Driggs is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Driggs is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Find the best campgrounds near Driggs, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
"A bit of a drive and a rough road, but totally worth it! Off of antelope flat Rd, take a left at the dead end toward the national Forest land. Then you will veer left on the dirt road."
"Definitely a rough road and can be tougher to find a spot if you come later, but we made it up in a low clearance camper van by taking it very slow and the views are awesome."
"With that said the upper road to the main camping area was closed off by the forest service at the lower parking area / pit toilet. The view made it worth the trip up."
"There’s beautiful views of the Teton mountains as people say, the roads are a bit rough and inclined but that’s everywhere in the west really:) no four wheel drive needed at all."
"Dispersed campgrounds near the river. It seems that is managed during the summer season, but there was no one to check anything in May and plenty of places with fire pits."
"People came in untill about 10:30 then it was quiet and people started packing up and leaving around 6. Right next to a river as well and the night sky was amazing!"
"Close to the Hwy over Teton Pass; but the last mile is clay road & (b/c of recent rain cell) it coated our vehicle."
"No amenities, just peace and nature."
"I have not personally spent the night camping here, but I do work for the Forest Service and wanted to give more information about the Darby Canyon dispersed camping sites."
"Moved up to site 5 which required high clearance 4wd and slow driving. Great spot in the middle of the forest."
"Great spot near Grand Teton. Not too busy even on the July 4th weekend. Dirt road not too bad but should be comfortable with off-roading a bit."
"Very peaceful, only one other camper near by for the first 5 days, then had the area to myself. Best view spots need decent clearance."
"Nice Dispersed Camping. Doesn’t have Grand views of the Tetons but has nice grassy level areas and spots by the creek."
"There are 14 campsites dispersed down a four mile long gravel road. Part of the National Forest. Great views of the Tetons from several sites."
"Threaded with dirt roads and my little private ptions for a camp. I always head to the top of the hill. Views of the three Tetons, Palisades, and Baldy plus sunsets and sunrises."
"There is a large turn off. Two ways to the top up Forest Road 40253. The drive up was not too bad. I’m in a all-wheel-drive Ford transit with a slight lift to it."
"If you go further it goes straight down into the woods toward a lake and it's very dark and no light, no stars, and truly scary bear country."
"Great option if the Curtis Canyon campground is full, or if you would prefer something a little more remote. High clearance vehicles recommended - forest road 30440 is in pretty rough shape."
"Maybe they just liked my bug spray, I'm not sure. But with the current fire ban, I spent most of my time at these sites indoors."
LegendA bit of a drive and a rough road, but totally worth it! Off of antelope flat Rd, take a left at the dead end toward the national Forest land. Then you will veer left on the dirt road. There is a camping area at the base of the mountain but if you continue on up the mountain there are many, many dispersed camping pullouts. Beautiful views of the Tetons and excellent wildflowers. There are sites that have some shade and trees but several are pretty exposed. This is a very popular place on the weekends so make sure you get there early to set up camp (or avoid it if you like quite on a Saturday night). No water, no toilets, just a free place to camp with established fire rings! Dogs are welcome.
GuideI have not personally spent the night camping here, but I do work for the Forest Service and wanted to give more information about the Darby Canyon dispersed camping sites. I also had a friend stay here for three nights last September and they had a good time. There are about 10~ sites (I will check and edit when I can) all along the canyon road, some are just right off road and others require a short drive down beaten paths to find the sites. All of these sites (except 2 or so very close to the road) are past the cattle guard. Depending on the time of year, many of these sites may not be accessible. Snow typically stays in the canyon until mid-June and starts collecting in October. The area may also be buggy at the height of the summer (July 2024 had been atrocious). There is limited cell service down most of the road and it completely disappears the closer to the Wind Cave trailhead you get. This area has a 14 day stay limit, meaning that once 14 days (13 nights) have been reached you must move at least 5 miles away to continue camping on forest service land and cannot return to this canyon to camp for 30 days. This is in a bear food storage enforced area and any bear attractants (food, pet food, soaps, sunscreen, etc.) are required to be stored properly in a locked hard sided vehicle or other bear resistant containers. Fires are allowed but must be put out dead (cold to the touch) before leaving a campsite. This canyon is regularly patrolled by Forest Service staff and ranger law enforcement officers, especially on the weekends, to keep up with the food storage and fires out dead orders. Hope this helps weary travelers that are deterred by low-rated reviews.
