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Bolton Creek is a waterway managed by the BLM near the small town of Alcova in the state of Wyoming. The creek runs its course between the Laramie Mountains to the east and the North Platte River to the west. The creek is in a remote but reasonably accessible area and is an ideal place to get away from it all for an outback picnic or some quiet fishing. While it is the perfect spot to enjoy some quiet outdoor time, if you're looking for exciting activities, you'll find plenty of those nearby in Alcova and Casper.
Alcova may be a small town with an estimated population of less than one hundred, but what it lacks in size and people, it makes up for with incredible scenery. Lake Alcova, to the north-east of Bolton Creek and to the south of the town, is a stunning two-and-a-half thousand-acre reservoir surrounded by dramatic red cliffs. At and around the lake there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation from kayaking down the incredible Fremont Canyon, to lounging on a white sand beach or hiking interpreted trails. While you can't pitch up in your RV at Bolton Creek, you can in any one of six campgrounds at Lake Alcova.
After spending time in the tranquillity of Bolton Creek or exhausting all the recreational activities in Alcova, including the Alcova Dinosaur Trail, head over to Casper and you'll find more than enough to keep you entertained. From historic military forts to geological or art museums to a planetarium, and if you're there in the winter, a ski resort with more than twenty-five slopes to test your skills on.
Bolton Creek is a popular fishing, picnicking and primitive dispersed camping site. It has an access road and small parking area. There are no developed facilities here other than roads.
From Alcova, go east 8.1 miles on Highway 220 to County Road 404. Turn right for one mile on County Road 404 to the access road turnoff on the right. Travel for 1 mile and turn right. Please be respectful of private property in the area.
Whether you're traveling to Bolton Creek from the north, south, east or west, the best place to head for first is Casper. From Casper, you can join the WY 220 westbound to Alcova. About halfway to Alcova, you'll find the junction for County Road 404 – Bolton Creek Road which leads to the creek area. The 404 is a well-maintained and regularly used roadway, particularly during the summertime. The area around Bolton Creek is a veritable maze of county roads, but only the 404 heads to the creek so take care to stay on course.
From the north of Wyoming, after RV camping in the Bighorn National Forest, you'll be able to hit the I 25 southbound near Sheridan. It's a two hundred and fifty mile trip that will take you through Casper, and you'll be behind the wheel for just over four hours. If you're heading into Wyoming after spending time in Nebraska at the Nebraska National Forest, you'll have a relatively easy run along the I 20 westbound which will take you about four hours to complete.
From the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, you can motor north from Laramie on the US 287 and the WY 487 straight to Alcova. You'll have great views of the Laramie Mountains after you've been on the road for an hour. The journey all told shouldn't take longer than two and a half hours.
