Curtis Gulch Campground
We don’t think it should be. Every campground should hold some sites for whoever drives up.Tell your representative →
- Right now
- OpenListed open; its database flags it not open
- A night
- $14From, per site
- Sites
- 6All of them booked ahead
- Season
- June 1 – October 31Open June 1 through October 31
The place
the agency’s own description · what’s there · 1 notices
In the agency’s own words
Curtis Gulch Campground sits at an elevation of 6,640 feet, at the end of the long and scenic LaBonte Canyon. There are 6 sites along a bend in the creek with picnic tables, fire rings, pedestal grills, a vault toilet, pump water well, and trash bins. Keep reading
Recreation
Recreation The canyon bottom is about 6,700 feet in elevation and has granite rock formations for technical rock climbing and photography. LaBonte Creek runs through the entire length of the canyon and offers anglers many opportunities to catch the rainbow trout stocked annually by the WGFD. For OHV riding, the LaBonte Canyon Trail starts at the back of the campground, and The Big Bear Trail System is located just 1/4 mile up the canyon. Both are 50” or less OHV trails but are also commonly used for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. FSRD #610, Devil's Pass, and the South Fork LaBonte Trails to the south offer additional opportunities for adventure. The Curtis Gulch Trail is non-motorized and starts at the trail parking area just outside the campground. The Laramie Peak Unit of the Medicine Bow National Forest is located in Central Wyoming. The Douglas Ranger District manages the Laramie Peak and Thunder Basin National Grasslands. Year-round recreation uses include hiking, fishing, hunting, climbing, OHV riding, dirt bike riding, camping, biking, and horseback trail riding. Primary access across the district is by I-25 and Highway 59. Mountain Biking • Curtis Gulch Trail • Labonte Canyon Trail • Big Bear Canyon Trails Rock Climbing • Curtis Gulch Trail Day Hiking • Curtis Gulch Trail • Labonte Canyon Trail • Big Bear Canyon Trails Backpacking • Curtis Gulch Trail • Big Bear Canyon Trails • Labonte Canyon Trail Horseback riding • Curtis Gulch Trail • Labonte Canyon Trail • Big Bear Canyon Trails OHV Riding •Labonte Canyon Trail • Devils Pass/South Fork Labonte Trails • Big Bear Canyon Trails Facilities There are 6 sites tucked into a bend of the LaBonte Creek with picnic tables, fire rings, pedestal grills, a vault toilet, pump water well, and trash bins.
Natural Features
The Curtis Gulch Campground is located at the end of FSRD 658 in LaBonte Canyon. The natural beauty of the steep canyon sides, LaBonte Creek running the length of the entire canyon, and patches of aspen within the mature conifer forest, makes this area one of the most popular and frequently visited on the district.
Nearby Attractions
LaBonte Creek and Toltec Reservoir offer anglers many fishing opportunities. Brumley FSRD 690, Devil's Pass FSRD 610, and the FSTR 635 S Fork LaBonte trails offer OHV riders additional areas to explore.
Charges & 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.
What the agency tells you
* Single Campsites are limited to 8 people and 2 vehicles per site, and they must fit on the gravel spur. Excess will have to be parked at the nearby trail parking area. ** A vehicle is anything with wheels and an axle that takes up space on a camp spur. This includes but is not limited to motorhomes, camper trailers, box trailers, utility trailers, trucks, cars, SUV's, ATV's, UTV's, side by sides, etc. Only 1 RV or camper trailer per single campsite. 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. Dogs must be on leash or under complete control at all times within the campground. 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. The roads leading into the campground generally require a 4-wheel drive vehicle following a moderate or heavy rain event. They dry quickly and are most often passable by car again within a few days. -When you arrive at the site, keep an 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.
Tents and rigs
- Sites
- 6
- Hookups
- None
- Longest rig
- 55 ft
- Accessible sites
- None listed
- Pets
- Allowed
- Campfires
- Allowed, barring fire bans
- Shade
- Every site
Facilities
- Toilets
- Vault Toilets
- VAULT TOILETS on 4 of 6 campsite records, ACCESSIBLE VAULT TOILETS on 5 of 6 campsite records
- Drinking water
- Yes
- DRINKING WATER (PEAK SEASON) on 4 of 6 campsite records, DRINKING WATER (HAND PUMP) on 6 of 6 campsite records
- Stay limit
- 14 nights
- recreation.gov facility rule maxStay
Around the campground
- On the water
- Reservoir, Creek
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Mountain biking
- Mountain Climbing
- Off Highway Vehicle Trails
- Off Road Vehicle Trails
- Swimming
- Water access
- Night sky · 168th darkest of 248 in WY
- Bortle 2
Full this Saturdayread 15:35 UTC
How full the weekend is nationally.
