Wyoming’s best campgrounds for RV and tent campers

13.07.2024 - 11:18 / lonelyplanet.com

Jul 10, 2024 • 5 min read

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.

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 wildlife watching or jumping into the day’s adventures.

There are a dozen campgrounds to choose from, so narrow your search according to 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 – but others are far smaller, like Slough Creek, which has 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.

Best campground with something for everyone

Love fishing? Mountain biking? Hiking? However you like to enjoy the outdoors, Curt Gowdy State Park is likely a pretty good spot to do it. Located just about half an hour from both Cheyenne and Laramie, this park has over 170 campsites , and so many recreation options 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