Cheyenne sits where I-80 and I-25 cross in southeast Wyoming. It’s the state capital, the largest city in Wyoming (population around 65,000), and one of the most practical camping base camps between Denver and Yellowstone. From here, Medicine Bow National Forest starts about 30 miles west. Vedauwoo, one of the best rock climbing destinations in the Rockies, is a 25-minute drive. Curt Gowdy State Park is even closer.
Then there’s Frontier Days. **July 17 through 26, 2026**, Cheyenne hosts the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration. 10 days of bull riding, barrel racing, chuck wagon cookoffs, concerts, and parades that draw over 200,000 visitors. Locals just call it CFD. If you’re camping near Cheyenne during CFD, book early. Months early.
The rest of the year, Cheyenne offers something rarer: easy access to wide-open Wyoming without the crowds or prices you’ll find at the national parks farther north. The camping options range from RV resorts with pools and mini golf to backcountry Forest Service sites where your nearest neighbor is a mule deer.
Things to Do Near Cheyenne
Cheyenne Frontier Days
Late July. 10 days. The world’s largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration, running since 1897. Professional bull riding, team roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and a nightly concert series that books major acts. The Indian Village celebrates Native American culture with dancing, art, and food. The Old West Museum on the Frontier Park grounds is open year-round and houses one of the best collections of western memorabilia and horse-drawn carriages in the country. Even if you miss Frontier Days, the museum is worth a stop.
Vedauwoo Recreation Area
25 minutes west via I-80. Massive Sherman granite formations rise out of the Medicine Bow forest like they were stacked by hand. Vedauwoo is known worldwide for crack climbing and bouldering, but you don’t have to be a climber to enjoy it. The Turtle Rock Trail (1.5 miles) loops through the boulders and works for families. Box Canyon Trail and Reynolds Hill Trail offer longer routes with bigger views. Picnic areas sit among the rocks, and the whole place feels like another planet.
Medicine Bow National Forest
The eastern edge of the forest starts about 30 miles west of Cheyenne and stretches across the Laramie and Snowy Ranges. Hiking, fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and backcountry camping across hundreds of thousands of acres. The Snowy Range Scenic Byway (Highway 130) crosses the Medicine Bow Mountains at over 10,800 feet and opens roughly late May through mid-October. Lakes above treeline, wildflower meadows, and views that reach into Colorado make this one of Wyoming’s best drives.
Curt Gowdy State Park
Fishing is the main draw. Granite Springs Reservoir and Crystal Reservoir hold rainbow trout, brown trout, and kokanee salmon. Shore fishing and boat fishing both produce. The mountain biking trail system covers over 35 miles and has earned an IMBA Silver designation. Archery ranges are open to the public. In winter, cross-country skiing and ice fishing take over.
Cheyenne Botanic Gardens
A free community conservatory downtown. The Paul Smith Children’s Village has interactive gardens and a labyrinth. Small but well maintained, and a good break from highway driving.
Downtown Cheyenne and the Depot
The historic depot district has restaurants, breweries, and shops within a few walkable blocks. Freedom’s Edge Brewing Company and Accomplice Beer Company both serve local craft beer. The Wyoming State Capitol building, completed in 1890, is open for free tours. The Cheyenne Depot Museum in the restored Union Pacific depot covers the city’s railroad history. The Train Depot plaza area is worth an afternoon of walking and shopping, especially if you combine it with lunch at one of the downtown restaurants.
Cheyenne RV Resort
Full hookup RV sites with pull-through access at Cheyenne RV Resort in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Cheyenne RV Resort sits just off I-80 at Exit 367 on the east side of Cheyenne, Wyoming’s capital and the largest city between Denver and the Rockies. You’re 5 minutes from the highway and 10 minutes from downtown. Camping World is next door; Maverik is within walking distance; Holliday Park is a short drive away.
The resort is managed by Advanced Outdoor Management and owned by RJourney (UBS ownership group). Sara Mertens is the general manager. The park operates year-round and serves a steady mix of workforce travelers (traveling nurses, contractors on long assignments), families, and road-trippers breaking up the I-80 corridor between Omaha and Salt Lake City.
July brings Cheyenne Frontier Days — the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, 10 days of bull riding, concerts, and parades that draw 200,000+ visitors. The resort fills months ahead for CFD week. Outside of that surge, availability is reasonable with a few days’ notice, and monthly rates make the park practical for extended stays.
Nightly rates start at $29.10 (VERIFY before publish — sourced from Jan 2026 park-data export). Monthly rates start at $550/month. The park includes full-hookup RV sites with 30/50 amp service, tent sites, and cabins for guests traveling without a rig.
