Fishing, boating, and wildlife watching draw campers to Soda Lake WHMA, a free dispersed area managed by Wyoming Game and Fish outside Pinedale. The lake sits open to the sky with no tree cover anywhere along its shoreline, which means unobstructed sightlines toward the Wind River Range in nearly every direction. Sites are distributed around the entire lake, with picnic tables, fire rings, and several pit toilets scattered throughout. Two boat ramps provide water access, with the concrete ramp on the west shore generally considered the better option.
No shade is the defining physical reality here. Wind comes through consistently, and campers in tents should plan accordingly. The surrounding sagebrush provides minimal privacy between sites, though the sites themselves are well spaced. Pronghorn, bald and golden eagles, osprey, beavers, and wild horses have all been reported in the area, and Katie E. notes that "the herd of horses hung out nearby every day." The lake carries leeches, so swimming is not advisable, but fishing draws visitors out to the water at all hours.
Cell coverage varies by carrier and location around the lake. Verizon tends to perform better on the west shore, while T-Mobile has shown stronger signal in some areas. AT&T can be unreliable without a signal booster. The access road off Willow Lake Road is well-maintained gravel, and reviewers with large rigs, including a 36-foot Class A motorhome and a Trailmanor trailer, have navigated it without difficulty. The 14-day stay limit is posted but enforcement has been inconsistent, and unoccupied trailers left at sites can reduce available spots, particularly during summer weekends.
"No shade or trees along Soda Lake," notes Greg L., who also mapped out the camp and restroom locations around the lake. Mosquitoes and gnats can be a factor in July. The campground is open from early May through mid-November at no cost, with no reservation system. Campers wanting tree cover, swimming access, and more wind protection can find both a few miles further up the road at Willow Lake, situated within Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Description
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSoda Lake WHMA is located in Wyoming near Pinedale
Dispersed CampingCoordinates
42.95900846 N
109.85782782 W
Connectivity
T-MobileLTESome Coverage- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/28/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 6/9/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/28/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 6/9/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Soda Lake WHMA needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 3 hrs 26 min from Idaho Falls, ID
- 3 hrs 49 min from Logan, UT
- 3 hrs 58 min from Ogden, UT
- 4 hrs 10 min from Pocatello, ID
