Hiking around Laramie sorts into 3 tiers, all within about an hour. In town, the Greenbelt trail follows the Laramie River on an easy, flat path you can walk before the coffee finishes. Twenty minutes east, Vedauwoo’s Sherman granite formations stack family-friendly loops next to world-renowned crack climbing. And 30 minutes west, Highway 130 climbs into the Snowy Range, where a short trail from the Sugarloaf Recreation Area parking lot reaches Lake Marie under the 12,013-foot face of Medicine Bow Peak.
The catch is elevation and season. Laramie itself sits at 7,165 feet, the high country runs above 10,800, and the Snowy Range Scenic Byway typically opens late May through mid-October. This guide sorts the trails by effort and drive time, covers what altitude does to a hiking day, and sets up the base camp question: Laramie RV Resort puts the Greenbelt trailhead within walking distance and everything else within an easy drive of a full-hookup site.
The Trails, Sorted by Drive Time
Greenbelt River Trail: Walk From the Park
The Laramie River Greenbelt starts across the street from Laramie RV Resort, a flat riverside path for walking and biking with no driving required. It’s the easy tier: morning miles, dog walks, and a leg stretch after a day in the truck, with the river alongside the whole way.
Vedauwoo: 20 Minutes East
Off I-80 at Exit 329, Vedauwoo Recreation Area piles up Sherman granite into formations that draw climbers from around the world for crack climbing and bouldering. Non-climbers get family-friendly hikes winding among the rocks, and the dark skies reward anyone who lingers past dusk. Facilities are basic, so carry water and pack out what you bring.
Curt Gowdy State Park: 25 Miles East
Set at the foot of the Laramie Range around 3 trout-stocked reservoirs, Curt Gowdy carries a trail system with IMBA-recognized mountain biking that doubles as solid hiking country. Granite, water views, and Wyoming State Parks day-use fees apply; it splits the distance between Laramie and Cheyenne.
Snowy Range: The Alpine Tier
The Snowy Range Scenic Byway begins about 30 minutes west of town and climbs through Medicine Bow National Forest to above 10,800 feet. The short trail from the Sugarloaf Recreation Area parking lot to Lake Marie is the postcard walk, a turquoise alpine lake backed by 12,013-foot Medicine Bow Peak, with alpine lakes like Mirror Lake and Silver Lake nearby. The byway typically runs late May through mid-October.
Hiking at Altitude: What 7,165 Feet Asks of You
Every hike here starts higher than most mountain towns top out. The valley floor sits at 7,165 feet and the Snowy Range trails run above 10,800, so flatland lungs should expect a slower pace, more water, and a day or 2 of acclimating before the big walks. Weather moves fast on the high plains: a single day can swing 40 degrees, spring winds run 30 to 40 mph, and high-country afternoons turn stormy in summer, so start alpine hikes in the morning and carry layers no matter what the forecast promises.
Season is the other gatekeeper. The Greenbelt and Vedauwoo stay reachable most of the year, while the Snowy Range byway typically opens late May and closes by mid-October, with snow holding the high trails on either end. Build the itinerary low-to-high: river trail first, granite second, alpine lakes when the legs and the lungs agree.
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Laramie RV Resort by RJourney
Laramie RV Resort sits at 1271 W. Baker St., right off I-80 at Exit 310 in southeastern Wyoming. Every RV site comes with full hookups: water, sewer, and 20/30/50-amp electric, so you connect everything at the pad. Pull-through sites at the front of the park have concrete pads and room for larger rigs; deluxe sites add patio furniture and fire pits. A free dump station is on-site for guests. Laramie runs at 7,165 feet, a college town anchored by the University of Wyoming, and the park is one of the few full-service RV stops along the I-80 corridor between Cheyenne and Rawlins. The guest mix is practical: blue-collar workers and contractors moving across country, UW and WyoTech students, nurses on assignment, and travelers crossing Wyoming on I-80. A Pilot truck stop sits next door for fuel without detouring through town, and the Laramie River Greenbelt trail starts within walking distance. Nightly rates start at $40, with monthly rates at $575 (winter) and $800 (summer).
