In a state with more antelope than people and millions of acres of public land, Wyoming is a camper's dream. From developed campgrounds beside alpine lakes to dispersed sites miles from the nearest road, the opportunities to sleep beneath the stars are nearly endless.

Much of the appeal lies in the solitude. On the national forests and Bureau of Land Management lands that cover great swaths of the state, dispersed camping is often permitted for free, allowing those willing to venture off the pavement to find a private patch of wilderness with no neighbors in sight.

That freedom comes with responsibility. Wyoming's backcountry is remote and unforgiving, with sudden storms, cold nights even in summer, and, in much of the state, bears that demand careful food storage. Cell service is a fantasy in most places, so self-reliance and preparation are essential.

The rewards justify the effort. There are few experiences to match waking in a Wyoming meadow to frost on the tent and elk grazing nearby, or watching the Milky Way blaze overhead in air untouched by city light. For those who come prepared and tread lightly, the state offers a camping experience of a scale and quality that grows rarer every year.