Dispersed camping sites near Tetonia, Idaho provide direct access to the western side of the Teton Range at an elevation of 6,100 feet. The area's semi-arid climate features cool nights even during summer months, with temperatures often dropping below 45°F after sunset. Most access roads remain unplowed and impassable from late October through April due to significant snowfall.
What to do
River activities: Float the Teton River from Big Eddy Dispersed Camping where several put-in and take-out points accommodate water recreation. "This is a launch site as well as a take out. Looks like great flyfishing if you can find a spot," notes Nancy L., who camped there in 2025.
Mountain biking: Access multiple trail systems within 15 minutes of Mike Harris Campground near Victor. A local camper explains, "It offers access to some of the best Mtn Bike Trails in our area. Rush hour, Nemo, and Mail Cabin are all great rides. Rush Hour and Nemo are the best kids rides in the area besides Grand Targhee."
Wildlife observation: Track seasonal animal patterns along waterways and meadows. "We were here for six nights, quiet at night and other than the boat activity during the day, camping area is quiet during the day," reports a camper at Big Eddy, noting regular wildlife sightings throughout their stay.
What campers like
Access to multiple towns: The strategic location between small Idaho towns and Jackson provides supply options. A camper at Teton Peaks Lodge & RV Park appreciated that "Tetonia is cute and quaint with two great bars open late. The view of the Tetons is out of this world! Within an hour you can get to many creeks, lakes, Rexburg, Teton NP and Jackson."
Off-peak solitude: Visiting during shoulder seasons offers emptier campgrounds. At Big Eddy/Rainey Campground, Abby M. found, "I arrived on a Sunday evening and there were still plenty of areas to call home. During my seven nights, it was a great stay! Only a few people stayed the entire time I was there."
Panoramic vistas: Morning light conditions create distinctive photography opportunities. "We followed the directions on a review as Google was taking us the wrong way. We parked at sunset and saw the sky turn all beautiful colors around the tetons, listening to the river babble, while the coyotes howled to each other," describes Dolly L. from Big Eddy/Rainey Campground.
What you should know
Navigation challenges: GPS directions to dispersed sites often lead down impassable roads. Ryan C. warns about Big Eddy/Rainey: "I took 5000w instead of 6000w and was in for the ride of my life. The roads were a mangled mess and I thought we were going to get stuck or badly damage our Rav4."
Variable campsite privacy: Site spacing differs dramatically between established and dispersed areas. Alex at Big Eddy/Rainey describes it as "not for the ones seeking solitude" and notes "so many people here," contrasting with USFS Teton Canyon Campground where Christina R. reports, "I love this place whenever I'm in the area. Because it's on the other side of Teton Pass, it doesn't get inundated with the tourists."
Unpredictable occupancy patterns: Weekends and holidays fill quickly, particularly at free sites. "We arrived around 2PM on our first day and all sites were full, we came back around 8 the next morning and found one site available for us to take," reports Ryan L. about a popular area.
Tips for camping with families
Pet considerations: Many sites welcome dogs but have varying leash requirements. At Big Eddy/Rainey Campground, a camper noted: "Almost every camper that came through here had a dog and I believe most of them were off leash and well behaved but if you are not a dog person or do not have a dog that enjoys other dogs, I would rethink before coming here."
Kid-friendly activities: The Teton River offers gentle water experiences at multiple access points. "Great hiking, kayak on the Teton River!" recommends Michele from Big Eddy Campgrounds, noting the spacious and well-maintained facilities.
Facility cleanliness varies: Bathroom quality fluctuates significantly between sites. A camper at Mike Harris Campground was impressed that it had "maybe the cleanest pit toilets ever" while noting other amenities like "nice bear boxes" that are family-friendly features.
Tips from RVers
Site configuration challenges: Some RV parks have unusual hookup placements. Chris L. at Colter Bay RV Park found that "Sites have concrete pads that the hook ups are on, making it challenging to get a good flow for sewer."
Dispersed site accessibility: Big rigs can access certain unpaved areas with proper planning. At Big Eddy/Rainey, Timothy observed, "It is close to Driggs Idaho and roads are easily accessible for any size rig. Boondocking area is relatively level."
Check-in procedures vary: Some campgrounds assign sites at arrival rather than pre-booking specific locations. One camper noted that at Colter Bay, "Check-in was super helpful to a rookie camper. They suggested how we should pull into the site in order to face the correct direction and they informed us all about the fresh water refill station."
