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Hikers and light anglers who want a quiet base camp at elevation. Laramie Peak Trail #602 starts right from camp, nights drop into the 30s even in summer, and at $20 first-come you're rarely fighting a crowd for one of the 11 spots.
Price
$10 - $20/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
11 campsites
Season
Open season is mid-M...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
$10 - $20/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
11 campsites
Season
Open season is mid-M...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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Friend Park Campground, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, Wyoming
Hikers and light anglers who want a quiet base camp at elevation. Laramie Peak Trail #602 starts right from camp, nights drop into the 30s even in summer, and at $20 first-come you're rarely fighting a crowd for one of the 11 spots.
The dirt road in is steep, narrow, and AWD territory, pop-up campers can manage but big rigs won't, and anyone expecting showers, hookups, or cell signal will find none of those here. Douglas is 1.5 hours away if you forget something critical.
Reference information about Friend Park Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p><strong>***There will be construction on Bear Creek Road from Esterbrook Road to the Bear Creek Crossing, starting on 7/17/24 for at least 30 days. Expect heavy truck and equipment traffic.***</strong></p><p>Friend Park is set at the base of Laramie Peak, which is the tallest peak in the North Laramie Range and was a waypoint for Oregon Trail immigrants. At 7400 feet in elevation, there are 11 campsites, including 3 that are walk-in access/tent use only, and 2 vault toilets. The campground has trail access to both the Laramie Peak Trail and Friend Park Trail for non-motorized users.</p><p>Motorized users of the Laramie Peak Trail will find the trailhead just 1/4 mile from the campground and please be aware Friend Park Trail is NOT open to motorized use. Fishing is available in the adjacent Friend Creek and surrounding beaver ponds.</p><div class="usa-alert usa-alert--info usa-alert--slim"><div class="usa-alert__body"><p class="usa-alert__text">This site was approved for a fee change - <a class="usa-link" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbr/fire/?cid=FSEPRD1092198">Click here for more information</a></p></div></div>
The elevation is 7,400 ft. The campground is located above Friend Creek at the base of Laramie and Friend Peaks. Laramie Peak, at 10,200 ft., is the highest peak in the Laramie Range and was a landmark for pioneers using the Morman and Oregon Trails. The campground is delightful for tents and small RVs (pop-up and slide-in styles). There are several nice rock climbing formations nearby. Sites are fairly close together and shaded by firs and pines. The campground is a good location for wildlife viewing - wild turkey and bighorn sheep.
Open June 1 through Labor Day
The water spigot is a hand pump.
The parking aprons are gravel. Travel trailers are not recommended; there is no turnaround.
In Douglas, WY, take State Rt. 94 (from Exit 140 of Interstate 25) 16.4 miles to a "Y" intersection (County Rt. 5/Esterbrook Rd.). Bear left onto County Rt. 5/Esterbrook Rd. (dirt) and go 10.8 miles to the Esterbrook Work Center at a "Y" intersection. Bear right, staying on County Rt. 5, and go 15.3 miles to still another intersection (Forest Rt. 671/Bear Creek Rd.). Bear left onto Forest Rt. 671/Bear Creek Rd. (steep with single-lane sections) and go 2.7 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign and go 1 mile to campground. NOTE: County Rt. 5 becomes rather rough and rocky. At 3.6 miles on Rt. 5, an unmarked "Y" intersection appears. Bearing either left or right takes the driver to the same place on Rt. 5.
Official information for Friend Park Campground from the federal Recreation.gov facility record. View official page →
Situated at the base of Laramie Peak, the Friend Park Campground has 11 sites surrounded by firs, pines, and aspens with beautiful Friend Park to the southwest. A favorite of both tent and trailer campers, it is another great location for recreating within the Laramie Peak Unit of the Douglas Ranger District. The campground is popular for OHV riding, fishing, hiking, hunting, mountain biking, or just getting away to relax.
The Laramie Peak area in the Medicine Bow National Forest is located in Central Wyoming. The Douglas Ranger District manages the Laramie Peak and Thunder basin National Grasslands areas. Year-round recreation uses include hiking, fishing, hunting, OHV riding, camping, biking, horseback trail riding, and rock climbing. Primary access across the district is by I-25 and Highway 59.
