Under-the-Radar RV Camping in Wyoming

RV camping in Wyoming opens the door to a wild landscape of jagged mountains, spectacular waters, desert landscapes, rugged plains, charming western towns and much more.

Some areas, like Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, are very well known. However, many other breathtaking sites in Wyoming remain under the radar, but just because these sites are off the usual path doesn’t mean they’re any less magical. 

In this post, we’ll cover why RVing is the best way to see Wyoming, introduce you to some of the best RV camping in Wyoming and share some RVs you can rent in those areas.

Why RVs Are a Great Way to See Wyoming

Wyoming is made for road trips. Scenic byways, wide-open national forests, desert basins and mountain passes all feel more accessible when your lodging travels with you.

RVing also makes the practical stuff easier. You can:

• Stay closer to the landscapes you came to see, from national forests and state parks to reservoir shorelines

• Travel with more flexibility, adjusting routes when weather or crowds change

• Keep the comforts of home—a kitchen, bathroom and a warm place to reset between adventures

• Bring your pets, without hunting for pet-friendly lodging

And if you don’t have your own RV, you can still plan the trip. Renting lets you match the rig to the route—anything from a nimble campervan to a larger family-friendly motorhome.

Travel Tips for RV Camping in Wyoming

RVing is a big part of what makes Wyoming feel so freeing, but it also rewards planning. A little prep makes the trip smoother and safer.

• Research each camping area before you go. Wyoming has plenty of free or low-cost camping on public lands, but conditions can vary. Some sites have rugged access roads, size limits, seasonal closures or no services.

• Match your route to your rig. Mountain grades, narrow roads and sudden weather shifts are part of the Wyoming experience. Confirm your transportation can handle the terrain and that your route avoids roads that are too steep, too rough or too tight for your RV length.

• Plan for fuel and water early. Long stretches without services are common. Fill up sooner than you think you need to and carry extra water, especially in more remote areas.

• Don’t assume you’ll have cell service. Expect dead zones. Download maps, share your route with someone and keep a paper backup for key directions.

• Travel responsibly. Stay within posted rules, respect wildlife, pack out your trash and leave campsites better than you found them.

By following these practices, you ensure that your adventures remain safe and positive for all the people and places you encounter along the way.

Want help mapping your route? Read our blog How to Plan an Epic Wyoming RV Road Trip. 

RV Camping in Wyoming: Hidden Gems to Explore

Explore crowd-light camping areas like Flaming Gorge, Keyhole State Park, Alcova Reservoir, Bridger-Teton, the Red Desert and Star Valley.

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

Where: Green River, Wyoming 82935 (nearest city)

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is all about the reservoir and those red cliffs rising up around it. It’s an easy place to build full days outdoors without overthinking the plan. You can spend your time horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, kayaking or rafting, then come back to camp and let the night sky do the rest. If you want more details before you go, the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area FAQs are a good place to start.

Check out RVs for rent near Flaming Gorge.

Keyhole State Park

Where: 22 Marina Road, Moorcroft, WY 82721

Set on the western edge of the Black Hills, Keyhole State Park is a straightforward, water-and-trails kind of stop. The main draw is spending the day outside—swimming, hiking, boating, birdwatching or fishing—then calling it a night right where you are. It’s also positioned as a good base if you’re looping through nearby areas like the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, the Bighorn Mountains or Devils Tower.

Check out RVs for rent near Keyhole State Park.
 

Bighorn National Forest

Where: Sheridan, WY 82801 (nearest city)

Bighorn National Forest sits in north-central Wyoming between Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park, and it’s one of the most diverse landscapes in the state. The scenery here moves fast—clear reservoirs, glacier-carved valleys and jagged mountains—plus a trail network that adds up to 1,200 miles. For RV camping, West Tensleep Lake Campground allows you to camp within the Bighorn Mountains and provides easy access to some of the state’s best trails and scenic views.
 

Alcova Reservoir

Where: Alcova, WY 82620 (nearest city)

If you’re building a trip around water time, Alcova is a solid anchor. Along with the Gray Reef and Pathfinder Reservoirs, these are fly-fishing paradises, as well as stellar spots for water sports like paddleboarding and kayaking. For slightly more urban pursuits, nearby Casper offers breweries, distilleries and a growing arts scene. From your RV, you can find a wilderness campsite that’ll put you in range of the reservoirs and all that Casper has to offer.
 

