Pine Bluffs sits at the far eastern edge of Wyoming, a ranching town of about 1,200 people perched at 5,047 feet where I-80 crosses in from Nebraska. For anyone looking to camp this stretch of the High Plains, the options break into two camps: full-hookup RV sites right off the interstate, and tent or primitive camping that means a drive toward the mountains. This guide covers both so you can match the trip to the rig.
If you are traveling by RV, the closest full-service base is Pine Bluffs RV Resort, directly off I-80 with water, sewer, and 20/30/50-amp electric at every site. If you are tent camping or want trees and a reservoir, the nearest developed options sit 45 to 65 miles west toward Cheyenne and the Laramie Range. Here is how camping near Pine Bluffs actually works, starting with the closest place to plug in.
How to Camp Near Pine Bluffs
RV Camping: Plug In Right Off I-80
For RV travelers, Pine Bluffs RV Resort is the only full-hookup option directly on the corridor. Water, sewer, and 20/30/50-amp electric at every back-in site, a dump station, showers, and big rig access from Exit 401 (westbound) or Exit 1 (eastbound). It handles everything from a single overnight to a six-month workforce stay, and the year-round monthly rate works out to roughly $16.50 a day with hookups included.
Tent Camping: Head West for Trees and Water
Pine Bluffs itself is open short-grass prairie with no developed tent campground, so tent campers and small-rig dry campers point west toward the Laramie Range. Curt Gowdy State Park, about 65 miles west between Cheyenne and Laramie, has tent and electric sites, reservoirs for fishing, and miles of trails. It is a scenic destination stay rather than a roadside stopover, and a much better fit for tents than the windy plains around Pine Bluffs.
Frontier Days and the Rodeo Surge
Cheyenne Frontier Days runs in late July, one of the largest outdoor rodeos in the world, and it fills every campground and RV park in the region. If your trip overlaps, book your site well in advance. This is the busiest stretch of the year for camping anywhere near Pine Bluffs.
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
Pine Bluffs RV Resort by RJourney
Pine Bluffs RV Resort by RJourney is located at 10 Paintbrush Road, Pine Bluffs, WY 82082, directly off I-80. Arriving from Cheyenne, take Exit 401. Coming from Nebraska, take Exit 1. The route from either exit is straightforward with no tight turns or low overpasses, so big rigs get in and out without hassle. This is the primary full-service camping option on the Wyoming-Nebraska border, built for the travelers who actually use this corridor: cross-country road trippers stopping for a night, snowbirds on seasonal routes, and workers on pipeline, wind energy, and construction projects across southeast Wyoming. It is RV-only, with full hookups at every site and a designated dog walk area. The park operates year-round, and the $500/month rate makes it one of the most affordable extended-stay options in the broader Cheyenne metro area.
Sites & Hookups
Every site at Pine Bluffs RV Resort is a full-hookup back-in with water, sewer, and electric. Electrical service covers 20-amp, 30-amp, and 50-amp connections, so your rig is covered regardless of its setup. Each site includes a picnic table, and the layout leaves real room between neighbors. This is not a park where you stack rigs side by side, which matters when you settle in for more than one night or when the wind picks up and slide-outs start getting tested. The park is big rig friendly: large motorhomes, fifth wheels, and travel trailers pulling tow vehicles all fit comfortably. Each site includes parking for 2 vehicles, and extra vehicles park by the office for $5 per day. A dump station is on-site. There are no tent sites or cabins here, so tent campers should plan for one of the state-park options covered below.
What's On-Site
Pine Bluffs RV Resort keeps things practical. Full hookups at every site, restrooms and showers, a dump station, WiFi across the park, and a designated dog walk area at the end of the property. The site layout has room to breathe, with picnic tables at every site, space between neighbors, and no clutter. The park does not try to be a destination resort. There is no pool, no mini golf, no jumping pillow. What it does well is the work of an actual stopover: clean bathhouse, easy I-80 access, level sites, and rates that work for a one-night break on a cross-country trip or a six-month workforce stay. Stargazing is the standout passive amenity. There is almost no light pollution between Cheyenne and Kimball, and clear nights on the High Plains put the Milky Way right overhead.
