Dispersed camping near Wapiti, Wyoming ranges across elevations from 5,000 to 9,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations between sites. The region receives approximately 10 inches of annual rainfall, concentrated mostly in spring and early summer months. Summer nights typically drop below 50°F even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s, making insulation essential for tent campers.
What to do
Hiking from camp access points: Little Sunlight Camping Area offers direct access to canyon hiking trails with minimal elevation gain. "There are great hiking trails through the canyon," notes one camper at Little Sunlight Camping Area, who added it was "our favorite out of five spots on this trip. The views are incredible."
Wildlife observation: The Beartooth Scenic Byway area provides excellent opportunities for viewing larger mammals in early morning. "We were able to see moose and a bear because of the early access to Lamar Valley. Wish we could have seen the surrounding area in the daylight but we got in late and were out early," reports a visitor to Beartooth Scenic Byway Camping.
Fishing access: Lower Sunshine Reservoir offers shore fishing opportunities about 45 minutes south of Cody. "This is a free camping area about 45 minutes south of Cody. Most of the spots are on a ridge above the reservoir, but there is a way to drive below the ridge and camp," explains a reviewer, noting that the "vault toilet is on the water level, so a walk up after use!"
What campers like
360-degree mountain views: Cody BLM Dispersed camping provides panoramic vistas within 20 minutes of town. "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," shares a visitor to Cody BLM Dispersed who also noted "it was very quiet at night. There is a highway to the north, but the hills block most of the noise."
Water proximity: Camping near creek and river sites offers cooling options during hot months. "We backed my van right up to the river with an amazing view of Pilot Peak in the background, and fell asleep to the sounds of the rushing water," describes one camper at Beartooth Scenic Byway.
Solitude opportunities: The vast open spaces provide isolation even during peak season. A camper at Sheep Mountain BLM reported, "I stayed at the top by the trailhead. It had plenty of room for others but the road was rough up so no one came that way. There were two nice spots at the beginning of the road that were being used. The view was beautiful. I loved it."
What you should know
Fire restrictions: Seasonal fire bans typically affect higher elevation sites first, starting as early as June. Check with the Cody BLM office for current restrictions before planning campfires.
Bear safety requirements: Many sites require proper food storage due to bear activity. At Lady of the Lake Trail on Lulu Pass, campers noted wildlife encounters: "We truly loved this place. It was so isolated and peaceful. The camp sites are scattered throughout the trails and are not close to each other. Also spotted lots of moose, they are everywhere up there."
Wind exposure: Many open dispersed sites offer minimal wind protection. "It was a windy day and calmed down around dinner time but at bedtime it was very windy!" explains a camper at Little Sunlight Camping Area, who noted that with their rooftop tent, "it felt like the RTT was the sail to our van."
Site availability patterns: Free camping near Wapiti, Wyoming can become scarce during hunting seasons when sites are reserved in advance. "When we were here, many spots were 'held' by hunters leaving their trailers in a spot, so the developed sites looked very full, but were basically uninhabited," reports a Little Sunlight visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Location selection for safety: Choose sites with natural barriers to contain younger children. "We ended up near the horse coral/bathroom (vaulted toilet), not ideal but worked in a pinch," noted a visitor to Pilot Creek Dispersed Camping who warned "lots of mosquitos. Some sites have bear boxes."
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly, requiring layered clothing systems. "We had our itinerary set to stay at this site and then the weather turned terrible and it started snowing. We only had a tent with us and the wind was whipping so we had to pack up and head to Red Lodge," explained one camper at Beartooth Scenic Byway.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Schedule early morning wildlife drives for best results. "We saw some prong horns on the way in too!" reported a camper at Cody BLM Dispersed, though they cautioned about hunting season: "There was a group of hunters that came around to check things out in the evening, then returned the next morning and shot an antelope from the next ridge over."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Most dispersed sites require careful positioning for RV leveling. "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," explains a Sheep Mountain BLM camper.
Road condition assessments: Many access roads deteriorate after rainfall. "The road in is rough in just a couple of spots, but we saw vans and a large Class C make it up here no problem," notes a visitor to Cody BLM Dispersed, while at Hogan Reservoir BLM Campground, a camper mentions "the area is spectacular. The property is immaculate. The reservoir is perfect for fishing, floating and cooling off after a hike."
Turning radius limitations: Many roads lack adequate turnaround space for larger rigs. "The area we stayed in is flat and quite large with a stone fire pit. It did get very windy but died down through the night," notes a Cody BLM visitor who added "the road splits many times and we just used satellite view to check where the roads lead and decided on one."