Sites & Hookups
Every RV site at Laramie RV Resort comes with full hookups: water, sewer, and 20/30/50-amp electric. The 20/30/50-amp range covers everything from a small trailer to a big-rig Class A running two air conditioners, which matters at 7,165 feet where temperature swings are real. Pull-through sites at the front of the park tend to be the most spacious, with concrete pads that stay level and stable, and room for larger rigs. Deluxe sites add patio furniture and fire pits. Back-in sites are also in the mix.
A free dump station is on-site for guests, though with full hookups at the pad most guests will not need it during a stay; non-guests can use it for $10. Tent sites and rustic cabins round out the lodging for travelers without a rig. Each site allows two vehicles, with additional vehicles parked in the overflow lot at no charge for guests. A practical note from frequent visitors: if you need a heated water hose in cold weather, bring an extension cord, since the electrical outlets and water spigots are not always side by side and you may want about 20 feet between them.
What's On-Site
Beyond the full hookups, 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, as there is no change machine on site. Restrooms and showers are open 24 hours with code-protected access. A fitness center and game room give guests somewhere to go when the wind picks up. The dog park is fenced and off-leash, and 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, with speed and reliability that vary by location in the park. Mail and package receiving are supported with proper addressing, useful for long-term guests on full-hookup monthly sites. The park also runs seasonal events through the year, from holiday cookouts to a Summer Blowout and Fall Fest.
What Guests Say
3.3 stars across 233 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 pull-through deluxe sites at the front of the park draw the strongest comments for size, level concrete pads, and hookup placement, which is the relevant signal for anyone booking a full-hookup site. The 24/7 laundry gets repeat positive mentions, clean bathrooms with 24-hour access do too, and the dog park earns its keep. What guests flag, to be straight about it: 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.
Other RV Parks and Campgrounds Near Laramie, WY
<p>If trails are the whole agenda, the public campgrounds put you closer to the granite and the alpine lakes, at the cost of every hookup. Here’s how they compare as hiking bases.</p>
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, and kayaking. A handful of electric-only sites, no water or sewer at the site, and a dump station on-site, so it suits a self-contained rig rather than a full-hookup stay. Big rigs should check site dimensions before booking. Reserve through Wyoming State Parks. Visit website.
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, no showers, and no dump station, so treat it as a self-contained dry-camping weekend rather than a full-hookup base. The setting and dark skies are the payoff. Visit website.
Things to Do from Your Full-Hookup Base in Laramie
With your rig set on full hookups, the Laramie area is quietly productive fishing country for day trips. The Laramie River runs through town with public access points, and the Greenbelt trail starts across the street from the resort. Lake Hattie, about 20 miles southwest, offers reservoir trout fishing. Up in the Snowy Range, alpine lakes like Mirror Lake and Silver Lake produce brook and rainbow trout from ice-out through September. A Wyoming fishing license is required and can be purchased online through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department or at sporting goods stores in town.
The Snowy Range Scenic Byway (Highway 130) begins about 30 minutes west of Laramie and climbs through Medicine Bow National Forest to above 10,800 feet, typically open late May through mid-October. A short trail from the Sugarloaf Recreation Area parking lot leads to Lake Marie, a turquoise alpine lake backed by Medicine Bow Peak (12,013 feet). Vedauwoo Recreation Area, 20 minutes east, is world-renowned for crack climbing and bouldering among Sherman granite, with family-friendly hikes for non-climbers.
Downtown Laramie runs along 2nd and 3rd Streets with local restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, and retail, a 10-minute drive from the resort. The Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, a restored 1870s federal prison that once held Butch Cassidy, is a 5-minute drive. The University of Wyoming campus is worth a visit too: the Geological Museum has a full Apatosaurus skeleton and the UW Art Museum holds a respected collection, both free to visit. Cheyenne is about 50 minutes east on I-80.
Seasonal Guide for Full-Hookup RV Travelers in Laramie
Summer (June through August)
Peak season and the easiest stretch for a full-hookup stay. Daytime highs in the low 70s to mid-80s with cool nights, so 50-amp service runs your climate control comfortably without strain. The park is busier, so book 2 to 4 weeks ahead for weekends, and request a front-of-park concrete pull-through for the best full-hookup setup.
Fall (September through October)
A strong shoulder season. Crowds thin, the park quiets, and aspens turn gold across the Snowy Range. Overnight lows drop into the 20s by late October, so a full-hookup site with 50-amp heat keeps things comfortable. Easier availability makes it simpler to land a front-of-park concrete pad.
