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On a road trip through Wyoming, I van camped near Meadowlark Lake. I was on the way to Yellowstone and got lucky in two ways.
Well, it was the last available spot that evening at Lakeview Bighorn Campground. And it turned out to be peaceful, pretty, and full of deer!
I’ll share what to know when staying there, what to expect, and tips.
Getting to Lakeview Bighorn Campground
From Deadwood, South Dakota, I traveled on I-90 West and ended up on US-16 West.
Things got really scenic through Bighorn National Forest, and I had to stop at the many lookouts.
Make sure your vehicle can handle the mountain driving and incline!
Camping at Lakeview Bighorn Campground
This campground is open from June to September. I’d get a reservation if you can.
It closes for the cooler seasons, and I can understand why. You’ll be at an elevation of over 4,500 feet, so that explains it.
It wasn’t very warm when I stayed during the summer. It was around 50 degrees. Brrr!
Camping Fees
Before I discuss the price, I have to tell you about getting lucky! Pulling in at the campground at 7 p.m., it was full.
After driving around, there was one last first-come, first-serve spot! Got it! Some other hopefuls drove in searching for a spot too.
The campground only has a few sites, so if you’re trying to get a non-reserved spot, I suggest you get there early.
The fee was just over $20, and you can pay near the information and welcome sign. The campground host is over there too.
Campground Vibes
When I stepped out of the van, the weather was cool and refreshing. It was so quiet, and it felt like I was alone.
The trees surrounded the van in the spacious spot.
Then I walked over to Meadowlark Lake and passed some friendly people. Some people got prettier views of the lake for sure!
Campground Amenities
This campsite does not have any hookups. You’ll basically be doing primitive camping over there.
But they have a hydrant where you can get water. You can fill up on water near the welcome sign.
The sites have a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. They have trash cans, but there’s no dump station.
There were vault toilets, which were basically pits in the ground. I didn’t use them because of the smell radiating from them.
I used the bathroom in the van. You might want to bring your own toilet paper if you use the vault toilets!
Recreational Activities
I saw people fishing at Meadowlark Lake, and it looked like they had been camping there a while.
People go boating and fishing here, and the people I spoke to had a lot of fish!
There were some trails in the distance. This area has many off-roading trails, but I didn’t have time to try any.
Nighttime and Deer
After exploring, I headed back to the van. I’ll have to mention that many deer were hopping around!
That was definitely the highlight of this stay. The sun was coming down, and I didn’t feel like cooking.
After another full day on the road, I was tired. I snacked on whatever was in the fridge.
It got really cold at night, but I fell asleep in the quiet.
In the morning, a beautiful sun cast its rays on the dewy grass. And so many deer frolicked through the tall grass.
I felt like I was in a movie, and anytime I’d try to take a picture, they would run away! Camera-shy, I guess.
Travel Notes
As I mentioned, there aren’t many sites. So if you really want to stay here, you might consider making a reservation.
There were a few mosquitoes in this area, but I didn’t get bitten up too badly. I also used bug spray, so that may have been why.
Overall
Van camping near Meadowlark Lake was such a nice experience and worth it. Staying at Lakeview Bighorn Campground and seeing the deer was such a treat!
By the way, the drive to Yellowstone was another 3 hours. But this was a nice, quiet place to relax before getting there!
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