Esterbrook Campground
Medicine Bow-Routt Nfs & Thunder Basin Ng
Esterbrook Campground is nestled within a pine forest along a broad ridge north of Laramie Peak. A favorite of both RV and tent campers, it is a terrific jumping-off point for recreating in the Laramie Peak Unit of the Douglas Ranger District. The campground is popular for OHV riding, fishing, hiking, hunting, and mountain biking.
There are 12 campsites in a lightly wooded, rocky area with picnic tables, fire rings, pedestal grills, vault toilets, trash collection, and potable water. Most campsites have a dispersed feel as they are widely spaced apart.
Potable water is typically available in this campground from mid-May to late November. These dates may vary due to weather. Potable water availability may vary due to well and/or pump maintenance, and water testing requirements. As such, we encourage you to bring your own potable water or call ahead.
Need to Know
Need to Know
Check-in time is after 2:00 p.m. on the first day of the reservation.
Check-out time is 1:00 p.m. on the last day of the reservation.
If the reservation holder doesn't show up on the first day of the reservation, the campsite is released at check-in time (2 pm) the next day.
There are no hookup services.
Maximum length of stay is 14 days.
Fires are only allowed in USFS approved metal fire rings.
Single Campsites are limited to 8 people and 2 vehicles per site, Double sites are 16 people and 4 vehicles.
Only 1 RV/trailer per single campsite, 2 RV/Trailer per double site.
No RVs or camper trailers can park in parking spaces for walk-in tent campsites. These campsites and associated parking are for tent camping only.
Dogs must be on leash.
Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
You are responsible for reading the site descriptions and booking a site that will accommodate your equipment.
Check the elements
-What is in the skies? Check the weather report before you leave home. When you arrive at the site, keep on eye on the skies for changes and, if possible, carry a compact weather radio. In inclement weather, take shelter until the bad weather passes. Stay dry - wet clothes contribute to heat loss. Also, keep sleeping bags and important gear dry at all times.
-Are there forest or grassland alerts? Forest and grassland home pages post alerts you should know before you go. Many of our forests and grasslands also post alerts on Twitter. The latest fire information may be found on InciWeb.
Survey your surroundings
-Arrive early. Plan your trip so that you arrive at your actual campsite with enough daylight to check over the entire site and safely set up camp.
-Check for potential hazards. Be sure to check the site thoroughly for glass, sharp objects, branches, large ant beds, poison ivy, bees, and hazardous terrain.
-Avoid areas of natural hazards. Check the contour of the land and look for potential trouble spots due to rain or snow. Areas that could flood or become extremely muddy can pose a problem.
-Inspect the site. Look for a level site with enough room to spread out all your gear. A site that has trees or shrubs on the side of prevailing winds will help block strong, unexpected gusts.
-Pitch your tent in a safe spot. Make sure your tent is made of flame-retardant fabric, and keep it a safe distance away from campfires. Keep insects out of your tent by closing the entrance quickly when entering or leaving.
Be fire safe
- Check to know whether there are fire restrictions in place before starting a campfire. You could be fined if you start a fire in a restricted area.
-Keep fires small and bring firewood purchased in the local area. Firewood brought from another area could also bring invasive pests.
-If you have to collect firewood at your campsite, collect dead and down wood only.
-Use existing fire rings. Scrape away litter and any other burnable material within a 10-foot-diameter surrounding the ring.
-Make sure all wood fits inside the fire ring. Do not feed a large log into the fire ring.
-Have a shovel, axe, and bucket of water available before lighting your campfire.
-Never leave a campfire unattended, even for a few minutes or even if there are no flames present. Many wildfires start because of abandoned fires or because someone thought a fire was out.
-Put out a campfire by slowly pouring water onto the fire and stirring with a shovel. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cool to touch.
-Do not bury your fire. The coals can smolder and re-ignite.
Be bear aware
Being outdoors means being with wildlife. Many people never encounter a bear. But if you do, here's some simple advice:
DO NOT RUN.
*Remain calm.
*Group together and pick up small children.
*Continue to face the bear and back away slowly, talking calmly to identify yourself as a human.
*If the bear continues to approach, try to scare it away by making yourself as large and imposing as possible by stretching your arms overhead and making loud noises.
*Carry and know how to use bear spray, which is available at many outdoor retailers and can be used to deter a charging bear.
Food Storage
Bears are always searching for food. Bears are curious, intelligent animals that have great memories. Their eyesight is similar to humans and their sense of smell is seven times more powerful than a blood hound’s, enabling them to smell food from miles away. Those are the very traits that can sometimes get them – and us – into trouble. Most bears are wary of humans and try to avoid them. However, bears can learn to associate people with food and be tenacious in their pursuit of something to eat. Even if humans are around.
Everyone in bear country must do our part to store food and other attractants in bear-resistant containers at all times, and dispose of trash in bear-resistant dumpsters.
Natural Features
Located at an elevation of 6,300 feet, the campground sits in an open forest of ponderosa pine.
The Laramie Peak Unit of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland encompass approximately 352,000 acres of the Laramie Range in central Wyoming.
Mule deer, elk, black bear, whitetail deer, antelope, bald eagles, gos hawks, bobcat, coyote, big horned sheep, yellow-bellied marmots, and mountain lions are just some of the many animals that inhabit the diverse lands on Laramie Peak.
Nearby Attractions
Visitors can find many outdoor opportunities in the surrounding area including OHV riding, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, sightseeing, photography, and horseback riding. Fishing opportunities nearby at Lower Horseshoe Creek. Sunday services available nearby at the historic Esterbrook Community Church (non-denominational).
Recreation
Recreation
The Laramie Peak area in the Medicine Bow National Forest is located in Central Wyoming. The Douglas Ranger District manages the Laramie Peak and Thunder basin National Grasslands areas. Year-round recreation uses include hiking, fishing, hunting, OHV riding, camping, biking and horseback trail riding. Primary access across the district is by I-25 and Highway 59.
Mountain Biking
• Upper Roaring Fork Trail
• Friend Park Trail
• North Laramie River Trail
• Harris Park Trail
• Laramie Peak Trail
• Sunset Ridge Trail
• Lost Creek Trail
• Albany Peak Trails
• Black Mountain Look out
Mountain Climbing
• Curtis Gulch Trail
Day Hiking
• Upper Roaring Fork Trail
• Friend Park Trail
• North Laramie River Trail
• Harris Park Trail
• Laramie Peak Trail
• Sunset Ridge Trail
• Lost Creek Trail
• Albany Peak Trails
• Black Mountain Look out
Backpacking
• Upper Roaring Fork Trail
• North Laramie River Trail
• Harris Park Trail
• Lost Creek Trail
• Albany Peak Trails
Horseback riding
• Upper Roaring Fork Trail
• Friend Park Trail
• North Laramie River Trail
• Harris Park Trail
• Laramie Peak Trail
• Sunset Ridge Trail
• Lost Creek Trail
• Black Mountain Look out
Horseback riding
• Upper Roaring Fork Trail
• Friend Park Trail
• North Laramie River Trail
• Harris Park Trail
• Laramie Peak Trail
• Sunset Ridge Trail
• Lost Creek Trail
• Albany Peak Trails
• Black Mountain Look out
OHV Riding
• FSRD633 Trails
• Sunset Ridge Trail
• North Laramie River Trail
• Laramie Peak Trail
• Albany Peak trails
• Black Mountain Look out
Changes & Cancellations
If I book this reservation today, what are my options to change or cancel?
Please remember that reservations at these facilities prevent other visitors from using these sites. Planned changes to your stay should be made as far in advance as possible. You can make changes to your reservation ahead of your arrival date in My Reservations.
Changes
If your new stay dates are completely different from your original stay dates, there is a $10 change fee (per reserved site). There are no additional fees for:
Adding or removing nights to your stay.
Changing to a different campsite.
Balances will adjust based on your new stay's nightly rate.
Cancellations
You can cancel the reservation any time before the date of your scheduled arrival. You will receive a refund for your stay, minus the following fees:
$10 cancellation fee
Any reservation fees (only if paid when booking)
Any previous change fees
Late cancellation penalties may also apply:
What is “Late”?
For individual campsites, a late cancellation applies starting from midnight 1 calendar day before your scheduled check-in. For cabins and group sites, a late cancellation applies starting from midnight 14 calendar days or fewer before your scheduled check-in.
Late Fee
In addition to the fees listed above, a late cancellation will also subtract your first night's recreation use fee from any refund owed. As of the expected check-in day, cancellations or changes to your stay are not possible through My Reservations. It is at the facility's discretion to support additional Late Cancellations, No Show, or Early Departure updates – on-site personnel may not be able to assist. These changes carry penalties and may forfeit recreation use fees. For additional details, please visit here.
Scan and Pay Rules
The above guidance for modifications, cancellations, and refunds do not apply to campsites reserved using the Scan and Pay feature. There are no refunds, modifications, cancellations, or other fee changes allowed with Scan and Pay payments. This system is the same as putting cash into a fee tube and cannot be refunded.
Contact Information
Mailing
Douglas Ranger District 2250 E Richards Street Douglas WY 82633
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 307-358-4690 Douglas RD
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Campground is approximately 3 miles east of Esterbrook, WY on Forest Service Road 633.
From I25 North Douglas, WY (30 miles) - take Highway 94 which turns into County Road 5 (Esterbrook Road) south for 27 miles, then 3 miles east on Forest Road 633.
From I25 South- Take Glendo exit and go west on CR6 for 20 miles to CR5, then south 2 miles to Esterbrook. Go east 3 miles on FS 633 to the campground.
The roads are well signed and easily accessible to automobiles of all types.
Available Campsites
- Site 001, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
