Campgrounds and RV parks near Upton, WY

Water recreation centers on Keyhole Reservoir. Visitors can fish, boat, water ski, and swim, with walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, crappie, perch, and catfish among the game species. Five boat ramps launch onto the reservoir, a marina sells fishing and boating supplies, and a beach area sits south of the marina. Devils Tower National Monument is a short drive north of Upton and is the region's headline attraction, with a paved loop trail around the base, climbing routes, and summer ranger programs at the amphitheater near the campground. The Thunder Basin National Grassland, west and south of Upton, covers roughly 550,000 acres of intermingled federal, state, and private land where hunting, dispersed camping, OHV riding, and wildlife viewing are popular. Closer to town, Upton has a small city park and easy access to the northeast corner of the grassland just north of town.

The primary RV season runs from late May through September, when Keyhole State Park campgrounds are on their reservation calendar and Devils Tower is fully open. At Keyhole, sites outside Wind Creek are available by reservation only from May 1 to September 30, and first come, first served outside those dates. The Belle Fourche River Campground inside Devils Tower National Monument is open seasonally from mid-May through mid-October. July is the warmest month, with afternoon thunderstorms common on the plains. Late spring brings the wettest weather of the year, so travelers should expect muddy access roads and the possibility of quick storm cells. Fall is cooler and quieter, with hunting seasons active across the grassland and private ranches. Winter travel is possible but demanding. Keyhole is open to camping year-round, with reservations required for all campgrounds except Wind Creek from May 1 through September 30, and first come, first served outside those dates. Cold temperatures, wind, and snow are typical from late fall through early spring, and some park roads and access points may be limited by conditions.

Expect wide-open country, long sight lines, and limited services between towns. Cell coverage is patchy once travelers leave I-90, and fuel stops thin out on secondary roads. Grocery runs are easiest in Moorcroft, Sundance, or Gillette. At Keyhole State Park, most campgrounds are dry or offer limited amenities, and the sites spread over a large footprint. The reservoir itself covers roughly 14,700 acres, so driving distances between camping areas are longer than they look, and a few access roads are narrow for big rigs. Developed campgrounds have potable water, flush toilets, and trash collection, while primitive campgrounds have vault toilets. Wildlife is part of daily life here. Prairie dogs, mule deer, wild turkeys, and pronghorn are common, and rattlesnakes are present in warm months. Wind is a regular factor on the plains, so awnings should be secured whenever the site is unattended.