West Tensleep Lake

West Tensleep Lake

A Rural campground in Wyoming

West Tensleep Lake sits among the stunning landscapes of Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming . With 50 campsites (RV-friendly up to 35 feet feet) , restrooms, potable water, great hiking, it's a favorite for rural adventurers.

Reservations are required year-round , and the best times to visit are Apr-oct when the weather is most comfortable .

🌈 PurpleTents helps LGBTQ+ campers discover welcoming outdoor experiences here and across America.

🏕️ At a Glance

⛺ Sites: 50
🚙 Max RV: 35 feet ft
🏛️ Agency: Usda Forest Service
🚻 Restrooms: Yes
💧 Water: Yes
🐕 Pets: Allowed
🚿 Showers: No
🥾 Hiking: Available
🦅 Birding: 100/100 (Pacific Flyway)
⏱️ Stay Limit: 14 days
💲 Nightly Fee: Fees Apply
📅 Reservations: Required (Recreation.gov)
🌆 Best Seasons: Apr-oct
📍 GPS: 44.2583, -107.2158
🆔 Facility ID: 232131

💳 Booking & Fees

📅 Reservations: Required - Book on Recreation.gov →
💵 Nightly Fee: Fees Apply
📋 Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations made 3+ days before arrival typically receive a refund minus service fees. Check Recreation.gov for specific policies and deadlines.

⏰ Stay Limit: 14 days
💡 Tip: Book early for peak season (Apr-oct). Sites can fill up months in advance.

💧 Water Access & Features

🏞️
Nearest Water Body
West Tensleep Lake
Lake
🔒 PLUS+ Content
Unlock distance to water, flow data, water availability details, and safety information for this campground.
📏 Distance✅ Availability🗺️ All Sources💡 Safety Tips
Unlock with PLUS+ ✦$7/mo or $60/year (save 30%)

📸 Discover the Beauty of Bighorn National Forest

🌤️ Best Time to Visit

Plan your trip during the optimal season for this campground.

🌞 Apr-oct

🦅 Peak birding: Apr, May, Sep

🦌 Recent Wildlife Sightings

Recent wildlife observations near this campground from the iNaturalist community.

🔒 PLUS+ Content
Unlock real-time wildlife sightings from iNaturalist community scientists near this campground, including photos, species names, and observation dates.
🦅 Birds🦌 Mammals🦎 Reptiles📸 Photos
Unlock with PLUS+ ✦$7/mo or $60/year (save 30%)

West Tensleep Lake located in Wyoming, offering 50 camping sites.

West Tensleep Lake

A Rural campground in Wyoming

📍
Location
, Wyoming
💰
Fees
Fees Apply

Stay Limit
14 days
🚌
Max RV Length
35 feet
🐾
Pets
Available
📡
Cell Coverage
Verizon: Fair
AT&T: Fair
T-Mobile: Poor

Overview

Com West Tensleep Lake Covers 125 Acres and Is Open to Non-Motorized Watercraft Only, Making It a Perfect Location for Canoeing and Fishing. West Tensleep Lake Campground Is Located on West Tensleep Lake on the West Side of Scenic Cloud Peak Skyway, Near the Cloud Peak Wilderness Area. the Bighorn National Forest Offers a Wide Variety of Activities, Including Hiking, Fishing, Scenic Driving and a Number of Historic Sites.

Off-Road Vehicle Trails, Scenic Jeep Roads, Hiking and Horseback Riding Trails and Many Fishing Streams Are Available in the Surrounding Area.

the Nearest Dump Station Is 17 Miles Away on Powder River Pass the Campground Is Situated on the Southern Shore of Scenic West Tensleep Lake, in an Area Full of Alpine Lakes and Creeks. the Bighorn National Forest Offers a Wide Variety of Activities, Including Hiking, Fishing, Scenic Driving and a Number of Historic Sites. the Administering Organization Is Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds; E-Mail: Gccampgrounds13@Gmail. Anglers Will Find Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout in the Cool Waters of the Lake.

the Popular West Tensleep Lake Trail Begins Just Outside the Campground. the Trail Leads Into the Cloud Peak Wilderness, Passing Lake Helen, Lake Marion and Misty Moon Lake Before Climbing to the Summit of the 13,167 Foot Cloud Peak, the Highest Peak in the Bighorn Range. the Campground Offers Single-Family Sites Each Equipped with a Picnic Table and Campfire Ring with Grill. Accessible Vault Toilets, Drinking Water and Trash Collection Are Provided. a Forest of Lodgepole Pine, Douglas Fir and Spruce Trees Covers the Area.

