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Best Campgrounds near Powell, WY

371 Reviews

The Powell, Wyoming area features a diverse range of camping options within an hour's drive, from full-service RV parks to remote dispersed sites. Billings Village RV Park and Lovell Camper Park provide year-round accommodations with hookups and amenities, while Deaver Reservoir offers more basic established camping with picnic tables and vault toilets. Heading south toward Cody, campers find several options including Cody Trout Ranch Camp with unique accommodations like tipis and sheep wagons, and Buffalo Bill State Park's North Fork Campground along the Shoshone River. For those seeking solitude, BLM dispersed camping areas between Cody and Greybull provide free primitive camping with stunning mountain views.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. As one camper noted, "You will need 4-wheel drive or high clearance to access the best sites next to the river. If you're willing to endure the drive, the beauty of the site more than makes up for it." Summer temperatures can be intense, particularly at lower elevations like Horseshoe Bend Campground where shade is minimal. Spring brings muddy conditions on dirt access roads, while summer afternoons often feature thunderstorms. Bear activity is common in areas closer to Yellowstone, with several campgrounds providing bear boxes. Reservations are essential during peak season (May-September), especially for established campgrounds near water.

Wildlife viewing opportunities rank highly in visitor reviews, with multiple campers mentioning encounters with pronghorn antelope, coyotes, and various bird species. Fishing access is available at several locations, particularly along the Shoshone River and at Horseshoe Bend Marina. Campers frequently praise the cleanliness of Wyoming campgrounds, with one visitor noting that "bathrooms are very clean, which is typical for Wyoming campgrounds." Night skies receive special mention at desert camping areas, with one reviewer describing them as "very, very dark and you can see so much on a clear night. Great for anybody with an astronomy hobby!" Many campgrounds serve as convenient basecamps for exploring nearby attractions including Yellowstone National Park, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, and the Beartooth Highway.

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Best Camping Sites Near Powell, Wyoming (85)

    1. Billings Village RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Frannie, WY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 248-8685

    "Clean, cheerful, easy to get in and out- convenient to the highway- highly recommend Only hiccup was how low to the ground the electric was- we had to bend the cord to connect"

    2. Deaver Reservoir

    2 Reviews
    Frannie, WY
    9 miles
    Website

    "However, disrespect of the land and garbage in many places outside of the cans. Sound travels across the water and some disrespectful people."

    3. Cody BLM Dispersed

    20 Reviews
    Cody, WY
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 578-5900

    "One tuck drove around us at a considerate distance. Around 9:30pm. No big deal. Was one other van parked where we first came in."

    "We pulled off of highway 16 to just explore and found that this area has a lot of options for camping. It is a vast stretch of BLM land between Cody and Greybull."

    4. Cody KOA

    19 Reviews
    Cody, WY
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 587-2369

    "This campground is just outside Cody, WY. Easy access for people just passing through, just off a main road."

    "Park is all gravel, thus neighbor driving at 4am around makes a bit of noise. Airport is next door too. Had an enjoyable stay"

    5. Absaroka Bay RV Park

    18 Reviews
    Cody, WY
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 527-7440

    $50 - $70 / night

    "Close to town and the museum, which is why we stayed here. Sites are close together but we didn't care we were just staying one night. Easy in and out and there are eateries within walking distance."

    "Close to the east entrance to Yellowstone this park is also in Cody, a cool town. Staff is nice bathhouse is clean."

    6. Big Quiet Farm Stay & Campground

    1 Review
    Ralston, WY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 272-4681

    $65 - $150 / night

    7. Cody Trout Ranch Camp - RV, Tipi, and Sheep Wagon Camping

    5 Reviews
    Cody, WY
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 578-6757

    $46 - $135 / night

    "It's located just outside of Cody a few miles, so you don't have to deal with the traffic noise or the light pollution. Star gazing is excellent."

    "Close to a highway but pretty quiet. Nice little guns & ammo shop on site. Other than the power & wifi issue this is a great campground!!"