Bridger-Teton National Forest

Where: Jackson, WY 83001 (nearest city)

If you want to be near Wyoming’s national parks but not directly in them, head to the 3.4-million-acre Bridger-Teton National Forest. The beauty of this area is that you’ll be in close proximity to two national parks (Yellowstone and Grand Teton), but you won’t have to fight the crowds. In fact, campgrounds such as Upper Teton View Campground offer sweeping views of the Teton Range in a secluded setting. You can also soak in places like the Granite Hot Springs, a rustic spring managed by the Forest Service and tucked deep into the woods.

Although reservations aren’t required, please be aware that camping does fill up in this area. It’s always best to have a backup plan in mind.
 

The Red Desert

Where: Rock Springs, WY 82901 (nearest city)

Beautifully situated in Southeast Wyoming, the Red Desert is a rare combination of vibrant badlands, shifting sand dunes and sprawling canyons. More than 350 species of wildlife and plant have learned to thrive in the desert. This is one of the last great high-elevation deserts in the U.S. Located between Rock Springs and Rawlins, it features a badland oasis, sandstone towers, deep canyons and tall sand dunes. The Red Desert also offers interesting wildlife viewing because animals like the mountain plover and sage grouse leks are unique creatures that have adapted to the desert’s harsh climate.
 

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest

Where: Laramie, WY 82070 (nearest city)

With Laramie as your perfect base camp, the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests are an RV camper’s dream. Here, you’ll find over 2.2 million acres of pristine landscapes, 10 different wilderness areas and mountain ranges that go from 5,500 feet to almost 13,000 feet. 

RVing in this wilderness opens the door to 36 developed campgrounds and countless other spots for backcountry camping. Nearby Laramie, a town brimming with Western culture and a hip college vibe, is a great jumping-off point for your unforgettable road trip.

Star Valley

Where: Afton, WY 83110 (nearest city)

Nestled in the Bridger-Teton National Forest on the western side of the state, Star Valley is a quaint area offering a unique blend of small-town charm and breathtaking scenery. From towns like Afton, you can explore rolling green hills pressed against snow-peaked mountains and enjoy hikes that crisscross this whole area.

RV camping in Wyoming lets you explore the local communities, farms and landscapes of this down-to-earth area of the state, while soaking in views right on your doorstep. Be sure to check out the Star Valley Scenic Byway, an 80-mile stretch featuring mountain views, babbling brooks and the world’s largest elkhorn arch.
 

Thermopolis

Where: Thermopolis, WY 82443

For a close-up view of Wyoming’s thermal features, Thermopolis is a hot spot. Spend the day at Hot Springs State Park viewing otherworldly landmarks shaped by natural hot springs, fishing along the Big Horn River or getting a glimpse of Wyoming’s state bison herd.

Take a relaxing dip in the area’s healing mineral waters by visiting the free state bath house, or add water slides into the mix with a trip to Hellie’s Tepee Pools or Star Plunge. Once you’ve finished soaking, head to the Wyoming Dinosaur Center or Legend Rock Petroglyph to be transported back to prehistoric times.

Thermopolis is located between both the Shoshone and Bighorn national forests—two destinations that are a must when you find yourself RV camping in Wyoming.

Check out RV rentals near Thermopolis.
 

Glendo State Park

Where: 397 Glendo Park Road, Glendo, WY 82213

Enjoy diverse landscapes from sandy beaches to alpine forests, try your hand at fishing and boating and hike or mountain bike the surrounding scenic area.

Glendo State Park is a 22,000-acre state park situated on and around the Glendo Reservoir, with a mix of landscapes that range from sandy beaches to alpine forests. The activities here are classic Wyoming lake country. There are over 45 miles of hiking/biking trails and some of the best walleye fishing in the state. Plus, there are over a dozen campgrounds where you could park something like this cozy and nimble campervan to access the area.
 

Hit the Road In Wyoming

RVers are free spirits by nature, which makes our wild landscape perfect for those in search of a road trip adventure. Whether you’re rolling up to our most-famous sites or taking the road less traveled, you’re sure to make memories that will last a lifetime. 

Ready to map out your route? Browse RV rentals and choose the rig that fits your trip style. We look forward to seeing you on the open road. 

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This post was contributed by the team at Outdoorsy.