Medicine Bow National Forest manages Tie City Campground, a Forest Service site sitting at roughly 8,000 feet elevation along the Happy Jack trail system outside Laramie. The campground sits in mixed pine forest with some open terrain, and each site comes with a fire ring and picnic table. Sites are spacious enough to accommodate trailers, though the internal roads are gravel with water-cut channels that can make maneuvering a larger rig difficult.
The Happy Jack trail network is the main draw for many visitors. Mountain bikers show up in numbers here, and the trailhead adjacent to the campground sees heavy day-use traffic, meaning cyclists and drivers pass through the camping area regularly. Hikers and equestrian users also have access to the same system. At this elevation, weather shifts fast, particularly in early and late season, and afternoon storms with hail are not uncommon. The open sightlines do reward clear nights with a wide view of the sky overhead.
Cell coverage is solid. AT&T and Verizon both have line-of-sight signal to a nearby tower, which is worth noting for anyone who needs connectivity. The campground is close to I-80, and some road noise carries in after dark, though most reviewers found it manageable. A mix of reservable and first-come, first-served sites gives walk-ins some flexibility, and America the Beautiful pass holders receive a 50 percent discount on the $20 nightly rate.
"The campsite itself was not extremely busy for a Friday night," notes E. L., though the trailhead parking nearby can fill quickly on weekends. Bear activity has been reported in the area, so proper food storage is necessary. Campers who want a base for trail access with reliable cell service and a few nights of solid sleep will find Tie City worth the stop.
Description
Overview
Tie City Campground sits at 8,600ft. It is comprised of 17 campsites in a single tear-drop loop. Some sites are nestled in a dense grove of aspen, fir, and spruce while others are in a grassy meadow.This campground will have a mix of reservation sites and first-come, first-served sites for the 2026 season. If you are not reserving your site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by cash or check once you are at the campground.
Recreation
The Tie City and Happy Jack trail system can be accessed from the campground or the adjacent trailhead. It has a network of challenging mountain bike trails, and is also used in the winter for cross country skiing. The South Fork of Lodgepole Creek runs close to the Tie City Campground and across the 719 road from Yellow Pine, which has good brook trout fishing.
Facilities
Tie City Campground has sites able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs. Sites are equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings. The campground also offers vault toilets, trash collection, and a water handpump. No electrical hook-ups, water hook-ups, or black water hook-ups are available. Handpump water may be available in this campground from July to September. These dates may vary due to weather, well and/or pump maintenance, and water testing requirements. As such, we encourage you to bring your own water or call ahead.
Natural Features
The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland encompasses nearly 3 million acres from central and northeastern Wyoming to north-central Colorado. Lodgepole pine, aspen, fir, spruce, and shrubs dominate the landscape of the national forests. The Grassland boasts numerous species of grasses and wildflowers that add color to the landscape during warmer months. Black bear, bobcat, coyote, elk, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and moose are just some of the many animals that inhabit these rich and diverse lands.
Nearby Attractions
Vedauwoo Recreation Area is nearby. Vedauwoo is a group of spectacular granite rock formations rising out of the thin soils on Pole Mountain. The area is a popular destination for rock climbers, hikers, mountain bikers and others who enjoy numerous opportunities to follow their own spirit of play in this gorgeous natural landscape.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsTie City Campground (Wy) is located in Wyoming near Laramie
Directions
From Laramie, take Interstate 80 east 9.5 miles to WY 210 (Exit 323). Turn onto Exit 323 and go left at stop sign onto WY 210/ Happy Jack Rd, then 0.1 miles to Happy Jack Recreation Area sign. Turn left at sign (staying on WY 210) and go 1 mile to campground sign, then turn right.
Coordinates
41.249795 N
105.434534 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 13 usersLast on 7/21/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 24 usersLast on 7/21/26- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 7/21/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 13 usersLast on 7/21/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 24 usersLast on 7/21/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 7/21/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
Drive Time
- 36 min from Cheyenne, WY
- 1 hr 12 min from Fort Collins, CO
- 1 hr 26 min from Greeley, CO
- 1 hr 49 min from Boulder, CO
