the tennis courts," details Tate W. about the facilities at Lander City Park.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "There also seem to be plenty of bike trails. There is also a really neat, huge playground which our kiddos really enjoyed," notes Mark S. from Lander City Park, highlighting the family-friendly amenities.
Year-round yurt options: Families can camp comfortably in cold weather. "Winter is our favorite. There is electricity, spotty internet and a heater you can turn on. 10 below zero outside and we keep it at about 45-50 deg inside," explains Sarah N. about the Sinks Canyon State Park yurt system, adding they come equipped with "mattresses/bunks or fold out futon mattress."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RV campers should research site limitations. "The campground is right on the road - 20 feet over and 20 down. However the road only goes to the state park and into national forest. The roar of the river (20 feet to the other side) masks the minimal vehicles," notes Art S. about Popo Agie Campground.
Level parking challenges: Many mountain sites require leveling equipment. "The paved sites are a bit uneven. So you will need levelers if parking a camper," advises Steve & Ashley G. about Sinks Canyon, while Boyd T. found Lander City Park offered "level ground and lots of room, so it was easy to find a spot for our trailer that required no backing up."
Road condition alerts: Access roads vary significantly in quality. CHris B. from Sleeping Bear RV Park & Campground notes "We had to park at the Sawmill portion of the campground, due to the size of our motorhome at 38'. Would have loved to be able to stay at the main area, but this worked well for us. Plenty of room. The river ran right outside our window."
