Located in central Wyoming near the town of Casper, Lodgepole Campground is a beautiful spot of land. It is currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management. This campground offers a variety of campsites that are available to the public at no cost. There are a few other campgrounds in the area if you visit during the busy season.
Wyoming is a state that is filled with breathtaking landscapes and a plethora of wild animals. There are over 500 species that call the state their home. In fact, during your visit to Lodgepole Campground, wildlife viewing is one of the most popular activities that visitors enjoy. There are plenty of other things to do during your stay as well.
You can sit down and have a relaxing picnic after a long day of hiking on one of the many trails in the area. There is also a variety of unique vegetation within Lodgepole Campground. You can pack the RV full of your loved ones and spend a few nights there. This is a great way to break away from your daily life and immerse yourself in nature.
There aren’t many large towns near Lodgepole Campground. The closest town is Casper, with a population of around 60,000 people. If you’re coming to Lodgepole from that area, you can easily take Highway 251. This will lead you to the top of Casper Mountain and County Road 505. Eventually, this will turn into a dirt road until you reach the entrance for Muddy Mountain, which is another seven miles.
The campground is less than ¼ mile from the entrance of Muddy Mountain. Traveling around this area in the spring and winter can be difficult. Because the majority of the roads in the area are dirt or gravel, it can get quite muddy and hard to navigate. For this reason, it is suggested that visitors make sure to check the weather forecast for a week ahead of their scheduled trip and try to drive a vehicle that has four-wheel-drive.
Once you’ve arrived at Lodgepole Campground, most people get around on foot, with a good pair of hiking boots. There are other options for transportation, such as mountain bikes, skis, and even off-highway vehicles.
You don’t have to travel far to get rest after a long day of exploring Lodgepole Campground. As you can tell by the name, you can park the RV or pitch a tent right there! There are a total of 15 campsites to choose from. Each campsite has a leveled tent pad and a fire ring. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll be able to stay at one of the pull-through sites if you have a larger rig.
Lodgepole Campground had two double-vaulted toilets that are available for the campground to use. You won’t find any other modern amenities or RV hookups available. If you enjoy hiking, you’ll like that there are multiple trailheads in the area. In the summer you’ll be able to pitch a tent near wildflowers and amazing views of a valley. Overall, Lodgepole is a beautiful place to stay.
Elkhorn Springs offers camping on a first-come, first-served basis for campers. Camping is allowed in a tent or a small RV at this campground. It is open year-round, but the roadways may shut down if the weather gets bad enough. There are a total of five campsites that are dispersed throughout the area. It’s important to note that there are no hookups available for those staying in RVs. You will not find toilets or running water at Elkhorn Springs Campground.
During the day there are a variety of fun outdoor activities that you can enjoy. Mountain Biking and hiking are extremely popular there, as well as dirt biking. If you want a place to get away that won’t be overrun by families and large crowds, Elkhorn Springs Campground is the place for you. The tall trees give off plenty of shade if you’re planning on staying during the hot Wyoming summer months.
Campbell Creek Campground has a name that sounds like it’s right out of an 80’s teen movie. It is a very small and cozy campground that has six campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each of the campsites sits right along Campbell Creek. The creek is a great place to cool off during the warmer months and offers a calming soundtrack to fall asleep to. The busiest month at Campbell Creek Campground is June and the six campsites fill up rather quickly.
Camping is allowed for RVs, trailers, and tent campers. There aren’t any RV or trailer hookups available for campers. The one rule that campers must follow is that there are no horses allowed here, but there are equestrian campgrounds nearby. There is one vault toilet available for the entire campground to share, as well as potable water. This is a great spot for families to park for a night or two when visiting Lodgepole.
If you want to get a workout in during your stay, hiking is one of the most popular peak season activities. There are two trailheads that make it easy to hike up Muddy Mountain. There are even ADA accessible hiking trails there. There are miles of singletrack trails that are specifically designed for those who need them. The trails vary in difficulty, meaning there is something for everyone. Just be sure to wear proper hiking boots to avoid blisters!
There are over 400 species of birds that call Wyoming home! If that’s not enough, 100 mammal species can be seen throughout the state as well. This is why wildlife viewing is one of the peak activities that visitors can enjoy. Depending on the time of year that you visit, you might see a grizzly bear, a black bear, elk, bobcats, moose, and even wolverines. Remember to never approach any wild animal in its natural habitat.
Mountain biking is another fun activity that you can enjoy while visiting Lodgepole Campground. Whether that’s your method of transportation to use to get from one campsite to another or you want to take on one of the trails, this is a thrilling activity nonetheless.
It’s important to wear the proper safety gear, as there are cliffs and drop-offs in the area. You will have to bring your own mountain bike as well.
Stargazing is a relaxing and romantic activity for solo travelers, couples, and families to enjoy. Because there aren’t any large cities close by to cause pollution, the stars shine extra bright in this area of Wyoming. The area can get a bit chilly at night. Be sure to pack a thermos of delicious hot chocolate and a couple of blankets to get the most out of this activity. You can even download a star app to see what constellations are out.
Picnicking is a fun off-season activity that just about anyone can enjoy. Whether you plan something simple like peanut butter and jelly or you want to have a more complex meal, picnicking is relaxing and easy to do. Whatever you end up munching on, it’s important to not leave any scraps of food or trash behind. This not only keeps the area clean, but it also prevents bears and other wild animals from smelling your food.
Wyoming is an underrated state, especially for how beautiful it is. There are a variety of different landscapes in the area and they make great backgrounds for photographs. The lush forests filled with towering pine trees make the perfect place for a photoshoot.
Whether you’re a professional or you’re just wanting to take photos to show your friends, Lodgepole Campground is a stunning place to capture a moment in time, even if you just use the camera on your smartphone.