Known for its craggy mountain peaks, wide-open prairies and scenic views, Wyoming is a camper’s paradise. Pack your tent, fuel up your RV, and get ready to go explore the Cowboy State.
Be sure to check each campground’s season since many are only open during the warm-weather months. Snow can take a while to melt in the spring, so call ahead and check conditions if you’re planning an early season trip so you know what to expect.
Yellowstone National Park
Best bucket list campground
Dreaming of Yellowstone? Reserve a campsite at the world’s first national park for a bucket list experience. While there are more than 2000 campsites up for grabs in Yellowstone – spread out among a dozen campgrounds – you can’t generally just stroll up and snag a spot. Make advanced reservations as early as possible for your best shot at securing a site for the popular summer season. They fill up quickly for a reason – the park’s campgrounds have some of the best tent and RV camping in Wyoming.
The park’s campsites provide great access to the 2.2-million-acre gem, and staying inside the park means you’re close to the heart of the action. You can also sleep in just a little bit longer before crawling out of your tent to go early-morning watching wildlife or jumping into the day’s adventures.
There are a dozen campgrounds to choose from, so narrow your search by aiming for what you’d like to get out of a camping experience. Some of Yellowstone’s campgrounds are massive – the largest, Bridge Bay, has 432 sites, followed closely by Grant Village with 430 spots – while others are far smaller, such as Slough Creek, with just 16 sites. Larger campgrounds generally have more amenities, like flush toilets, and even showers and laundry, while smaller ones offer more serenity. Each campground has its own unique draws, such as Bridge Bay’s proximity to Yellowstone Lake – making it the perfect spot for early morning fishing.
Curt Gowdy State Park has something for everyone – set up camp and dive on in © GerardoBrucker / Getty Images / iStockphoto
Curt Gowdy State Park
Best campground with something for everyone
Love fishing? mountain biking? Hiking? Whatever your favorite way to enjoy the outdoors is, Curt Gowdy State Park is likely a pretty good spot to enjoy it. Located just about half an hour from both Cheyenne and Laramie, this park has over 170 campsitesand so much outdoor recreation you’ll never get bored.
With seven sections surrounding three reservoirs, you can enjoy great fishing – try to hook a brown or rainbow trout, or maybe a kokanee salmon – boating, and other lake activities. Numerous campgrounds are located a stone’s throw from the water, making for a short stroll to early morning fishing.
The park’s mountain biking trails have earned the “Epic” accolade from the International Mountain Bicycling Association, and the park also has plenty of hiking and equestrian trails to entice you out of your campsite before settling back in for evening s’mores sesh (when fire restrictions allow).
Camp in the shadow of one of the country’s most distinct rock formations © Gary Chow / iStockphoto / Getty Images
Devil’s Tower
Best campgrounds for views of Devils Tower
Sure, you’ve seen photos of Devils Tower, but why not peer out of your tent and gaze right at it? It’s not every day you see 867ft tall, 50-million-year-old monolith first thing in the morning. Embrace your inner park ranger by staying at the Belle Fourche River Campground right inside the park – Loop A on the north side is the closest to the tower, but just about any site will have good views.
Or opt for the nearby Devil’s Tower / Black Hills KOA Journey, which has plenty of spots for tents and RVs and is open from mid-May to mid-October. Here, you can pitch a tent, park an RV, or book a cabin.
Glendo State Park
Best beach camping
Wyoming is as land-locked as it gets, but if you know where to look, you can find great places to swim. A few of the state’s best campgrounds, like the fittingly named Sandy Beach Duneare right by the white-sand beaches.
Glendo State Park is a beach lover’s retreat thanks to the Glendo Reservoir, which covers 12,000 acres. Enjoy water sports, boating, swimming or just lazing in the sun. With over 45 miles of non-motorized trails, you’re almost certain to have the wilderness – and views of the reservoir – to yourself.
Be aware that the reservoir’s water levels can vary widely, impacting recreation opportunities and camping. Check water levels and seasons before making plans.
The park has 550 campsites scattered through 19 different campgrounds, and some sites are reserved just for tents, while others are for RV’s. Not every site is by the beach, though— Two Moon Campground is in the pine trees, and others are in varied landscapes.
Flaming Gorge National Monument has tons of group camp sites – bring all your friends © sdbower / Getty Images / iStockphoto
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
Best place to bring a group
Perfect for multi-generation family trips or big groups of friends, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area Features 27 different group camping sites, and the surrounding national recreation area has more than 700 campsites. Named by geologist John Wesley Powell in 1869 for the way the sun reflected off the red rocks, today the park draws anglers, boaters, hikers, mountain bikers and anyone interested in exploring the wilderness straddling the Wyoming–Utah border.
The centerpiece of this park is Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Wyoming’s largest reservoir at over 42,000 acres, so be sure to pack all your water toys. Spend your days cruising around the reservoir, wakeboarding, water skiing and jet skiing. Kayaks and canoes are another peaceful way to explore the lake – many of the marinas and lodges in the area provide hourly rentals.
Arch Dam Campground is perfect for large groups, but we love Mustang Ridge Campground for its views of the reservoir.
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