Silver Lake Campground (WY)

Medicine Bow-Routt Nfs & Thunder Basin Ng

At just under 10,500 feet Silver Lake Campground is the highest elevation campground on the Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District. It opens in late June or early July depending on snow depth. The campground is beside the Snowy Range Scenic Byway on Silver Lake. This facility provides easy access to exploring the trails, lakes, streams, and glacial landscapes of the area. Facilities include 17 campsites with 3 RV pull-throughs (trailers under 32'), picnic tables, toilets, water, fire grates, and trash receptacles with a 14 day stay limit. There are two trailheads at the campground. Popular attractions near this campground include Silver Lake, Lake Marie Falls, Mirror Lake, Medicine Bow Peak Trail, French Creek CanyonTrail and Miners Cabin Trail.  

Silver Lake Campground has sites able to accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. Sites are equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings. The campground also offers vault toilets, trash receptacles, and potable water. 

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.

• Campsites are limited to 8 people and 2 vehicles per site. 

• Only 1 RV/trailer per RV campsite.

• 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.

  -Build fires in a safe area. Your open fires and fuel-burning appliances must be far enough away from the tent to prevent ignition from sparks, flames, and heat. Never use a flame or any other heating device inside a tent. 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.

  Be fire safe

  -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.

  -Check at the local ranger station for current fire restrictions, which can change on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis.

  -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

The Snowy Range rises from sagebrush and lodgepole pine forests in lower elevations to spruce-fir forests and alpine areas in the high country. The area offers views of rugged peaks over 12,000 feet, gorgeous snow-melt lakes and stunning displays of native wildflowers. 

Nearby Attractions

Popular attractions near this campground include Silver Lake, Lake Marie Falls, Mirror Lake, Medicine Bow Peak Trail, French Creek Canyon Trail and Miners Cabin Trail. Silver Lake can be acessed using the Silver Lake Trail that surrounds the lake. The lake is 17 acres in size with a maximum water depth of 25 feet. Brook trout reside in the lake.

The Snowy Range Scenic Byway is a 29-mile stretch of paved road crosses through spectacular alpine habitats.

Recreation

The Snowy Range offers endless recreational activities for any kind of visitor. Specifically, the Snowy Range contains a network of hiking trails suitable for day hiking and for extended, backcountry trips. Additionally, Streams and over 100 lakes in the area provide a variety of challenging recreational-fishing opportunities in the area. Popular attractions near this campground include Silver Lake, Lake Marie Falls, Mirror Lake, Medicine Bow Peak Trail, French Creek Canyon Trail and Miners Cabin Trail. Winter activities in the area include snowshoeing and skiing.  

Mountain Biking

Areas for Mountain Biking at Snowy Range Area

• Bow River Campground
• Deep Creek Campground
• French Creek Campground
• French Creek Canyon Trail
• Keystone Cabins
• Lake Owen Trailhead
• Little Brooklyn Guard Station
• Little Laramie Trailhead
• North Fork Campground
• Pinkham Mountain Trailhead
• Rock Creek Trailhead
• Sheep Lake Trailhead
• Snow Survey Cabin
• Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout
• Tie Hack Lower Trailhead
• Tie Hack Upper Trailhead
• Tipple Trail Trailhead

Mountain Climbing

Areas for Mountain Climbing at Snowy Range Area

• Lewis Lake Picnic Site
• Libby Lake Picnic Site

Day Hiking

Areas for Day Hiking at Snowy Range Area

• Brooklyn Lake Campground
• Brush Creek Trails
• Chimney Park Trailhead
• Corner Mountain Trailhead
• Crater Lake Trailhead
• Deep Creek Campground
• Deep Lake Trail
• Dipper Lake Trail
• French Creek Campground
• French Creek Canyon Trail
• Green Rock Parking Lot
• Green Rock Picnic Site
• Keystone Cabins
• Lake Owen Trailhead
• Lakes Trailhead
• Lewis Lake Picnic Site
• Libby Lake Picnic Site
• Little Brooklyn Guard Station
• Little Laramie Trailhead
• Meadow Falls Trailhead
• Miner's Cabin Trailhead
• North Fork Campground
• Platte River Wilderness
• Quealy Lake Trailhead
• Rock Creek Trailhead
• Routt Access Trailhead
• Ryan Park Campground
• Savage Run Wilderness
• Sheep Lake Trailhead
• Silver Lake Campground
• Silver Lake Trailhead
• Six Mile Trailhead
• Snow Survey Cabin
• South Brush Creek Campground
• Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout
• Sugarloaf Campground
• Tie Hack Lower Trailhead
• Tie Hack Upper Trailhead
• Tipple Trail Trailhead
• West Lake Marie

Backpacking

Areas for Backpacking at Snowy Range Area

• Crater Lake Trailhead
• Deep Lake Trail
• Dipper Lake Trail
• Lakes Trailhead
• Lewis Lake Picnic Site
• Libby Lake Picnic Site
• Platte River Wilderness
• Quealy Lake Trailhead
• Rock Creek Trailhead
• Savage Run Wilderness
• Sheep Lake Trailhead
• Six Mile Trailhead

Viewing Wildlife

Areas for Viewing Wildlife at Snowy Range Area

• Brooklyn Lake Campground
• Keystone Cabins
• Libby Flats Observation Site
• Little Brooklyn Guard Station
• Snow Survey Cabin
• Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout
• Tipple Trail Trailhead

Contact Information

Mailing

2171 Highway 130 PO Box 249 Saratoga WY 82331

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: (307) 326-5258

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Saratoga travel south on Highway 130 for 8 miles to the 130/230 intersection. Turn left and travel 24 miles up Highway 130 to Silver Lake Campground. From Centennial stay on Highway130 for 18 miles to reach Silver Lake Campground.

Available Campsites

• Site 001, Loop Silver Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop Silver Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop Silver Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop Silver Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 014, Loop Silver Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop Silver Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop Silver Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop Silver Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 016, Loop Silver Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 007, Loop Silver Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop Silver Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop Silver Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 002, Loop Silver Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop Silver Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop Silver Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop Silver Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 012, Loop Silver Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric

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