OpenBooked
Every one of the 4 sites on offer is taken this Friday and Saturday, and on four midweek nights after it as well. read 15:35 UTC Why the weekend fills and the week doesn’t
Watch for a cancellation
Watch this campground
One email when a night opens, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.
We read recreation.gov once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time a site in your window is free for the nights you asked for.
Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.
Tell me when the season opens
Watch for the season to open
One email when the season goes on sale, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.
We check once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time the agency has that season on sale.
Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.
We make nothing when you book. The link goes straight to the government.
Every line of the receipt · 13
What you actually pay
Derived by CAMPANAC: the agency’s published rate for this season, $14 a night, plus one $8 recreation.gov reservation fee for the booking. A weekend here means Friday and Saturday night, booked once. Optional charges (an extra vehicle, a second tent, a dump-station fee) are listed separately and aren’t in this total.
“Changes If your new stay dates are completely different from your original stay dates, there is a $10 change fee (per reserved site). 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 pen…” · this campground’s own no-show terms
Who keeps the booking fee
The agency’s own policy text says the reservation fee and the cancellation processing fee are “retained by the reservation service contractor”, and that a campground concessionaire will decline to refund them because “they did not receive these fees”. Recreation.gov is run under contract by Booz Allen Hamilton. What share of your booking fee the contractor keeps isn’t published in any federal dataset we can read, so we print no number for it. Our reporting on the contract →
How we know this receipt · 6
recreation.gov availability, read 15:35 UTC · rules read Sep 9, 2026 · rates Sep 10, 2026 · How we know all this
The sites
6 sites · which ones have room · the site map
The sites, ranked
from 6 mapped sitesAll 6 sites
Toilet distances are OpenStreetMap’s, measured for 6 of the 6 sites listed. A site with no reading is unknown, never far.
The price is derived by CAMPANAC, not published per site: the per-night rate this campground publishes for each site’s own site type. 6 of the 6 sites listed carry one, and a site whose type has no published rate sits out of the price rather than being called free.
Getting there
the map and the coordinate · the agency’s directions · the phone number
Where it is
La Prele Guard StationMedicine Bow National Forest · 11 mi
Campbell Creek CampgroundMedicine Bow National Forest · 11 mi
Friend Park CampgroundMedicine Bow National Forest · 13 mi
Esterbrook CampgroundMedicine Bow National Forest · 15 mi
Rim CampgroundCasper Field Office · 38 mi
Lodgepole CampgroundCasper Field Office · 38 miFrom Douglas WY (30 miles), Take State Highway 91 west then south from Douglas for 22 miles, Converse County Road 16
continuing as Albany County Road 61 south for 14 miles, and east on Forest Road #658 for 4 miles.
The pavement ends about 25 miles outside of Douglas and is gravel the remainder of the way, but is easily accessible by car when dry.
The weather
the next four days · the thirty-year normal
Next four days, and the thirty-year normal
Forecast
NWS forecast for Esterbrook, WY
Typical weather
Typical October night 29°F, day 60°F.
Coldest night of the open season: typical October night 29°F, below freezing. Bring a bag rated colder than that, and expect ice in the water bottle.
Daily high and lowDays with 0.10 in or moreOutside the published season
A normal is the 1991-2020 average for the month, not a forecast: about half of all Julys are colder than the July line. The seven-day forecast above answers the other question.
The land, and who answers for it
what threatens it · who answers for it · a letter you can send
Roadless country, and what’s coming for it
You’re camping on ground somebody wants. We track the threats and the comment deadlines.
Who answers for this land
Curtis Gulch Campground is in Wyoming’s at-large congressional district. Its representative, Harriet Hageman (R), votes on the laws that decide what happens to this land. Public-lands grade so far: F. See every public-lands vote →
Who can change it · 3
Two offices, two different asks. The draft to the agency asks it to set aside a published share of the sites here for whoever drives up. The draft to Congress asks why that share is zero and presses for a published minimum at the campgrounds it funds.
