West Tensleep Lake
Campground · Wyoming · 10 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Bighorn National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 10
- Bookable sites
- 45 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 8
- People per site
- 9,093 ft
- Elevation
Overview
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. The administering organization is Rustic Freedom / Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds; e-mail: support@rusticfreedom.com
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.
Facilities
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
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.Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (307) 431-7446.Nearby Attractions
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 This old fire lookout was built by the CCC decades ago and is no longer active.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.
Charges & Cancellations
Refunds: Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. 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).
The facts
- Season: June - Labor Day — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 10 bookable sites
- Vehicles up to 45 ft
- Up to 8 people per site
- Loops: WEST
Site types
- 9 Standard Nonelectric
- 1 Tent Only Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits.
10 campsites at West Tensleep Lake
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 2:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | WEST | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | Severe | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 002 | WEST | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Moderate | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 003 | WEST | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | Severe | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 004 | WEST | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | Slight | 35 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 005 | WEST | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | Severe | 35 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 006 | WEST | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | Slight | 35 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 007 | WEST | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | Severe | 35 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 008 | WEST | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | Slight | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 009 | WEST | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | — | Severe | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 010 | WEST | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
Getting there
44.25833, -107.21583 · 44°15'30.0"N 107°12'57.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 1.9 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 1.7 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
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.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about West Tensleep Lake
- Can you reserve a site at West Tensleep Lake?
- Yes, West Tensleep Lake is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does West Tensleep Lake have?
- 10 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at West Tensleep Lake?
- 45 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at West Tensleep Lake?
- Yes, pets are allowed at West Tensleep Lake.
- Are campfires allowed at West Tensleep Lake?
- Campfires are allowed at West Tensleep Lake. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
West Tensleep Lake also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by West Tensleep Lake's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- $20 per night. Additional vehicle $9. Limit 2 vehicles per site and 8 people per site. 7 reservable sites.
Restrictions:
- 14 day stay limit, non-motorized boating
Camping near West Tensleep Lake
- Island Park Campground 3.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sitting Bull 5.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Willow Park 5.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lakeview Bighorn 5.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Boulder Park Campground 6.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Circle Park Campground 11.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sheep Mountain Fire Lookout 11.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Deer Park Campground 1.1 mi · Campground
- Sitting Bull Campground 4.6 mi · Campground
- Lake View Campground 5.6 mi · Campground
- Powder River Interpretive Site 10.1 mi · Facility
- Lower Paintrock Lake Campground 12.5 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 406-587-9054
- Email support@rusticfreedom.com
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-14.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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