RangerGreat option if the Curtis Canyon campground is full, or if you would prefer something a little more remote. High clearance vehicles recommended - forest road 30440 is in pretty rough shape. Town of Jackson is fairly close.
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. Dispersed sites are spread out with plenty of space; although no one stayed in the site next to us on this rainy evening in June.
To get there, continue past the Curtis Canyon campground in Bridger-Teton National Forest (behind the Elk refuge) as if you were heading to the trail head. You'll start to see marked sites along the extremely rutted forest road. I would not attempt very muddy conditions.
RangerWe spent one night mid May here on the way to Yellowstone. The view was awesome. With that said the upper road to the main camping area was closed off by the forest service at the lower parking area / pit toilet. The view made it worth the trip up. Not sure when the road will open up to the main dispersed site. Be aware that there is only enough room for about 20 campers / vans in the lower area. There is room for about another 15 cars and tent camping. Arrive early! Plenty of hiking and well worth it if you get a spot!
TravelerWe stayed here 3 nights and absolutely loved it. Definitely a rough road and can be tougher to find a spot if you come later, but we made it up in a low clearance camper van by taking it very slow and the views are awesome. It’s quiet and super close to the Moose entrance for the NP. We were higher up (#10) and had great Verizon service. Bathroom all the way at the bottom also. Can only camp in designated spots. Definitely recommend
ScoutWe camped here in a 4x4 Sprinter van in early July and it was one of the best dispersed sites we’ve ever experienced. It took about 45min driving East from Antelope Flats Road to reach the site. The service road out to the turnoff is very easy, a 2WD crossover could make it in clear conditions. I wouldn’t be comfortable taking the turnoff itself down to the river without high clearance and 4WD as it’s steep and uneven.
There were two clearly defined camping spots with primitive fire rings, each directly on the banks of the river with views of the cliff side opposite the river.
Zero service and amenities but a wonderful experience. We got there at about 6pm on a Friday and the other site was filled.
RangerCampground Review
Alright. I was planning on staying in Grand Teton National Park, but since it was the Thursday before the 2017 Solar Eclipse the Park was full. And I am glad it was. I decided to just drive down a Forest Service Road and ended up on FS 30165 in a valley with wonderful views of the Tetons. There was even a creek a short walk away where I could filter water. The site I picked out was around 8 miles (20 min) from the main paved road into the park and around 50 min from the Visitor Center. Since it is in bear country you need to make sure you have a bear proof cooler or store everything in your car. While I was there the NFS had placed a fire ban due to the sheer number of campers in the area for the eclipse, I believe that fires are allowed otherwise.
Product Review
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time - over the summer I tested the Insulated Static V from Klymit.
I put this pad through the ringer for sure. I used it no less than once per week during June, July, and the first half of August. It still looks good as new. This pad is incredibly comfortable for all types of sleeping positions. At an R-value of 4.4, it packs down to just slightly bigger than a Nalgene water bottle and weighs only 25 oz. The bag that it comes with is slightly oversized, which means that you can actually get it back in the bag with little issues every time even if your roll is slightly sloppy. It also comes with a patch kit so you can fix it in the field should an issue arise, not that I have ever needed it.
I can also attest to Klymit's customer service as well. Prior to getting the Insulated Static V, I owned one of the original Static V pads. That pad survived from 2012-2016 until the valve developed a slight leak. I contacted Klymit to check out their warranty. They told me pads are covered under a lifetime warranty and after shipping it back to them I received a brand new pad within 2-3 weeks if I'm remembering correctly. So not only are the products great, but they stand behind them too!
