Southern Wyoming does not get the attention Yellowstone country or the Tetons do, and that works in your favor. The campgrounds near Laramie sit at 7,165 feet, where summer highs stay in the 70s, the Snowy Range rises 30 minutes west, and billion-year-old granite formations are a 20-minute drive east along I-80. You get alpine lakes, trout streams, rock climbing, and mountain biking without the reservation wars that plague Colorado and Montana.
Laramie also sits right on the I-80 corridor, which makes it one of the most accessible camping stops in Wyoming for cross-country travelers. The options run the full range, from full-hookup RV campgrounds to primitive forest sites where the nearest person is a mile away. This guide compares the best campgrounds near Laramie and helps you pick the right fit. The featured park is Laramie RV Resort by RJourney, the full-service anchor along the corridor.
Alternative Campgrounds Near Laramie, WY
Laramie RV Resort covers the full-service end of the spectrum. The surrounding area offers three distinct alternatives, each with a different character and camping style.
Vedauwoo Recreation Area
20 miles east along I-80, Vedauwoo sits among massive Sherman granite formations roughly 1.4 billion years old. Climbers come from across the country for the crack climbing and bouldering, but you do not need to climb to appreciate it: hiking trails wind through the formations under genuinely dark skies. The campground is managed by Medicine Bow National Forest, with basic sites, vault toilets, no hookups, and no showers. Pack in water, pack out trash. It fills on summer weekends, so arrive Friday morning or plan a midweek trip.
Curt Gowdy State Park
25 miles east toward Cheyenne, Curt Gowdy occupies the foothills where the Laramie Range meets the Great Plains. Three reservoirs (Granite, Crystal, and North Crow) are stocked with trout and provide the central draw, and the park has earned IMBA recognition for its mountain biking. Some sites offer electric hookups, but most are tent-oriented with no water or sewer. A Wyoming day-use or camping permit is required, and sites book fast on summer holiday weekends.
Medicine Bow National Forest Dispersed Camping
30-plus miles west along Highway 130, the national forest covers over a million acres and allows dispersed camping along forest roads: no fees, no reservations, no hookups, no services. Find a flat spot, set up, and the nearest human could be a mile away. Popular areas include the Rob Roy Reservoir road and forest roads toward Centennial. Be fully self-contained and follow Leave No Trace; cell service is spotty to nonexistent. Best from June through September when roads are reliably passable.
Explore More Nearby
More RV parks and campgrounds near you:
- Camping Near Laramie, WY
- Best RV Parks Near Cheyenne, WY
- Best Campgrounds Near Pine Bluffs, WY
- Best RV Parks Near Pine Bluffs, WY
- Best RV Parks Near Laramie, WY
Laramie RV Resort by RJourney
Laramie RV Resort is the only campground along the I-80 corridor near Laramie that combines full hookups, a 24/7 laundry, a fenced dog park, and direct walking access to the Laramie River Greenbelt. It sits at 1271 W. Baker St., just off I-80 at Exit 310, next to the Laramie River, with the Greenbelt trail running across the street so morning walks start from your campsite. The Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site is a 5-minute drive, and a Pilot truck stop sits next door for fuel without detouring through town. Most travelers searching for a campground near Laramie want real amenities, not a rough-it experience, and this park fills that gap with full-hookup RV sites, designated tent sites, rustic cabins, and clean 24-hour facilities. The guest mix is practical: blue-collar workers passing through, cross-country movers, and University of Wyoming and WyoTech students.
Sites & Hookups
Every RV site comes with full hookups: water, sewer, and 20/30/50-amp electric. Pull-through sites at the front of the park tend to be the most spacious, with concrete pads and room for larger rigs, and deluxe sites add patio furniture and fire pits. Back-in sites are in the mix. Tent sites come with fire rings and picnic tables plus access to every shared amenity: 24-hour code-protected restrooms and hot showers, laundry, a playground, a game room, and free WiFi. That combination of outdoor camping with indoor backup makes it practical for families, solo travelers, and anyone not committing to a fully rustic experience. A free dump station is on-site for guests; non-guests can use it for $10. Each site allows two vehicles, with additional vehicles parked free in the overflow lot. Nightly rates start at $40.
What's On-Site
Laramie RV Resort offers a solid set of amenities for an I-80 corridor stop. The laundry facility is coin-operated and open 24/7, with multiple recently updated washers and dryers; bring quarters, no change machine on site. Restrooms and showers are open 24 hours with code-protected access. A fitness center and game room give guests something indoors when the wind picks up. The dog park is fenced and off-leash. There is a playground for kids, a convenience store, and propane sales on-site. Most sites include fire rings and picnic tables. Free WiFi covers the property; speed and reliability vary by location in the park. Mail and package receiving are supported with proper addressing, useful for long-term guests. The park runs seasonal events through the year: Easter, Mother’s and Father’s Day cookouts, Memorial Day and Independence Day festivities, a Summer Blowout, Labor Day events, and a Fall Fest.
What Guests Say
3.3 stars across 284 Google reviews. What works: location is what guests cite first, easy I-80 access, fuel and food next door, the Greenbelt trail across the street. The 24/7 laundry gets repeat positive mentions; clean bathrooms with 24-hour access do too. The dog park earns its keep, and long-term residents describe a steady community. Pull-through deluxe sites at the front of the park draw the strongest comments for size, level pads, and hookup placement. What guests flag: rear sites are not equal to the deluxe sites up front, so request a deluxe or pull-through at booking. Some guests note I-80 highway noise; others say it quiets down during posted quiet hours (10 PM to 8 AM). Office hours are limited and Sunday and Monday closures mean after-hours arrivals use the self-check-in process. WiFi works for basic browsing but streaming can be inconsistent. Regulars come back for Jubilee Days, Frontier Days week, and UW football weekends.
Other Campgrounds Near Laramie, WY
Laramie RV Resort handles the full-service side of camping near Laramie. A few public campgrounds in the surrounding mountains and foothills serve campers who want a more primitive setting. Availability and permits change, so check ahead before making plans.
Vedauwoo Campground (Medicine Bow National Forest)
Basic Forest Service campsites set among giant Sherman granite formations, world-renowned for crack climbing and bouldering. No hookups or showers, and you pack in water and pack out trash. The setting and dark skies are the payoff. Fills on summer weekends, so arrive early or camp midweek. Visit website.
Curt Gowdy State Park
Campsites across three trout-stocked reservoirs (Granite, Crystal, and North Crow) at the foot of the Laramie Range, with IMBA-recognized mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, and kayaking. Mostly tent sites with a handful of electric hookups. Reserve through Wyoming State Parks; holiday weekends fill fast. Visit website.
Things to Do Near Laramie Campgrounds
The Laramie River runs through town with public access points for trout fishing. Lake Hattie, about 20 miles southwest, offers reservoir fishing. Up in the Snowy Range, alpine lakes like Mirror Lake, Lake Marie, and Silver Lake produce brook and rainbow trout from ice-out through September. Curt Gowdy’s three reservoirs add more stocked trout water within 30 minutes. A Wyoming fishing license is required, available online through Wyoming Game and Fish or at sporting goods stores in town.
The Snowy Range Scenic Byway (Highway 130) starts at Centennial about 30 minutes west and climbs through Medicine Bow National Forest above 10,800 feet, typically open late May through mid-October. A short trail from the Sugarloaf Recreation Area parking lot reaches Lake Marie, a turquoise alpine lake backed by Medicine Bow Peak (12,013 feet). Even if you are not staying at Vedauwoo, the 20-minute drive east is worth it for crack climbing, bouldering, hiking, and scrambling on Sherman granite.
Laramie’s downtown along 2nd and 3rd Streets has local restaurants, breweries (Laramie Brewing Company and Altitude Chophouse and Brewery), coffee shops, and retail. The Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, a restored 1870s federal prison that once held Butch Cassidy, is a 5-minute drive from the resort. The University of Wyoming campus is worth a visit: the Geological Museum has a full Apatosaurus skeleton and the UW Art Museum holds a respected collection, both free.
Seasonal Guide for Campgrounds Near Laramie
Summer (June through August)
Peak season. Daytime highs in the low 70s to mid-80s, nights dropping into the 40s and 50s. At 7,165 feet, Laramie stays comfortable when lower-elevation campgrounds are baking. The Snowy Range Byway is open, alpine lakes are accessible, and fishing is in full swing. All four campground options are operational; Vedauwoo and Curt Gowdy fill on weekends. Book 2 to 4 weeks ahead for summer weekends at Laramie RV Resort.
Fall (September through October)
Aspens turn gold across the Snowy Range through September and crowds thin. Hunting season opens in stages, and Laramie serves as a base camp for elk, mule deer, and pronghorn hunters; UW football home games drive weekend demand. Overnight lows hit the 20s by late October, and the Snowy Range Byway typically closes by mid-October. Vedauwoo and some Curt Gowdy loops close; Laramie RV Resort stays open.
