Located near Rawlins, Wyoming, the Dugway Recreation Site is the perfect getaway for those wanting to break away from social media, busy work lives, and modern amenities. This area of Wyoming has a plethora of different mountain ranges that paint the background of sunsets, deep valleys that are perfect for skiing, and plenty of unique vegetation to photograph. If you’re interested in staying more than a single afternoon, consider pitching a tent or parking the RV at the Dugway Recreation Campground. There are five campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis.
When this is full, there are a variety of other campgrounds in the area. When you’re not catching some sleep, there are plenty of fun activities to enjoy while visiting the Dugway Recreation Site. You can take photos of the beautiful landscape during sunset, go bird watching with binoculars, take a hike, or cast a line in the North Platte River in hopes of catching a yellow perch or largemouth bass. With so many amazing things to do at over 6,000 feet in elevation, Dugway Recreation Site is the perfect place for the whole family to visit.
Many people haven’t been to Wyoming before. If it’s your first time visiting, it’s important to know where you’re going. Terrain can change fairly quickly and you want to avoid getting lost without cell phone reception or any idea of where the closest gas station is. If you’re coming from Rawlins, you can easily take Interstate 80 to get to the Dugway Recreation Site. You’ll eventually exit onto County Road 351, which will lead you to the turnoff that brings you to the recreation site.
If you’re traveling during the winter, it is a good idea to check the weather before heading out the door. Some of the roads in the area can become impassable due to heavy snowstorms. This can also happen in the spring when there’s excessive rain and mud. It may be smart to drive a vehicle with four-wheel drive if you do plan on visiting during the winter or spring.
Once you get to the Dugway Recreation Site, you have your choice of ways to get around. You can throw on a pair of hiking boots, skis, or even snowshoes. You could also get around using a mountain bike in the valley or watercraft on the river.
It’s incredibly convenient to be able to stay right at the recreation site. Dugway Campground is the perfect place for outdoor lovers to rest their heads. This BLM campground has a total of five campsites. Each of these campsites is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Dugway Recreation Site is open to the public year-round. Four of these campsites are spur campsites, while the remaining is a pull-through site that is perfect for larger rigs.
You’ll be able to stay there in a tent, hammock, or RV. It’s important to note that there aren’t any RV hookups available and the campground is rather dispersed. There is a fire ring and picnic table at all five campsites. Before heading to bed at Dugway Recreation Site and Campground, be sure to look up at the stars. Since there aren’t any large cities nearby, the stars shine extra bright in this area of Wyoming!
Located in the Grasslands of the Great Divide Basin, Teton Reservoir is another amazing campground. It is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is open year-round. With that being said, most visitors come between the beginning of June through the end of autumn. This is because the roads in the area can get so muddy that they become impassable. Teton Reservoir Campground also has five free campsites available for locals and visitors. These campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Each campsite has a picnic table, a grill for cooking, and a fire ring. It may be important to note for some travelers that horses aren’t allowed in this campground. If you’re traveling with them, consider the other two campgrounds.
When you stay at Teton Reservoir Campground, you’ll have quick and easy access to the reservoir itself. This can come in handy if you’re traveling in the winter months and are looking for a place to cool off.
Fishing is easily the most popular peak season activity that people enjoy while visiting Dugway Recreation Site. If you’re traveling with an angler or you consider yourself an avid fisherman, it’s time to cast a reel into the North Platte River. Within walking distance, just northwest within the campground there is a lake and pond you can fish in as well. The more commonly caught fish at Dugway Recreation Site are largemouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch.
Whether you’re starting your day with campfire coffee or frying up some fish that you just caught in the river, picnicking is an activity that visitors of all ages can enjoy.
Because Dugway Recreation Site is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, it is encouraged to follow the No Trace Left Behind Act. This nudges visitors to clean up after themselves to help preserve the area and keep it clean for the wild animals.
If you’re looking to get a bit of exercise in while you’re visiting Dugway Recreation Site, try hiking! This is a fun activity that also helps you burn off that meal you just had while picnicking. There are hiking trails throughout the area, but it may be worth it to try roughing it and exploring the open areas. Bring a pair of hiking boots to prevent your feet from getting sore and blisters from the changing terrain.
Last but not least, if you’re not partial to modern amenities, consider staying at Mineral X BLM Campsite. As the name suggests, this is the third Bureau of Land Management campground to make the list. There you will find no amenities like running water or RV hookups. Though camping is available for both RV and tent campers, due to the rough terrain, it’s suggested that tent campers choose one of the other two campgrounds. Mineral X BLM Campsite is open all year round.
There aren’t specific campsites within Mineral X, each camper can stay as long as there’s room. There isn’t a fee and you won’t be near any stores or supply shops. This is truly a place for someone interested in roughing it. If you’re looking for a natural adventure during your stay at Dugway Recreation Site, Mineral X is worth a shot when it comes to places to get some rest.
Whether you’re traveling alone or you’re with the young and elderly, wildlife viewing is an amazing activity the entire family can enjoy. It doesn’t matter the weather or the time of year, there are always critters roaming around Dugway Recreation Site.
It’s important to look at all the beautiful animals from a safe distance. Depending on when you visit, you might see bobcats, grizzly bears, American black bears, a variety of birds, cougars, or wolverines.
You can go ice fishing during the colder months all around Dugway Recreation site. Whether you want to cast a reel in the North Platte River or one of the many lakes and ponds in the area, you’re bound to catch some fresh dinner. The most common types of fish that you can find are yellow perch, walleye, largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. Remember to have the proper fishing license for Wyoming before casting a line.
If there is snow on the ground, it’s a great idea to bring a pair of skis when packing the RV for your trip. Skiing is a fun activity that visitors of all ages can enjoy. There are plenty of spots that are casual and easy to ski on, even for beginners. Because of the open space in the valley, there is plenty of room to gain some speed and have an adventure while exploring the recreation site.
