The 5 Best Places to Camp in Wyoming this Summer

The most popular place to visit in Wyoming is Yellowstone National Park. There are plenty of camping options within the park, but there are other great places to camp in Wyoming. Maybe you are planning to visit the Grand Tetons or Devil’s Tower. Perhaps you are spending some time at a Dude Ranch but want to extend your trip with some camping. Here are the 5 best places to camp in Wyoming this Summer.

1) Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park is famous for Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. With so much to see, you may want to plan to camp for a whole week. Even if you have only a weekend, there are many choices with 12 different campgrounds in Yellowstone. There are also hundreds of backcountry sites if you want something more primitive. Check out the details of each here.

Canyon Campground has a spectacular view of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, while Bridge Bay Campground is closest to Yellowstone Lake. At the end of summer into September, you might be able to hear bugling elk at the Madison Campground! Most of the campgrounds are seasonal so check the website for details. Note that for the summer of 2022, multiple campgrounds have been closed for the year 2022.

2) Grand Tetons National Park

If you want to see some of the most amazing views, then Grand Tetons National Park, with its snow-capped mountains, is the place to camp in Wyoming this summer! While hiking through the park, keep your eye open for moose, elk, or pronghorn. There are also cute little Pikas that may surprise you. Be aware that there are black bears in the park, so review the safety rules for camping in bear country.

Take time to kayak the Snake River and fish for fresh trout; it could become dinner for the night. There are 8 different campgrounds in Grand Tetons National Park, and each offers a different level of camping, from basic tent camping to RV camping. There is also a unique Tent Village with Tent cabins that are similar to yurts and contain bunks and a wood stove. Definitely one of the best places to camp in Wyoming this summer!

3) Devil’s Tower: Belle Fourche River Campground

Devil’s Tower is something you have to see in person. The rocky formation that seems to jet out of the earth unnaturally is 867 feet tall. Stop at the visitor center to learn about the tower and the surrounding area, then take a 1.3-mile hike to get a better view. If you want to try your skill at rock climbing, there are multiple areas in the park to rock climb. You will probably run into some Prairie Dogs, and although they are super cute, please do not feed them or any other wild animals you run into in the park. The Belle Fourche River Campground is located right in the park and offers RV and Tent camping. The great news is the campsites are first come, first serve, so no long-term planning is required.

4) Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area spans Wyoming and Utah. This beautiful area has the Flaming Gorge Reservoir and the bluffs surrounding it. You can hike, bike, boat, swim, and scuba dive. Look out for antelope along the bluffs. Anglers enjoy fly fishing along the shores for lake trout; some have caught some 50+ lbs lake trouts! There are 43 campgrounds in the area with more than 700 campsites, so it is hard to choose one “best.” The Canyon Rim Campground has 19 gravel sites for only $15 a night, so a great place to stay. Check the website for all of the options.

5) Jackson Hole, WY: Snake River Cabins and RV Park (near a Dude Ranch)

Maybe you love camping but also want to try out the life of a cowboy (or cowgirl). Staying at a Dude Ranch in Wyoming is one of the most popular tourist experiences in the state. You can ride with real cowboys as they wrangle cattle and horseback ride through the mountains. Most Dude Ranches provide accommodations like a cabin or a lodge, but if you want to extend your vacation, some campgrounds in Jackson Hole are close to some popular Dude Ranches. The Snake River Cabins and RV Park is one of the best places to camp in Wyoming this summer because it is right on the Snake River. They have Deluxe cabins with 3 bedrooms and a bath and basic tent camping (and everything in between).