The Laramie Peak Connector Trail leaves the campground and leads to the Friend Park Trail and Laramie Peak Trail. Hiking access to the Roaring Fork Trail is located along the nearby FSRD 661.A.
There are many fishing opportunities just below the campground in Friend Creek and the beaver ponds along the Connector Trial. Other fishing areas are along the Upper Horseshoe Creek on National Forest System lands and WY State Trust land.
Mountain Biking
• Upper Roaring Fork Trail
• Friend Park Trail
• North Laramie River Trail
• Harris Park Trail
• Laramie Peak Trail
• Sunset Ridge Trail
• Lost Creek Trail
• Arapaho Trail
• Albany Peak Trails
• Black Mountain Look out
Mountain Climbing
• Curtis Gulch Trail
• Upper Roaring Fork Trai
Day Hiking
• Upper Roaring Fork Trail
• Friend Park Trail
• North Laramie River Trail
• Harris Park Trail
• Laramie Peak Trail
• Sunset Ridge Trail
• Lost Creek Trail
• Albany Peak Trails
• Black Mountain Look out
Backpacking
• Upper Roaring Fork Trail
• North Laramie River Trail
• Harris Park Trail
• Lost Creek Trail
• Albany Peak Trails
Horseback riding
• Upper Roaring Fork Trail
• Friend Park Trail
• Arapaho Trail
• North Laramie River Trail
• Harris Park Trail
• Laramie Peak Trail
• Sunset Ridge Trail
• Lost Creek Trail
• Black Mountain Look out
OHV Riding
• Arapaho Trail
• FSRD633 Trails
• Sunset Ridge Trail
• North Laramie River Trail
• Laramie Peak Trail
• Albany Peak trails
• Black Mountain Look out
There are 11 campsites in a lightly wooded, rocky area with picnic tables, fire rings, pedestal grills, vault toilets, trash collection, and potable water. Most campsites have abundant shade and several of the walk-in sites are spaced far enough apart to have a dispersed feel.
Potable water is typically available in this campground from early June to late November. These dates may vary due to weather. Potable water availability may vary due to well and/or pump maintenance, and water testing requirements. As such, we encourage you to bring your own drinking water or call ahead.
The campground is at an elevation of 7,572 feet within a mature stand of ponderosa pine, along with aspen and firs. Several of the walk-in sites have a great view of Laramie Peak. The general area is intermixed with timber, meadows and large rock formations.
The highest peak in the Laramie Range at 10,200 feet, Laramie Peak was once a welcome sign to pioneers on the Oregon and Mormon trails, as well as the first ‘real' mountain most had ever seen.
Visitors can find many outdoor opportunities in the surrounding area including OHV riding, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, sightseeing, rock climbing, photography, and horseback riding. Fishing opportunities nearby in Friend Creek and Upper Horseshoe Creek. Sunday services available nearby at the historic Esterbrook Community Church (non-denominational).
<p><strong>DIRECTIONS:</strong></p> <p>Campground is approximately 47 miles South of Douglas, WY. Take Hwy 94 (Esterbrook Road) south from Douglas for 17 miles. Continue south on CR 5 for 11 miles, then southwest 15 miles on CR5, turn left (SE) on FSRD 671 for 2 miles to FSRD 661 then 1 mile to the campground. </p> <p> </p> <p>From Rock River (59 miles) Take Hwy 287 North, turn right onto Fetterman Road (CR 61) travel 33.6 miles (gravel road after 10.5 mile), turn Right on CR74 Garrett Rd, in 6.7 miles this will turn into CR77 Bear Creek Rd, then FSRD 671, after 14 miles turn right onto FSRD 661, Friend Park Road for 1 mile to the CG.</p>
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Summer brings the most reliable access and mild conditions. Daytime highs typically reach 60-75°F, while nights drop into the mid-30s to mid-40s. The campground stays staffed through Labor Day. Heavy snow closes access roads from November through mid-May. Even summer weekends stay relatively quiet with only 11 sites available.
Summer is most reliable for access and is the favored season in reviews.
Friend Park Campground offers a range of amenities focusing on a rustic and natural camping experience. Amenities include potable water, picnic tables, grills, and vault toilets. There are no flush toilets, hot showers, Wi-Fi, or electricity hookups, making it ideal for campers seeking to unplug. The campground features a hand-pumped water spigot. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash, and no horses or pack animals are permitted.
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