    8. Lovell Camper Park

    3 Reviews
    Lovell, WY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 548-6551

    "Free camping with showers and bathrooms as clean as home, close to restaurants and a cute movie theater, and close to the Bighorn Canyon with great wildlife."

    "Right next to the campground is a great park. 

    This is a wonderful community offering."

    9. Horseshoe Bend Campground — Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

    12 Reviews
    Lovell, WY
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 548-7230

    "The spots are spread out enough so you’re not close to other campers. Bathrooms were adequate, flush toilets with soap/water/hand dryer."

    "This is a great campground if you're going to be out on the lake or hitting the off-road trails. Its literally a campground in the desert though there are some great views in the surrounding areas."

    10. North Fork Campground — Buffalo Bill State Park

    34 Reviews
    Wapiti, WY
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 587-9227

    "This was a great stop on a national parks trip in the Wyoming area. The campground was less busy than in the national parks. Sites were clean and large."

    "Surrounded by mountains and right on the Shoshone River, this is a bit of Heaven on earth."

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Recent Camping Photos near Powell, WY

104 Photos of 85 Powell Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Powell, WY

371 Reviews of 85 Powell Campgrounds

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Cody BLM Dispersed

    Convenient

    Easy to find, large open spaces, mostly peaceful but a little road noise nearby. Sky isn’t as dark as some say for stargazing because city of Cody is close and cars

  • B R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Ponderosa Campground

    Complete campground

    Nice camp, relatively close to center. Possible walk to center cca 20min. 10 min to Buffalo Bill museum. Showers and restrooms very clean. Laundry well equipped with washing machins and dryers.

  • Colby S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Palisades Campground — Custer Gallatin National Forest

    Paid Camping experience for free

    This campground is a 10 minute drive to the near by town of Red lodge. It’s a great place to stay while in the area or after completing the Bear tooth highway. Campground is clean has bear boxes and fire pits at each camp sight and multiple bathrooms on sight. Feels secluded from the near by town and road, but is set up as you would expect a paid camp site to be. Sights are spacious and private though. There is a near by stream that can be heard through the campground.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Island Lake Campground

    Beautiful high mountain lake

    Gorgeous mountain lake, but the campsites are not lake side. It's still a nice campground. The lake is crystal clear and beautiful. No bugs either.

  • Alyssa S.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Beartooth Lake

    Absolutely Gorgeous

    I grew up visiting the Beartooth Mountains every year, but never actually camped there until last weekend and I'm mad I didn't do it sooner. The campground is very clean, with access to water and vault toilets that are well maintained (honestly the only vault toilet I haven't dreaded going into). It was nearly full when my friend and I went and it still felt like we had privacy. There is a creek that runs behind the site we were at which was perfect - we just used my Sawyer squeeze filter with that water and it tasted amazing. The lake was great as well. We brought our kayaks and made a loop around half of the lake. It was absolutely gorgeous and we will definitely be going again! We went labor day weekend and it got down to 29°F at night so bring appropriate gear.

  • Peter D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Buffalo Bluff RV Park

    Just outside Cody

    4 Miles outside Cody you will find this campground. Very nice place, everything is clean and well maintained. Showers and toilets are nice! We also make use of the laundry, in 30 minutes you have clean clothing again 😁.

  • pThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Palisades Campground — Custer Gallatin National Forest

    Small, undeveloped, unmanaged,free, close to Red Lodge, small ,adequate

    Came in late on a Sunday. One spot, more or less in the parking lot was available. Not level. Spots are small and rough, I would not recommend for large rigs and trailers. Still, it’s free and the are pit toilets and it’s close to Red Lodge. Grateful to whoever manages (sort of) this place.

Guide to Powell

Camping near Powell, Wyoming, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Boating: The Horseshoe Bend Campground — Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is a great spot for fishing and boating. One visitor mentioned, "The campground is conveniently located next to the Horseshoe Bend Marina, where you can rent kayaks and canoes."
  • Hiking: Check out the trails around Buffalo Bill State Park. A camper shared, "This is one of the most picturesque places to camp, surrounded by mountains and right on the Shoshone River."
  • Wildlife Watching: The Cody BLM Dispersed area is perfect for spotting wildlife. One reviewer noted, "We heard coyotes at night, which added to the experience."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the views at Absaroka Bay RV Park. A visitor said, "It’s in town by a pretty lake and has Mountain Views."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A reviewer at Cody KOA mentioned, "The bathrooms were clean and the dishwashing station was well maintained."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy the spaciousness at Parkside Campground. One camper noted, "The sites are large and spacious, allowing for some privacy."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: If you're tent camping at North Fork Campground — Buffalo Bill State Park, be prepared for some noise. A camper mentioned, "The tent sites are close together, so it was pretty noisy with people snoring and rustling around in their tents."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Cody BLM Dispersed, don’t have amenities like drinking water or toilets. A reviewer pointed out, "There are no toilets or trash, so be prepared to pack it out."
  • Seasonal Access: Many campgrounds are only open during certain months. For example, Cody KOA is open from May 1 to October 1.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Cody KOA, which offers activities for kids. One family shared, "The pool was closed for cleaning, but the grandkids liked the pool when it was open."
  • Pack Bug Spray: In areas like North Fork Campground — Buffalo Bill State Park, bugs can be a nuisance. A camper reminded others, "Don’t forget bug spray!"
  • Plan for Privacy: If you want some space, consider the Cody BLM Dispersed area, where sites are more spread out. A visitor noted, "There’s plenty of space to camp, and you may see other RVs in the distance."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookup Availability: Campgrounds like Absaroka Bay RV Park offer full hookups, which many RVers appreciate. A reviewer said, "Full hookups and picnic tables make it a great stay."
  • Be Mindful of Space: Some RV parks, like Perry's RV and Campgrounds, have sites that are close together. One camper mentioned, "Nice shady sites on Rock Creek but close together."
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: RVers love the convenience of being near town. A visitor at Cody KOA said, "It’s a short drive into town, which is worth a visit!"

Camping near Powell, Wyoming, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds in Powell, Wyoming?

Powell offers excellent access to some of Wyoming's most scenic camping areas. North Fork Campground — Buffalo Bill State Park is highly recommended for its picturesque location along the Shoshone River with stunning mountain views. Sites are clean, spacious, and reasonably priced compared to national park options. For those seeking unique experiences, Cody Trout Ranch Camp provides RV sites, tipis, and sheep wagon camping just outside Cody with excellent stargazing opportunities. The area also offers dispersed camping options like Little Sunlight Camping Area for those who prefer more remote settings, though these require navigating rough roads.

What amenities are available at Powell, Wyoming camping areas?

Camping areas around Powell vary in amenities based on location and type. Parkside Campground offers clean sites with picnic tables, fire pits, fresh water spigots, and clean restrooms, plus helpful camp hosts who sell firewood. For those seeking more developed facilities, Wapiti Campground provides approximately 40 sites, many with electric hookups, and accommodates both RVs and tent camping. Most established campgrounds in the region include vault toilets, while some like Buffalo Bill State Park have flush toilets and paid shower facilities. Dispersed camping areas typically offer minimal to no amenities, so come prepared with all necessities if choosing these more remote options.

When is the best season to go camping in Powell, Wyoming?

Late spring through early fall (May-September) offers the best camping weather in the Powell area. Summer provides ideal conditions with warm days and cool nights, but this is also peak tourist season. Little Sunlight Camping Area showcases some of Wyoming's best views during summer months, though be prepared for dusty access roads. Early fall brings spectacular colors and fewer crowds at places like Cascade Campground, which provides a peaceful setting with beautiful scenery. Winter camping is possible but challenging due to harsh conditions and limited access, as many campgrounds and roads close seasonally. Always check road conditions when planning trips in shoulder seasons.

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