Searching for a dispersed camping spot near Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG? Find everything from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking with The Dyrt. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.
Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed in most places. From getting away from it all to just enjoying a weekend with friends, dispersed camping can make for a great story. Across the forests, opportunities range from dispersed camping miles into wilderness or just off a forest road in designated dispersed areas. Make sure to bring everything you need when dispersed camping, as water, restrooms, and fire rings may not be available nearby, and always remember to follow Leave No Trace principles.
Use the links below to explore the wide range of dispersed opportunities the forests and grasslands have to offer. For comprehensive information on dispersed camping opportunities, please contact the ranger district office in the area you plan to visit.
Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed in most places. From getting away from it all to just enjoying a weekend with friends, dispersed camping can make for a great story. Across the forests, opportunities range from dispersed camping miles into wilderness or just off a forest road in designated dispersed areas. Make sure to bring everything you need when dispersed camping, as water, restrooms, and fire rings may not be available nearby, and always remember to follow Leave No Trace principles.
Use the links below to explore the wide range of dispersed opportunities the forests and grasslands have to offer. For comprehensive information on dispersed camping opportunities, please contact the ranger district office in the area you plan to visit.
This walk-in dispersed campground provides access to biking, hiking and fishing.
Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed in most places. From getting away from it all to just enjoying a weekend with friends, dispersed camping can make for a great story.
Scout
This spot will no longer allow overnight camping. It is day use only
Guide
Loads of sites along the FS roads out here, you don’t have to look hard, easier with more ground clearance
Guide
Stayed 5 days here (stat limit 16 days). 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. Absolutely beautiful views of the valley. Would stay again 100%
Scout
Very few other boondockers, and well dispersed. Very quiet with minimal traffic.
ScoutA little way off of WY-130 on a good dirt road. Good for up to mid-size trailers or smaller. Scattered informal sites, no water or hookups, two pit toilets. Signs indicate that camping is OK. Beautiful location on the North Platte River.
Guide
A dirt road about 1.25 miles leading to a boat ramp, with parking for cars/ trailers. There is a bridge with a 12ton limit per vehicle. more allowed if you are towing. peaceful and quiet at night with a very nice trail and bridge over the river . This is not really a campsite, just a nice free place to spend the night and then move on, but you can stay up to 5 days. had dirty bathrooms, no toilet paper.
Traveler
Stayed here 2024/09/11. Easy access, well marked and well separated dispersed campsites. Good views. Only downside was distant traffic noise from I-80. Would stay here again.
Scout
We showed up at night and it was very quiet, no problem finding a spot to camp. However, during the day the gnats, bugs, and ants were everywhere. Literally crawled up our boots and bodies. Great place to over night, but terrible place to hang out during the day unless you have a bug net.
Guide
Stayed here over a weekend and wanted to stay longer. Pulled our 33’ travel trailer and there were good spots off the road.
Scoutsimple, and easy place to get to… flat awesome sunset
Guide
Good Verizon service, was able to work remote. Got pretty windy but it was nice on the hot days. Idk if I’d swim in the water. There was a pit toilet. Good view of the mountains. Agree with review below that it’s not a destination spot, but if you’re in the area I’d do a night
Guide
had to drive pretty far on some dirt roads to get to the location maps took us too. also checked to see if there was service before going and said we would on verizon but not exactly true. there was some service at the sight we stayed at, 1 bar, but most of the road/sights there was nothing. not that odd for dispersed camping but just something to note.
we only saw one car drive in while we were there and saw a set up not too far from where we stayed but besides that didn’t hear or see anyone. very beautiful area and saw lots of deer on the drive in and drive out.
very good experience if you’re used to dispersed camping or being far from anyone else.
Traveler
We did not find a campsite right on the pin we drove up a little ways and came to a couple different dispersed spots. When you hit a Y in the road head left you will come across a couple fire pits. Great camping for dirt bikes, four wheelers and toys. We were right next to private property but the only ones out here.
GuideWe stayed at site 7, big enough for our caravan of 3 campers. Very spacious! Great views and nice center fire pit!
Guide
Came here in late July, no wind and great weather! Went down to about 65° at night which was perfect in the tent. Only downside was it was a little crowded (took us 45 mins to find an open spot) but I wouldn’t expect much else from such a great site!
Guide
We drove up here on July 3rd hoping to camp at Barnes Meadow Reservoir. You can't drive in to Barnes Meadow so we took County Road 103 north around Chambers lake and found a lot of open spots beneath lodgepole pines. Several spots have a large pull in parking area where you could have a large RV, truck and trailer, or park several cars. I couldn't help thinking this area is perfect for a large group to set up several tents and have several individual campsites with their own fire right next to each other.
There is no water, electrical or toilets, but there are toilets at the Lost Lake trailhead which is a 2-3 minute drive up the road or a 15 minute walk.
We did walk down to the lake right behind our campsite. The bank is steep but passable by kids so most people can get down there and back up. We fished a bit in Chambers and Lost Lake. On the other side of the lake is the improved Chambers Lake Campground but it's a 15 minute drive around to the other side of the lake. And a further drive up Rd 103 takes you to lots of stream fishing, hiking trails, and more dispersed camping.
GuideWe were driving through the area and needed a quick/easy place to camp for the night. Even in mid-July, we were the only people there. Spots are labeled well, with great fire pits at every sight. Rock formations were awesome. We nestled behind a rock and couldn’t even hear the traffic by nearby road. Definitely planning another trip soon
ScoutWe came up on a Friday afternoon and found a really nice spot right away. Camp sites have a good amount of room, spaced to allow privacy, and easy to get in and out of. Peaceful and quiet, surrounded by mountain views. loved it all the way around.
ScoutClearly marked directing you to the location. Bumpy dirt road until you reach the lot. It’s a parking lot camping location. Clearly marked camping area designated (5 days max). Clean, quiet, will stay again.
Guide
There are only a handful of sites, but we were fortunate to find one. The road was a little rough, but our lifted trailer of 22 feet in length cleared it just fine. There were other campers present. All were very friendly and quiet. There are hiking trails at the beginning of the road. There is also a potable water station and trash disposal at the Summit Rest Area just up the road. There was some trash at our site, but it was minimal, and we picked it up. Someone left us some great firewood, which we appreciated. We were very comfortable here. We stopped at the trailhead to pay the fee. There were envelopes and a pen.
Ranger
Good spot . Road was very iffy for my 2wd sedan, but I made it. Perfect on the way in or out of medicine bow.
Ranger
Stayed one night at the coordinates of camper 1 . Had a great time with my dog, very close to medicine bow, and awesome views of the river. Heard no cars throughout the night, there were three other campers I believe .
RangerSpent a night here with my dog. Very cool rock formations along the road , very big spots, very peaceful and secluded from neighbors, open and beautiful. Will be staying again on my way through.
RangerStopped in late, made it fine with 2w low clearance, I stayed at the first spot, I’m not sure how many there were. Light traffic throughout the night, but overall peaceful stay.
RangerLots of cool rock formations, close enough to the highway but far enough away to be peaceful. Perfect spot for visiting medicine bow peak.
GuideLovely location with secluded spots. The stars and view were awesome and the wind blew just right all night.
TravelerCoordinates are accurate to camp location spot, it is right off the highway, giving you easy access. I recommend getting there early because minimal site locations. It was a bit windy when we went but found a grouping of trees. We also were lucky enough to see a moose walk right behind our campsite. It stopped and noticed us but eventually walked off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG is Laramie Overlook Disperesed Camping with a 4.3-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG?
TheDyrt.com has all 55 dispersed camping locations near Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG, with real photos and reviews from campers.
