Fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding draw campers to Lake Owen, a mountain lake in Medicine Bow National Forest that stays uncrowded even on holiday weekends. Wind is common, so flat-water paddling is weather-dependent. The campground sits close to the Medicine Bow Rail Trail, a low-grade former railroad corridor good for walking or biking, and campers can circle the entire lake on foot, passing an old train caboose along the way. Sites accommodate RVs up to 24 feet, though the access road runs dusty and washboard in spots. Navigation apps matter here: reviewers flag that Google Maps routes through private property, so Waze is the recommended option for a first visit.
Description
The campground is adjacent to Lake Owen. It is comprised of two loops under a dense stand of Lodgepole pines and a few Aspen. Both loops have sites overlooking the lake and site with scenic views of the Snowy Range. There are 35 campsites with tables, fire rings, trash pick-up, vault toilets. The understory is grass, but sites are well separated providing adequate privacy. There is a 14 day stay limit. Owen Lake is 55 acres and offers fishing and boating access. It is managed by the Laramie Ranger District.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsLake Owen Campground is located in Wyoming near Jelm
Directions
From Laramie, take WY 130 west 21.7 to WY 11. Turn left onto WY 11 and continue onto Albany, 10.9 miles. Continue on NFSR 500, past the forest boundary for 2.2 mi to NFSR 513. Turn left onto NFSR 513 and continue for 2.5 miles to NFSR 517. Turn left onto NFSR 517 and continue for 1.5 miles to NFSR 540. Turn right onto NFSR 540 and continue 2.8 miles to campground.
Coordinates
41.14444433 N
106.10127136 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 25 min from Cheyenne, WY
- 1 hr 46 min from Fort Collins, CO
- 2 hrs 10 min from Greeley, CO
- 2 hrs 33 min from Boulder, CO







