Lake Owen Campground

Closed — Closed for the season. Typically opens late May or early June through mid-September, weather dependent. First-come, first-served only, no reservations.

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About

Lake Owen Campground sits adjacent to 55-acre Lake Owen in the Medicine Bow National Forest, offering a peaceful mountain camping experience at 9,000 feet elevation. The campground features 35 first-come, first-served sites arranged in two loops under a dense canopy of lodgepole pines with scattered aspens. Both loops include sites with views overlooking the lake and the dramatic Snowy Range. The lake provides opportunities for fishing and boating, with a boat access point available. A valid Wyoming fishing license is required. Sites feature grass understory and are well-separated to provide adequate privacy. The campground operates on a 14-day stay limit. No potable water is available, so campers must bring their own. The remote location requires travel on forest service roads, and access is weather dependent. This is a primitive camping experience with vault toilets and trash collection provided. Payment may be available via QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app's Scan and Pay feature, though cellular service may be limited. The campground is managed by the Laramie Ranger District.

Directions

From Laramie, take WY 130 west 21.7 miles to WY 11. Turn left onto WY 11 and continue onto Albany for 10.9 miles. Continue on Forest Road 500 past the forest boundary for 2.2 miles to Forest Road 513. Turn left onto Forest Road 513 and continue 2.5 miles to Forest Road 517. Turn left onto Forest Road 517 and continue 1.5 miles to Forest Road 540. Turn right onto Forest Road 540 and continue 2.8 miles to the campground.