Medicine Bow National Forest, dispersal camping

[meg2ak]

Hi All!

Has anyone been "dispersal" camping out in Wyoming, specifically Medicine Bow National Forest?

While I am searching for some maps of the area I thought I'd give a shout out to anyone who might have been there and ask you how you found your campsite and how easy or difficult it was getting in and out.

As I understand it so far, there are no "official" campgrounds, you just pull onto a forest road and park where you are not in way or unnecessarily trampling over anything.

I have camped in national forests before, but the campgrounds were marked and the roads very drivable.

Of course my imagination is getting the best of me, I envision turning my rig onto some unmarked little dirt road where I am unable to pull back out.

Thanks for your help!

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by meg2ak

Hi All!

Has anyone been "dispersal" camping out in Wyoming, specifically Medicine Bow National Forest?

While I am searching for some maps of the area I thought I'd give a shout out to anyone who might have been there and ask you how you found your campsite and how easy or difficult it was getting in and out.

As I understand it so far, there are no "official" campgrounds, you just pull onto a forest road and park where you are not in way or unnecessarily trampling over anything.

I have camped in national forests before, but the campgrounds were marked and the roads very drivable.

Of course my imagination is getting the best of me, I envision turning my rig onto some unmarked little dirt road where I am unable to pull back out.

Thanks for your help!

We did some exploring in 2012 that started with a call to the local forest service office. We were told of a couple of specific locations that sounded ideal BUT when we arrived there were signs that said 'no dispersed camping between Memorial and Labor days'...uggg.

I think we will try for some of the forest service campgrounds this year.

[idroba]

Unless you know the area personally trying to locate a camping spot in a Dispersed Campground section of a National Forest is quite difficult. This is especially true when you have a trailer in tow. You may see a spot which looks likely, but when you pull into it, you find there is no turn around, or it is muddy, or some other serious problem. If you can pre explore with your tow vehicle it is not as bad, but with a trailer in tow, good luck.

There sure are spots, and some beautiful ones, but they are not going to be easy to find.

[Thalweg]

I can't speak specifically for the Medicine Bow, but I am very familiar with dispersed camping in the Bighorns of Wyoming, which is in the northern part of the state. There are well established and maintained roads in these forests, and most folks set-up near these roads. As I recall, in most areas, dispersed camping is supposed to be within a few hundred feet of an established road. I can't remember the exact number. There are roads that get sketchy. Your first clue will be when they turn into two-track roads, though many two-tracks are pretty good. If they start getting out of your comfort level, it's best to unhook and scout things out without your trailer.

You would be well advised to contact the nearest Forest Service office for advice. Many offices have rec-specialists whose job it is to help folks such as you. Most are very nice and helpful. You'll want maps from the Forest Service. Also, look on Google Earth. It'll give you a good idea of where the major roads are. There really isn't much to be worried about.

If you're interested in the Bighorns, especially near Buffalo, WY, I could help you directly.