What Guests Say
3.6 stars across 111 Google reviews. Not a 4.5-star property, and not pretending to be. What guests call out: cleanliness, the bathhouse, and the staff. The wins are the basics, done well. The complaints cluster around pet-policy friction, check-in or office-hour timing, and the bathhouse on a bad day. The bathhouse shows up on both sides of the line: kept clean it is a positive; on a rough day, the complaint sticks. Repeat guests come back because the location works. Right off I-80, monthly rates that do not move much, room to breathe between sites, sky you can see. For workforce stays and cross-country stopovers, that is the math.
Other Places to Camp Near Pine Bluffs
Pine Bluffs is a small town, and camping options in the immediate area are limited. These 3 alternatives sit within a reasonable drive and serve different camping styles, including tent camping that Pine Bluffs RV Resort does not offer. Availability and rates change, so call ahead before making plans.
Curt Gowdy State Park
Set in the Laramie Range foothills, with reservoirs for fishing, miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, and a genuinely scenic mountain setting. This is the closest real tent-camping option to Pine Bluffs, with primitive and electric sites, though there are no full hookups or sewer connections. A destination campground rather than a layover, best for shorter stays in tents or self-contained rigs. Visit website.
AB Camping
One of the established campgrounds near Cheyenne, the nearest city with a full range of services. It offers full hookups close to shopping, restaurants, and medical facilities. The tradeoff is an urban setting rather than the quiet High Plains, and rates tend to run higher than Pine Bluffs. Visit website.
Kimball City Campground
Cross the state line into Nebraska and Kimball offers a city-run campground with basic hookups at rates comparable to Pine Bluffs. Amenities are more limited. Kimball itself is a small agricultural town with a few restaurants and a convenience store. For full hookups and showers, Pine Bluffs RV Resort provides a more complete package. Visit website.
Things to Do Near Pine Bluffs
Pine Bluffs has more going on than you would guess for a town its size. The University of Wyoming has run an active archaeological excavation at Texas Trail Park since 1986, producing artifacts dating back over 10,000 years, one of the most significant finds in the Northern Plains. During summer months the dig site is open to visitors for free, with interpretive displays and researchers at work. The park also features a life-size bronze sculpture of a Texas longhorn marking the historic cattle trail. Downtown, a series of historical murals cover building walls depicting ranching, railroad, and homesteading history; the self-guided walking tour takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Stop by the Pine Bluffs Distillery for locally made spirits afterward.
Cheyenne is 45 minutes west on I-80 with a full day’s worth of activities: the Wyoming State Capitol, the Cheyenne Depot Museum, and the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum. Frontier Days itself runs in late July. Terry Bison Ranch south of town offers bison tours and horseback riding, and Big Boy Steam Engine No. 4004 at Holliday Park is a landmark for railroad enthusiasts. Heading east into Nebraska’s panhandle, Scotts Bluff National Monument (about 90 miles) rises dramatically from the plains; it served as an Oregon Trail landmark, and Chimney Rock National Historic Site nearby makes for a great combined day trip.
Seasonal Guide to Camping Near Pine Bluffs
Late Spring (May and June)
The High Plains warm up slowly at 5,000-plus feet. Daytime highs land in the 60s and 70s, but nights can still dip into the 30s. Wind is the defining feature of spring here, with gusts regularly topping 40 mph, which makes tent camping a challenge and an RV the easier call. The upside: green prairie, wildflowers on the bluffs, and thin crowds. The archaeological dig site opens for summer visitors during this window.
Summer (July and August)
Peak travel season on I-80. Temperatures reach the 80s and low 90s, but low humidity keeps it comfortable. Evening thunderstorms are common and occasionally bring hail. Cheyenne Frontier Days in late July fills every campground in the region; if your trip overlaps, book well in advance. This is the busiest period for camping anywhere near Pine Bluffs.
Fall (September and October)
The best window for camping along the I-80 corridor through Wyoming. Daytime temperatures settle into the 50s and 60s, the persistent wind calms somewhat, and summer crowds thin out. Cottonwoods along creek bottoms turn gold. Cross-country travelers find the most pleasant driving conditions during these 2 months.
Winter (November through April)
Winter on the High Plains is real, and tent camping is off the table. Temperatures drop below zero regularly, and I-80 between Cheyenne and Rawlins is one of the most closure-prone stretches of interstate in the country. Pine Bluffs RV Resort operates year-round, and the $500/month rate makes extended winter stays in a 4-season rig financially viable. Check WYDOT’s 511 service for road conditions before any winter travel.
Practical Tips for Camping Near Pine Bluffs
Southeast Wyoming is genuinely one of the windiest places in the continental U.S. Sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph are normal, and gusts over 50 mph happen regularly in spring. It is hard on tents, so an RV or hard-sided rig is the safer choice. Secure your awning before it becomes a problem, and tie down outdoor furniture and grills.
There is no developed tent campground in Pine Bluffs itself. For tents, Curt Gowdy State Park (about 65 miles west) offers shade, water, and trails. If you only have a tent, plan that drive into your route rather than counting on a spot in town.
At 5,047 feet, the altitude affects both people and equipment. Generators and engines lose efficiency, water boils at a lower temperature, and the dry air dehydrates you faster than you would expect. Drink more water than you think you need.
Fill up in Pine Bluffs or Cheyenne. West of Cheyenne on I-80, fuel stops get sparse, particularly between Rawlins and Rock Springs. Running low on that stretch is a mistake you only make once.
Summer weekends and the Cheyenne Frontier Days window in late July are the tightest periods for camping availability. Book ahead during those windows. Shoulder seasons and weekdays typically have open sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go camping near Pine Bluffs, WY?
Pine Bluffs RV Resort by RJourney is the closest full-service option, with full-hookup RV sites directly off I-80 at 10 Paintbrush Road. It is RV-only. For tent camping, the nearest developed option is Curt Gowdy State Park, about 65 miles west between Cheyenne and Laramie, which has tent and electric sites along reservoirs.
Is there tent camping in Pine Bluffs?
Not in town. Pine Bluffs RV Resort is RV-only with full-hookup back-in sites, and the surrounding area is open prairie with no developed tent campground. Tent campers should head west to Curt Gowdy State Park or the Cheyenne area, where shade, water, and designated tent sites are available.
How much does camping at Pine Bluffs RV Resort cost?
Overnight rates start at $40 per night with full hookups included at every site. Monthly rates start at $500 per month for extended stays. Each site includes water, sewer, and 20/30/50-amp electric. Call (307) 218-5514 for current rates and to check availability.
Can big rigs camp at Pine Bluffs RV Resort?
Yes. The park is big rig friendly with back-in sites designed for large motorhomes and fifth wheels, and 50-amp service is available. Access from I-80 via Exit 401 (westbound) or Exit 1 (eastbound) involves no tight turns or low clearances, so getting in and out is easy.
What is there to do while camping near Pine Bluffs?
Pine Bluffs has a University of Wyoming archaeological dig at Texas Trail Park with artifacts over 10,000 years old, free to visit in summer, plus downtown historical murals and the Pine Bluffs Distillery. Cheyenne is 45 minutes west with museums and the Frontier Days rodeo complex. Stargazing is exceptional thanks to minimal light pollution on the High Plains.
Is camping near Pine Bluffs possible in winter?
Yes, but only by RV. Pine Bluffs RV Resort operates year-round, and monthly rates starting at $500 make winter stays practical in a 4-season rig with strong insulation. Tent camping is not viable in winter here. Southeast Wyoming winters bring temperatures below zero and frequent high winds; check WYDOT’s 511 service for I-80 conditions before traveling.
Book Your Campsite at Pine Bluffs RV Resort
Pine Bluffs RV Resort by RJourney is the full-service camping base on the I-80 corridor at the Wyoming-Nebraska border. Full hookups at every site, big rig access, pet-friendly grounds, and rates starting at $40 per night. Whether you are stopping for 1 night on a cross-country drive, exploring Cheyenne and the High Plains for a week, or settling into an affordable monthly spot while working in southeast Wyoming, this is where you plug in.
See all site types, rates, and live availability on the Pine Bluffs RV Resort page.
Book Your Campsite (307) 218-5514