Vedauwoo Dispersed Camping
Medicine Bow National Forest · Laramie, WY
Dispersed camping — conditions change
Fire restrictions, road washouts, and seasonal closures are common on public lands. Confirm current rules with the managing agency (BLM/USFS field office) before traveling. Practice Leave No Trace.
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What is dispersed camping?
Dispersed camping is primitive camping on public land outside of developed campgrounds. There are no facilities — no toilets (usually), no water, no trash service, no marked sites. You may camp anywhere within the area, usually for free, subject to the agency's rules below. Pack everything out, follow Leave No Trace, and check current conditions with the land manager before you go.
Vedauwoo (pronounced "vee-da-VOO") is a famous climbing area in the Medicine Bow National Forest between Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyoming. Dispersed camping is allowed on adjacent National Forest land — 14-day USFS limit, 100-ft setback from water/roads, MVUM-required for motorized access. The developed Vedauwoo Campground (separate, fee, reservable) is nearby for water and toilets.
Previously disturbed sites only
Camp ONLY in established / previously used spots. Pioneering new sites is prohibited under the management plan and subject to citation.
USFS Motor Vehicle Use Map required
You must use the Forest Service Motor Vehicle Use Map for this district to identify which roads allow camping. Off-MVUM driving and camping is illegal.
Commercial / film permits required
Filming, photography for hire, guiding, and other commercial activities require a separate permit from the agency. Personal recreational use does not.
- Managing agency
- USFS · Laramie Ranger District (Medicine Bow-Routt NF)
- Designation
- National Forest
- Max stay
- 14 days per location
- Group size limit
- 75 people
- Road access
- Graded dirt
- Distance from water (LNT)
- 100+ ft
- Vehicle notes
- I-80 paved access. Forest roads are dirt — most passable to passenger cars in dry weather.
Facilities
- ✓ Vault toilet present (1 location)
- →Potable water: Vedauwoo Campground (developed, fee) for water/toilets, or Laramie ~25 miles west.
- →RV dump: Laramie or Cheyenne RV parks.
- →Cell: Reliable along I-80; spotty in the back of the granite formations.
Resources & official references
Fire restrictions (live)
- MBR — alerts and current fire orders ↗
Live alerts feed for the forest. Check before any campfire or stove use.
Official agency page
- USFS — Vedauwoo recreation page ↗
Official rec-area page covering the developed campground and dispersed adjacent forest.
Field office / ranger district
- USFS Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest ↗
Forest landing page — alerts, contact, MVUM.
Leave No Trace
- Leave No Trace — 7 Principles ↗
Pack everything out, camp on durable surfaces, respect wildlife, etc.
Official sources & verification
Managed by Dispersed/Primitive
Source of truth
- Agency source page
The page our published rules and notes are derived from.
Verify by phone or mail
- Address:Laramie, WY
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Campground Rules
- Campfire rules vary by season + location — verify current fire restrictions with the managing agency before lighting
In this park
Trails at Medicine Bow National Forest
Turtle Rock and Valley Massif Loop
LaBonte Canyon
Libby Creek Trail From Barber Lake
Encampment River Trail via Purgatory Gulch
North Fork Trail #304
Summit Trail and Crow Creek Loop
Within ~30 miles
Trails near Vedauwoo Dispersed Camping
Vedauwoo Trail
Wyoming
Turtle Rock, Phallic Trail, Valley Mastif, Regolith, Skeleton Trail Loop
Wyoming
Turtle Rock Loop Trail
Wyoming
Turtle Rock and Valley Massif Loop
Wyoming
Turtle Rock, Phallic Trail, Valley Massif Trail
Wyoming
Cow, Skeleton, and Devils Slide Trails
Wyoming
Hunt context
Hunting unit around this campground
During hunting seasons, wear blaze orange and check regulations — see the Wyoming hunting page
