July 27, 2018 lisa 6 comments
As we made our way from Rock Springs to Muddy Gap we drove I-80 to Rawlins and then north on Highway 287. We crossed the Continental Divide countless times to the point we did not know if we were coming or going.
Three of the times we crossed the divide
We stopped in Rawlins for a fuel stop and lunch
Hwy 287 to Muddy Gap Wyoming
Hwy 287 to Muddy Gap Wyoming
Cafe along the road
Not only did we continue to cross the Continental Divide countless times but we were in such strong winds that our awning kept popping out causing us to have to stop and rig up a solution to prevent any damage or accidents. In over 8 years of driving this rig this is the second time we have had this occur. The last time was 7 years ago in western Texas near Ft. Davis. The winds were incredible but we found a safe place to pull off and get to work. Operation successful!
Highway turnout so Norm could get to work
Along Highway 287
Solution to tie down awning due to the high winds
We arrived at Ranch 66 with no additional problems. Ranch 66 is a campground owned by the LDS Church which provides not only sites for missionaries working at the nearby Mormon Handcart Historic Site but also full hookup RV sites (loop C) and tent sites (loop D) for the public. They don’t advertise but we read great reviews on Campendium and wanted to stay there to provide easy access for visiting the nearby Handcart Historic Site. More on that visit in the next post.
Ranch 66 Loop C
The entrance to the campground is about 5 miles east of Muddy Gap on the north side of Highway 220. There is a sign but it is small and a bit off the road. The drive into the campground is about 1 mile and is wide open on the plains with plenty of pronghorn romping around. The scenery was beautiful. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon and there was not a single person around. We self registered and found a site in Loop C and made ourselves at home.
View as you drive in towards the entrance – campground is in the trees
Entrance – 1 mile down the road
Entrance
Self Registration Area – watch out for the wind
Campground: Ranch 66 Missionary Village
Location: Muddy Gap, Wyoming (about 5 miles east of town) off Highway 220
Site: 40 (pull thru)
Cost: $20
Services: FHU (50 AMP)
Comments: A beautiful setting about a mile off the main highway with beautiful surrounding views of the mountains (Split Mountain – AKA Gun site – a pioneer trail landmark), a cattle ranch, and the plains. Pronghorn wander the campsites constantly. The winds are strong during the day but as soon as the sun sets it becomes calm and still.
Does it get any better than this?
Pull thru site 40
View behind us
Side view of our site 40
Our site 40 along with other pull thrus next to us
Our site 40 forward view
Sunset at Ranch 66
Other sites in Loop C were very similar to ours and we even noticed that there appeared to be a propane hookup at each site! We did not try it out so we don’t know if they are operating.
Site 31 – Pull in
Site 32 – Pull in
Pull thru sites 38 and site 39
Propane hookup
Even though the campground is out on the prairies there are a few trees around. Loop C where we were did not offer much wind protection but the tenting area had a few nice trees and a beautiful setting.
Tent campsites
Beautiful trees in the tenting area – Loop D
Road by tenting area
The campground is extremely quite and peaceful (minus the winds during the day) and you are surrounded by cattle, pronghorns, and birds. It was beautiful and it is highly recommended by us. Plus we met several of the missionaries the following day at the Handcart Historic Site that were staying at the village and they could not have been nicer.
Mom and her baby
Cattle ranch next to campground
This buck hung around us our entire stay
Western Meadowlark – what a beautiful song they sing
Our friend
Mom and her 2 young ones
Jack rabbits running through the campground was a common site
Baby pronghorn
Certainly a place for us to return to some day!
Thank you for this detailed information
We will be staying for our first time.Reply
Great. Enjoy it. We loved it there and had quite a nice stay. Safe travels!
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Thanks for the pictures. I will be leaving Scotts Bluff NE tomorrow and be headed there.
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Great! Enjoy and safe travels!
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It looks like this will work well for us, but we don’t have washroom facilities in our little trailer and you don’t mention anything about facilities and/or a bathhouse. Can you tell me what facilities there are available at this location, if any. Thanks.
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Our motorhome is self contained so we did not make sure of the washrooms. If I remember correctly there was a main building which the missionaries use. I would contact them directly to ask any questions as sometimes they may be closed due to special events, etc. A phone number (not sure if it is still accurate) is 307-328-2593. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there.
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