Dispersed camping opportunities abound in the Bureau of Land Management areas surrounding Meeteetse, Wyoming, at elevations ranging from 5,700 to 7,200 feet. The camping season typically runs from May through October, with late summer bringing afternoon thunderstorms and temperatures that can drop below freezing at night even in July. The area's low light pollution makes it a prime location for stargazing when skies are clear.
What to do
Fishing at Buffalo Bill Reservoir: The reservoir provides productive trout fishing about 45 minutes north of Meeteetse. "Great views of reservoir and mountains. Electric, pull through sites. Boat landing. Pit toilets. No showers," notes one visitor to North Fork Campground — Buffalo Bill State Park.
Ghost town exploration: Brown Mountain Campground serves as a gateway to nearby abandoned settlements. One visitor explains that it's a "Gateway to Kirwin Ghost town. Great site! Amazing views with complete silence in the evenings. Quieter option for those headed to Yellowstone that want to camp and avoid parks reservations," according to a review of Brown Mountain.
Stargazing: The lack of light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. "The view made it so worth it plus the darkest nights to see the stars," wrote a visitor about their experience at Sheep Mountain BLM lands, adding that their "three wild dogs loved it" as well.
What campers like
Riverside camping: Wood River Campground offers peaceful riverside sites that campers consistently rate highly. A visitor describes it as a "Beautiful riverside campground with a small amount of spots, 5. Darker and less views than Brown Mtn CG further west but it is still a wonderful site. Loads of wildlife," according to a review of Wood River.
Free dispersed options: BLM land near Cody provides no-cost alternatives to established campgrounds. "We found this spot to stay overnight before visiting Cody and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. We got a great spot with amazing views of the sunset," reports a camper at Cody BLM Dispersed.
Privacy between sites: Despite being one of the best places to camp near Meeteetse, Wyoming with developed facilities, Buffalo Bill State Park maintains good separation between campsites. One camper notes, "We had so much space, a beautiful Mountain View on both sides, and easy access to firewood for a small donation."
What you should know
Wind conditions: Strong, persistent winds affect the camping experience throughout the region. At Sheep Mountain BLM, one camper reported, "It was a windy day and calmed down around dinner time but at bedtime it was very windy! We have a rooftop tent and platform in the van. It felt like the RTT was the sail to our van."
Road conditions: Access to some of the most scenic camping options requires navigating rough roads. A visitor to Sheep Mountain BLM advised, "We bottomed out a few times. We came back down to the 2nd leveled area and set up camp."
Seasonal availability: Most camping options around Meeteetse operate within limited timeframes. Lower Sunshine Reservoir, a free camping area south of Cody, is typically accessible in summer, with one visitor noting in mid-July that "the breeze is nice (here in mid-July, so a tad hot)."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: For families seeking recreation options beyond hiking, Buffalo Bill State Park offers play areas. However, a visitor noted that "The playground was fenced off due to Covid in August 2020," so check current status before promising playground time to children.
Swimming opportunities: Families can cool off in summer at the Cody KOA. "The pool area is the highlight with 2 pools (one kiddie) and a hot tub. All very clean. The basketball area is very nice too but too hot to play for us today," according to a review of Cody KOA.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy spotting animals, and the Meeteetse area delivers. One camper at Cody BLM Dispersed noted, "July 1 was dry and there were herds of deer and a small pack of coyotes wailing in the distance at night."
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: At dispersed sites, finding level ground for larger rigs requires scouting. At Sheep Mountain BLM, one RVer reported, "We were able to haul our 45-ft fifth wheel and find level ground. There are some additional locations to park higher on the hill but the road to get there is a little more rough."
Water spots on vehicles: Some campgrounds with irrigation systems can damage RV exteriors. At Absaroka Bay RV Park, a camper cautioned, "One other point of concern is that the campground waters every night, with very hard water that leaves tough to remove spots on you camper and vehicle. Get them off ASAP."
Site length awareness: Some RV parks have shorter-than-advertised sites. At Absaroka Bay RV Park, a visitor noted, "Sites are short. When we checked in they asked us to park behind are bumper pull camper. The site was too short. So the said we could park in the next site over. Camper was parked in D2 and truck in D1."
