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
💳 Booking & Fees
Cancellations made 3+ days before arrival typically receive a refund minus service fees. Check Recreation.gov for specific policies and deadlines.
💧 Water Access & Features
📸 Discover the Beauty of Bighorn National Forest
🌤️ Best Time to Visit
Plan your trip during the optimal season for this campground.
🦅 Peak birding: Apr, May, Sep
🦌 Recent Wildlife Sightings
Recent wildlife observations near this campground from the iNaturalist community.
West Tensleep Lake located in Wyoming, offering 50 camping sites.
West Tensleep Lake
A Rural campground in Wyoming
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 ServiceSite 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)
🌤️ Weather & Climate
Summer High
Winter Low
Annual Precip
Hottest Month
Coldest Month
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
Plan Your Visit
Essential Information
- Facility ID: 232131
- Managing Agency: Usda Forest Service
- Agency Email: gccampgrounds13@gmail.com
- Agency Website: http://www.recreation.gov
- Parent Park: Bighorn National Forest
- Park Website: /parks/bighorn-national-forest/
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
Data Reference Notes
Managing Agency Slug: usda-forest-service
Explore More Camping Options
View all campgrounds in Wyoming | Browse our Wyoming camping guide
Other Campgrounds in This Park
Explore more camping options in the same park system: