The Best Free Camping at Lake Hattie Wyoming

When my wife and I pulled into Lake Hattie Public Access Area, we knew we were in for something different. Forget neatly organized campsites or the comforts of a hookup — this was dispersed camping at its wildest.

We found a spot right at the water’s edge, with nothing but our 16-foot vintage Fiber Stream between us and the open Wyoming landscape. It was the place where you didn’t just camp; you surrendered. No distractions, no noise except the breeze and the gentle lapping of the lake.

Out here, it’s just you, nature, and a deep sense of freedom that comes with being off the grid. The sunsets were dramatic, the nights peaceful, and the experience unforgettable.

Here’s Our Personal Experience of Camping at Lake Hattie

Location: Lake Hattie, Wyoming (nearest town in Laramie)

GPS: 41.2375, -105.9014

Date / Temp: We camped here for a few nights in late July. The temps were great – 70s during the day and 50s at night. The water is crystal clear warm enough to swim in.

Lake Hattie Wyoming Amenities:

This primitive site offers few amenities and follows a “pack in, pack out” policy. It has a vault toilet, boat ramp, and fire rings.

Beware—there are no garbage cans on site. However, you can dispose of light trash, dump tanks, and fill up with potable water at the Territorial Prison Museum.

Wifi / Cell: One of the highlights of this site is its connectivity. We received a strong 4G LTE signal with our AT&T hotspot & phones. According to Campendium reviews, Verizon also receives great signal at the site.

Unfortunately, T-Mobile receives no service. The cell booster did come in handy – it increases small signal into a robust signal (for better streaming 😃).

Noise: This site is very quiet a night. During the daytime, there is a lot of waterfront activities. The boat launch stays busy and many folks fish from the shore. Overall, super chill!

Grocery / Errands: Laramie is a good-sized college town. We did grocery shopping, thrift store shopping, and our typical post office runs.

There are multiple laundromats available, as well. It is a 20 mile drive from the campsite.

Dog Friendly: This site is very dog-friendly. River had a lot of space to play and explore. It’s recommended that dogs be kept on a leash at Lake Hattie.

Lake Hattie Entertainment:

We really enjoyed the vibe of the campsite and didn’t have the urge to get out and explore too much. We did enjoy Sweet Melissa’s – a vegetarian restaurant in historic downtown.

The town has multiple museums and cool outdoor sports bars. Lake Hattie can be it’s own source on entertainment if you like fishing!

Tips for Free Camping at Lake Hattie, Wyoming

#1 Tip

Be prepared for your power needs. This could mean having solar power or an inverter generator, either way, if you want to use power you’ll have to supply it yourself!

#2 Tip

Bring a fishing pole!

#3 Tip

If you have a small trailer and a 4×4 truck, you can access the beach camper. We could camp on the beach with our 16-foot trailer and 4×4 Ford Ranger.

Would We Camp at Lake Hattie Again?

So, would we camp at Lake Hattie again? You bet. There’s something undeniably raw and freeing about this spot — no frills, no fuss, just pure, unfiltered nature. The wide-open views and peaceful solitude made it feel like we had our own little corner of Wyoming to ourselves.

Sure, it’s not for everyone, but if you’re looking for a place where you can truly disconnect and soak in the beauty of the landscape, Lake Hattie is hard to beat.

For us, it was exactly what we needed, and we’d gladly come back for another dose of that untamed, off-the-grid magic.

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