La Prele Guard Station
Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG — fishing, hiking
Location: DOUGLAS, WY, WY
Price: From $100 per night
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (5 reviews)
Season: Late May through September
La Prele Guard Station is located south of Douglas, Wyoming in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. It was originally built as a remote ranger station in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and was converted into a work center when the La Prele Ranger District was discontinued in 1956. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Showers, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/la-prele-guard-station to be notified when sites open up.
Historic 1936 CCC-built guard station in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest offering a unique lodging experience with amenities like flush toilets, showers, and fishing access. Highly rated by campers (4.7/5 stars) for family visits with nostalgic features like a wood stove and fireplace.
Wildlife alert: Dusky Grouse, Clark's Nutcracker, Bullsnake, and Smooth Greensnake documented in the area
Insider tips for La Prele Guard Station: Bring your own drinking water — tap water is not potable Book early — federal campground with only 1 site available Firewood available for purchase on-site
Skip La Prele Guard Station if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available. You're visiting outside late May through September — seasonal operations only. You want a large campground — only 1 tent site total.
Best time to visit La Prele Guard Station: Late May - September — Official operating season per verified campground data.
Nearby campgrounds: Campbell Creek Campground (Douglas , WY), Curtis Gulch Campground (Douglas , WY), Friend Park Campground (Wheatland, WY), Esterbrook Campground (Douglas, WY).
Cell Phone Coverage at La Prele Guard Station
Cell signal at La Prele Guard Station (DOUGLAS, WY): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
La Prele Guard Station is located south of Douglas, Wyoming in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. It was originally built as a remote ranger station in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and was converted into a work center when the La Prele Ranger District was discontinued in 1956. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBring your own drinking water
tap water is not potable
Book early
federal campground with only 1 site available
Firewood available for purchase on-site
Official operating season per verified campground data
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Douglas (37 miles) From I25 Exit 140, turn right onto S Riverbend Dr. Turn right onto WY-94 (Esterbrook Road) and right on WY-91 (Cold Springs Road). In 3 miles, turn left on WY-91 (Cold Springs Road). Continue on CR 24 (Cold Springs Road) for 33.8 miles. From I25 Exit 146, East on WY-96. In 3.1 miles, turn right on WY-91 (Cold Springs Road). Continue on CR 24 (Cold Springs Road) for 33.8 miles. From Laramie (105 miles) Follow HWY 30 (N) from Laramie to Medicine Bow. Take HWY 487 North and
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does La Prele Guard Station cost per night?+
What season is La Prele Guard Station open?+
Does La Prele Guard Station have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at La Prele Guard Station?+
How do I make reservations at La Prele Guard Station?+
What is the cell service like at La Prele Guard Station?+
What season is La Prele Guard Station open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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