Winter (November through March)
The park operates year-round, and full hookups matter most here. Temperatures regularly drop below zero, so a winter stay rewards a winterized rig with a heated water hose on the full-hookup water line. Monthly rates drop to $575/month October through May for workforce travelers and students. Skirting and heat management matter at 7,165 feet, and I-80 closures from blowing snow happen multiple times each season.
Spring (April through May)
Variable weather and the windiest stretch of the year, with sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph common. Secure your awning and any gear. The concrete pads stay solid through the spring thaw when gravel sites soften, one more reason to request a front-of-park pull-through. UW graduation in May fills local lodging, so book ahead if your stay overlaps.
Practical Tips for Full-Hookup RV Travelers in Laramie
The deluxe concrete pull-throughs at the front draw the strongest reviews for size, level pads, and hookup placement. For a full-hookup stay, that is the site to ask for at booking; rear sites are not equal.
A practical note from frequent guests: the outlet and water spigot are not always side by side, so bring an extension cord and plan for about 20 feet of reach to keep a heated water hose running in winter.
Mountain weather moves in by afternoon and the Snowy Range trails top 10,800 feet. Reach trailheads in the morning, carry layers and water, and expect wind any month of the year.
Laramie sits at 7,165 feet, and spring winds run 30 to 40 mph. Full hookups handle the climate swings, but secure your awning and skirt the rig for cold-weather stays.
A Pilot truck stop sits next to the resort, so you can fill up without detouring through town before heading west into the mountains, where services thin out fast.
Office hours are limited and the office is closed Sunday and Monday, so after-hours arrivals use the self-check-in process. Confirm your arrival window and check-in instructions ahead of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best hiking trails near Laramie, WY?
Three tiers cover it: the flat Laramie River Greenbelt trail in town, the family-friendly loops among the granite at Vedauwoo 20 minutes east, and the alpine trails off the Snowy Range Scenic Byway about 30 minutes west, headlined by the short walk to Lake Marie under Medicine Bow Peak. Curt Gowdy State Park adds reservoir trails 25 miles east.
How do I get to Lake Marie in the Snowy Range?
Take Highway 130 west from Laramie; the Snowy Range Scenic Byway begins about 30 minutes out and climbs above 10,800 feet. A short trail from the Sugarloaf Recreation Area parking lot leads to Lake Marie, backed by 12,013-foot Medicine Bow Peak. The byway typically opens late May through mid-October, so check road status outside summer.
Is Vedauwoo good for hiking if I don't climb?
Yes. The Sherman granite formations 20 minutes east of Laramie via I-80 Exit 329 are world-renowned for crack climbing, but family-friendly hikes wind among the rocks for everyone else. Facilities are basic and the skies turn properly dark after sunset, so carry water and stay for dusk if you can.
Can I hike near Laramie RV Resort without driving?
Yes. The Laramie River Greenbelt trail starts across the street from the resort, a flat riverside path for walking and biking. It works as the daily-miles trail while you save Vedauwoo, Curt Gowdy, and the Snowy Range for drive days, and the park’s full-hookup sites make the recovery end easy.
When is hiking season in the Snowy Range?
The Snowy Range Scenic Byway typically runs late May through mid-October, and snow controls the high trails on either side of that window. The Greenbelt trail and Vedauwoo sit lower and stay reachable much longer. In any season, expect wind and pack layers; spring gusts run 30 to 40 mph.
What should I know about hiking at altitude near Laramie?
Laramie sits at 7,165 feet and the alpine trails climb past 10,800, so pace yourself, drink more water than feels necessary, and give yourself a day or 2 to acclimate. Start high-country hikes in the morning before afternoon weather builds, and carry layers; a day here can swing 40 degrees.
Set Up Base Camp in Laramie
Laramie RV Resort by RJourney gives you full hookups at every site, including water, sewer, and 20/30/50-amp electric, with concrete-pad pull-throughs sized for big rigs and a dump station on-site. You are 5 minutes off I-80 at Exit 310, next to a Pilot truck stop and the Laramie River Greenbelt trail. Nightly rates start at $40, with monthly rates at $575/month in winter.
See all site types, rates, and live availability on the Laramie RV Resort page.
Check Availability at Laramie RV Resort (719) 623-1677