Friend Park Campground

Overview

Situated at the base of Laramie Peak, the Friend Park Campground has 11 sites surrounded by firs, pines, and aspens with beautiful Friend Park to the southwest. A favorite of both tent and trailer campers, it is another great location for recreating within the Laramie Peak Unit of the Douglas Ranger District. The campground is popular for OHV riding, fishing, hiking, hunting, mountain biking, or just getting away to relax.

Recreation

The Laramie Peak area in the Medicine Bow National Forest is located in Central Wyoming. The Douglas Ranger District manages the Laramie Peak and Thunder basin National Grasslands areas. Year-round recreation uses include hiking, fishing, hunting, OHV riding, camping, biking, horseback trail riding, and rock climbing. Primary access across the district is by I-25 and Highway 59.

The Laramie Peak Connector Trail leaves the campground and leads to the Friend Park Trail and Laramie Peak Trail. Hiking access to the Roaring Fork Trail is located along the nearby FSRD 661.A.

There are many fishing opportunities just below the campground in Friend Creek and the beaver ponds along the Connector Trial. Other fishing areas are along the Upper Horseshoe Creek on National Forest System lands and WY State Trust land.

Mountain Biking

• Upper Roaring Fork Trail

• Friend Park Trail

• North Laramie River Trail

• Harris Park Trail

• Laramie Peak Trail

• Sunset Ridge Trail

• Lost Creek Trail

• Arapaho Trail

• Albany Peak Trails

• Black Mountain Look out

Mountain Climbing

• Curtis Gulch Trail

• Upper Roaring Fork Trai

Day Hiking

• Upper Roaring Fork Trail

• Friend Park Trail

• North Laramie River Trail

• Harris Park Trail

• Laramie Peak Trail

• Sunset Ridge Trail

• Lost Creek Trail

• Albany Peak Trails

• Black Mountain Look out

Backpacking

• Upper Roaring Fork Trail

• North Laramie River Trail

• Harris Park Trail

• Lost Creek Trail

• Albany Peak Trails

Horseback riding

• Upper Roaring Fork Trail

• Friend Park Trail

• Arapaho Trail

• North Laramie River Trail

• Harris Park Trail

• Laramie Peak Trail

• Sunset Ridge Trail

• Lost Creek Trail

• Black Mountain Look out

OHV Riding

• Arapaho Trail

• FSRD633 Trails

• Sunset Ridge Trail

• North Laramie River Trail

• Laramie Peak Trail

• Albany Peak trails

• Black Mountain Look out

Facilities

There are 11 campsites in a lightly wooded, rocky area with picnic tables, fire rings, pedestal grills, vault toilets, trash collection, and potable water. Most campsites have abundant shade and several of the walk-in sites are spaced far enough apart to have a dispersed feel.

Potable water is typically available in this campground from early June to late November. These dates may vary due to weather. Potable water availability may vary due to well and/or pump maintenance, and water testing requirements. As such, we encourage you to bring your own drinking water or call ahead.

Natural Features

The campground is at an elevation of 7,572 feet within a mature stand of ponderosa pine, along with aspen and firs. Several of the walk-in sites have a great view of Laramie Peak. The general area is intermixed with timber, meadows and large rock formations.

The highest peak in the Laramie Range at 10,200 feet, Laramie Peak was once a welcome sign to pioneers on the Oregon and Mormon trails, as well as the first ‘real' mountain most had ever seen.

Nearby Attractions

Visitors can find many outdoor opportunities in the surrounding area including OHV riding, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, sightseeing, rock climbing, photography, and horseback riding. Fishing opportunities nearby in Friend Creek and Upper Horseshoe Creek. Sunday services available nearby at the historic Esterbrook Community Church (non-denominational).

Camp site features

Across 11 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 11 sites
Pets allowed: all 11 sites
Longest RV: 30 ft
Largest party: 8 people

Fees

$20 - single site per night

Directions

DIRECTIONS: Campground is approximately 47 miles South of Douglas, WY. Take Hwy 94 (Esterbrook Road) south from Douglas for 17 miles. Continue south on CR 5 for 11 miles, then southwest 15 miles on CR5, turn left (SE) on FSRD 671 for 2 miles to FSRD 661 then 1 mile to the campground. From Rock River (59 miles) Take Hwy 287 North, turn right onto Fetterman Road (CR 61) travel 33.6 miles (gravel road after 10.5 mile), turn Right on CR74 Garrett Rd, in 6.7 miles this will turn into CR77 Bear Creek Rd, then FSRD 671, after 14 miles turn right onto FSRD 661, Friend Park Road for 1 mile to the CG.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

9 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

1 stars

Joan L

Loop:Main

Site:

Reviewed 11 days ago

Beautiful. Rugged climb

Charles P

Loop:Main

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Remote with great access to trails. Clean and well-maintained. Worth the drive.

Kerry G

Loop:Main

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Peaceful and well cared for campground. The campground is right there next to the trailhead up Laramie Peak.

Elyse J

Loop:Main

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

Our first night was great as we had the campground to ourselves. Quiet with an amazing dark sky. The second night we experienced a lot of people with overly large campers & loud pick-up trucks driving in & turning around which created a lot of unwanted dust. The campground is better suited to tent camping than campers. There were also numerous people arriving late to take any unclaimed spots. Not as idyllic or quiet as we experienced the night before. The vault toilet was clean, but running out of toilet paper so bring your own just in case! The fire rings are in desperate need of being cleaned out. There are some which are so high with ash that they are unusable. The site has non-potable water which is handy. Good proximity to numerous hiking trails.

Tim F

Loop:Main

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

We hosted a pretty good sized event. There was ample space for everyone, and the amenities were o outstanding. Staff were friendly and made sure the toilets were always clean and stocked with toilet paper andhand sanitizer.

Melanie H

Loop:Walk-in

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

I arrived and discovered my campsite was the furthest one away. No level area to put my tent. Pinecone everywhere. So I tried sitting at the picnic table to eat a sandwich and I couldn't even finish it because there were so many large biting flies!! I left. Guess I wasted $60. Won't be back. Very disappointed

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve