130 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Laramie, Wyoming ranges from developed state park campgrounds to more primitive sites, giving campers solid options depending on their setup and goals. Curt Gowdy State Park Campground draws many people with its mix of hiking trails and fishing access. The park has vault toilets and you'll need quarters for the showers. If you like interesting rock formations, Vedauwoo Campground might be better, though it's more basic in terms of facilities. Both areas have fire rules and limits on how long you can stay to help protect the land. During busy times, you should probably make reservations ahead of time so you don't miss out. Laramie town is close enough to grab groceries or camping supplies when needed. The area works well for quick weekend trips or longer camping vacations in Wyoming's beautiful wilderness. Just watch the weather before you go - it gets pretty windy around Laramie, and the temperature can change a lot from day to night.
"The cliffs and rocks here are lovely and there are some hiking trails. The campsites are pretty open and since there aren’t too many trees the tents seem really close together."
"Located right off I-80 and less than 20 miles from Laramie WY. Campground Review: We arrived on the Friday afternoon of Father’s Day weekend, and there were a few tent sites available."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Great section of national Forest between Cheyenne and Laramie. Easy access off the interstate. Lots of atv traffic but otherwise quiet and easy to find your own spot away from 'neighbors'"
"About equal distance to Cheyenne and Laramie approximately 25-30 min Beware: there is not a place near by to get beer or alcohol."
"There are so many different types of sites, from those with several trees, lake side, open, or group spots. Water is available for filling bottles, but not campers."
"Curt Gowdy State Park is a peaceful spot situated between Cheyenne and Laramie. The park features a number of amenities for those looking to enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, and water sports."
from $10 - $200 / night
Check Availability"This spot was a very pleasant surprise and quite frankly didn’t think this part of Wyoming would be so pretty! The sites are very well spaced so once you’re parked, you feel completely alone."
"Easy access, close to rest stop, tucked off next to highway but relatively quiet."
"This is a great little campground situated right within the Happy Jack trail system. It used to be all FCFS which was great, but now some are reservable. There are 3 sites that are always FCFS now."
"The campsite itself was not extremely busy for a Friday night, but the nearby trailhead is extremely busy and people often drive/bicycle through the campsite."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Was not planning to stop in Laramie, but the wind got to me! Pulled over here and was lucky to find a spot out of the wind."
"AT&T cell service 3 bars LTE inside camper but 2 bars 5G outside."
"Grandparents lived in Laramie, brought us here a Happy Jack road for picnics and rock hounding. Over 50 years ago! The area still looks the same, but much more crowded."
"Need high clearance and a good off roading car to get all the way through. Also side note, turns out the road goes all the way through! Both ends go straight to a high way which is sweet."
"The bugs were terrible when we got there around sunset, but in the morning they weren’t swarming. There was lots of space between campers, and lots of places to choose from, all giving the same view."
"We arrived around sunset for a quick night on our road trip heading West. There were some bugs out but nothing crazy. Peaceful sounds of birds and waterfowl."
"Most sites are out in the open with no shade or privacy while the ones on the outer edge have some small trees - more for separation from neighbors than shade or hammocking (we were sad about that, we"
"There’s a hiking/biking trail next to it. It has a toilet available. Many RVs and campers pulled in. The sites are fairly close together so that’s the reason for 4 stars."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
"We found FS728 to have a structure at the entrance from old HWY30. It looked like there might be a road back behind it, but we didn't want to risk trespass to find out. "
ScoutWe travel in a Truck Camper & this spot was a fantastic stop along the way. It is a better Camper/RV spot than it is tent camping (IMO) but phenomenal regardless. Feels very private with beautiful scenery and wildlife.
GuideOvernighted here between RMNP and GTNP/Yellowstone. It's super easy access off the 130, and has about 25-30 sites of varying sizes, all sort of staggered on different levels. Sites all have fire rings and grates, picnic tables, and lantern poles. No hookups or water, but there were two clean vault toilets and locking trash bins. We stayed in site 22 (equal distance between upper and lower bathrooms, large site with a view of everything) in a RTT. On the Sunday night of 4th of July weekend, there was plenty of space - only maybe 8 other campers. $20 for a site and self-serve, you find a site then go back up to the self-pay kiosk at the front (bring cash or check). Grounds covered in wildflowers in early July, but it got COLD overnight!
TravelerWe just stopped for one night. The bathrooms and showers are nice. We walked our dogs around the property and enjoyed all of the animals.
GuideWe stayed at Brooklyn Lake Campground after arriving on a Tuesday afternoon the week before the Fourth of July. We had originally planned to stay at Sugarloaf Campground, but it was already full.
The scenery here is absolutely beautiful. The mountain views surrounding the lake are stunning, and we were lucky enough to see several moose during our stay. The vault toilets were well maintained, and having access to a hand pump for water was a nice amenity. The pump does have an unusual design—you have to hold an extra piece in place while pumping to get the water to flow from the correct spout—but once you figure it out, it works fine.
One unexpected highlight was the fishing. My husband caught a splake in Brooklyn Lake, which made for a memorable experience.
The biggest downside was how busy the campground was. There was a constant stream of campers arriving and leaving, so it never felt especially peaceful. The lake was also crowded, making it difficult to find a good fishing spot. Another thing to be aware of is how incredibly dry the area is. Even after drinking plenty of water and using lotion, our skin still felt dry after three days.
Overall, Brooklyn Lake Campground is a gorgeous place to camp if you’re looking for incredible mountain and lake views and the chance to see wildlife. If you’re visiting around a holiday, though, expect crowds and plan accordingly.
TravelerRoads were doable for most any vehicle, decent amount of washboard but manageable at the right speed. It’s 4th of July weekend so all the spots/areas had someone in them by the time I got in around 9pm. I could see how it would be awesome on a slower weekend. I did see a black bear scaling the hill as I first drove into the park!
GuideGreat little spot, trails to walk, nature for miles. Peaceful, quiet. Bathroom right by the trailhead. My son went for a jog and ran right up on two moose! We saw deer, birds, other small animals on the trail. The wildflowers were beautiful. We were in a class A 37ft, road was tight and we didn't risk getting way back because of low clearance and scraping.
TravelerFantastic host and communication. We were in 30 ft 5th wheel for one night, passing thru. Road was great condition and most paved. Close to I25. No real noise. We parked easy in wide open field with truck attached. Nicely spaced with a few tent campers. Definitely would return. Nice place to walk around in the morning.
GuideThe campground is a serene location near the Cache La Poudre river. The fishing is decent and the facilities nice. Starlink worked great but no Verizon cell signal. The road is close but I hardly noticed it. FCFS when we were here.
ScoutEach year, the person responsible for hiring a Company to clean sites and bathrooms fails in that task. Sites aren't being raked and bathrooms and showers are barely touched. We have been going for 26 years and every year for the last 4 years it gets worse. What are you paying them for? Management of the park is disgraceful.
Dispersed camping near Laramie, Wyoming offers remote wilderness experiences at elevations ranging from 7,000 to 8,600 feet. The Medicine Bow National Forest surrounds the area with unique rock formations and alpine meadows. Campers should prepare for significant temperature fluctuations, with nighttime temperatures often dropping 30-40 degrees below daytime highs even in summer months.
Rock climbing access: Forest Service Road 700 Designated Dispersed Camping provides excellent access to rock climbing areas. "We enjoyed hiking, rock climbing and ATV'ing around. Very close to beautiful Laramie and the weather is great up here. I imagine it closes down in the winter," notes Rara B. about the Vedauwoo dispersed camping area.
Mountain biking trails: The Happy Jack Recreation Area offers extensive trail networks. "This campground is truly spectacular... It appears to be a great place for those who are into mountain biking as I felt I was the odd man out since nearly everyone had one and was riding," shares Nicholas R. about Tie City Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening hours provide the best wildlife spotting opportunities. "Wildlife here has been fantastic. Pronghorns in the morning as I have my coffee, and Elk in the evenings... Every...Day," reports Erin H. about the Government Gully Road area.
Private lakeside sites: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for fishing and kayaking. "We stayed at Curt Gowdy - Crystal Loop #C167. Having no neighbors and private lake access was fantastic," explains Michelle H. about Curt Gowdy State Park.
Secluded camping spots: Many dispersed areas provide significant privacy between sites. "Lots of space between campers, and lots of places to choose from, all giving the same view," writes Alyson M. about Twin Buttes Reservoir.
Dark night skies: The area offers exceptional stargazing opportunities away from light pollution. "By complete accident we were up there for the perseid meteor shower! Great open view of the sky!" shares Theresa M. about Tie City Campground.
