Bow River Campground (WY)
Estimated location
Camp site features
Across 13 camp sites:
- Pets allowed: 12 of 13 sites
- Largest party: 8 people
Fees
There will be a few site that can be reserved on Recreation.gov, only those can be paid with card
first come first serve will use the self pay service at the campground and there you will be able to use Cash or Check
$14 per night per site.
Self Services Fee area.
Cash & Checks only
Please make Checks out To: (USDA Forest Service)
Directions
Directions:
From Saratoga, WY take the Snowy Range Highway east 20 miles to Forest Road 100. Turn onto Forest Road 100 and drive approximately 20 miles to the Bow River campground. This is a slow drive.
From Elk Mountain, WY take Carbon County Road 101 south to the National Forest boundary. Continue on Road 101 to Forest Road 100, approximately 2 miles. Turn onto Forest Road 100 and watch for the campground in less than .5 mile.
Stay Limit
Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.
Reviews
Sarah H
Loop:A
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
#1 issue: We had reserved a site for three nights. Drove three hours with our three kids to get there, only to find people set up on our reserved site. After telling them about our reservation, let's just say they were not the nicest people and refused to move. Luckily one of the first come first serve sites was open, so we set up there. There is no cell service in the area, and even if you happen to have star link or find decent humans with it who share (like we did), the rangers aren't available over the weekend. We left a voicemail on Friday evening, and I got a call back Monday. I will say, the ranger I talked to was very apologetic and recognized the problem, saying it's been an issue this summer. We were issued a full refund. It would have been quite the headache had that one site not been available though.
The actual campground is nice with a river nearby. The vault toilet is gross, but it's what I'd expect. The water pump is really hard to get anything out of, and the water is brownish when it does come out. We went for a walk and saw a black bear, so those are definitely in the area. Beautiful spot. Just beware of people not respecting reservations and being horrible humans.
Adan V
Loop:A
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
Pros:
The campsite location is pretty remote. You will not hear highway traffic at all at night. Excellent location for star gazing. Lots of wildlife activity. The river is about a 10 minute walk. Nice place to cool off.
Cons:
Cellular reception is minimal at best (again it’s pretty remote). The compost restroom at the back was not well kept. Some campsites don’t have any shade at all as many trees had to be cut down. It’s bear country, but there’s no bear boxes available. We were the only ones camping that day, but I can tell you don’t get much privacy.
Most important, THE WATER PUMP DOES NOT WORK. Bring enough drinking water, or water filtration bag and containers so you can get it from the river.
Amanda C
Loop:A
Site:
Reviewed 2 years ago
Campground was beautiful and empty!!! Bring your own water as there is no water available aside from the creek. Also, there is poison ivy growing at the site. My kids never had a problem with it, but if you’re sensitive- wear shoes!! Otherwise, an amazing camping experience!
Lois R
Loop:A
Site:
Reviewed 2 years ago
The campground is not well maintained especially the vault toilets. Worst of all there is no potable water even though the website says there was. This was a problem for us and we left a day early. The mosquitos were terrible! It it in a beautiful location and the long dirt road into the campground is. well maintained. There is too much logging in the area so it leaves the forest looking decimated.
Melissa E
Loop:A
Site:
Reviewed 3 years ago
We had a wonderful time in an absolutely beautiful area!! We had a group of 10 at several sites and everyone truly enjoyed themselves. Thank you!
S S
Loop:A
Site:
Reviewed 3 years ago
Beautiful area. Sites were nicely spaced apart. Dark skies were great for stargazing. Outer portion of loop better than inner. Not the easiest river access. Negative...none of the reserved sites were marked as reserved. It caused problems for a few groups, us included, to arrive on day of reservation to find people in our reserved site (at no fault of theirs since sites were marked open, even though they were reserved). The few sites that were marked as reserved were for outdated reservations from three weeks prior. Frustrating for all impacted.
Season dates
Peak season
Jul 1, 2027 – Sep 7, 2027
Reservable online
Peak season
Jul 1, 2028 – Sep 7, 2028
Reservable online
