USDA 5-24-18
Forest Road 700 (Vedauwoo Road) on the Pole Mountain unit of the Medicine Bow National Forest has been opened for motorized travel and designated dispersed camping.
The designation of dispersed camping sites along the popular stretch of Forest road is new this year and visitors should be aware of what that means. Basically, signage will now direct recreationists where they can legally camp along the Vedauwoo Road and its’ spur roads.
Following are guidelines for the 73 marked and numbered sites that have been designated for dispersed camping:
- Open to all types of RVs and tent campers
- Free, but sites have no services
- Camping at designated sites or Vedauwoo Campground only
- All vehicles and campfires must be within 50 feet of site marker at all times, including trailers and RVs (100 feet at Group sites).
- One party per site
- Sites are first come, first served
- No more than two vehicles per site (pull-behind trailers and UTVs not included)
- Groups greater than 8 people or two vehicles must use group sites marked with a “G” on site marker
- Length of stay is limited to 16 days at a given site
- Day-use visitors should avoid parking in designated dispersed camping sites
- No fires, grills or stoves except at designated sites
- Do not establish new fire rings
- Do not blacken or deface rocks or other features
- No overnight parking except at occupied designated sites and identified overnight parking areas
- All trash must be packed out
- All human and animal waste must be packed out or buried greater than six inches deep
Signage has been posted at various locations along the Vedauwoo Road and brochures are available to assist the public with understanding the new guidelines.
This system of camping was evaluated and selected as part of the Pole Mountain Travel Management decision signed in July of 2017. It is intended to improve visitor experience by spreading campers out, preventing environmental damage from campsite proliferation and over-use, and by maintaining the beauty and tranquility of this unique area.
Aside from the Vedauwoo Road corridor, the remainder of the Pole Mountain unit is open year-round to typical dispersed camping. Motor vehicle use off of designated roads for the purpose of dispersed camping is allowed for up to 100 feet from the centerline of the road.
Forest-wide in southeast Wyoming, the developed campgrounds listed below will be open to visitors for Memorial Day weekend. Fees, available services such as potable water at campgrounds, and road conditions vary widely, so please check with the local Ranger District office prior to traveling.
Laramie Peak area
Campbell Creek, Curtis Gulch, Esterbrook, Friend Park
Pole Mountain area
Tie City, Vedauwoo, Yellow Pine
Sierra Madre area
Bottle Creek, Jack Creek
Snowy Range area
6 Mile, Bow River, French Creek, Lake Owen, Lincoln Park, Upper loop of North Fork, Pelton Creek, Pine, Ryan Park, South Brush Creek, Willow
Those traveling through the National Forest should pay attention to signage and refer to Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) for details. MVUMs are free and physical copies can be obtained at Forest Service offices. Electronic versions of the free map are available online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mbr/mvum/maps.
It is the user’s responsibility to know where they are and what types of restrictions there may be when accessing public lands.
For more Medicine Bow National Forest recreation information, contact the Forest Service offices listed below. You can also visit our website at http://fs.usda.gov/mbr, or follow the Medicine Bow National Forest on Twitter, @FS_MBRTB.
- Forest Supervisor’s Office, 2468 Jackson Street, Laramie, WY, (307) 745-2300
- Brush Creek-Hayden Ranger District, 2171 Highway 130, Saratoga, WY, (307) 326-5258
- Douglas Ranger District, 2250 E. Richards Street, Douglas, WY, (307) 358-4690
- Laramie Ranger District, 2468 Jackson Street, Laramie, WY, (307) 745-2300
