9+ Best Places for Free Dispersed Camping in Wyoming

Wyoming is absolutely filled to the brim with free dispersed campsites – if you know where to find them.

From Yellowstone and Grand Teton to Devils Tower and everywhere in between, free camping is super easy to find in the Cowboy State. And, better yet, it doesn’t matter if you camp in a tent, van, trailer, or RV. There’s something for everyone here.

Today, I’ll share the ins and outs of 9 of my personal favorites to help make the search for the perfect Wyoming free campsites easy. 

Related Post: The Best Free Dispersed Campsites in Montana

Best Free Campsites in Wyoming

Jump to the free dispersed campsite you want to learn more about:

• Firehole Canyon
• Shadow Mountain
• Granite Creek Road
• Vedauwoo Glen Road
• Upper Sunshine Reservoir
• Crazy Woman Canyon Road
• Sand Creek Public Access
• Ayres Natural Bridge Park
• Sand Mesa WHMA

Or, use our Wyoming dispersed camping map to browse the state’s best free campsites.

My Favorite Dispersed Campsites in Wyoming

Here are 9 of my personal favorite places for free dispersed camping in Wyoming to help you plan your next trip.

Firehole Canyon (Ashley National Forest)

Flaming Gorge

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is one of the best places for free camping in Wyoming, hands down.

Although dispersed camping options are numerous here, my favorite spot to set up camp is in the beautiful Firehole Canyon right where the Green River meets the Flaming Gorge.

The best campsites, in my opinion, are just south of Firehole Canyon Campground. Look for sites along FR 106, FR 060, FR 118, FR 33, and other nearby forest service roads.

Last time I was here, you could set up camp right on the beach. However, I believe either a Flaming Gorge Pass or Interagency Pass (like an America the Beautiful Pass) is required for beach camping.

Finding information online about Firehole Canyon is a little tricky. For one, it’s often confused with Firehole Canyon in Yellowstone (also in Wyoming). The dispersed camping area is also often called “Webster Dugway,” making things even more confusing.

Boondocker’s Bible, one of my favorite boondocking resources, has a really helpful guide to dispersed camping at Firehole Canyon Beach which I highly recommend checking out.

What I Like:

Beautiful views are the main draw of Firehole Canyon. There’s tons of room to spread out to find a private campsite (along nearly the entire length of the reservoir). The access roads are decent (many are paved) and there are plenty of large, flat spots for boondocking in RVs and trailers.

What I Don’t Like:

Most campsites are very exposed to the elements. So, expect lots of sun and very hot temperatures with minimal shade in the summer. Wind can also be an issue, especially if you’re tent camping.

Other Free Campsites Nearby:

Don’t restrict yourself just to Firehole Canyon. Nearly the entire length of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir is riddled with dispersed camping and boondocking opportunities. You can even head all the way down to Jug Hollow in northeastern Utah – perhaps my single favorite place to camp near Flaming Gorge.

Shadow Mountain (Bridger-Teton National Forest)

Near Grand Teton National Park

Dispersed camping is readily abundant near Grand Teton National Park.

But, out of the many available options, Shadow Mountain stands out high above the rest as my very favorite.

Incredible views across Antelope Flats of the Teton Range in the distance are the highlight of camping here. You’re in for absolutely stunning views – especially at sunrise and sunset – whether you camp at the base of the mountain or venture higher up.

But, because of the great views and closeness to the national park (just a half hour away), Shadow Mountain gets jammed pack. It’s so busy that what was once true dispersed camping (set up anywhere) is now restricted to designated campsites (marked with a numbered brown sign).

The bottom loop of (roughly 20) campsites fills up extremely quickly in summer. Arrive as early as possible in the morning for even a small shot at getting a site. The upper campsites also fill up quickly, although a little less so due to the extremely rough road (high-clearance is a must and 4WD is helpful).

Shadow Mountain isn’t the spot for RVs or trailers, although I have seen small off-road camping trailers (essentially overlanding trailers) camped here.

What I Like:

The beautiful views are the number one reason to camp at Shadow Mountain. The close runner up is the accessibility to the national park and the town of Jackson. It is extremely busy here, but there’s always a pretty fun community camping vibe.

What I Don’t Like:

One of the main reasons I like dispersed camping is for the privacy – and you won’t get that at Shadow Mountain. The access roads are quite rough, but passable in most passenger vehicles if you drive slow (Antelope Flats Road past Mormon Row to Shadow Mountain Road is typically the smoothest route). The road up the mountain is always extremely rough.

Other Free Campsites Nearby:

Spread Creek is another super popular (“designated”) dispersed camping area near Grand Teton National Park. Grassy Lake Road is another nearby option. It’s very close to Yellowstone.

Related Post: Free Camping Near Grand Teton National Park

Granite Creek Road (Bridger-Teton National Forest)

Near Jackson Hole

Granite Creek is about an hour southeast of Jackson.

Turn off Highway 191 (east of Hoback Junction) north onto Granite Creek Road (Forest Road 30500) and head towards Granite Creek Campground.

You’ll see dispersed campsites almost immediately. Some are little more than roadside pull-outs, but the majority are located well off the road along the creek itself. Many are large and flat enough for small to medium RVs and trailers while others are best suited for vans, tents, and passenger vehicles.

After roughly 8 miles, you’ll come to a sign which clearly states dispersed camping isn’t allowed beyond that point. From here, it’s less than a mile to the developed campground (just $15 per night) and a touch farther to the natural hot spring underneath Granite Falls (which does require a somewhat sketchy creek crossing to reach).

At the very end of Granite Creek Road, well past the legal dispersed camping area, is Granite Hot Springs Pool ($8 to use), a developed swimming pool heated by natural geothermal activity.

What I Like:

Most campsites here have stunning views of the Gros Ventre Range, including Antoinette Peak. Many are located right on the creek. Although it’s busy here in the summer, it’s still possible to find a quiet, peaceful spot to camp if you’re lucky to snag one of the more private sites.

What I Don’t Like:

Expect crowds as this is now a very popular place for dispersed camping. In addition to crowds, there’s a lot of day-use traffic heading to and from the hot springs. It’s very dry here in the summer, so dust is an issue if your campsite is close to the road.

Other Free Campsites Nearby:

Instead of turning onto Granite Creek Road, continue roughly 3 miles further east on Highway 191 until you reach Forest Road 30530. There are a ton of great free campsites along this road and its spur roads, including a few decent spots for RV boondocking.

Vedauwoo Glen Road (Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest)

Between Laramie & Cheyenne

The Vedauwoo Dedicated Dispersed Campsites are located about halfway between Laramie and Cheyenne just off I-80.

The area is best known for rock climbing thanks to the abundance of unique rocky boulders and outcroppings. You’re sure to see a lot of climbers here, no matter when you visit.

As for dispersed camping, your best bet is to take Vedauwoo Glen Road past the developed Vedauwoo Campground (just $10 per night). At some point the road turns into Forest Road 700 and this is where you’ll find the first stretch of free campsites.

Do note, however, that this area has recently transitioned to “designated dispersed camping” only. This means you must camp in one of, I believe, 97 marked and numbered campsites well-spaced along the road.

Many of the campsites accommodate RVs and trailers. However, for anything but the smallest rig, I recommend sticking to the sites along FR 700 (well-graded, hard-pack gravel) rather than venturing onto any spur roads.

What I Like:

Obviously, this is an awesome place if you’re a climber. Yet, non-climbers will appreciate the interesting rock formations and stunning forest scenery. Vedauwoo is roughly 8,500 feet in elevation, so it’s a good spot to beat the summer heat. Camp here and you’re close to both Laramie and Cheyenne for supplies.

What I Don’t Like:

It gets busy here, especially on weekends. In addition to climbing, this is a popular area for OHV riding. Expect some noise and dust. Venturing in on the spur roads off FR 700 can net you a slightly quieter, more peaceful spot to set up camp.

Other Free Campsites Nearby:

In addition to Vedauwoo Glen Road/Forest Road 700, most of the rest of the Pole Mountain Area is open to dispersed camping and boondocking. I don’t believe there are designated dispersed campsites here (yet) and the area is typically quite overgrown. 

Upper Sunshine Reservoir (Wyoming Game & Fish)

Near Cody

Upper Sunshine Reservoir is one of my favorite free campsites in northwest Wyoming.

It’s located roughly an hour south of Cody about 15 miles west of Meeteetse. It’s relatively close to Yellowstone National Park as the crow flies, but takes about two hours to reach the East Entrance since a roundabout driving route is required.

Although dispersed campsites can be found on both sides of the reservoir, the most popular are along the northwest flank, especially near the boat ramp along Upper Sunshine Reservoir Road.

Nearly the entire area is wide open with spacious spots to set up camp. This is a great spot for boondocking in RVs and trailers – the only catch is there’s a lack of level ground.

