Campgrounds and RV parks near Riverton, WY

Boysen State Park surrounds Boysen Reservoir, an impoundment of the north-flowing Wind River in Fremont County, and covers more than 35,000 acres at the south end of the Owl Creek Mountains at the mouth of the Wind River Canyon. The reservoir draws anglers for walleye, perch, ling, and trout, and its open water suits boating and paddling. Drive north through Wind River Canyon on US-20 for river views, rafting outfitters, and layered rock formations exposed along the highway. Closer to town, families can visit the Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary, the Museum of the American West, and the Wind River Heritage Center. Day trips reach Sinks Canyon State Park near Lander, Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, and trailheads for the Wind River Range for hiking and fishing on alpine lakes.

The reservation season shapes trip planning at nearby state parks. Boysen State Park runs its reservation season from May 15 to September 15, and outside of that window sites remain open on a first-come, first-served basis. Summer, from mid-June through August, is peak season: warm days, long light, and full lake activity, but also the heaviest booking pressure at Libby Point, Poison Creek, and Sandy Hills, especially on holiday weekends. Late spring and early fall are quieter. Fall is a variable-length transition period before the relatively harsh winter sets in. Snow can fall as early as September or on rare occasion as late as November, and temperatures at the beginning of the season are typically in the 70s but decrease rapidly toward 30 degrees by the average first day of winter. Snowfall amounts are generally light, though one or two heavy storms are possible. Winter travel is possible but demanding. Boysen State Park is open year-round, though some campgrounds and facilities may be closed or on limited service during the off-season. Sub-zero cold snaps are routine in January and early February in the basin.

Terrain around Riverton is high-desert basin at roughly 4,950 feet, with sagebrush flats, cottonwood-lined river bottoms, and rocky bluffs. Sites at Boysen are largely open and exposed, with gravel surfaces and limited shade across most campgrounds. Wind is a constant factor; secure awnings and loose gear before leaving camp. Expect vault toilets, potable water, and dump stations at state park campgrounds rather than full hookups; in-town RV parks fill the gap for laundry, showers, and sewer service. During most winters, snow cover in the basin produces strong temperature inversions with very cold overnight lows and chilly afternoon highs, and in extreme cases nearby mountains can be 30 to 40 degrees warmer than the basin floor. Cell coverage is reliable in Riverton and spotty around parts of the reservoir.