- The member who votes the moneyHarriet M. HagemanU.S. Representative · Wyoming, at-large
- Your senator, on the same appropriationCynthia M. LummisU.S. Senator · Wyoming
- Your senator, on the same appropriationJohn BarrassoU.S. Senator · Wyoming
Read the draft, or change the wording
For the camper who turned up, or tried to book, and couldn’t get in. Every draft is written from this campground’s own record (its agency, its unit, its site count and its own weekend) and the buttons above copy whichever wording is selected here.
Asks them to put the question to the agency in writing, and to press for a published minimum share of walk-up sites across the campgrounds they fund.
Subject Walk-up camping at Curtis Gulch Campground, Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming
Dear Harriet M. Hageman, I’m a constituent in Wyoming, at-large. I tried to camp at Curtis Gulch Campground, Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming, and couldn’t. All 6 sites at Curtis Gulch Campground are reservable, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, all 4 sites recreation.gov was offering there were already booked. 1,623 of the 7,639 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Curtis Gulch Campground keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m not asking you to run Curtis Gulch Campground. I’m asking you to put it to the U.S. Forest Service in writing: why is the share of first-come sites there zero, and what would a published minimum share cost? Please press for that minimum at the federal campgrounds you fund. The people who open these campgrounds, collect the fees and keep the water running are seasonal positions. At GS-5, base pay plus the government's own 36.25% benefit factor, one costs about $47,414 a year. One percent of the $13.3 billion the USS Gerald R. Ford cost to procure would pay for about 2,800 of them for a year. Both figures are the government's own (a Congressional Research Service report and an OPM pay table), and I’m glad to send them. Sent about Curtis Gulch Campground (Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming) via campanac.com
Asks them to put the question to the agency in writing, and to press for a published minimum share of walk-up sites across the campgrounds they fund.
Subject Walk-up camping at Curtis Gulch Campground, Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming
Dear Cynthia M. Lummis, I’m a constituent in Wyoming. I tried to camp at Curtis Gulch Campground, Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming, and couldn’t. All 6 sites at Curtis Gulch Campground are reservable, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, all 4 sites recreation.gov was offering there were already booked. 1,623 of the 7,639 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Curtis Gulch Campground keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m not asking you to run Curtis Gulch Campground. I’m asking you to put it to the U.S. Forest Service in writing: why is the share of first-come sites there zero, and what would a published minimum share cost? Please press for that minimum at the federal campgrounds you fund. The people who open these campgrounds, collect the fees and keep the water running are seasonal positions. At GS-5, base pay plus the government's own 36.25% benefit factor, one costs about $47,414 a year. One percent of the $13.3 billion the USS Gerald R. Ford cost to procure would pay for about 2,800 of them for a year. Both figures are the government's own (a Congressional Research Service report and an OPM pay table), and I’m glad to send them. Sent about Curtis Gulch Campground (Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming) via campanac.com
Asks them to put the question to the agency in writing, and to press for a published minimum share of walk-up sites across the campgrounds they fund.
Subject Walk-up camping at Curtis Gulch Campground, Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming
Dear John Barrasso, I’m a constituent in Wyoming. I tried to camp at Curtis Gulch Campground, Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming, and couldn’t. All 6 sites at Curtis Gulch Campground are reservable, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, all 4 sites recreation.gov was offering there were already booked. 1,623 of the 7,639 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Curtis Gulch Campground keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m not asking you to run Curtis Gulch Campground. I’m asking you to put it to the U.S. Forest Service in writing: why is the share of first-come sites there zero, and what would a published minimum share cost? Please press for that minimum at the federal campgrounds you fund. The people who open these campgrounds, collect the fees and keep the water running are seasonal positions. At GS-5, base pay plus the government's own 36.25% benefit factor, one costs about $47,414 a year. One percent of the $13.3 billion the USS Gerald R. Ford cost to procure would pay for about 2,800 of them for a year. Both figures are the government's own (a Congressional Research Service report and an OPM pay table), and I’m glad to send them. Sent about Curtis Gulch Campground (Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming) via campanac.com