Dispersed camping sites near Robertson, Wyoming accommodate equestrian needs throughout the broader Flaming Gorge region. Jug Hollow Road offers multiple waterfront sites with fire rings approximately 45 minutes from Robertson at elevations of 6,000-6,500 feet. Campers should note the area has open range cattle and washboard roads that become impassable when wet.
What to do
Fishing the Gorge: Lake Flaming Gorge provides excellent fishing opportunities from shore or small watercraft. At Spring Creek Road Dispersed, "Easy dirt road, pulled 34 foot toy hauler with no problem. Enough space to turn around at the end of the road. Very quiet at night, perfect for sleeping." The area supports both bank fishing and boat access with "lots of spots to camp right on the waters edge."
Hiking Kings Peak: The Dollar Lake area serves as a base for Kings Peak expeditions. This area is "located a little over 8 miles from the parking area. It is walk or horse ride in only. The hike is not to taxing and there are small streams that cross the trail a couple times if you need to stop and filter water." Many horse campers use this as their staging area since "there are no bathrooms and you must pack everything out so plan for that."
Wildlife viewing: The Sheep Creek Geological Loop provides opportunities to view bighorn sheep. At Carmel Campground, one visitor noted: "Up the road you can see bighorn sheep that graze in the fields of the ranch and take in the exquisite wonder of what nature has created via the loop road." Wildlife viewing options include seasonal salmon runs as "the Kokanee salmon were spawning and filled the creek with their vibrant colors."
What campers like
Lakefront access: Waterfront campsites allow direct lake access for swimming and paddling. At Jug Hollow Road, "The entire area is dispersed camping with spots on hills overlooking the lake or down shoreside. The entire area is accessible for camping. I didn't see any spots that didn't look lake accessible." However, expect some activity as "ATVs, generators, speed boats" can create noise near the water.
Remote locations: Many equestrian-friendly sites offer isolation for horse camping groups. At Swift Creek, campers note it's "spacious and not too crowded" with "lots of hiking spots" making it suitable for horses. One reviewer mentioned they "were the only people around" which provides ample space for horse trailers and grazing.
Night skies: Dark skies make stargazing exceptional at higher elevation sites. The Mirror Lake area allows "bug hunting, star gazing and of course marshmallow toasting and just sitting around a big campfire." Another camper at Carmel noted the night sky was "amazing for meteor showers" due to minimal light pollution in this remote area.
What you should know
Weather considerations: High elevation sites experience significant temperature swings and afternoon storms. At Mirror Lake, "With the high elevation make sure to bring plenty of layers. Nonetheless there are some great hammock trees." Summer visitors should "expect afternoon thunderstorms from July through August."
Road conditions: Many access roads become impassable when wet, particularly for horse trailers. At Jug Hollow, "The road coming in has lots of cows and deer so be careful!" and "Lots of expansive soil. Impassable when wet. Our 2 wheel drive van got stuck in muck." Roads to horse-friendly sites typically require higher clearance vehicles.
Water access: Most dispersed sites require bringing all water for horses and humans. Spring Creek has "very easy access to the lake" but no potable water. At Dollar Lake, "there is ponds or a stream to filter water from" but no reliable source for horses requiring significant water needs.
Tips for camping with families
Best family sites: Developed campgrounds offer better facilities for families with young children. At Sheep Creek Bay, "The site we were in had plenty of shade and had a picnic table and a permanent fire ring." Another reviewer noted this area is good for "my elderly family who need to be stable" making it suitable for multi-generational trips.
Kid-friendly activities: Several lakes offer easy shoreline exploration for children. Mirror Lake has "a well kept trail around the lake" that's "very family friendly" according to reviewers. One camper mentioned "My 3 year old son had such a blast exploring, bug hunting, star gazing."
Weather preparedness: Higher elevations mean colder nights even in summer. One family noted: "We went up over Labor Day weekend so it was chilly and we did get some rain but nothing that dampened our spirits." Pack extra layers as temperatures often drop below 50°F at night even in summer.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RVers with horse trailers should scout routes before committing. At Spring Creek, "The dirt road in isn't too bad and is pretty short, there were plenty of sedans driving in so it's accessible for most vehicles when the ground is dry." Another camper noted they had "full bars of LTE extended network on Verizon" which helps when planning rides.
Parking considerations: Level sites with adequate turning radius are limited but available. One RVer at Jug Hollow mentioned: "The road going out is quite rough and has about mile and a half of pretty bad washboard and is sandy in some spots as well" which requires caution with larger horse trailers.
