The mountains and forests of Bridger-Teton National Forest offer many different campgrounds, from shaded woodland sites to open meadow clearings. Granite Creek Campground sits near natural hot springs where campers can soak after a day outdoors. Curtis Canyon Campground has bigger sites with bear boxes and grills for safer food handling. Bears and other wildlife move through the forest regularly, so proper food storage is necessary at all sites. Some camping spots sit in thick woods while others open to meadows, giving you choices between shade and sun. Hikers and anglers find plenty to do, with trails that climb to high viewpoints of the mountain ranges. Bug spray is a must during summer when mosquitoes can be thick in many areas. Some roads in the forest get rough, and you might need a higher-clearance vehicle to reach places like Curtis Canyon, especially after rain.
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Round 1 of 5
"pulled in pretty late at night but found a riverside spot within first 5 mins. the dirt road goes for quite some distance & is all around a gorgeous spot!"
"I showed up around 11 pm on a Thursday and found an open spot not too far in. Road, as far as I went, was an easy dirt road."
$78 / night
"This was the first place I ever camped in Wyoming and I’ve been back three times since! The views are amazing. The drive to the site is kind of rough but it’s definitely worth it."
"This experience was my first to Wyoming and the first glimpse of the beautiful Tetons! I did a climb with Summit for Someone (SFS), to raise money for underprivileged city youth."
$15 / night
"Campsites have amazing views of surrounding mountains and creek where there are several waterfalls you can walk to. Close by you can soak in Granite Creek Hot Springs - Bring $8 cash for entrance!"
"Being October, the hook-ups were off, although that should be expected late season in Wyoming. The paid pool stays open until the end of October, we made sure to use it."
"Same great views you'd expect anywhere near the Tetons; trailhead to Goodwin Lake is close by. Full Teton view is better at the trailhead, but its not far."
"I do NOT recommend the drive unless you have off road suspension or have a smaller vehicle."
"This is a nice little campground close to Jackson, WY, that is much quieter than campgrounds in Teton National Park. It has 12 sites for tents or smallish RVs. No hookups."
"Located up the mountain just above the elk wildlife refuge, I got there late at night, which was a little challenging given the road once in the campground gets pretty rough and bumpy in some stretches"
"Pro: easy access, right off the highway. Con: right off the highway, traffic noise. Located right off Hwy 189/191 about 8 miles from Hoback Junction the WEST side of the highway."
"Jenny lake is a nice hike. Backpacking along the Teton crest trail. There’s some good mountain biking right outside of the city. Definitely hit up the snake river brewery while you’re in town!"
"In the Bridger Tetons National Forest, thus offering some sensational
FREEcampsites. Remarkable views of the Tetons at both lower and upper sites. Directions are easy and available online.""This campsite is part of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. You go down some long gravel roads to the entrance, where there are some campsites at the base of the mountain."
"This is just off the highway so there is some traffic noise but the river is flowing so high right now it drowns a lot of it out. I did awaken when a few loud semi-trucks went by."
"Very nice stop over on a long drive."
"Up on the ridgeline, you can see the whole Teton range, and Curtis Canyon behind you! One fireput by the road, one other one out just a bit in the second pic."
"Walk down to the creek for some fishing. Bear sign visible."
"We found a great spot next to the granite river, with long stretches between other campers."
"Nice little trails along the top Edge of la plateau above the river. Gentle gurgling of the river. Seems like a popular spot. And it's a Thursday night in September."
TravelerVery large number of sites with varying amenities. All have picnic tables, fire pit, bear proof food/gear containers. Clean toilet facilities. Some sites with hookups but also a dump station and fresh water at the park entrance. Nightly ranger talks at an ampitheater.
TravelerGreat location next to Snake River - big - private campsites- it’s gorgeous here. Make sure you bring what you need - limited services. Cool camp host sells firewood. $3 a bundle.
TravelerWe broke our distribution hitch trying to get into one of the better paths into these camp sights. There’s no spots to back up and reverse- wouldn’t recommend for anyone not in a compact camping car/van situation
ScoutWell maintained. Has potable water, restrooms, bear storage etc
RangerYou don’t need 4 wheel but a higher clearance vehicle is a must. If it’s been raining I would avoid this area unless you have a highly capable 4x4 and know how to drive it. Road is rutted and rocky most of the way and gets worse as you start to climb. No fires this time of year. You have great views of the Tetons and Jackson valley.
RangerIt’s an open area with lots of choices. By the river or further back. Be careful not to drive through the deep sections of river rock.
GuideThe owners and camp hosts are so lovely and kind, they’re really creating an oasis in the beautiful Swan Valley. Shower and flush toilets, kitchen you can use, laundry, hook ups, shade and even a store where you can buy merch. Close to Yellowstone and Grand Teton, I had the best week here.
RangerStaff is great. Laundry, bathrooms and showers onsite. Rafting pickup right from the campground
RangerThere are some sites that are not reservable. About 40% of the sites are first come first served. Check out at the sites is noon but I would recommend getting here around 10am to scope out who’s leaving. Bathrooms are not the cleanest but I think that has more to do with who does the pumping versus the camp host who cleans up. There are a few sites on the river and I would recommend trying for them. The river drowns out the road noise a bit.
Bridger-Teton National Forest spans over 3.4 million acres with elevations ranging from 6,000 to 13,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically fluctuate between 45°F at night to 80°F during day, creating ideal camping conditions from June through September. Most dispersed camping areas require visitors to pack out all trash and practice proper food storage in this active bear habitat.
Soak in hot springs: At Granite Creek Campground, campers can enjoy natural hot springs just a short distance away. "There is a hot springs which costs $8/head to go in... Less than a mile from the campground, and easily accessible by bicycle, there is a very nice waterfall," notes Gretchen B. The developed hot springs pool stays open until late October.
