Is Encampment River Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Encampment River Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Encampment River Campground before I book?

Yes! Encampment River Campground has 2 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve.

What is the best time to visit Encampment River Campground?

Encampment River Campground is open Camping season is typically June through mid-November. The trail is open to hikers year round.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Encampment River Campground?

Encampment River Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Encampment River Campground have?

Encampment River Campground has 8 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Encampment River Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Encampment River Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Encampment River Campground?

Encampment River Campground offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Encampment River Campground?

Popular activities at Encampment River Campground include Fishing, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Encampment River Campground

4.22

28 reviews

Featured in:Boating Camping

Quick Facts

7,313 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

8 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Recreation.gov Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Quick Facts

7,313 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

8 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Recreation.gov Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Encampment River Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$10.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

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Provider

(307) 328-4200Rawlins_WYMail@blm.gov

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Encampment River Campground

41.1835, -106.7969

Driving directionsFrom I-80, go south on SH130 39 miles to Encampment. Follow the highway through town, where it becomes SH70. Follow it about another 1/4 mile and turn south on CR353 (gravel). Go about 1 mile south and take the left fork onto BLM Road 3407 another 3/4 mile to the campground. Do not attempt to drive this road when it's muddy because its steepness and depth of mud may make it temporarily impossible to get out again.

Weather at Encampment River Campground

Best Time to Camp at Encampment River Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of stable weather and peak river recreation — expect warm, sunny days (typically 65–85°F) and cool nights (mid-30s to low-50s°F) at 7,300 ft. This is prime time for fly fishing the clear Encampment River, gentle float trips, boating, and hiking the Encampment River Trail when flow conditions are favorable. The tiny eight-site campground fills on summer weekends but still feels intimate and quiet compared with larger nearby sites. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: December, January, February, March

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer listed as best season with warm days and peak river recreation (fishing, floating).

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Camping season is typically June through mid-November. The trail is open to hikers year round.

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

About Encampment River Campground

Encampment River Campground sits at 7,300 feet along the Encampment River in southern Wyoming's Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. This tiny eight-site campground offers vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables in a high-elevation alpine setting. Campers fish the clear river, bike nearby trails, and watch for wildlife in a quiet spot just off the main road.

Eight campsites suitable for tent camping; each site has a sandy tent pad, picnic table, fire ring/grill and a parking space. Horses are not allowed in the campground.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of stable weather and peak river recreation — expect warm, sunny days (typically 65–85°F) and cool nights (mid-30s to low-50s°F) at 7,300 ft. This is prime time for fly fishing the clear Encampment River, gentle float trips, boating, and hiking the Encampment River Trail when flow conditions are favorable. The tiny eight-site campground fills on summer weekends but still feels intimate and quiet compared with larger nearby sites. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: December, January, February, March

Elevation7313 ft above sea level

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Natural Features and SceneryThe river corridor supports cottonwoods and willows along the banks, with juniper, wild rose, native grasses, and sagebrush stretching across the surrounding terrain. The Encampment River runs clear in summer and holds rainbow and brown trout. Bald eagles, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, mule deer, and grouse all use the area. Rattlesnakes sun themselves on trails in warmer months.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site SizeEach site includes a sandy tent pad and a parking space.

Total Campsites8 campsites

Recommended SitesSites have sandy tent pads, picnic tables, fire rings or grills and a parking space. Bring potable water and firewood. Do not plan on horse use in the campground and avoid attempting to drive the access road in muddy conditions.

Amenities available

Small campground with 8 campsites. Facilities include a vault toilet, day-use parking and a foot trail; each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring or grill, sandy tent pad and a parking space. Visitors are instructed to bring potable water and firewood; no horses are allowed in the campground.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Things to do at Encampment River Campground

Activities center on the Encampment River and adjacent trail including fishing, floating and hiking; wildlife viewing in the riparian area is also highlighted. The trail is open year-round while camping is typically seasonal.

Fishing4.0/5

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Bald eagles, bighorn sheep, pronghorn and mule deer noted; riparian habitat supports sightings.

Biking3.0/5

Water Sports3.0/5

Floating is listed; small clear river suitable for kayaks/float trips rather than large boat access.

Winter Activities

Signature experiences

Stargazing4.0/5High elevation (~7,300 ft) and a tiny, quiet campground suggest good dark‑sky potential.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Good to know

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, and timing, compiled by Outdoorithm from public reviews and operator information.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

28 reviews

Satisfactory

Encampment River Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers describe Encampment River Campground as a small, quiet, donation-based city RV area that offers great value, basic hookups, and a peaceful place to rest. Many appreciate that such a tiny town provides this kind of facility, and most ratings are 4–5 stars. The main drawbacks mentioned are minimal upkeep, limited shade, and seasonal shutdown of water and restrooms.

Review Summaries

Based on 28 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers love that camping is by donation or very inexpensive, yet still offers water, sewer, and electrical hookups when in season. The campground is praised as quiet, easy to get in and out of, and...

Based on 28 reviews

Common Concerns

Common issues include sites that are not level or well-graded, and a general need for more maintenance such as trimming trees and raking. Multiple reviewers note that water and restrooms are...

Based on 28 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

One reviewer notes the campground has about 8 spaces, with a mix of utilities: some sites offer 30-amp electric, some have dump hookups, and some have no water. Another mentions that sites are not...

Based on 28 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reviewers emphasize that this is an honor-system, donation-based campground and encourage campers to contribute money to keep it operating. Be prepared for limited or no amenities in the shoulder or...

Based on 28 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Camping is by donation and that's the best part. Sites are not level or graded. Water and restrooms were shutdown when I was there in early October." "Nice quiet little city park with about 8...

Based on 28 reviews

Reviews on Outdoorithm

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Encampment River Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$10.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(307) 328-4200Rawlins_WYMail@blm.gov

Go if

You want affordable high-elevation camping with river access and don't need full hookups or amenities.

Skip if

You need guaranteed site availability, developed facilities, or prefer campgrounds with more than a handful of sites.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

4.2

(28)

Encampment River Campground

Encampment River Campground sits at 7,238 feet along the Encampment River, offering eight tent sites with sandy pads and individual parking spaces. This community-run campground operates on a donation basis, though travelers should expect basic amenities and seasonal closures outside the summer months.

Encampment River Campground

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Encampment River Campground

Campground Map

Weather at Encampment River Campground

Best Time to Camp at Encampment River Campground

Planning Tips

About Encampment River Campground

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Things to do at Encampment River Campground

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews

Get Notified When Available

Go if

Skip if

Explore related camping guides

Ask Camp Sage about Encampment River Campground

Best Time to Camp at Encampment River Campground

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Things to do at Encampment River Campground

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews