Free Camping Near Laramie Wyoming - The Lost Longboarder

As you’re driving along the I-80 in southeast Wyoming, there are a couple prominent features that stand out. One is the giant head of Abraham Lincoln at the nice rest area up on the hill. The other is an interesting forested area with cool rock formations that stand out from the surrounding plains. This area is part of the Medicine Bow National Forest and is a place where you can find great free camping near Laramie. It is beautiful and there are numerous dispersed camping options throughout. Not only is this area conveniently located just off the I-80 but it is also a worthwhile destination in itself!

Basic Camping Information

Ownership: Forest Service

Length of Stay: 14 days

Directions to Spot #1: From Laramie, take the I-80 East to exit 323. Turn left onto Happy Jack Road and then turn right onto Forest Road 705. This is where there is a large rest stop with a very large statue of Abraham Lincoln’s head. Pass the rest area and follow the road over a cattle guard. Here the road will become a well managed slightly bumpy dirt road. Follow FR 705 down for 3.5 miles from when the dirt road starts . The dirt pull out will be on the right.

Free campsite in Medicine Bow National Forest

Directions to Spot #2: From Laramie, take the I-80 East to exit 323. Turn left onto Happy Jack Road and at the next intersection stay straight following Happy Jack Road (or the 210). After about 1 mile turn left onto Forest Road 712A. The forest road winds to the right before ending at the woods where there are a few established campsites.

Road Conditions: Dirt roads are pretty well maintained and manageable without 4×4

Miles from Town: about 13 miles from Laramie

Cell Service: We did not have T-Mobile reception at our camp spots but we did at the nearby rest area.

Solar: Many of the available spots have excellent solar

Water: There is water, restrooms, and garbage cans at the rest area just as you take exit 323 off of the I-80.

Our Experience

When we first got to this area, we went one exit further east on the I-80 to Vedauwoo. This is the main area with the awesome rock features that you can see from the interstate. At Vedauwoo there are recreation opportunities, a pay campground and there is also Forest Road 700 that supposedly is just covered in dispersed camp sites. When we got there though, there was a closed gate preventing access. We used the Motor Vehicle Use Map to find a different place to dispersed camp in this National Forest. The MVUM is a map of the forest roads in the area and it shows where dispersed camping is allowed throughout the area. These maps are free and are available at the ranger station or a digital format can be downloaded online.

While we were in this area we actually camped at two different spots and they were both great.

Spot #1

The first spot we camped in was low in a valley like area among the beautiful surrounding forest. This spot was in a semi fenced dirt pull out just off Forest Road 705.

This used to be a day use area but because there was no modification to help cross the stream it is no longer managed as a day use spot. There is a stream that flows near this camp spot and it looked very clean.

Stream at campsite in Medicine Bow National Forest

Once across the stream there is a large open meadow that is bordered by forest. There were also a few picnic tables and restrooms that are no longer maintained. There was some traffic on the FR 705 but not to the point of being disturbing. Also, rangers passed by frequently and it felt very safe. The highlight of this spot for us was seeing our first moose!

Spot #2

The second spot that we stayed at was more up on a rolling hilltop with vast views of the rolling plains in all directions. There are still patches of woods and some cool rocks spread across the area. While we were here we saw lots of Pronghorn. It was a very pretty and peaceful spot.

There seemed to be less traffic here because it is not directly off of a through route. It was windy at this camp spot because it was a more exposed location. And the stars were amazing! We also found a makeshift shelter in the woods and we thought it be a good backdrop for a picture of our Bigfoot Freestyle Longboard.

Lost Coast Longboarding in Medicine Bow National Forest

All in all, this area was beautiful and peaceful with the opportunity to get out and explore! It was also conveniently located off of the I-80 and its proximity to the rest area was great for getting cell service, water and restrooms. It was also not too far of a drive to Laramie for any supplies or services you may need.

Like this article? Pin it!

We really enjoyed this camping experience, it was a very nice area to call home for two weeks. There are many more options for free camping in this Medicine Bow National Forest area in addition to the two spots mentioned. If you have a Motor Vehicle Use Map of the area you can see all of the dispersed camping spots available or you can wander the forest roads and choose your favorite.

While we were in the area we checked out the nearby skateparks! You can read about those by clicking the links below:

Check out the latest line up of hand crafted longboards and apparel from us at our Lost Coast Longboarding shop. We make all of our products on the road while exploring as much of the country as we can. Click the link below to get to the shop!