Renting an RV in Wyoming

Known by many as the Cowboy State, Wyoming is a large state characterized by both the Rocky Mountains and the High Plains. There’s plenty to see no matter what part of the state you’re in, and the diverse landscape in the state is best explored in an RV.

Renting an RV in Wyoming is one of the best ways for you to not only get around one of the most sparsely populated states in the country, but it’s also a fantastic way for you to experience the various mountain towns, natural locations, and natural wonders.

With some of the most impressive protected natural environments in the entire country, Wyoming is a place that has to be on your and your family’s bucket list.

Why Renting an RV in Wyoming Is the Way to Go

Wyoming is a big state. It’s in the top ten for the largest states in terms of area. That means you’ll need a way to get around it. While you can certainly do this in a car, renting an RV provides you with both your sleeping accommodations and a vehicle to drive around.

Western states like Wyoming are perfect for RV travel. Paved roads are typically wide and there’s usually plenty of space to maneuver a large vehicle easily. You’ll find even in Wyomings thriving cities that RVs are welcomed. Also, you should have no problem finding a campground to park your RV once you reach your destination. Campgrounds and RV resorts are plentiful and there are also plenty of places to boondock or dry camp if you’re interested in that.
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10 Unforgettable Places to See in Wyoming in Your Rental RV

Wyoming is full of publicly owned land. National parks and protected lands are plentiful and that means there are endless possibilities for campers and those who rent and RV in Wyoming to find places to explore. While there are ten bucket-list-quality places listed below, there are far more in the state than listed here.

Yellowstone National Park

The first and arguably the most famous national park in the entire country, Yellowstone provides visitors with an extremely unique experience. The entire park is situated in one of the most active hydrothermal and geologic areas in the world. This park features geologic wonders amazing scenic views, and tons of activities. You can hike, bike, watch wildlife, learn about the park, go horseback riding, picnic, or participate in some of the Ranger-led programs.

Yellowstone offers 12 different campgrounds and over 2,000 campsites. Many of these are designed for RVs, so if you rent an RV in Wyoming and visit Yellowstone, you should be able to find a place to stay. Still, the park is extremely popular so we advise you to try to make a reservation whenever possible. There are additional campgrounds outside of the park that you can stay at as well.
RVs near Yellowstone

Learn more about Yellowstone National Park.

Grand Teton National Park

The Grand Teton National Park is the Rocky Mountains at its best. The park offers up some of the most impressive natural structures in the entire West. There are over two hundred miles of trails within the park and you can float or fish the Snake River, too. There’s a long list of activities available at the park, including boating, climbing, mountaineering, cycling, wildlife viewing, and much more.

Grand Teton National Park has seven different campgrounds some of which can accommodate RVs. Some of these campgrounds take reservations and we highly recommend that you make one if you can. The amenities will vary from campground to campground, so make sure you plan accordingly.
RVs near Grand Teton National Park

Learn more about Grand Teton National Park.

Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Want to learn about the great American West? Then you need to come to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. This unique complex is made up of five different museums. The museums include the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Plains Indian Museum, the Whitney Western Art Museum, the Draper National History Museum, and The New Cody Firearms Museum. There are also numerous events for you to partake in, including chuckwagon dinners, an escape room adventure, horseback riding, Cody Firearms Museum exclusive tours, saddle shop experiences, and the Draper Raptor Experience.

There is no campground at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, but there are many campgrounds around the city of Cody that the center is in. You should have no issues finding a campground to park your rented RV. With that said, we would still advise you to make a reservation with the campground of your choice if possible. This will ensure you don’t have to stay too far outside of Cody.
RVs near Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Learn more about Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

Granite Hot Springs

Are you looking for a good place to relax? The Granite Hot Springs inside the Bridger-Teton National Forest might be the perfect place for you to do just that. The hot springs are a popular attraction so time in the pool is limited but still worth the visit. When you’re not lounging in the hot springs, you can picnic, go swimming in the surrounding bodies of water, and do some hiking in the area. There’s plenty to see and do here.

There are a couple of different campgrounds right at or near the hot springs. So you should be able to find some accommodations there. If those options aren’t available, then there are some more campgrounds back towards the main roads leading through the mountains towards either the town of Bondurant or Jackson.
RVs near Granite Hot Springs

Learn more about Granite Hot Springs.

Bighorn National Forest

Located in the northern part of the state, Bighorn National Forest features some of the most breathtaking mountainous landscapes thanks to the Bighorn Mountains, a sister range to the Rocky Mountains. This forest offers some of the best hiking, biking, fishing, picnicking, horseback riding, and camping you’ll find anywhere in the state. With over 1.1 million acres, this forest is one of the oldest protected forest lands in the country. For the historical significance alone, it’s worth seeing.

When you start looking at campgrounds in the area, you’ll notice there are a lot of them. Some will be better than others, but many of them will accommodate RVs. The amenities for all of these campgrounds are different, so it’s best to do your due diligence and check ahead to see if they’re what you’re looking for, regardless you should be able to find a serene campsite to park your rented RV.
RVs near Bighorn National Forest

Learn more about Bighorn National Forest.

National Elk Refuge

While the National Elk Refuge isn’t open year-round. If you’re visiting Wyoming during the months that it is open, then you need to visit this location. It’s a place that feels downright magical. At the refuge, you can do a sleigh ride through the area among thousands of elk. It’s an unforgettable experience for the entire family.