Preparation for wind: Strong winds are common throughout the region. "Seriously, it gets windy here, and with no warning. Park accordingly, don't leave awnings out unattended, secure ground stuff," warns Erin H. about Government Gully Road dispersed camping.
Road conditions: Some camping areas require careful navigation. "The roads are a bit bumpy but nothing most trailers couldn't handle," notes Landon C. about Pole Mountain Dispersed Camping.
Water availability: Most dispersed camping areas lack potable water. "Easy access, close to rest stop, tucked off next to highway but relatively quiet," shares Nicole about Pole Mountain, noting the importance of being near facilities.
Beginner-friendly climbing: Vedauwoo offers accessible rock formations for kids. "If you have some climbing gear I recommend climbing some of the rock formations nearby! The ones I did for a workout in the morning already had some tie-ins!" suggests Lucas S. about the Vedauwoo area.
Campsite selection timing: Arrive early to secure family-friendly spots. "I would recommend arriving early. We arrived on a Saturday afternoon, so it took a little time to find a good camping spot, but we eventually found a nice, semi-secluded site near the water," advises Fred E. about Curt Gowdy State Park.
Weather preparation: Pack for dramatic temperature changes, especially with children. "Be prepared to spend some time leveling. The whole area is rolling meadows & forrest," notes Erin H., highlighting the importance of proper site selection for family comfort.
Level site challenges: Many camping areas near Laramie have uneven terrain. "We found it easy to find a spot on this side of I80. Are we perfectly level, nope, but we aren't 'welcome to the carnival fun house' unlevel either," shares Erin H. about Government Gully Road.
Dump station locations: Plan waste management carefully. "Although there are not facilities immediately there, if you finding camping in this area you are close by to a bathroom at Summit Trailhead and potable water at either Hidden Valley or the Abraham Lincoln rest area," notes Les R. about Yellow Pine Campground.
Site size considerations: Research campground capacity before arrival. "There are plenty of pull through sites, but I would argue that all sites are perfect for tent camping," explains Casey L. about Yellow Pine Campground, noting the variety of accommodation options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there free camping available in Laramie, Wyoming?
Yes, several free dispersed camping options exist around Laramie. Meeboer Lake offers free camping in an open meadow setting with vault toilets but no designated sites or fire rings, making it ideal for quick overnight stays during road trips. Forest Service Road 700 Designated Dispersed Camping provides free sites in the national forest between Cheyenne and Laramie with easy interstate access. You'll also find dispersed camping opportunities east of Vedauwoo's main campground among trees and boulders. Most dispersed sites have minimal or no facilities, so come prepared with water and pack out all trash.
Where are the best campgrounds near Laramie, Wyoming?
The Laramie area offers exceptional camping opportunities with diverse landscapes. Vedauwoo Tent Campground (Wy) — Medicine Bow Routt N Fs & Thunder Basin Ng is a local favorite, featuring stunning rock formations, hiking trails, and accessible sites just 20 miles from Laramie off I-80. For a more secluded experience, French Creek Campground (Wy) in the Snowy Range offers a picturesque escape with a scenic drive from Laramie. Other excellent options include Curt Gowdy State Park between Laramie and Cheyenne with lakes and varied site types, and Tie City Campground with reservable sites and basic amenities.
What amenities do Laramie campgrounds offer for RV camping?
RJourney Laramie RV Resort (formerly Laramie KOA) provides the most comprehensive RV amenities near Laramie, offering full hookup sites, easy highway access, and dump station availability. It's conveniently located just 8 minutes from downtown Laramie for food and supplies. For state park camping with RV accommodations, Curt Gowdy State Park Campground offers various site options including full hookup and no-hookup sites across different camping loops. While some campgrounds have limited hookups, many accommodate larger rigs and provide basic amenities like vault toilets and water access. Reservations are recommended during peak season for RV sites with utilities.
What is the best time of year to go camping in Laramie?
The optimal camping season in Laramie typically runs from late May through September. Wyoming's high elevation (Laramie sits at about 7,200 feet) creates a relatively short camping window with July and August offering the most reliable weather. Even summer nights can be chilly in the Medicine Bow mountains. Early season camping (May-June) may encounter snowmelt and muddy conditions at higher elevations like Twin Buttes Reservoir. Fall brings beautiful colors but increasingly cold nights. Many forest service campgrounds like Yellow Pine Campground (Wy) close by mid-October due to snowfall risk. Check road conditions when visiting remote sites outside peak summer months.
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