Winter (November through March)
Winter camping near Laramie is for prepared rigs only. Temperatures regularly drop below zero, and I-80 closures from blowing snow happen multiple times each season. Laramie RV Resort operates year-round with monthly rates of $575/month October through May; you will need a heated water hose, insulated sewer connections, and a rig rated for sustained cold. Vedauwoo and Curt Gowdy campgrounds close. Cross-country skiing at Happy Jack and snowshoeing in the Snowy Range are the main draws.
Spring (April through May)
Unpredictable weather; snow can linger into May at higher elevations. Lower trails and the Greenbelt are accessible, and wildflowers start appearing by late May. UW graduation in May fills local campgrounds. This is also the windiest stretch of the year, so stake tents thoroughly and secure all gear.
Practical Tips for Camping Near Laramie
Laramie sits at 7,165 feet. Give yourself a day to acclimate before strenuous hiking if you are arriving from lower elevations. Generators, camp stoves, and some appliances run differently at altitude. Drink extra water.
Laramie is one of the windiest cities in Wyoming. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph are common, especially in spring and winter. Secure awnings, stake tents with extra guylines, and do not leave gear unsecured outside.
A Pilot truck stop sits right next to Laramie RV Resort, and gas stations are within walking distance and at both I-80 exits. Top off before heading into the national forest or up the Snowy Range.
Walmart Supercenter and Ridley's Family Markets are both in town, 5 to 10 minutes from the resort.
T-Mobile and Verizon work well in Laramie proper; AT&T is spottier. All carriers fade in the national forest or up the Snowy Range. Download offline maps before heading out.
The laundry facility at Laramie RV Resort is coin-operated with no change machine on site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Laramie, WY?
Laramie RV Resort by RJourney is the only full-service campground in the immediate area, with full hookups, 50-amp service, pull-through sites, cabins, a dog park, and 24-hour showers. Vedauwoo Recreation Area (20 miles east) offers primitive camping among dramatic granite formations. Curt Gowdy State Park (25 miles east) provides sites near three stocked reservoirs with some electric hookups. Medicine Bow National Forest allows free dispersed camping for self-contained campers.
Are there RV campgrounds in Wyoming along I-80?
Yes. Laramie RV Resort by RJourney sits just off I-80 at Exit 310 in Laramie. It offers full hookups (water, sewer, electric) with 20-amp, 30-amp, and 50-amp service, pull-through sites for large rigs, and amenities including 24/7 laundry, 24-hour showers, and a convenience store. It is one of the few full-service RV campgrounds along the I-80 corridor in southern Wyoming.
How much do campgrounds near Laramie cost per night?
Rates vary by type. Laramie RV Resort starts at $40/night for full-hookup and tent sites. Vedauwoo runs $10 to $15/night for primitive sites. Curt Gowdy State Park charges $17 to $30/night depending on site type. Dispersed camping in Medicine Bow National Forest is free. Extended-stay rates at Laramie RV Resort are $575/month winter and $800/month summer.
Can I camp near Laramie in winter?
Laramie RV Resort operates year-round. Winter camping requires a rig rated for sustained cold, plus a heated water hose and insulated sewer connections. Temperatures regularly drop below zero, and I-80 closures from high winds happen multiple times each season. Vedauwoo and Curt Gowdy close for winter. Monthly rates at Laramie RV Resort drop to $575/month from October through May.
Do campgrounds near Laramie allow dogs?
Laramie RV Resort welcomes pets on RV and tent sites at no extra charge (2-pet max, leash required) and has a fenced, off-leash dog park. Pet-friendly cabins carry a $10 fee. Vedauwoo and Curt Gowdy State Park allow leashed dogs. Medicine Bow National Forest dispersed camping has no pet restrictions, though dogs should stay under control in wildlife areas.
Book Your Campground Near Laramie
Laramie RV Resort by RJourney is the only full-service campground in the Laramie area, with full hookups, pull-through sites, cabins, a 24/7 laundry, and a fenced dog park, all off I-80 at Exit 310. From there, Vedauwoo is 20 minutes east, Curt Gowdy is 25 minutes toward Cheyenne, and the Snowy Range is 30 minutes west. Camp at a developed site with hot showers and a dog park, then spend your days in alpine country most travelers drive right past.
See all site types, rates, and live availability on the Laramie RV Resort page.
Check Availability (719) 623-1677