The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Sweetwater Rocks (Lankin Dome) is a BLM-owned recreation and wildlife observation area in Wyoming. Lankin Dome is officially named a wilderness study area by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and is just one part of the larger Sweetwater Rocks Recreational Area. Lankin Dome makes up over 6,000 acres of public land, all of which can be camped on for free. However, the Lakin Dome Wilderness Study Area is made up of both mountains and flats, so camping with an RV is mainly confined to the flats.
Relatively close to the Sweetwater Rocks (Lankin Dome) area are Wyoming's two great national parks, Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. Relatively close by is also Badlands National Park in South Dakota, a 370-square-mile park with a unique rocky landscape. The closest city to Sweetwater Rocks is Jeffrey City, Wyoming, a small town with stops for gas and food.
Inside of the larger Sweetwater Rocks Recreational Area is the Split Rock Trail that circles Split Rock, a 1,000-foot high peak. There are also small landmarks from the 1800s along the trail that were left behind by previous immigrants in the area.
Length: 4.7 miles
Intensity: Easy
The Sweetwater Rocks Trail circles around Countryman Peak, a peak over 7,000 feet tall. The terrain of this trail is difficult at times with rising and falling elevation over rocks.
Length: 5.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Devil's Gate is a trail nearby the Sweetwater Rocks Trail with a generally easy terrain to follow. This trail weaves through hilly peaks and a couple of running water creeks.
Length: 3.7 miles
Intensity: Easy
Visitors to this area can enjoy rock climbing with the large range of granite rock mountains on the other side of the Lankin Dome flats. Lankin Dome itself is a feature of these mountains and has been known to attract rock climbers from all over the United States and beyond.
Wilderness viewing is a must-do when visiting the land. Common large animals spotted in the area include elk, deer, moose, grizzly bears, and mountain lions. There are also plenty of smaller animals and birds that you can see, too, including bald eagles. Photography of wildlife is popular as well, especially since the scenic Nolen Pocket flats and Lankin Dome can be spotted in the background.
There are no picnic tables or shelters in the Sweetwater Rocks (Lankin Dome) area, but picnicking is still permitted. If you'd like to picnic here, consider eating in the area of the flats on a blanket, towel, or camping chairs. However, be sure not to leave any food or trash behind, and bring your own trash bag to use because there are no trash receptacles at Lankin Dome either.
Wyoming's clear summer nights make it the perfect destination for stargazers and hobby astronomers. Since overnight stays at Lankin Dome are permitted, you may choose to camp or lay out under the stars here. Keep in mind, though, that even the summer months in Wyoming can have chilly and windy nights, so be sure to bring plenty of jackets and blankets.
If you aren't sure you want to stay at a Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, consider RV camping at one of the local RV parks or campgrounds instead. One good choice is the Maverick RV Park and Campground, a campground with full hookups and friendly hosts all year-round. Another good choice is Twin Pines RV Park and Campground, another campground with hookups for RVs and free Wi-Fi access.
There are Bureau of Land Management free camping options at Sweetwater Rocks (Lankin Dome). RVs are permitted in the area, but keep in mind that they may not be able to access the mountainous areas easily, so stick to the flats in order to avoid any possible damage to your RV. The Lankin Dome area borders privately owned lands, too, without marked boundaries, so it's advised that overnight campers stay close to the marked trails to avoid trespassing.
When traveling to Sweetwater Rocks (Lankin Dome), be sure to travel with everything you may need already packed. This includes water and batteries since there are no hookups or water and electrical points at Sweetwater Rocks (Lankin Dome). Plan to pack according to the season, too, since summers can be quite hot, and winters can be very cold. Bug spray is not essential since Wyoming tends to be dry, but sunscreen can be useful any time of year since days are more likely to be sunny.
Once you've planned your BLM camping route and packed for your trip accordingly, get ready to enjoy the closeness you'll get with nature while camping on BLM-owned land. Because BLM-owned land, like Sweetwater Rocks (Lankin Dome), are primitive areas, they are far away from highways, stores, and restaurants. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Sweetwater Rocks (Lankin Dome) is an area with a Leave No Trace policy. This policy requires all visitors to pick up after themselves and leave the land in the condition it was in before they came. When visiting this area, you should keep your distance from the native wildlife and take care of any trash and waste by disposing of it off the land.
To reach Sweetwater Rocks (Lankin Dome) from the north, take US 287 S from Kotey Place for 49 miles. From there, you'll turn left onto the unmarked road that leads into the Sweetwater Rocks Recreational Area. After that, take the Agate Flats Road, a dirt road, to access the Lankin Dome area.
To reach Sweetwater Rocks (Lankin Dome) from the south, take US 287 N from Rawlins for 65 miles; then turn right onto the same unmarked road that will lead you into the Sweetwater Rocks area.
Ready to visit Sweetwater Rocks (Lankin Dome)? 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.
