Best Campgrounds near Ten Sleep, WY

This is a one of those secret locations that you look for, the one you don't want to give away but show all your friends pictures of it. If this was a fishing spot you wouldn't tell other anglers about it. If it was a special hunting location you would keep your lips sealed.

Crazy woman canyon gets it's name from a few different legends, but that's not the point of this gem. The tranquility, peace, towering canyon walls that make you feel so small, the freedom of the outdoors and back country quietness, that's what this place should be known for.

We saw wildlife, we relaxed with the sound of the river, this was an unforgettable experience.

Keep in mind there are no facilities here, no toilets, no potable water, no showers, you need to pack in and pack out. This is true back-country camping. The roads are narrow and traffic goes both ways, we had to pass another truck and were just inches from the edge with rushing water below. But this is Wyoming, this is the wild west, one of the great frontiers of the American expansion.

Come here, it's worth it.

Great experience easy to find and given the time we went no one was there.

Free. Camped here one night in early September 2024. Except for the views, there is nothing remarkable about this primitive BLM campground. This is a good overnight stopover for those driving on the beautiful South Bighorn/Red Wall Back Country Byway. It appears that the campsites have not seen maintenance in a while. The his/hers vault toilet was okay and supplied. I did not see any trash receptacles; cleaned up the mess left behind by previous campers. No cell service in this remote region. There are no established hiking trails, although one can explore a few of the tracks in the vicinity.  Stayed at the site just past the vault toilets. Dirt surface; can get muddy. Not exactly level but close enough for my campervan. Unless you area hunter, I don't consider this to be a destination. However, the journey along the byway makes it worth while to camp here. The byway was in great shape; no issues for my AWD van.

We dispersed camped north of MeadowLark Lake along FS Road 427 I believe! It was beautiful, and so peaceful. We did get stormed on but our tent held out really well! These dispersed sites are developed and first come first serve. We enjoyed our coffee next to the river!

No water or Toilets so plan accordingly, and check out the Bighorns USDA Website for any burn bans or camping information you may need!

There are bears out in this forest, recommend putting all food in your hard sided truck, Car, or camper! A human fed bear is a dead bear!

We camped here in early October. The skeletal remains of the buildings were on private property, however the roads and such were on BLM land so we parked right across from the buildings and set up the Truck Camper. There’s a plaque that explains the history of the town up the road from the buildings, and just beyond that a ways is the cemetery. It was sad to see all the graves as they were children and infants who died from the Spanish Flu or Diptheria. One gentleman we ran in to said the town wasn’t merely bulldozed but also buried! We had fun walking around and camping there for the night. There were no sounds! It was VERY quiet! No birds, crickets, insects, or wildlife. Just the gentle breeze, and one lone coyote at about 2 am.

There are no toilets or water, so prepare accordingly.

There was also a burn ban in effect so we used our portable camping stove. Make sure to check burn bans before you camp! We had so much fun, and hope other people visit too. Please be respectful of this historical relic so it can be around for as long as it can! Don’t damage your History!

Definitely recommend 4 wheel drive to traverse this area. The roads are rocky, rutted, and worn down!

We recently stayed at Crippled Spider Ranch, and it exceeded all my expectations. Nestled in the beautiful landscape near Thermopolis, Wyoming, this ranch offers a truly unique camping experience that caters to adventurers, families, and solo travelers alike.

Campsites & Amenities: The ranch has 71 spacious spots, including full and partial hookups for RVs, and plenty of space for dry camping. The sites are well-maintained, and the full hookups provide everything you need for a comfortable stay. For those looking for an extended stay, they even offer 15% off for bookings over 7 days!

Activities & Attractions: One of the best parts of Crippled Spider Ranch is the variety of activities on-site and nearby. There’s something for everyone—whether it’s hiking on the BLM land that borders the property, petting zoo visits for the kids, or even learning to ranch and milk cows! The property is also a great base for rock hounding and exploring Wyoming’s natural beauty. You can even hunt (seasonal) or target shoot, making it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.

For those interested in history, the ranch is near the historic Oregon Trail, and there are great opportunities for treasure hunters like metal detecting and exploring old ghost towns.

Staff & Hospitality: The hospitality here is second to none! The staff are friendly, welcoming, and go above and beyond to make sure your stay is enjoyable. You’ll feel like family from the moment you arrive. They even offer fresh, free-range eggs from their chickens and have a fun “catch-and-cook” option if you’re into farm-to-table experiences.

Sustainability & Eco-Friendly Focus: Crippled Spider Ranch also takes pride in its sustainable practices, from responsible livestock management to preserving the surrounding wilderness. This ranch is a great choice for eco-conscious travelers who want to enjoy nature responsibly.

Overall Experience: Crippled Spider Ranch is the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and Wyoming charm. Whether you’re a family looking for a weekend getaway or a solo adventurer seeking peace and quiet in the great outdoors, this place is a must-visit. I’ll definitely be back for more!

Tip: Be sure to book early for special events, and don’t forget to check out the nearby mineral hot springs in Thermopolis!

Totally agree with person who said this is in top 5 sites. Awesome views, level ground, easy access, lots of room for many. However, it's county road 402 not 403!

Wonderful staff and friendly. Got my laundry done, showers, and lovely shady spot and they have a pool!

Nice little campground for stopover. Staff is super friendly and stayed past closing (7pm) to assist late arrivals. Sites are level and pull thru, although a bit narrow. No dog park but plenty of room to walk them. Cheaper than the KOA down the street

We enjoyed our stay here, many spots to pick from, but a few things to be advised about. 

1. When we arrived it looked like a lot of the locals"dropped" their campers there for storage to avoid paying storage fees. However, while we were there the National Forest staff came in several times and started tagging these RVs and most of them were removed within a week or so. 

2. This place is a haven for SxS and ATV traffic on the weekend so it can get loud and very dusty 

3. Hundreds of free-range cattle, so if you are not comfortable with them walking in and through your campsite you may want to pick another location. 

4. There is only one place in all the area that has cell coverage and turns out we camped on that hill without knowing it so we had traffic all day with people parking in and around our campers to use their phones. 

We did a video review of this spot  if you are interested here is the link https://youtu.be/gpm9THujEow 

We enjoyed our stay even with those items we listed above, would stay here again for sure. Thank you to the National Forest Staff for patrolling this area!!!

So amazing. Peaceful and quiet, even with some other campers here. The cell phone service with Verizon is perfect and the view is to die for. You can also hear the cows across the road, which I love. The road in is so easy, no rigs should have any issues.

This is a great spot. Wide open area for camping so you’re not right on top of anyone. The views were amazing. Pretty windy as others stated, but was nice during the hot days. Nights were a tad chilly. Downside is there’s absolutely no shade and horseflies are in plenty. Thankfully I have a screen tent that provided some shade and relief from the flies. Overall a great spot, not too far from town. Better if you have a camper over a tent.

Beautiful views. Be prepared for tall grass and horse flies. We parked at the end by the private fence and by morning several hikers with dogs came and parked right next to our site. Good Verizon service.

Spectacular views and wildlife. Easy to find a level spot. Wild horses.

By far one of the most beautiful places I’ve camped. The field is in bloom right now (June 15) with purple and yellow flowers. We’re definitely up in elevation and can see lush forests and the snow-capped mountains in the distance. Super lush green field to camp in. Super easy to get to from main road. No road traffic sounds. Chilly at night.