Dispersed camping near Rock Springs, Wyoming offers varied terrain from the Wind River Range to expansive desert landscapes. The area sits at elevations ranging from 6,400 to 8,500 feet, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the season. Weather can change rapidly with afternoon thunderstorms common in summer months and strong winds present year-round.
What to do
Wildlife watching opportunities: Big Sandy Reservoir provides excellent opportunities for spotting wildlife, particularly during early morning and evening hours. According to one visitor, "The view of the Wind River range at sunset is gorgeous. Not too many campers."
Fishing access: Cast a line directly from your campsite at several locations. One camper at Big Sandy Reservoir reports, "Only stayed a night, got in at 9pm and left around 8am. Peaceful and quiet with no one else around. No mice, just some moths. Had some great views when the sun came up! Also great fishing at the reservoir!"
Hiking from camp: Little Mountain Dispersed Camp offers numerous trails with minimal foot traffic. A visitor noted, "Closest trees to Rock Springs. I go up here for day trips and over night trips. Elk, Bear, Deer, and cows are around. Lots of places to explore and there are never many people around."
River floating: The Green River provides multi-day floating opportunities with campsites along the way. A visitor to Green River Float-In Campsites shared, "Dispersed camping on the 125 mile stretch of the Green river from Green River, UT to the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers at Spanish Bottom... Stillwater and Labyrinth Canyons are a marvel. Take your time and hop from site to site getting some hikes in."
What campers like
Solitude and privacy: Most dispersed sites offer considerable distance between campers. A visitor to Little Mountain Dispersed Camp mentioned, "I stayed here in June. Solitary, quiet, and beautiful. Great views! I came in from the SW side of Little Mountain and couldn't make it to the top in my AWD Highlander, but there were plenty of flat spots to make camp."
Accessibility with preparation: Many sites can be reached in standard vehicles during dry conditions. One camper observed, "Great views from the top, but we chose a more sheltered site due to the strong chilly wind. Beautiful sunset and sunrise. There were many good sites along the road in as well."
Off-leash dog areas: Several remote areas allow dogs to roam freely due to minimal visitor traffic. As one camper at Little Mountain Dispersed Camp noted, "There are never many people around so I can let my dogs off the leash which is really nice."
Cell service in remote areas: Surprisingly good connectivity exists at select locations. A camper at Big Sandy Reservoir reported, "We dispersed by boat launch. By ourselves on a Wednesday after labor day. Construction at east and west campgrounds. 5g cell T-Mobile."
What you should know
Road conditions vary seasonally: Access roads can become challenging after rainfall. A Big Sandy Reservoir visitor advised, "Roads only slightly muddy but after a rain. Yikes."
Wildlife precautions required: Bears are occasionally present in certain areas, requiring proper food storage. One camper at Little Mountain Dispersed Camp mentioned encountering "Elk, Bear, Deer, and cows" during their stay.
Mouse activity at certain sites: Rodent populations can affect camping experience at some locations. A visitor to Big Sandy Reservoir warned, "It's a nice enough lake, if you like mice! I caught 11 in 2 nights. We're leaving this rodent infested area!!"
Insect preparation necessary: Bug activity increases at dusk, particularly near water. A camper noted, "Got to the West Campground at dusk. Bugs were swarming."
Tips for camping with families
Sheltered sites recommended: Wind protection significantly improves tent camping comfort. A visitor suggested, "Great views from the top, but we chose a more sheltered site due to the strong chilly wind."
Water recreation options: Twin Buttes WSA provides easy access to shallow water areas suitable for children, though camping requires complete self-sufficiency with no facilities available.
Seasonal planning crucial: Late summer often delivers the most stable weather patterns for family tent camping near Rock Springs, with fewer afternoon thunderstorms.
Evening activity preparation: Bring games and activities for evening hours when winds typically increase after sunset.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for level parking: Most dispersed areas require careful site selection for larger vehicles. The terrain around Big Sandy Reservoir offers several naturally level areas suitable for small to medium RVs without requiring extensive leveling equipment.
Supply planning essential: Oregon Buttes WSA and surrounding camping areas have no facilities, requiring complete self-sufficiency for water, waste, and power.
Ground condition assessment: Many access roads become impassable to RVs after rainfall. Checking recent conditions through visitor centers is strongly recommended before traveling with larger vehicles.
Alternative RV parking: During peak seasons or when roads are compromised, established RV parks in Rock Springs provide backup options when dispersed areas become inaccessible.