Fly fishing opportunities: The rivers and streams throughout Bridger-Teton provide excellent fishing spots. "The creek is great for fishing around the bend from the campground," reports David P. about Hoback Campground. Many creeks in the forest hold native cutthroat trout.
Wildlife viewing: The national forest supports diverse wildlife including moose, elk, and deer. "We noticed a family of deer munching in the field on our walk out this morning," writes one visitor about Spread Creek. At Gros Ventre Campground, visitors frequently spot larger mammals: "Saw three moose inside this campground. Only stayed for a night but it sure was beautiful!"
Riverside camping: Many Bridger-Teton National Forest campsites sit along creeks and rivers. At Dispersed camping along Cliff Creek, Quentin M. describes "Wonderfully peaceful, all sites right next to the creek, plenty of options and pretty well spaced out from each other." The sound of running water adds to the camping experience.
Mountain views: The forest provides numerous vantage points of surrounding mountain ranges. "There is a beautiful sunset a short walk up the driveway that overlooks the whole valley and the Tetons," reports Dani T. about Curtis Canyon Campground. These viewpoints make for excellent sunrise and sunset photography opportunities.
Privacy options: Campers appreciate sites with adequate spacing. "The sites are large and relatively far apart so you have a modicum of privacy," explains Mark P. about Granite Creek Campground. This contrasts with more crowded national park campgrounds nearby.
Road conditions: Many forest roads require careful driving, especially after rain. "The drive up isn't bad at all - unmoded vans seen at sites seemed to manage it just fine. Any SUV will do just fine, likely most sedans as well. But the road is rutted so put some thought into your lines," advises Katherine C. about Curtis Canyon Dispersed Camping.
Bear safety requirements: All campgrounds require proper food storage. "This is bear country...so know how to stay safe!" reminds one camper at Dispersed camping along Cliff Creek. Most established campgrounds provide bear boxes at each site.
Campsite availability: Popular areas fill quickly during summer months. At Shadow Mountain Dispersed Camping, "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. Weekday arrivals typically offer better chances for securing preferred sites.
Easy access spots: Some campgrounds offer more convenient access for families with young children. Kozy Campground has "about 10 campsites that are first-come-first-serve. Each has a picnic table and a fire pit. Almost all have bear boxes," notes Aakansha J., making it easier for families to manage meals and food storage.
Nature exploration: Many campsites provide natural features children can safely explore. One parent at Cliff Creek explains, "We then walked about another mile down the road before encountering snow. There were ruts in the road but easily possible for my Nissan Rogue to get over and other cars as well."
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly, requiring appropriate clothing layers. "It did get down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit over night, so pack warm," advises Jennifer about her family's spring trip to Bridger-Teton National Forest campsites. Summer evenings typically drop to 40-50°F even when days reach 80°F.
Site dimensions: RV campers should check site dimensions before arrival. At Gros Ventre Campground, "318 sites. 36 electric sites. wide open spaces between you and your neighbors," notes Ted K. This information helps determine appropriate vehicle size for each location.
Leveling challenges: Some forest sites require additional equipment for comfortable parking. "Sprinter Van Camping. Fair camp site and fairly level that is near the restrooms and water source," reports Joe A. about Curtis Canyon Campground. Bringing leveling blocks helps accommodate sloped parking areas.
Hookup availability: Most forest campgrounds offer limited or no hookups. As Tammy L. explains about Gros Ventre, "No hookups but was worth it to dry camp at this location!" RVers should arrive with full water tanks and empty waste tanks when staying at most Bridger-Teton sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping spots in Bridger-Teton National Forest?
The best camping spots in Bridger-Teton National Forest include Shadow Mountain Dispersed Camping, which offers free camping with remarkable views of the Grand Tetons. Both lower and upper sites are available, with the upper sites requiring high-clearance vehicles to navigate the rough mountain road. Another exceptional option is Green River Lakes Road, located about 52 miles from Pinedale. This free dispersed camping area provides stunning scenery along the road to the Green River Lakes. For those seeking proximity to Grand Teton National Park, dispersed camping off Buffalo Valley Road offers gorgeous valley views and access to the Moran entrance, while Curtis Canyon provides spectacular vistas and nearby trailheads for hiking adventures.
What should visitors know before camping in Bridger-Teton National Forest?
Before camping in Bridger-Teton National Forest, visitors should know that many roads require high-clearance vehicles, particularly at Curtis Canyon Dispersed Camping where Forest Road 30440 is in rough condition. Weather can change rapidly in Wyoming's mountains, so pack accordingly for various conditions. Dispersed camping is free throughout much of the forest, but you should follow Leave No Trace principles. Some areas like Cliff Creek offer big-rig-friendly dispersed options. Cell service is limited or non-existent in many areas. During peak summer months (June-August), popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially those near Grand Teton National Park. Bear activity is common, so proper food storage is essential. Campfires may be restricted during dry periods, so check current regulations with the ranger district before your trip.
What campgrounds are available in Bridger-Teton National Forest?
Bridger-Teton National Forest offers a variety of campgrounds across its expansive wilderness. Atherton Creek Campground is situated near Palisades Reservoir with amenities including picnic tables and stunning mountain views. Turpin Meadows Campground is accessible via Buffalo Valley Road, about 10 minutes from U.S. Highway 26. For RV travelers, Rim Station provides a quiet 12-spot RV park right off Highway 189, perfect for exploring the surrounding forest. Additional options include Curtis Canyon Campground with toilets and water, Hoback Campground, and Granite Creek Campground. The forest also permits extensive dispersed camping opportunities along Forest Service roads where campers can find secluded spots without developed facilities.
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