Nearby Attractions

Meadowlark Lake Is Within a Few Miles of the Campground. This Small Lake Allows Motorized Craft at a No-Wake Speed.

the High Park Lookout Is Located Just East of Meadowlark Lake. This Old Fire Lookout Was Built by the Ccc Decades Ago and Is No Longer Active. a Short Hike Leads to the Lookout, Where Hikers Are Awarded Panoramic Views of the Surrounding Area.

Deer Haven Lodge and Meadowlark Lodge Are Nearby, Offering Dining, Lodging, Guided Horseback Riding and Fishing and Camping Supplies.

Charges & Cancellations

Refunds: Refund Requests Made Through Www. Recreation. Gov Will Be Charged a $10 Processing Fee. This Cancellation Processing Fee Is Retained by the Reservation Service Contractor Along with the Non-Refundable Reservation Fee. All Requests for the Return of the Non-Refundable Reservation Fee and the Cancellation Processing Fee Will Be Declined by the Campground Concessionaire As They Did Not Receive These Fees (These Are the Fees Retained by the Reservation Contractor, a Different Entity).

Managed by: Usda Forest Service

Site Details

Campsite Information

  • Total Sites: 50
  • Hookup Types: Electric
  • Max RV Length: 35 feet

Amenities

  • 🚻 Restrooms: Available
  • 🚿 Showers: No
  • 🗑️ Dump Station: Available
  • 💧 Potable Water: Available
  • 🛝 Playground: No
  • 🧺 Laundry: False
  • 📶 WiFi: False
  • 🏊 Swimming: No
  • 🎣 Fishing: Available
  • 🛥️ Boating: No
  • 🥾 Hiking: Available

Map & Location

Address & Coordinates

Address:

City: , Wyoming

Coordinates: 44.2583333, -107.2158333

Area Type: Rural

Phone:

Activities & Attractions

Popular Activities: Fishing|hiking|picnic|dump-station|water|fire-ring|lake|river|trail|rv

Available Activities:

  • 🎣 Fishing: Available
  • 🛥️ Boating: No
  • 🥾 Hiking: Available
  • 🏊 Swimming: No

Regulations & Permits

🔥 Stay Limits & Fees

Maximum Stay: 14 days

Nightly Fee: Fees Apply

Federal Pass: Yes (50% discount)

📋 Reservations

Reservations: Yes

Book on Recreation.gov

🌤️ Weather & Climate

84.9°F
Summer High
15.9°F
Winter Low
13.13″
Annual Precip
Jul
Hottest Month
Dec
Coldest Month
Apr-oct
Best Visit Time

📱 Connectivity

Verizon

Fair Signal

LTE

AT&T

Fair Signal

LTE

T-Mobile

Poor Signal

4G

📺 Television Reception

Major Networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS

Signal Quality: Fair

Total Stations: 6 stations

Nearest Market: Cheyenne/DENVER

Notes: Signals FROM Cheyenne/DENVER MARKET

📻 Radio Reception

Total Stations: 10 stations (3 AM, 7 FM)

AM Quality: Good | FM Quality: Fair

Major Formats: Country, Classic ROCK, NEWS/TALK

Local News: KTWO 1030 Am

Market: Cheyenne/CASPER

Notes: 3 AM, 7 FM Stations from Cheyenne/Casper

🔌 EV Charging

⚡ Quality Inn Buffalo – Tesla Destination

Distance: 26.9 miles away

Address: 75 N Bypass Rd, Buffalo, WY

Network: tesla-destination

Charging Type: Standard-charging-available • Tesla

Essential Information

Park System Information

Park Classification & Structure

  • Park Type: National Forests
  • Parks Post Name: bighorn-national-forest
  • Parent Park Name: Bighorn National Forest
  • Correct Park Type Mapping: bighorn-national-forest

System Statistics

  • Total Campgrounds in System: 31.0
  • States Covered: Wyoming
  • Managing Agencies: Usda Forest Service

System IDs & References

  • Parent Organization ID: 131.0
  • Parent Recreation Area ID: 1058
  • Parks Parent Org IDs: 131.0
  • Parks Parent Rec Area IDs: 1058, 1058.0

URL Slugs & Navigation

  • State Slug: wyoming
  • Agency Slug: usda-forest-service
  • Park Type Slug: national-forests
  • Parent Park Slug: bighorn-national-forest

Additional Park Information

Welcome to Bighorn National Forest! This Beautiful Destination Features 31 Campgrounds Across Wyoming. Managed by Usda Forest Service, This Location Offers Incredible Camping Opportunities for Every Type of Outdoor Enthusiast.

Data Reference Notes

Managing Agency Slug: usda-forest-service

232131 West Tensleep Lake