Pole Creek Dispersed Campground

4.48

34 reviews

Featured in:Hidden Gem Campgrounds Wyoming

Quick Facts

8,281 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Based on user review...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Medicine Bow-Routt NFs and Thunder Basin NG site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

8,281 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Based on user review...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Medicine Bow-Routt NFs and Thunder Basin NG site

Official Website

Get Directions

Pole Creek Dispersed Campground

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Fee for 2022 was $10 per night.

Standard Site Fee$10.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.48

Recommended

Based on 34 reviews

32 Google reviews

Most mentioned

scenerycleanspacioussites

"User reviews highlight the campground's rustic charm, spacious sites, and lack of modern amenities like water and electricity. Some reviewers appreciate its cleanliness and quiet environment, while others note the overgrown infrastructure."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Pole Creek Dispersed Campground

41.2515, -105.4104

Driving directionsFrom Laramie, take I-80 east 9.5 miles to WY 210, exit 323. Exit and go left at the stop sign onto WY 210/Happy Jack Road and go 0.1 miles to Happy Jack Recreation Area sign. Turn left, staying on WY 210 and go 2.1 miles to another Happy Jack Recreation Area sign on FR 719. Turn right onto FR 719 and go 1.1 miles to "Y" intersection. Bear left and go 0.4 miles to campground.

Accessible via paved roads from Laramie; no specific seasonal closure information provided.

Nearby places

Laramie: ~12 miles (~20 minutes).

Nearby supplies

Closest supplies are likely near Laramie (~12 miles), including groceries, camping supplies, and fuel.

Best Time to Camp at Pole Creek Dispersed Campground

The seasons paint dramatically different pictures at Pole Creek. Winter transforms the landscape into a crystalline wonderland, though temperatures plunge well below freezing and snowstorms can sweep through without warning—making this a destination for only the most prepared cold-weather campers. Come summer, the highlands reveal their gentler side, offering campers long days under crystal-clear skies and temperatures that invite exploration from dawn to dusk. The moderate summer climate creates perfect conditions for outdoor adventures without the oppressive heat found at lower elevations.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Warm months described as spacious and scenic; exposure can be windy but generally pleasant.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall likely offers crisp, scenic conditions and fewer crowds; reviews praise scenery broadly.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Spring is quieter but may bring closures, mud and transitional conditions; mixed visitor reports.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.0 / 5

Winter is scenic but very cold with snowstorms and reported seasonal closures; not reliably accessible.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Based on user reviews, the campground appears to be operational seasonally, with closures reported during off-seasons.
Current Alerts: One user review mentioned that the campground was closed for over a year around 2021.

About Pole Creek Dispersed Campground

Tucked away in Wyoming's rugged wilderness, Pole Creek Dispersed Campground offers adventurous souls a true escape from the crowds. This walk-in camping area serves as your gateway to miles of pristine biking and hiking trails, while nearby streams promise peaceful fishing opportunities. Though nature has reclaimed parts of this secluded spot, creating an authentically wild atmosphere, that's precisely what draws those seeking solitude and genuine connection with the outdoors. Here, you'll find the rare luxury of having the landscape largely to yourself.

Pole Creek Dispersed Campground is a rustic and dispersed campground. It primarily caters to tent campers but also accommodates RVs without hookups.

Weather and SeasonsThe seasons paint dramatically different pictures at Pole Creek. Winter transforms the landscape into a crystalline wonderland, though temperatures plunge well below freezing and snowstorms can sweep through without warning—making this a destination for only the most prepared cold-weather campers. Come summer, the highlands reveal their gentler side, offering campers long days under crystal-clear skies and temperatures that invite exploration from dawn to dusk. The moderate summer climate creates perfect conditions for outdoor adventures without the oppressive heat found at lower elevations.

ElevationPerched at the characteristic elevation of the Laramie Highlands, this campground places you in Wyoming's distinctive high country, where the air is crisp and the horizons seem endless.

Natural Features and SceneryThe exposed highland landscape surrounding Pole Creek rewards visitors with sweeping panoramic views that stretch for miles across Wyoming's untamed terrain. Unlike many forested campgrounds that can harbor clouds of insects, the open nature of this highland setting keeps the bugs at bay, letting you enjoy your outdoor meals and evening stargazing in peace. The sparse vegetation and rocky outcrops create a stark beauty that captures the raw essence of the American West.

Geological RegionSet within the ancient Laramie Highlands, Pole Creek sits atop geological formations that tell stories millions of years in the making. This highland region showcases the classic exposed rock faces and windswept grasslands that define Wyoming's high country ecology, where hardy plants and wildlife have adapted to the challenging conditions of elevation and exposure.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Guests Allowed Per Site

No explicit guest limit mentioned
typical for dispersed sites.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutDispersed layout; sites not too close together.

Reservation PlatformsNo online or phone reservation platforms mentioned. Likely first-come-first-serve.

Walk-in AvailabilityUser reviews suggest availability of sites during weekdays and off-season.

Cancellation PolicyNo information provided.

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not documented in the authoritative sources or user reviews.

Site SizeSpacious sites, as emphasized by user reviews, but specific measurements are unavailable.

PrivacyModerately private; users have noted that sites are 'not too close' and 'wide open,' but more details are unavailable.

Total Campsites15 campsites

Recommended SitesEasy access, spacious sites, basic amenities.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers opportunities for hiking, biking, and fishing. Official sources and user reviews agree on these activities, emphasizing the rustic and natural surroundings.

HikingDay hiking opportunities are available, per official sources. User reviews do not provide further details.

FishingFishing opportunities are mentioned in authoritative sources, but specific details about fish species or locations are not provided.

BikingMountain biking is available, as confirmed by official sources, but there are no details about trail lengths or difficulty levels.

Wildlife viewingUser reviews frequently mention black bears in the area. One reviewer warned, 'Black bears are found in the area, so no leaving items out or in a tent.' This suggests wildlife viewing opportunities.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBlack bears are present; proper food storage is essential. "Overgrown, tired sites" may present minor navigational issues.

Active AlertsOne user review mentioned that the campground was closed for over a year around 2021.

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

Weather at Pole Creek Dispersed Campground

Reviews

4.5

34 reviews

Recommended

Pole Creek Dispersed Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground's rustic charm, spacious sites, and lack of modern amenities like water and electricity. Some reviewers appreciate its cleanliness and quiet environment, while others note the overgrown infrastructure.

Review Summaries

Based on 34 reviews

What Campers Love

- 'Clean vault toilets.' - 'Spacious sites.' - 'Beautiful scenery, safe, convenient.' - 'Nice little campground.' - 'Wide open and offers good scenery.' - 'Not too buggy and less crowded.'

Based on 34 reviews

Common Concerns

- 'Overgrown, tired sites with non-functional water spigots.' - 'No water and no electric, so come prepared.' - 'Not open! Not sure why... hasn't been for a year or more.'

Based on 34 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

- Bring your own water. - Be prepared for no electricity. - Use bear-proof storage for food items, as black bears are noted in the area.

Based on 34 reviews

Seasonal Insights

During the off-season, the campground is quieter and lacks a camp host, as noted by reviewers. In warmer months, it is described as spacious and scenic, but its exposure can lead to windier...

Based on 34 reviews

Camper Quotes

- 'Nice, no hookups, clean and quiet.' - 'Outstanding place to camp or hike.' - 'Warm night and no wind. Unusual for the Laramie Highlands.' - 'Good Forest Service campground.' - 'Woke up to a cow in...

Based on 34 reviews