It’s recommended that you make reservations for the ride through the refuge. Also, the National Elk Refuge is only open from December to April. This may put a damper on many RVer’s plans, but if you do visit during this time, you’ll be in the off-season, which means you’ll miss most of the other visitors to the area. With Jackson Hole right nearby, there’s plenty to do and see and also plenty of campgrounds for you to park your rented RV.
RVs near the National Elk Rufuge

Learn more about National Elk Refuge.

Devils Tower National Monument

One of the most unique natural structures in all of North America, Devils Tower National Monument. This unique geological site protrudes seemingly out of nowhere among the Black Hills. It was a Native American sacred place, and today it’s a wonderful spot for hiking, rock climbing, exploring, and so much more.

The campground at Devils Tower isn’t a massive one and there are no hookups for RVs. However, RVs are welcome there up to a certain length. The campground doesn’t accept reservations and is first-come-first-serve. There are also plenty of other campgrounds outside of the monument that will accommodate RVs. Learn more about Devils Tower National Monument.

RVs near Devils Tower Monument

Fossil Butte National Monument

If you want to see history frozen in time, check out the Fossil Butte National Monument. This unique location features flat-topped ridges in a dry, desert-like landscape full of unique fossils of fish and other wildlife. It’s an amazing look at ancient life in a subtropical landscape. Here, there are trails to hike and scenic routes to drive. There’s also horseback riding, stargazing, bicycle riding, and more.

There is no camping at Fossil Butte National Monument, but there are plenty of campgrounds and RV parks around the monument. There’s also an abundance of Bureau of Land Management property that surrounds the monument. This land is available for dry camping or boondocking.
RVs near Fossil Butte National Monument

Learn more about Fossil Butte National Monument.

Bridger-Teton National Forest

I touched on Bridger-Teton National Forest when I discussed the Granite Hot Springs, but this wonderful forest deserves its own spot on this list. The forest is located in the western portion of the state, and it covers more than 3.4 million acres. That’s a lot of land to explore. There are over 3,000 miles of roads and trails within the forest, and that means you can hike and bike to your heart’s content. You’ll also find amazing wildlife here, and some of the best rivers in North America.

Dispersed camping is allowed in the forest, but there are plenty of campgrounds and RV parks in this area of the state, so we highly suggest at least spending some time at a nice RV park with plenty of amenities. If you want to boondock, that’s great, but it’s nice to spend some time at a park with some amenities, too.
RVs near Bridger-Teton National Forest

Learn more about Bridger Teton National Forest.

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

Stretching between Wyoming and Utah, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is located right on the Green River. The area features a wide variety of landscapes and weather conditions, and this makes pretty much any activity available from hiking, biking, and fishing to snowshoeing (in the right time of the year) and cross-country skiing.

At the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, over 43 campgrounds host over 700 campsites. Many of them will be able to accommodate your rented RV. The features and amenities for these campsites will vary, so you need to be sure you check to see which one you want to stay at and make a reservation if possible.
RVs near Flaming Gorge Recreation Area

Learn more about Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.

Campgrounds and RV Parks in Wyoming

Campgrounds are plentiful in Wyoming. You can check out some of the best at Good Sam.

With such an emphasis on the great outdoors and all of the national parks, monuments, forests, and protected areas, it’s no wonder that these areas have plenty of campgrounds in them. 

It’s important to note that many of the campgrounds in Wyoming that are a part of the National Park Service are first-come-first-serve. Some of them will accept reservations, but they tend to book up fast. We suggest trying to make a reservation where you can, but in some cases, you might need to show up and hope for the best. It’s smartest to have a backup campground or two in mind if you can’t get into your first choice. 

You should also be aware that some campgrounds will not have full hookup campsites. You will sometimes be able to find a campsite at a campground but be without a hookup for power and water. This is quite common, and you should plan for it. Do some research ahead of time, and you should know what you’re getting into before you arrive.

See this list of campgrounds in Wyoming compiled by Good Sam.

Things to Know About Renting an RV in Wyoming

Things to Note About Camping in Wyoming

Wyoming is a large state by area. This means you will likely be driving long distances. Campgrounds that look like they’re fairly close together on a map may not be. You need to keep this in mind when selecting a campground to stay at.

Also, make sure to pay attention to the weather. In the mountains, the weather can change quickly and you need to be prepared to react appropriately. This means camping with the right clothing and supplies. Additionally, you’ll need to note that high in the mountains, there is often still ice and snow on the road even into the summer months. This should impact how you drive.

Another note on driving your rented RV, stick to main roads. The last thing you want to do is get stranded somewhere that isn’t highly trafficked. Camping in Wyoming is amazing, but you can be without cell coverage at times, especially in the mountains. This means you should try to stick as close as possible to roads where you can get help should you need it.

Dry Camping or Boondocking in Wyoming

Dry camping or boondocking in Wyoming is a fantastic way to get back to basics and truly enjoy your trip. It allows you to get off the beaten path and away from the sometimes-large crowds at main attractions like Yellowstone National Park.

Boondocking is when you camp without an electric or sewer hookup. Sometimes you’ll be forced to do this at certain campsites, but you can also choose to do it on the Bureau of Land Management property. Also, many national forests and other protected lands will let you boondock. Make sure to check before you camp, and always make sure to practice leave-no-trace camping guidelines if you do decide to boondock.