The gravel access road is relatively smooth. Expect nothing worse than minor to moderate washboarding. Any passenger vehicle can make the drive if you take it slow.

What I Like:

Beautiful views with plenty of room to spread out, including campsites on the lake. Great fishing close at hand. Large spots suitable for RVs and trailers.

What I Don’t Like:

Busy during the summer, especially on weekends. Luckily, it’s mostly day-use traffic, so things quiet down at night. Lots of mosquitos. Can be windy if you’re tent camping.

Other Free Campsites Nearby:

Lower Sunshine Reservoir, about a 6-mile drive away, also offers free dispersed camping right on the lakeshore.

Related Post: Free Camping Near Yellowstone National Park

Crazy Woman Canyon Road (Bighorn National Forest)

Near Buffalo

Crazy Woman Canyon is truly one of Wyoming’s hidden gems.

A somewhat popular scenic drive, Crazy Woman Canyon Road (Forest Road 33) winds roughly 13 miles through one of the prettiest canyons in the state.

Dispersed campsites are numerous here. Although most are little more than pull-outs just off the road, the trade-off is the awesome scenery. Many are located right on the North Fork Crazy Woman Creek itself.

Any passenger vehicles can make this drive in good weather (just take it slow). But, rocky overhangs and a lack of places to pull over to let others pass means this isn’t a good option for RVs or trailers.

If you’re arriving from the east via Buffalo, don’t be fooled by the initial stretch of road which looks like a dirt farm access road. You’re on the right track. Head towards the mountains and you’ll soon enter the canyon.

What I Like:

Incredibly scenic canyon drive. Very peaceful and remote atmosphere. Lots of dispersed campsites scattered along the road, many back right up to the creek itself.

What I Don’t Like:

Not much to complain about here. The road is quite busy during the daytime but things quiet down a lot at night. If you have an RV or trailer, you’ll unfortunately need to look elsewhere for camping.

Other Free Campsites Nearby:

The surrounding Bighorn National Forest is filled with additional dispersed camping opportunities. Start your search with Bellyache Flats (FR 24), Canyon Creek Road (FR 25), and Pole Creek Road (FR 31).

Sand Creek Public Access (Wyoming Game & Fish)

Near Devils Tower

For free camping near Devils Tower National Monument, Sand Creek Public Access is a great bet.

These free dispersed campsites are just a few miles south of I-90 near Beulah. They’re roughly an hour from Devils Tower and about the same to Rapid City (plus Sturgis is just 30 minutes away).

In addition to the great location, the campsites at Sand Creek are notable for their peaceful creekside atmosphere. During the week, this is a quiet, scenic spot to stay for the night (summer weekends tend to be busier and a bit rowdier).

Many of the campsites here back right up to Sand Creek. Most are relatively small but a handful are suitable for smaller RVs and trailers (say up to 24’ or so). The catch is that there isn’t much space to turn around once you turn off the county road onto one of the access roads.

There’s a lot of private property here. So, it’s important to make sure that you’re actually within the Wildlife Habitat Management Area before setting up camp. These GPS coordinates (44.515444, -104.097778) will lead you to the right spot.

What I Like:

Many campsites are on or near Sand Creek. Beautiful views of the canyon walls with lots of trees for shade. Fairly quiet during the week, but somewhat of a local party spot on weekends. Enough space for smaller RVs and trailers, but limited space to turn around if all the campsites are taken.

What I Don’t Like:

A lot of left-behind trash. Please clean up after yourself and pack out all your trash! If trash continues to be an issue, free campsites like this one are likely to close down.

Other Free Campsites Nearby:

I believe there are four places to camp along Sand Creek in this general area. However, the location linked above and below is by far the best of the four. Additional dispersed camping can be found in nearby Black Hills National Forest, both in Wyoming and South Dakota.

Related Post: The Best Free Dispersed Campsites in South Dakota

Ayres Natural Bridge Park (Converse County)

Near Douglas

Just 20 minutes east of Douglas is my favorite free campground in Wyoming.

Yes, that’s right – Ayres Natural Bridge Park is a free developed campground managed by Converse County.

It’s incredibly clean and well-maintained with stunningly beautiful scenery. The highlight of which is the titular natural bridge, a wide rock arch spanning LaPrele Creek.

There are just a handful of campsites here – 10 in total, if I remember correctly – but it’s typically never very busy, even on summer weekends.

A few campsites will accommodate RVs and trailers. There’s a 30-foot rig limit. However, I personally wouldn’t take anything that big here as the roads are very tight to navigate.

