West Tensleep Lake Campground

This campground is absolutely beautiful. Our backyard view was a beautiful mountain lake. We camped there the 3rd weekend in June and at over 9000 feet, it got chilly. There is plenty of hiking and exploring to do. The road to the campground is wash-boardy. There are times my husband had to drive 5 mph. But we didn't mind, because the campground is sooo worth it. For us, we prefer site # 2. No shade and out in the sun. Site 1 is shaded and has a good view of the lake. Site 3 also has a great view, but not as level as 1 and 2. We stayed on 3 the first time we went and leveled just fine

My family of 7 and my parents (in a 2nd RV) stayed here the night of June 16, 2019 for one night on our way to Yellowstone from Iowa. As Doreen mentioned, the gravel road from the highway up to the campground was 7.5 miles of washboard but it was easily doable with our Escalade pulling our 32' travel trailer. As she mentioned, we just had to take it easy. But wow, the bumpy ride was waaaay worth it, the view from the campground was incredible. Just take a look at the photos I posted here.

Based on Doreen's recommendation, we stayed at site #2 which was perfect - on the lake's edge but in the sun (so we could recharge with our solar). My parents stayed in site #1 which was also really nice, next to #2 and on the lake, but shaded. Both sites were close to the fresh water hand pump and not too close but not too far from the pit toilets.

On June 16, it was quite cool - high 50's and then into the 30's at night. It rained just before sunset and the rain turned into a sleet/snow and we did have to run the furnace that night. Some parts of the campground still had snow drifts. Also, we tried fishing the afternoon of the 16th and again the morning of the 17th but no bites from shore.

We made our reservation online via recreation.gov and paid $25 for the one night. The sites were relatively level, the pit toilets were clean and water was fresh from the hand pump.

One VERY IMPORTANT piece of advice! If you are coming from the East on Hwy 16 like we were, Google Maps wants you to turn off on Forest Rd 432 and drive N past Sitting Bull Campground to get to West Tensleep. DO NOT go this way, directly after Sitting Bull Campground, 432 turns into a jeep trail (more of a goat trail)! It is not passable by any typical RV/camper. Instead, you have to keep going west on 61 past Forest Road 432 until you get to Deer Haven Lodge (GPS coordinates 44.168860, -107.247971 or 44°10'07.9"N 107°14'52.7"W ). There is a big sign for Deer Haven Lodge and the road is called "Deer Haven Lodge Road". This is the correct road to turn off of Hwy 16 and go the 7.5 miles North up to West Tensleep Lake Campground.

We highly recommend this place for the incredible views, nice trails, cleanliness, and absolute peacefulness.

7 miles up the bumpy dirt road past 20+ dispersed spots.
Friendly host, clean vault, beautiful lake at 9,000' elevation.