Equestrian Camping near John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, WY

Sheffield Campground sits at the southern end of the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway connecting Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. The parkway spans 27,000 acres of forest and meadowland at elevations ranging from 6,800 to 7,300 feet. Weather conditions change rapidly in this region with snow possible even during summer months, particularly at higher elevations.

What to do

Horseback riding trails: Several campgrounds in the parkway area connect directly to riding trails. At Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch, there are numerous riding trails accessible from the campground. The locations allows visitors to "ensure I knew about the potential for bears and answered a few questions about the area" according to Timothy N.

Fishing access: Access to rivers and streams provides good fishing opportunities. Box Creek offers direct access to creek fishing and hiking. Alex P. notes, "Bear boxes, rock fire ring, nice pit toilet, a frame to hang food, and horse camping too... There's a map at the front showing all the trails that Box Creek connects to."

Wildlife viewing: The parkway area provides ample wildlife viewing options throughout the year. Along Grassy Lake Rd, campers can spot various wildlife. Ryan explains, "We drove about 30 minutes past the last developed site to find a nice area next to a little creek and a bridge. We saw maybe 3-4 vehicles pass through the whole night and morning we were there."

What campers like

Strategic location: The parkway serves as a convenient connector between the national parks. At Sheffield Campground, campers appreciate the proximity to both parks. Natalie B. shares, "Nothing too special but is a nice spot to get away from the crowds... Easy access to both Yellowstone and Teton! When the park campgrounds were full, this spot was still available!"

Natural water features: Many campgrounds feature creeks, rivers, or lakes. Rod D. explains, "The Creek was right behind our site and was fun to check out... Great fishing in the river a short walk from the campground. Location is the gem here, being only 2.5 miles from the south entrance to Yellowstone and 10 miles north of Grand Tetons!"

Fewer crowds: Compared to in-park camping, several campgrounds offer more solitude. According to Emma C., Sheffield Campground offers early season advantages: "This was a last minute try because our other dispersed spot was blocked by snow. The campground was 'shut down' for the season but the bathroom was unlocked! The sign said no fee was needed since it was out of season."

What you should know

Bear country precautions: All campgrounds in this area require proper food storage and bear awareness. At Turpin Meadows Campground, each site includes bear protection. Aubrey R. notes, "We tried getting one of the more popular, closer camping spots near Tetons. Despite leaving Denver 3am, all sites were full. We were suggested this campsite about 40 min away and were sooo pleasantly surprised!"

Limited amenities: Most campgrounds outside park boundaries offer basic facilities. Mark P. explains about Turpin Meadow, "Not much to write about here, there is a campground towards the end of the road. There is a few spots to get water but nothing at any site. Pretty much just dry camping."

Seasonal access: Many campgrounds close during winter months or have limited access. Dave L. describes one campground option: "We found this campsite at the end of the road of BLM campsites. We tried to find one of the campsites along the road. Exhausted, we found this campground with about 18 campsites. Many of the sites are accommodating to horse lovers."

Tips for camping with families

Visit during off-peak times: For less crowded camping experiences, aim for early June or September. At Pacific Creek Campground, Kathryn R. reports, "It was a nice alternative to the larger campsites within Grand Teton Park. Because it was slightly out of the way it was much quieter and didn't fill up as quickly."

Bring proper gear: Weather changes rapidly throughout the day. Andrew L. recommends, "Water was available as were pit toilets. Looks like a great equestrian campground and we saw a few parties with horses. Make sure you make use of the bear boxes, as we saw plenty of bear prints and other sign within 200 yards of our site."

Plan for mosquitoes: Mosquitoes can be intense in wooded areas near water. Jordan explains about Pacific Creek, "After talking to some folks in Moose it sounds like mosquitos are terrible all around so it's not specific to this campground. The camp hosts were also great and the woman (Marsha) gave us tons of suggestions on different things to do during the days."

Tips from RVers

Check weight restrictions: Some bridges and roads have vehicle weight limits. At Sheffield Campground, Blake M. warns, "There is a weight limit of 5 ton to cross the bridge to get in."

Road conditions vary: Access roads to some campgrounds can be challenging. Mike M. details Sheffield access challenges: "Not Big rig friendly, so walk or first of your going to try anything over 30ft. The small one lane road and one lane bridge are narrow. Bridge is rated for 5 ton and a little unnerving for anything of size. Additionally tree clearances are tight."

Limited hookups: Most horse campgrounds near John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway lack full hookups. Lyle B. shares about Turpin Meadow, "About 20 individual sites. We got the last one upon arrival, but there is an overflow area which is an open field near the horse corrals and there were no campers using that area when we were there."