"Our team's the reason people come back. Clean environment and friendly staff, that's what regulars mention most." — Sara Mertens, General Manager
Every RV site comes with full hookups: water, sewer, and 30/50-amp electric. Pull-through sites handle big rigs without the headache of backing in; back-in sites are in the mix. Tent sites are available (sites T01–T11, with water and electric hookups — tent sites here are NOT dry-camping-only). Cabins work for visitors who want a bed, walls, and a roof without bringing their own.
A dump station and propane fill station are on-site. Every site has a picnic table and fire access per site standards — confirm fire ring counts with Sara.
Triple-towing is not allowed; towed vehicles must be unhooked and parked in overflow ($10 fee per additional vehicle). Overflow parking is available at the building, playground, and pavilion lot.
What's On-Site
Cheyenne RV Resort packs more on-site amenities than most campgrounds in the area. A swimming pool, mini golf course, basketball court, playground, dog park, and pavilion live on the property. Banana bikes are available to rent. Firewood sales and propane fills are handled at the office/store. WiFi covers the park. ADA-accessible facilities are on-site.
The dog park is one of the most popular amenities per staff, and guests regularly mention it alongside the pool as the reason they chose to stay. The mini golf course and playground keep kids busy during downtime. After a day hiking at Vedauwoo or exploring downtown Cheyenne, the pool and a lounge chair reliably earn their keep in summer.
T-Joe’s Steakhouse, local to Cheyenne, offers guests of the resort a 10% discount on meals (confirm current before evergreen use).
Swimming Pool
Heated Pool
WiFi
ADA Accessible
Dog Park
Playground
Mini Golf
Propane
Picnic Tables
Basketball
Horseshoes
Clubhouse
What Guests Say
4.2 stars across 757 Google reviews.
The themes that come up most often: cleanliness (232 mentions), staff (157), bathhouse (140). The ones guests flag when something’s off: pet policy questions, bathhouse complaints on specific visits, the occasional check-in snag. Roughly a dozen mentions each, out of 757. That ratio is the story.
Repeat guests come back for the consistency. Same well-kept sites. Same team at the office. Same pool routine summer after summer. A good share of the park fills with workforce travelers, traveling nurses and contractors on long assignments, and what they bring up is staff who remember their names by the second stay.
Other Campgrounds Near Cheyenne
Curt Gowdy State Park
25 miles west of Cheyenne Electric only (some sites)
About 25 miles west of Cheyenne on Highway 210 (Happy Jack Road). Curt Gowdy sits between Cheyenne and Laramie at roughly 7,200 feet, spread across 3 reservoirs: Granite Springs, Crystal, and North Crow. The park has over 200 campsites, including electric hookup sites and basic tent sites. No water hookups or sewer. Mountain biking trails, fishing, archery ranges, and boating make this a solid option for visitors who want a more rugged setting close to town. No showers on-site. Reserve through Wyoming State Parks.
~$17–25/night (state park)
Best for: Mountain biking, reservoir fishing, rugged setting
Terry Bison Ranch
7 miles south of Cheyenne Full hookups
7 miles south of Cheyenne off I-25. A working bison ranch that also operates RV sites, tent camping, and cabins. Full hookup RV sites available. The novelty here is the bison herd. You can take a train ride through the pastures and see them up close. Restaurant on-site. It’s a unique stop, especially for families.
Varies
Best for: Novelty (working bison ranch), families
Vedauwoo Campground (USFS)
30 miles west of Cheyenne, WY None (vault toilets)
About 30 miles west of Cheyenne along I-80, then a short drive south. A Forest Service campground at 8,400 feet among massive Sherman granite formations. 28 sites, vault toilets, no hookups, no showers. What Vedauwoo lacks in amenities, it makes up for in scenery. The boulder fields are otherworldly. Rock climbers come from across the country for the crack climbing and bouldering. If you just want to sit at your campsite and look at something spectacular, Vedauwoo delivers.
~$20/night (Forest Service)
Best for: Rock climbers, bouldering, dry camping, scenery
Camping Season Guide for Cheyenne, Wyoming
Spring (April to May)
Highs climb from the upper 40s into the 60s. Wind is the defining feature of spring in Cheyenne. Gusts over 40 mph are common, and sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph can last for days. Tent campers should stake down hard and bring wind-rated gear. RV campers have it easier. Snow is still possible through mid-May. The upside: campgrounds are wide open, rates are lower, and the foothills are green.
