West Tensleep Lake
West Tensleep Lake Campground is located on West Tensleep Lake on the west side of scenic Cloud Peak Skyway, near the Cloud Peak Wilderness Area. The Bighorn National Forest offers a wide variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, scenic driving and a number of historic sites.
More like this: reservable in Wyoming · big rigs in Wyoming · pets allowed in Wyoming
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
active
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 9 |
| Tent-only | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
10 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 009 | Tent only | Pull-through | 18 | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Two non-towed vehicles allowed per site. The first vehicle is included in the basic fee; the second vehicle will be charged an extra $9.00/day fee at the campground. Firewood may be purchased from the campground host. |
The campground offers single-family sites each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. The nearest dump station is 17 miles away on Powder River Pass
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | June - Labor Day |
| Forest | Bighorn National Forest |
| Booking | This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or online. |
| Fees | $20 per night. Additional vehicle $9. Limit 2 vehicles per site and 8 people per site. 7 reservable sites. |
| Rules | 14 day stay limit, non-motorized boating |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Worland, Wyoming, take U.S. Highway 16 east 49 miles. Take West Tensleep Road (Forest Road 27) seven miles to campground.
| Nearest town | Ten Sleep, Wyoming |
| Coordinates | 44.2583° N, 107.2158° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- The administering organization is Rustic Freedom / Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds; e-mail: [email protected]
Charges and cancellations
This cancellation processing fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the non-refundable reservation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation processing fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees (these are the fees retained by the reservation contractor, a different entity).
Fire nearby
- WildfirePk
34 mi from the campground · 1,645 acres · 85% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Leigh Creek RV Dump Station ↗ | 8.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 37.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
West Tensleep Lake, WY from Ryan W.
Worth a stop
Meadowlark Lake is within a few miles of the campground. This small lake allows motorized craft at a no-wake speed. The High Park Lookout is located just east of Meadowlark Lake. This old fire lookout was built by the CCC decades ago and is no longer active. A short hike leads to the lookout, where hikers are awarded panoramic views of the surrounding area. Deer Haven Lodge and Meadowlark Lodge are nearby, offering dining, lodging, guided horseback riding and fishing and camping supplies.
- 5.2 miLily Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 13.5 miEdelman Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miSalinas0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miMisty Moon ↗6.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miWest Tensleep Falls0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1 miHighline ↗4.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.2 miWest Ten Cutoff1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.2 miTensleep3.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.3 miWest Tensleep TH ↗Bighorn National Forest · Season June
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Bighorn National Forest.
- inBighorn National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,112,948 acres
- 0.2 miCloud Peak Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 191,914 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Schunk LodgeHistoric district · Big Horn · 7.3 mi
- James T. Saban LookoutStructure · Ten Sleep · 7.6 mi
Natural features
The campground is situated on the southern shore of scenic West Tensleep Lake, in an area full of alpine lakes and creeks. A forest of lodgepole pine, Douglas fir and spruce trees covers the area.
Recreation
West Tensleep Lake covers 125 acres and is open to non-motorized watercraft only, making it a perfect location for canoeing and fishing. Anglers will find rainbow, brown and brook trout in the cool waters of the lake. The popular West Tensleep Lake Trail begins just outside the campground. The trail leads into the Cloud Peak Wilderness, passing Lake Helen, Lake Marion and Misty Moon Lake before climbing to the summit of the 13,167 foot Cloud Peak, the highest peak in the Bighorn Range. Off-road vehicle trails, scenic jeep roads, hiking and horseback riding trails and many fishing streams are available in the surrounding area.
Guidebooks for Wyoming
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at West Tensleep Lake?
Sites at West Tensleep Lake are reservable on Recreation.gov. This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or online. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at West Tensleep Lake?
Two non-towed vehicles allowed per site. The first vehicle is included in the basic fee; the second vehicle will be charged an extra $9.00/day fee at the campground. Firewood may be purchased from the campground host.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at West Tensleep Lake?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is West Tensleep Lake open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season June - Labor Day.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does West Tensleep Lake have?
10 sites, including 9 standard sites without power and 1 tent-only site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at West Tensleep Lake?
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at West Tensleep Lake?
The nearest dump station is 17 miles away on Powder River Pass
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at West Tensleep Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at West Tensleep Lake. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at West Tensleep Lake?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. 14 day stay limit, non-motorized boating
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at West Tensleep Lake?
West Tensleep Lake covers 125 acres and is open to non-motorized watercraft only, making it a perfect location for canoeing and fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to West Tensleep Lake?
Ten Sleep, Wyoming. Meadowlark Lake is within a few miles of the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if West Tensleep Lake is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Island Park Campground (3.8 mi), Sitting Bull (5.2 mi), and Willow Park (5.3 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby