Lander, Wyoming sits at 5,360 feet elevation where the Wind River Mountains meet the Great Plains. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms in July and August. RV camping near Lander offers access to rock climbing routes in Sinks Canyon, fly fishing in the Popo Agie River, and hiking trails throughout the Wind River Range.
What to do
Hiking in Sinks Canyon: Access trail networks directly from Popo Agie Campground where campers can explore riverside paths. "Hiking trails start across the bridge in camp. You can also drive down the road and find more challenging routes," notes reviewer Art S.
Fly fishing spots: The Popo Agie River runs adjacent to camping areas with swift currents and trout fishing opportunities. One camper at Popo Agie Campground shared, "We tent camp and did site 20… it is on the river feet from our tent… loved hearing the river."
Mountain biking: Trails connect from camping areas into the surrounding mountains. A visitor mentioned the "very cool suspension bridge crossing the Popo Agie that takes you to a hiking/mountain biking loop in the forest."
Wildlife viewing: Watch for moose near campsites and large trout at the Rise viewing area. "The Rise is about another half mile away and has the biggest trout I've ever seen!" writes a Popo Agie camper.
What campers like
Free camping options: Lander City Park allows free stays up to three nights. "We couldn't believe everything Lander had to offer and it was just a short walk from where we were camping along the creek. There are nearby walking trails, picnic areas and a playground in the park," reports Carlyne F.
Riverside campsites: Many sites back up to flowing water for natural white noise. One camper at Lander City Park noted, "The Popo Agie River runs next to the park which makes for a nice sound machine to fall asleep to."
Easy town access: Campers appreciate the walkability to Lander's amenities. "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," writes Tate W. about Lander City Park.
Yurt rentals: For those wanting more comfort than tent camping. "I stayed in one of the yurts and loved it!" shares Shannon O. about Sinks Canyon.
What you should know
Weather patterns: Afternoon wind gusts can be substantial throughout the Lander area. A visitor at Highline Trail RV Park noted, "It was super windy at times in the afternoon. We even lost power for a few hours one evening because of the wind gusts."
Sprinkler schedules: Tent campers at city parks should be prepared for irrigation. "To achieve that lush & green with a few trees, totally unexpected. But there were sprinklers going off at 6pm when I arrived. They quit about 8. Now the question is will they go off in the morning? Yes they went off at 6am," warns Susan B. about Lander City Park.
Shower access: Find pay showers at recreation centers when staying at facilities without them. "If you need a shower head over to the Recreation Center and pay $5 for use of the facilities," suggests a Lander City Park reviewer.
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have reported water issues. One visitor to Twin Pines RV Park noted, "We hooked up to the water and when I tried to cook with it, the water smelled and had some stuff floating in it. It didn't seem safe to use."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Pioneer RV Park is located next to a golf course with family-friendly amenities. "This is an intimate RV park located next to a golf course with beautiful mountain views. It's close to downtown and all the amenities," writes Gary W.
Exploring the Sinks: Take kids to see where the river disappears underground and reappears downstream. "Just down the road about a mile is the Sinks and the Rise, where the Popo Agie River disappears into a cave at the base of the mountain and then miraculously reappears gushing out of the base of a mountain on the other side of the canyon."
State park activities: Wyoming residents pay reduced fees at state parks. "For Wyoming residents, cost is only $6.00 a vehicle. Not per site. It is $11 if you are from out of state which is still more reasonable than the surrounding forest service campgrounds," notes a Popo Agie Campground visitor.
Tips from RVers
Extension cord management: At Sleeping Bear RV Park & Campground, some sites have power pedestals on the door side. "The 50/30 AMP power was on the door side of our 5th wheel as this is a pull in site for motorhomes. Since our power cord was in the middle of our rig, we easily reached the post. If you could not reach they have 50 and 30 AMP extension cords."
Overnight convenience: Several campgrounds offer pull-through sites for easy setup during transit stops. "Spaces are big and spread out. Everything was clean and well maintained. Great spot for a stop on your trip or as a base camp for exploring the area," shares a reviewer at Highline Trail RV Park.
Connectivity considerations: Some campgrounds provide better internet access than others. One camper at Sleeping Bear noted, "WiFi works pretty well for campground wifi. Video calls and streaming were spotty and unreliable, but everything else worked just fine. We also switched over to our AT&T phone hotspot to help with internet speed at times during the work day."