A very nice camp host lives on-site. All the campsites are first-come, first-served, but you’re required to check in and register with the host when you arrive.

I believe camping here is limited to three nights. The park welcomes campers from April 15 through October 1. This is a great spot for a picnic even if you don’t plan to camp when passing through Douglas on I-25.

What I Like:

Just a short drive south of I-25. Beautiful canyon scenery including the natural bridge. The creek is great for swimming and wading. Lots of hiking trails nearby. It feels very safe here thanks to the on-site camp host who locks the gate each night. Lots of grass for picnicking and tent camping.

What I Don’t Like:

No pets are allowed here. This is a bummer for dog lovers like me, but great for those who prefer dog-free camping. The camp host was hesitant to let me camp in the back of my truck but eventually relented, so those camping inside passenger vehicles should be aware of this. Lots of rattlesnakes live in the area.

Other Free Campsites Nearby:

Bixby Public Access Area is a good alternative to Ayres. It’s a small fishing access area on the North Platte River with a few places to set up camp. I believe you can camp here for free for up to 5 nights.

Sand Mesa Wildlife Habitat Management Area (Wyoming Game & Fish)

Near Riverton

Last but certainly not least on our list of the best dispersed campsites in Wyoming is Sand Mesa WHMA.

Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Boysen Reservoir and Boysen State Park, the most popular campsites here are situated around Lake Cameahwait, especially along its southern side.

These consist of a mix of true dispersed campsites (little more than pullouts near the lake) and a handful of sites with picnic tables – a couple even have shade/sun/wind shelters.

It’s a pretty rough and bumpy drive in to the lake, but any passenger vehicle should make it just fine. This is an okay spot for boondocking, although I wouldn’t bring in anything longer than about 26 feet.

What I Like:

Sand Mesa is uniquely beautiful. It’s wide open and desolate with long views of low mountains far in the distance. Almost every campsite here is just steps from the lake. It doesn’t usually get very busy, but there’s plenty of room to spread out if it does.

What I Don’t Like:

The mosquitos are horrible here. Lake Cameahwait is shallow and swampy. It’s also extremely hot in the summer with minimal shade aside from a couple shade shelters.

Other Free Campsites Nearby:

Camping is allowed throughout most of the rest of Sand Mesa WHMA, including near Ocean Lake, Middle Depression, and Sand Mesa Number 2 Reservoir.

However, the Wildlife Habitat Management Area consists of several oddly-shaped non-contiguous sections interspersed with private property. This interactive map of Sand Mesa is really helpful in understanding the WHMA’s boundaries.

How to Find Even More Free Camping in Wyoming

The 9 free campsites described above are far from the only places for dispersed camping in Wyoming. Here’s how to find even more:

• Apps – iOverlander, FreeRoam, and FreeCampsites.net are my favorite apps to find dispersed campsites in Wyoming (and everywhere else).

• Online Maps – Satellite view on Google Maps is great, but Gaia GPS lets you turn on USFS and BLM boundaries to make finding legal dispersed campsites even easier. Avenza Maps is also extremely helpful.

• Ranger Station – Stop by the nearest ranger station for current road conditions, recommended dispersed campsites, and other info. Many also sell cheap MVUMs (Motor Vehicle Use Maps).

Still, other options include blacktop boondocking (like at Walmart), casino camping, and stealth camping (I only do this in a pinch).

Related Post: The Best Apps to Find Free Campsites

Wyoming Dispersed Camping Rules and Regulations

Don’t go dispersed camping in Wyoming if you can’t respect our public lands.

Please, please, please always pick up and pack out all of your trash – this includes food waste, pet waste, and, yes, even your human waste.

Not familiar with going to the bathroom while camping?

Digging a cat hole and burying can cut it, but I strongly encourage you to use a WAG bag (basically like a doggy bag for humans) or a portable camp toilet.

Left-behind trash, scattered clumps of used toilet paper, and improperly disposed of human waste are among the most serious problems at popular dispersed camping areas in our national forests and BLM lands.

On top of this, please follow all campfire restrictions, respect stay limits (usually 14 days except at very popular areas), and try to camp in previously-used dispersed campsites whenever possible.

Read up on – and take to heart – the 7 Leave No Trace principles before you go dispersed camping in Wyoming.

Related Post: The Best Free Dispersed Campsites in Colorado

Let Me Know If You Have Any Questions

Still have questions about free dispersed camping in Wyoming?

Definitely don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help and happy to share other suggestions if the free campsites on my list above don’t cut it for your next trip.

More Help: jake@campnado.com