GuideThe dirt road in is rough steep and narrow. Recommend high clearance as the road has ruts. They will close the road to snow and move the barrier up as it melts. Sites are spread out and numbered. The views are amazing. Spot 1 is in the aspen trees.
RangerIf your wanting a place that overlooks the Grand Teton National Park this is your place. The views from campsites 1-15 are absolutely unreal and overlook Antelope Flats followed by the Grand Teton's. Some of the other campsites at Shadow Mountain are harder to navigate. Around Shadow Mountain there is about 8 miles worth of 4 wheeler trails that you can bike or walk where the other campsite locations are located.
Shadow Mountain is part of the Bridger-Teton National Forest and from May 1- Labor Day you can stay a maximum of 5 days, the other dates you can stay up to 16 days. The camp ambassador has more detailed maps of the camping areas. This part of the national forest allows for FREE dispersed camping but only at assigned campsites. There is a camp ambassador on-site near sites 1-15 to help enforce the rules(this is a busier campsite in the summer as its very close to Jackson and lots of locals come out- kind of a party spot). There is a porta-potty on site on campsites 1-15 but no water or other amenities near other campsites.
The road to get this location can be difficult but maneuverable as there are some large ruts in spots and larger river rock makes slower travel. It can be navigated by pretty much any car type or truck with trailer. If you have an RV it may be difficult to get to this location.
Overall we highly recommend you check out this spot as the view is absolutely gorgeous. There is animal activity in the area Moose, Elk, Grizzly so use proper animal safety,"be bear aware." The camp ambassador mentioned a few weeks prior to our stay a grizzly attached a mom and her baby Moose near campsite 14!
Check out our video review: https://youtu.be/8mVj1dxL5t4
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Driggs, Idaho, where nature's tranquility meets stunning landscapes. This area offers a variety of spots for campers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is free camping available near Grand Tetons from Driggs?
Yes, free camping is available near Grand Tetons when departing from Driggs. Shadow Mountain Dispersed Camping offers spectacular views of Grand Teton National Park without fees. The dirt road is rough and steep, so high-clearance vehicles are recommended. Bridger-Teton National Forest also provides free dispersed camping options with Forest Service roads leading to beautiful valley views. These sites typically operate on a 14-day stay limit. While these free options require more self-sufficiency (no hookups or facilities), they offer incredible proximity to the Tetons. The drive from Driggs crosses Teton Pass, adding about 45-60 minutes to reach these free camping areas compared to staying in Idaho.
What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites around Driggs?
Dispersed camping sites around Driggs are primarily primitive with minimal amenities. At Spread Creek Dispersed Campground, you'll find level grassy areas and creek access, but no developed facilities. Upper Teton View Dispersed offers basic pit toilets at the lower parking area, though the main camping area may be seasonally closed. Most dispersed sites have no potable water, electricity, or waste disposal facilities. Some areas feature fire rings created by previous campers, but you should always verify current fire restrictions. Cell service is spotty throughout the region. Expect to be fully self-sufficient with water, waste disposal, and toiletries. These sites emphasize natural beauty and solitude over conveniences, so pack accordingly.
Where can I find dispersed camping near Driggs, Idaho?
Driggs offers excellent access to nearby dispersed camping opportunities. Darby Canyon Dispersed is a popular option with approximately 10 sites managed by the Forest Service. Another great choice is Teton Canyon Road Dispersed Camping, accessible via drive-in or hike-in options. For those willing to venture a bit further, Pine Creek Pass and Big Eddy areas also offer dispersed camping options. Most sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is recommended, especially during peak summer months. While some areas require high-clearance vehicles to access, others are more accessible with standard vehicles. Always check current Forest Service regulations before camping, as rules may change seasonally.
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