60s
avg high
Summer (June to August)
Peak season. Highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s. Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent, usually building after noon and clearing by evening. Frontier Days in late July fills every campground within 50 miles. Book months ahead if you’re visiting during the festival. Outside of Frontier Days week, availability is usually reasonable with a few days’ notice. Mornings are cool and pleasant, perfect for hiking at Vedauwoo or fishing at Curt Gowdy before the afternoon heat and storms.
80s
avg high
Fall (September to October)
Excellent camping weather. Highs in the 60s and 70s in September, dropping into the 50s by late October. Cool nights in the 30s and 40s. The crowds thin out after Labor Day. Aspens turn gold in the mountains west of Cheyenne, especially along the Happy Jack Road corridor. The fishing stays good. Wind picks back up in October, but the days are crisp and clear.
60s
avg high
Winter (November to March)
Cold. Highs in the 30s and 40s, with nighttime lows that regularly dip below zero. Wind chill makes it feel colder. Snow is lighter than you’d expect (Cheyenne averages about 60 inches per year), but it drifts hard in the wind. Most tent campgrounds close. RV camping is possible at Cheyenne RV Resort for monthly guests and hardy travelers. The trade-off: clear winter skies, empty trails, and the Snowy Range covered in white.
30s
avg high
Practical Tips for Camping Near Cheyenne
Altitude:
Cheyenne sits at 6,062 feet. If you're arriving from lower elevations, you may notice the altitude on hikes, especially at Vedauwoo (8,400 feet) or in the Snowy Range (above 10,000 feet). Drink plenty of water and take it easy on day 1.
Wind:
Cheyenne is one of the windiest cities in the United States. Average wind speed is about 13 mph, and spring gusts regularly exceed 50 mph. Secure awnings on your RV. Stake tents thoroughly. Keep camp chairs weighted or stored.
Weather swings:
It's not unusual for Cheyenne to see a 40-degree temperature swing in a single day. Layers are essential. A warm morning can turn into a cold, windy afternoon with almost no warning.
Frontier Days planning:
If you're camping near Cheyenne during Frontier Days (late July), reserve your site as early as possible. Campgrounds, hotels, and even Walmart parking lots fill up. Arrive at the grounds early to avoid parking headaches.
Groceries and supplies:
Walmart is 7 minutes from the park. Cheyenne has all the typical chain stores along Dell Range Boulevard and Yellowstone Road. Stock up before heading west to the national forest or Vedauwoo, where services disappear quickly.
RV supplies:
Camping World sits right next to the resort. If something breaks or you need a part, you can walk over.
Highway noise:
The park is close to I-80, and some sites pick up road noise. Light sleepers should request sites toward the back of the property or bring earplugs.
I-80 travelers:
Cheyenne RV Resort is a natural overnight stop on the I-80 corridor between Omaha and Salt Lake City. Exit 367 is right there. Pull in, hook up, swim, and get back on the road in the morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Cheyenne RV Resort from downtown Cheyenne?
About 10 minutes. The resort is on the east side of Cheyenne off I-80 at Exit 367. Downtown, the state capitol, restaurants, and breweries are a short drive west on Lincolnway.
What types of camping are available at Cheyenne RV Resort?
Full hookup RV sites (30/50 amp, pull-through available), tent sites, and cabins. The cabins come equipped with basic furnishings; call (303) 228-6894 for specifics on what’s included. Nightly rates start at $29.10, with monthly rates at $550 for extended stays.
Is Cheyenne RV Resort pet-friendly?
Yes. The resort has an on-site dog park with room to run. Pets are welcome at RV and tent sites. Check with the office for specific cabin pet policies.
When is the best time to camp near Cheyenne, WY?
June through September offers the best weather for camping. September is the sweet spot: warm days, cool nights, fewer crowds, and fall color in the mountains. Cheyenne Frontier Days runs July 17 through 26, 2026, which is an unforgettable experience but requires early reservations.
How far is Vedauwoo from Cheyenne?
About 30 miles west via I-80 (roughly 25 minutes). Take Exit 329, then drive south about a mile to the recreation area. The granite formations are visible from the highway.
Does Cheyenne RV Resort have a pool?
Yes. The swimming pool is open seasonally and is a popular spot after a day of exploring. The resort also has a mini golf course, basketball court, playground, and dog park.
Book Your Campsite Near Cheyenne
Cheyenne RV Resort by RJourney puts you right off I-80 with full hookups, a pool, mini golf, a dog park, and cabins if you want them. Vedauwoo is 25 minutes west. Frontier Days is 10 minutes away. The whole eastern slope of the Medicine Bow range opens up from here. Rates start at $29.10/night.
