Devils Tower National Monument and the surrounding Black Hills region offer unique camping options with season-specific considerations. Located in northeast Wyoming at 4,250 feet elevation, the area experiences temperature swings between day and night during peak camping months of May through October. Campgrounds range from primitive forest sites to developed accommodations within proximity to trails and wildlife viewing areas.
What to do
Stargazing at night: Devils Tower KOA offers unobstructed night sky viewing. "We picked a site with a view and we didn't regret that one bit! Probably one of the nicest KOAs we've stayed at so far," notes Kim N. The area's elevation and distance from major cities creates excellent star viewing conditions.
Fishing for trout: Iron Creek Lake Campground provides lake access for anglers. According to Russ N., it's a "Beautiful Mountain Lake. Wildlife all around. Great Trout, and even some Bass fishing." The lake is stocked regularly during summer months.
Hiking forest trails: Trail access points near Sundance offer terrain ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. Several campgrounds provide direct trail access, with routes that connect to longer backcountry paths. Most hiking trails are open from spring through fall, depending on snow conditions.
What campers like
Peaceful forest settings: Reuter Campground receives high marks for its wooded environment. Nickolas A. notes, "We were noticing all the campgrounds around seemed to NOT have trees. We are tent camping, so shade is of utmost importance. Reuter did not let us down! Surrounded by big pines and aspen trees."
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the spacing at many Black Hills campgrounds. According to Nancy B. at Reuter Campground, "It was a really nice campground. Quiet, all the spots were shaded and spread far enough to give you some privacy."
Wildlife encounters: Morning and evening wildlife viewing opportunities exist at most area campgrounds. Visitors commonly report deer sightings, with occasional fox, coyote, and various bird species observations from campsite areas.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from mid-May through mid-October. Winter camping options are extremely limited, with few facilities open during snow season.
Limited or no connectivity: Cell service varies greatly by location and carrier. Many forest campgrounds have no coverage at all, requiring travel to nearby towns for communication needs.
Reservation requirements: For yurt camping near Moorcroft, Wyoming, advance planning is essential. Timon Campground and other primitive sites fill quickly during peak season. "After a 4 mile drive down a dirt road, we came upon this campsite and were delighted. We stayed for three nights," reports Scott D., highlighting the need to secure spots early.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Iron Creek Lake offers family-friendly water options. Aaron S. mentions, "The trail around the lake is easy to walk and there is some beach area for frog catching and splashing around with little kids. This is a great lake to have a water toy like a kayak, and there are rentals available too."
Movie nights under stars: Special evening programs run during summer months at some campgrounds. Many families bring portable projectors for movie viewing using vehicle sides or sheets as screens.
Cabin options for convenience: Glamping and yurt camping options near Moorcroft provide alternatives to tent camping for families. BLM Weston Hills and surrounding areas offer various accommodation styles, though Monica M. warns about hunting season: "There is a bathroom right near the front entrance of the national rec area. Lots of hunter campsites with the heavy duty winter tents that look like houses with chimneys."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature sloped sites requiring preparation. Hannah P. at Iron Creek Lake Campground shares, "I have a 25' camper and the site they put me in was pretty tight and on a hill as most are here. Took all my blocks and a couple big stumps but we got it figured out."
Dump station locations: Several campgrounds have limited or challenging dump station access. Consider using facilities in nearby towns. As one camper notes, "We didn't even use the dumpstation as the way it is positioned I couldn't get the tanks dumped, so that was a bummer. We went into Spearfish campground owned by the city and dumped there."
Access road conditions: Forest service roads can be challenging for larger RVs. Bill S. from Reuter Campground recommends: "Site 13 is first come first serve PULL THRU big enough for 5th wheel, good Verizon cell service, 30 minutes from devils tower and 5 minutes from Sundance, which Sundance rest area has free water and dump station."
