Pike Pole Campground

About

Pike Pole Campground offers primitive camping in a remote corner of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, nestled between the Savage Run Wilderness to the north and Platte River Wilderness to the south. At 7,800 feet elevation in the Sierra Madre Range, the campground provides a quiet basecamp for backcountry exploration. The campground has 6 small sites suited for tents or single vehicles. This is truly primitive camping with no developed facilities: no toilets, no potable water, and no picnic tables. Some sites have fire pits. The Douglas Creek Trailhead within the campground provides direct access to the Platte River Wilderness. Access requires navigating forest roads. The northern approach from Albany via FR 500 to FR 511/512 is recommended. The southern route from Encampment via FR 3423 is unmaintained and requires 4WD. The 14-day stay limit applies.

Directions

From Laramie, take WY 130 west 21.7 miles to WY 11, turn left and go 13 miles to Albany, then take Forest Route 500 for 2.8 miles to the Keystone sign at FR 542, continue east on FR 511, then FR 512 for approximately 12 miles to the campground. Alternative route (4WD required): from Encampment, go southeast 16 miles on WY 230, then east on FR 3423.