Dispersed camping near Powell, Wyoming offers several options in Bureau of Land Management territories beyond what's found at Cody BLM Dispersed. These free camping areas sit at elevations between 4,500-7,000 feet in high desert terrain that experiences significant temperature fluctuations. Summer daytime temperatures often reach 90°F while dropping to 50°F at night, with most sites receiving little to no shade throughout the day.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Sheep Mountain BLM camping area provides excellent pronghorn antelope spotting opportunities. "We saw some prong horns on the way in too! The area we stayed in is flat and quite large with a stone fire pit," notes Laura M. from Sheep Mountain BLM.
Fishing access: Hogan Reservoir BLM Campground offers multiple water-based activities. "The reservoir is perfect for fishing, floating and cooling off after a hike," according to Lia T., who visited in summer.
Stargazing sessions: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. "The view made it so worth it plus the darkest nights to see the stars," reports Mariah K. about her experience at Sheep Mountain BLM.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many dispersed camping areas offer significant space between campsites. "This area is huge so there's plenty of space to camp, you may see other RVs on the distance. I love that there's very good phone reception," writes Mariana T. about Cody BLM Dispersed.
Convenience to attractions: Multiple sites provide good access to nearby destinations. "Great stop before heading into Cody or Yellowstone! Nice flat camp spots!" shares Justin R. about Cody BLM Dispersed camping.
River proximity: Some sites offer waterfront camping options. "Lovely spot near a river. Lots of space. Road was a bit rough in the back," notes Nichole D. about Lake Fork Roadside Camp.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Wind can be significant at many sites, affecting tent camping particularly. "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," explains Lisa D. about camping at Sheep Mountain BLM.
Access road conditions: Roads deteriorate quickly after rain, creating challenging conditions. "The road was extremely dusty in the summer and almost forced us to turn back. The dispersed sites are very rough and not well maintained," warns Steve about Little Sunlight Camping Area.
Limited amenities: Most areas lack basic services. "No water or any other amenities so pack in and pack out. The area was mostly free from litter but there were some bullet casings around which is almost a given in BLM territory," explains Laura M. about Sheep Mountain BLM.
Tips for camping with families
Pack sufficient water: No potable water exists at most sites, requiring complete self-sufficiency. "There is a little noise from the roadway in the morning time. There's a lot of horse poo in the area, be prepared for that," advises HANNON C. about Sheep Mountain BLM.
Choose sites carefully: Some locations offer better family-friendly setups than others. "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," shares Laura M.
Plan for varied temperatures: The high desert environment means significant day-to-night temperature shifts. "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," notes James B. about Big Horn NRC Dispersed SR.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: The terrain at many sites requires preparation for uneven ground. "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," advises Cameron L. about Sheep Mountain BLM.
Size restrictions: While many areas accommodate larger rigs, access can be challenging. "The road in is rocky dirt but easily doable in our 26' class C. Any size rig should do fine here. The road splits many times and we just used satellite view to check where the roads lead," suggests Laura M.
Cell reception variability: Connectivity differs significantly between sites. "Verizon cell reception was poor but did work. Starlink had super fast speeds. Sites were clean and definitely worth a look," reports James B. about his stay at Cody BLM Dispersed.
