Wyoming camping is high, dry, windy, and cold at night, and much of the northwest corner is grizzly bear country. The gear that matters most is a tent that stands up to strong wind, a sleeping bag rated well below freezing even in summer, bear spray and proper food storage, and layers for weather that can swing from sun to hail in an hour. Here’s how to prepare for Wyoming’s regions, seasons, and hazards.
Wyoming’s camping regions and seasons
Yellowstone and Grand Teton
The northwest corner holds Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, surrounded by the Shoshone and Bridger-Teton national forests. Much of Yellowstone sits above 7,000 feet, and snow is possible in any month. Summer days are often pleasant, but nights commonly drop near freezing.
The Wind River Range and western mountains
The Wind Rivers are a granite range packed with alpine lakes and peaks over 13,000 feet. They draw backpackers from all over the country. The Wyoming Range and Gros Ventre Range add more remote country nearby.
The Bighorns, Snowy Range, and Black Hills edge
The Bighorn Mountains in the north central part of the state include the Cloud Peak Wilderness. The Snowy Range in the Medicine Bow National Forest west of Laramie offers high lakes close to the road. In the northeast, Devils Tower National Monument sits near the Black Hills.
Basins and high plains
Between the ranges lie wide sagebrush basins, including the Red Desert and much of the Bureau of Land Management land in the state. It’s open, wind blown, and hot on summer afternoons, with little shade or water.
What to expect by season
| Season | Mountains and parks | Basins and plains |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (April to May) | Snow still deep up high, many roads and campgrounds closed | Wind, mud, cold nights, occasional snow |
| Summer (June to August) | Main camping season. Mild days, near freezing nights, afternoon thunderstorms, mosquitoes in early summer | Hot, dry afternoons, strong wind, lightning |
| Fall (September to October) | Crisp, clear, and quieter. Hard freezes and early snow are common. Hunting season begins. | Pleasant days, cold nights |
| Winter (November to March) | Deep snow and extreme cold. Most campgrounds closed. | Bitter wind chill, blowing snow |
The gear that matters in Wyoming
A wind ready tent
Wyoming is famously windy. Choose a tent with a low profile, strong poles, a full coverage rainfly, and plenty of guy out points, then actually use them. Pitch with the narrow end into the wind and look for natural windbreaks. Our guide on how to choose the right tent for your trip explains which designs hold up best.
A cold rated sleep system
Plan for nights in the 20s or 30s in the mountains even in July, and colder in spring and fall. A bag rated around 15°F to 20°F plus an insulated pad keeps most summer campers comfortable. Wyoming’s dry air suits down well; our comparison of down vs synthetic sleeping bags explains why. Remember that a warm bag without a good pad still leaves you cold from below.
Bear spray and food storage
In grizzly country, carry bear spray on your hip or chest strap, not buried in your pack, and learn how to use it before your trip. Store food, trash, cooking gear, and anything scented in a bear resistant container, a hard sided vehicle, or the food storage lockers and poles provided. Several national forests around Yellowstone have food storage orders that make this a legal requirement.
Layers and rain gear
Bring a warm puffy jacket, fleece, beanie, gloves, and a waterproof shell. Summer storms can bring cold rain, hail, and a sharp temperature drop in minutes.
Power and navigation
Cell service is spotty or absent across large areas. Carry a paper map and compass, and consider a GPS or satellite messenger for backcountry trips. For charging, Wyoming’s sunny days make small solar panels practical; see solar panels vs portable power banks.
Wyoming hazards to take seriously
Grizzly and black bears
Grizzlies live throughout the Greater Yellowstone area, including Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and surrounding forests, and black bears live across the state’s mountains. Hike in groups, make noise in thick cover, keep a clean camp, and never cook or store food in your tent. Some campgrounds in bear country restrict camping to hard sided vehicles, so check before you arrive.
Bison, elk, and moose
Large animals injure more park visitors than bears do. Yellowstone and Grand Teton require you to stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and at least 25 yards from other wildlife such as bison, elk, and moose. Give even more room when animals are with young.
Thermal areas
In Yellowstone, stay on boardwalks and marked trails in thermal areas. The ground can be thin crust over scalding water.
Lightning
Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, and open terrain leaves you exposed. Start early, plan to be off ridges and summits by early afternoon, and avoid camping on high points.
Cold and hypothermia
Snow and freezing rain can hit in any month at high elevation. Stay dry, eat, and warm up early. Never run a fuel stove, lantern, or heater inside a closed tent to stay warm. Carbon monoxide can build up and kill you in your sleep.
Altitude and sun
Many campsites are above 7,000 feet, and Wind River lakes sit far higher. Drink water, take it easy the first day, and descend if symptoms of altitude sickness get worse. The thin air also means strong sun, so wear sunscreen and sunglasses.
Bugs and wildfire
Mosquitoes can be intense near lakes and meadows in early summer. Late summer brings wildfire season and smoke. Check fire restrictions before you go.
Where people camp in Wyoming
National parks. Yellowstone and Grand Teton have many developed campgrounds that fill quickly in summer. In Yellowstone, overnight camping is allowed only in designated campgrounds and backcountry sites, and backcountry trips require a permit. Check the National Park Service for current reservation systems.
National forests. The Shoshone, Bridger-Teton, Bighorn, and Medicine Bow national forests offer developed campgrounds and dispersed camping, often with fewer crowds than the parks. Learn the basics in our guide to dispersed camping in the USA.
State parks and monuments. Curt Gowdy, Sinks Canyon, Boysen, Keyhole, and Glendo state parks are popular options. Devils Tower National Monument has a campground at its base.
BLM land. Much of central and southwestern Wyoming is public BLM land open to dispersed camping. Roads can be rough and turn to slick mud after rain, so carry recovery gear and check conditions.
Permits, fees, fire restrictions, and road openings change often. Confirm with the managing agency before your trip.
Wyoming camping packing checklist
- Low profile tent with strong poles, extra stakes, and guy lines
- Sleeping bag rated around 15°F to 20°F, insulated pad
- Bear spray in a quick access holster
- Bear resistant food container where required
- Puffy jacket, fleece, beanie, gloves, waterproof shell
- Camp stove and fuel
- Paper map, compass, and GPS or satellite messenger
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm
- Bug repellent and head net for early summer
- First aid kit, water filter, plenty of water for the basins
Leave No Trace in Wyoming
Keep wildlife wild by never feeding animals and keeping food secured at all times; a fed bear often becomes a dead bear. Camp on durable surfaces at least 200 feet from lakes and streams, which protects fragile alpine shorelines in places like the Wind Rivers. Use existing fire rings only when fires are allowed, and pack out all trash. On BLM land, stay on existing roads and reuse existing campsites instead of making new ones.
FAQ
When is the best time to camp in Wyoming?
July through early September is prime in the mountains and parks. Early fall is quieter and colder.
Do I really need bear spray?
In grizzly country around Yellowstone and Grand Teton, carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it is strongly recommended by park and forest managers.
How cold does it get at night in summer?
In the mountains and parks, near freezing is common, and frost or snow is possible. Pack for the 20s.
Is Wyoming camping similar to Colorado?
The mountain conditions are similar, but Wyoming is windier and more remote. See our Colorado camping gear guide for comparison.
Shop the gear
Start with a wind ready shelter from our tents collection and a cold rated bag from our sleeping gear. Head into remote country prepared with maps and compasses from navigation and safety and first aid supplies from safety and survival.
