Wild Iris / Sinks camping situation

Heading up to Lander for the holiday weekend for (hopefully) a relaxing few days of clipping bolts in the sunshine. I've never been up there and I know Wild Iris and Sinks both have car camping. Wondering if anybody has beta on what's the best plan of attack for camping?

Does one place over the other get crazy crowded?
Best/other places to camp?
Good eats/drinks recommendations in town?

I've never been to the Sinks, but I have been to Wild Iris -- it's absolutely beautiful and there is a ridiculous amount of 5.10's (a good thing imo). As it's right next to Lander, there is a gear shop in town. So I don't have much beta on the place, but I do remember camping at Wild Iris, and all I can say is watch out for a guy named Alf. Came out of the dark up to me and a couple of my buddies at our campsite (which is a few yards from the next one, definitely car camping) with an 8-inch knife in his hand, not threatening us directly, but insisted if we needed our shoes resoled that we better go to him or else. Mumbled for awhile then got up and left. My buddies and I took turns sleeping then changing watch, not sure if he'd come back or not.
So I don't mean for this story to dissuade you from going to Wild Iris - it really is a fantastic place, I'm just saying keep your eyes open and don't provoke Alf if he comes around.

EDIT: hmm now that I look back on your post, you said you were going to Laramie -- which is a 5-hour drive to Sinks or Wild Iris. I'm assuming you meant Lander, but if you didn't then you are way closer to go to Vedawoo than the others.

when i was there a couple years ago, camped in the lander town park for free. there are bathrooms and water there.

It's a long drive from Laramie to Wild Iris......

If you meant Lander, it's a long drive from Lander to Wild Iris.

There's excellent free camping at Iris, but I assume it will be packed by this afternoon.

There's a small fee campground at Sinks, and some free camping a little higher up the road, as well as overnight camping in the city park.

Sinks will be an oven, as it's all S facing with no shade until late afternoon.

And yes, both places get crazy crowded on a holiday weekend.

Dave Bohn aka "Old Fart" wrote:It's a long drive from Laramie to Wild Iris...... If you meant Lander, it's a long drive from Lander to Wild Iris.

Yep, camping in the park is awesome. Water, bathrooms, and lots of shade from teh big trees. Wild Ires can be a bit dusty but it would put you right at the climb when you wake up.

The park was free last year. It might be crowded around there because the festival in comming into town. Have fun and good luck!

It's been hot all week in Lander itself--high 80s, low90s. Supposed to cool a bit into the low 80s starting Saturday. Thunderstorms in the pm it looks like. All the campgrounds, inc the Park will probably be crowded but there is a lot of room in the City Park.
The Sinks is really hot now, though in the evening the main area is in shadow so it is bearable.
Wild Iris will undoubtedly be crowded but it is cooler up there. Need to haul your own water up there. And, Alf has not made an appearance this year.

I guess I should add the City Park is still free with water and bathrooms. It's worhtwhile in a strange way to be in town on the night of July 4th. It's like WWIII with all the fireworks. It is really insane.

I was in Lander 2 weeks ago, Wild Iris pretty snowed in, chose to climb in Sinks canyon. Also, the river was up, not sure if camping in the park was available due to the high water. Stop in at wild iris store downtown, the guys are great, really helpful

bob branscomb wrote: I guess I should add the City Park is still free with water and bathrooms. It's worhtwhile in a strange way to be in town on the night of July 4th. It's like WWIII with all the fireworks. It is really insane.

Where is the City Park? Anyone have coordinates/address for this? Thanks!

Taylor S wrote:

Where is the City Park? Anyone have coordinates/address for this? Thanks!

4th and Fremont, can’t miss it

Courtney Hedrick wrote:

4th and Fremont, can’t miss it

Entry is on 3rd for the camping section