The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a federal government agency that protects much of the natural land in the United States. The places administered by the BLM are diverse areas consisting of many different ecosystems and climates and offering a variety of recreational activities. Lots of these sites are popular destinations for campers looking to get in touch with nature and sleep under the stars. By searching for "BLM camping near me," you can locate all the sites in your area.
One of these BLM sites is the Dugway Recreation Site in southern Wyoming. Located just 40 miles northwest of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, the Dugway Recreation Site features a scenic campground and hosts several types of outdoor fun. Visitors frequently fish in and float on the nearby river, hike the local trails, and observe the fascinating wildlife that inhabits the area.
The Garden Creek Waterfall Loop trail is a lightly trafficked trail north of the BLM site. Although the trail traverses rocky terrain, it's suitable for hikers of all ability levels. The best time to embark on this hike is between March and October, and you can bring your dogs as long as they're leashed!
Length: 1.3 miles
Intensity: Easy
The Bridle Trail Split Rock Loop winds through a forested, mountainous area near Casper, WY. The trail tends to get pretty busy at times, especially around the beautiful waterfall at the end of the hike, but you'll still have plenty of space to move around. Leashed dogs are allowed on the trail.
Length: 3.2 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The Platte River Trail is a point-to-point trail traversing the scenic land around the Platte River. In addition to hiking, the mostly-paved trail is an excellent destination for road biking.
Length: 9.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
The Cone Hill Loop is a quiet trail north of the BLM site. Hikers of all skill levels should be able to handle the hike, and dogs are allowed provided they remain leashed. Stay alert during the hike because many visitors have reported sighting various wildlife along the trail.
Length: 3.3 miles
Intensity: Easy
The cool waters of the North Platte River flow right through the Dugway Recreation Site. The river has developed a reputation as a quality spot to catch rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and walleye. If you visit during winter, you can head to one of the nearby lakes or ponds for some ice fishing. North of the BLM site, you'll find the Seminoe Reservoir, which features several boat ramps and offers fishing opportunities of its own.
Although the land is mostly flat around the Dugway Recreation Site, the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest to the southeast does feature several peaks. If you're a skilled technical climber, Pennock Mountain, Kennaday Peak, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Rock Creek Ridge are all significant climbs you can take on. There are also a few peaks spread out to the north of the BLM site, such as Bradley Peak and Ferris Mountain East.
Lots of interesting animals have been known to wander around the Dugway Recreation Site. If you keep your eyes and ears open, you might get to see pronghorns, mule deer, coyotes, bobcats, wolverines, cougars, black bears, or even grizzly bears. Make sure to watch your step in the area as well — a rattlesnake or two may cross your path.
You'll find scattered picnic tables situated around the BLM area's on-site campground. Additionally, you'll have access to fire rings and a vault toilet. Alternatively, if you want to find a secluded spot to lay out a blanket, you can search for a pleasant place on the banks of the nearby river.
The Dugway Recreation Site is a wonderful spot for some BLM RV camping. The Dugway Campground contains five campsites (one pull-through site and four spurs), all of which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground doesn't offer RV hookups or any modern amenities. There aren't any other Bureau of Land Management campgrounds nearby, but you will find a few more RV camping options to the southwest. Rawlins KOA Journey, for example, features numerous full hookup RV sites and provides showers, restrooms, laundry facilities, and Wi-Fi.
If you're searching for Bureau of Land Management free camping, your best bet will be to find and clear out your own primitive site. The North Platte River covers a large span of mostly open land in the area, so you should be able to locate a pleasant area near its banks.
When preparing for your trip to the Dugway Recreation Site, remember that the on-site campground has very limited availability. You'll want to have one or two of the other nearby options as your backup plans, and you may want to consider visiting on a weekday. You should also note that the BLM site is quite far from any large towns, and even the smaller ones aren't particularly close. If possible, bring along all the food and supplies you anticipate needing.
If you plan to navigate the nearby trails or venture away from the campground, you'd also be wise to bring bear spray. Before you head out on your trip, check our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
To preserve the health and appeal of the area, the BLM asks that you be diligent about cleaning up after yourself and respecting the site. Specifically, be sure to remove all waste and garbage when you leave, manage campfires, give the local wildlife plenty of space, and respect your fellow campers. With a bit of effort, you can contribute to keeping the Dugway Recreation Site beautiful and open to the public for decades to come.
To reach the Dugway Recreation Site from Rawlins, WY, travel east on I-80 for about 5 miles. Take the Sinclair exit heading west, then travel north for roughly 7 miles on County Road 351. At that point, take the turnoff on the right and look for signs leading to the BLM site.
Ready to visit the Dugway Recreation Site? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
