Laramie sits at 7,165 feet on Wyoming’s high plains, where the Laramie River cuts through town and the Snowy Range rises to the west. It is a place where you can set up camp, walk across the street to a greenbelt river trail, and drive 30 minutes to alpine lakes above 10,000 feet. Summers stay cool. Sunsets stretch across open sky. And the camping options range from full-amenity tent sites to backcountry dispersed spots where you will not see another person for days.
Whether you are pitching a tent for the weekend, booking a cabin for a family trip, or looking for a base camp to explore Medicine Bow National Forest, here is everything you need to know about camping near Laramie, WY.
What Makes This Spot Work for Campers
The Greenbelt Trail and the River Across the Street
The Laramie River runs across the street from the resort, and the Greenbelt River trail starts within walking distance. Morning hikes start from your campsite, and deer sightings on the trail are common. Sunsets and wildlife are what guests photograph most: the high plains location means wide-open western sky every evening.
Built for a Practical Guest Mix
Riki Morgan, the general manager, describes the typical guest mix: blue-collar workers passing through, cross-country movers, and students at the University of Wyoming and WyoTech. The staff keeps the facilities clean and the operation running smoothly. The 3 most common questions at check-in tell you a lot about the crowd: Do you have WiFi? Where is the dog park? And what are the best places to eat? Staff keeps a list of local restaurant recommendations ready to go.
Other Camping Near Laramie, Wyoming
Laramie RV Resort handles the amenity-rich side of camping. But the surrounding area offers options across the full spectrum, from state park campgrounds to granite-walled climbing camps to dispersed forest sites with no one around.
Vedauwoo Recreation Area
20 miles east of Laramie along I-80, Vedauwoo is one of the most dramatic camping settings in Wyoming. Massive Sherman granite formations rise from pine forests, drawing rock climbers from across the country for the crack climbing and bouldering routes. The campground is managed by Medicine Bow National Forest. Sites are basic: no hookups, no showers, vault toilets only. You pack in your water and pack out your trash. What you get in return is a campsite surrounded by ancient rock formations, miles of hiking trails, and genuinely dark skies. Vedauwoo fills on summer weekends; arrive Friday morning or book midweek for the best selection.
Curt Gowdy State Park
About 25 miles east toward Cheyenne, Curt Gowdy State Park sits in the foothills where the Laramie Range meets the Great Plains. Three reservoirs (Granite, Crystal, and North Crow) are stocked with trout and provide the main draw. Some campsites offer electric hookups, but most are designed for tent camping. The park has earned IMBA recognition for its mountain biking trails, with hiking, horseback riding, and kayaking rounding out the activity list. A Wyoming day-use or camping permit is required, and sites book fast on summer holiday weekends.
Medicine Bow National Forest Dispersed Camping
For experienced campers who want solitude, the national forest west of Laramie offers dispersed camping along forest roads: no fees, no reservations, no hookups. Find a flat spot off a forest road, set up camp, and you are on your own. The forest covers over a million acres. Popular dispersed areas include spots along the Rob Roy Reservoir road and forest roads branching off Highway 130 toward Centennial. You need to be self-contained and follow Leave No Trace principles. Cell service is spotty to nonexistent in most forest areas. This option works best from June through September when forest roads are reliably passable.
Explore More Nearby
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Laramie RV Resort by RJourney: Tent Sites and Cabins
Laramie RV Resort is the practical base for camping near Laramie: full hookups for RVs, tent sites, and rustic cabins, all 5 minutes off I-80 with the Greenbelt trail across the street. The resort sits at 1271 W. Baker St., right off I-80 at Exit 310, next to the Laramie River. The Greenbelt River trail runs directly across the street, so morning hikes 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 people searching for camping in Laramie want a spot with actual amenities, not everyone is looking to rough it, and this park fills that gap with designated tent sites, rental cabins, and clean facilities that keep the outdoor feel.
Sites & Hookups
Tent sites come with fire rings and picnic tables, plus access to every shared amenity on the property: clean restrooms and hot showers (open 24 hours, code-protected access), laundry facilities, 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 who does not want to commit to a fully rustic experience. RV sites add full hookups with 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. 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 in the overflow lot at no charge for guests. Nightly tent 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 While Camping Near Laramie
The Laramie area is quietly productive fishing country. The Laramie River runs through town with public access points. 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); the peak trail is a moderate-to-strenuous day hike with panoramic views. Late June through July brings blankets of alpine wildflowers above treeline.
Laramie’s downtown runs along 2nd and 3rd Streets with local restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, and retail; Laramie Brewing Company and Altitude Chophouse and Brewery are popular visitor stops. 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 too: the Geological Museum has a full Apatosaurus skeleton and the UW Art Museum holds a respected collection, both free to visit.
Seasonal Camping Guide for Laramie, Wyoming
Summer (June through August)
Peak camping season. Daytime highs in the low 70s to mid-80s, with nights dropping into the 40s and 50s. At 7,165 feet, Laramie stays comfortable when lower-elevation campgrounds are sweltering. The Snowy Range Byway is open, alpine lakes are accessible, and fishing is in full swing. Book 2 to 4 weeks ahead for summer weekends; midweek stays are easier to lock down on shorter notice.
Fall (September through October)
Arguably the best time to camp near Laramie. Aspens turn gold across the Snowy Range in September and crowds thin out. Hunting season opens in stages, and Laramie serves as a base camp for elk, mule deer, and pronghorn hunters. Temperatures drop fast: overnight lows hit the 20s by late October, and the Snowy Range Byway typically closes by mid-October. Bring cold-weather sleeping bags and layers.
Winter (November through March)
Winter camping in Laramie is for prepared campers only. Temperatures regularly drop below zero and wind chill makes it feel colder. I-80 closures due to blowing snow happen multiple times each season. Laramie RV Resort operates year-round for those with winterized gear, and monthly rates drop to $575/month October through May, practical for seasonal workers and students. Cross-country skiing at Happy Jack Recreation Area and snowshoeing in the Snowy Range are the main winter draws.
Spring (April through May)
Unpredictable but rewarding. 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 your tent thoroughly and secure all gear.
Practical Tips for Camping Near Laramie
7,165 feet is high enough to notice. If you are arriving from sea level, give yourself a day before strenuous hikes and drink extra water. Camp stoves and lanterns may need altitude adjustments.
Laramie is one of the windiest cities in Wyoming. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph are common, especially in spring and winter. Stake your tent thoroughly, use guylines, and do not leave gear unsecured.
At developed sites like Laramie RV Resort, water is available. For dispersed camping in the national forest, bring all your water or a reliable filtration system.
Bears are uncommon at Laramie's elevation on the plains but are present in the Snowy Range. Store food properly at backcountry and dispersed sites. Moose, deer, and pronghorn are common; keep your distance.
Coverage in Laramie proper is solid on most carriers. Once you head into the national forest or up the Snowy Range, expect dead zones. Download offline maps before heading out.
Laramie RV Resort sells firewood on site. For national forest camping, you can collect dead and downed wood. Do not transport firewood from other regions to avoid spreading invasive insects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go tent camping near Laramie, Wyoming?
Laramie RV Resort by RJourney offers designated tent sites with fire rings, picnic tables, hot showers, and restroom access starting at $40/night. Vedauwoo Recreation Area (20 miles east) provides primitive tent camping among dramatic granite formations. Curt Gowdy State Park (25 miles east) has tent sites near three stocked reservoirs. Medicine Bow National Forest offers free dispersed camping for self-contained campers.
Are there cabin rentals near Laramie, WY?
Yes. Laramie RV Resort by RJourney rents rustic cabins year-round. Cabins give you indoor sleeping with access to all campground amenities including showers, laundry, a fitness center, and a dog park. Pet-friendly cabins are available for a $10 pet fee. Call (719) 623-1677 to reserve.
What is the best time of year for camping in Laramie, Wyoming?
June through September is peak season with daytime highs in the 70s and 80s. September and October offer fall colors, fewer crowds, and hunting season access. Winter camping is possible at Laramie RV Resort, which is open year-round, but requires cold-weather gear. The Snowy Range Scenic Byway is open from late May through mid-October.
Is Vedauwoo campground near Laramie worth visiting?
Vedauwoo is 20 miles east of Laramie along I-80 and sits among ancient Sherman granite formations. It is a top destination for rock climbing and bouldering in Wyoming. The campground is basic (no hookups, vault toilets) but the setting is stunning. It fills on summer weekends, so arrive early or camp midweek.
Can I camp near Laramie with my dog?
Laramie RV Resort welcomes pets on tent and RV sites at no additional charge (2-pet max, leash required), and has a fenced off-leash dog park. Pet-friendly cabins are available for a $10 fee. Vedauwoo and Curt Gowdy State Park also allow leashed dogs. National forest dispersed camping has no pet restrictions, but keep dogs under control in wildlife areas.
How close is Laramie to the Snowy Range?
The Snowy Range Scenic Byway (Highway 130) starts at Centennial, about 30 minutes west of Laramie. From the byway you can reach alpine lakes like Lake Marie, hiking trailheads including Medicine Bow Peak (12,013 feet), and fishing access in under an hour from town. Laramie is the closest full-service camping base for Snowy Range access.
Book Your Camping Trip Near Laramie
Laramie RV Resort by RJourney gives you tent sites, cabins, fire rings, hot showers, and a greenbelt trail right across the street. From there, it is 30 minutes to the Snowy Range, 20 minutes to Vedauwoo, and 5 minutes to a restored territorial prison where Butch Cassidy once sat in a cell. At 7,165 feet, summers stay cool, sunsets go wide, and the alpine country just west of town rivals anything in Colorado with a fraction of the crowds.
See all site types, rates, and live availability on the Laramie RV Resort page.
Check Availability at Laramie RV Resort (719) 623-1677