Sheffield Campground near Moran, Wyoming functions as both a standard camping facility and an equestrian-oriented destination. The campground provides horse corrals alongside typical amenities including vault toilets and picnic tables. Located approximately 2.5 miles from Yellowstone's south entrance and 10 miles north of Grand Teton National Park, Sheffield serves as a strategic base for riders exploring the surrounding wilderness areas.
What to do
Trail riding from camp: Sheffield Campground offers direct trail access for horseback riding adventures. A camper noted, "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!" The commercial campground next door offers guided horse trail rides for those without their own mounts.
Fishing nearby streams: Palisades Creek Campground provides anglers with quality fishing opportunities. According to one visitor, "This campground has a small number of lots, and when we were there in July most were filled by RVs. Only one had a noisy generator;) our spot was right next to the roaring Palisades Creek, and a short walk to restrooms. Only 15 bucks a night;)"
Backcountry exploration: For equestrians seeking more remote experiences, Trapper Lake Backcountry Camping offers solitude and mountain views. "Need a backpack permit and reservation. It's a little over 4 miles to get to. Not a ton of foot traffic makes it that far so it's pretty quiet. Great view of Mt Moran," reports one backcountry camper.
What campers like
Secluded sites: Moose Creek Trailhead Dispersed Area provides peaceful camping close to equestrian territory. A camper described it as a "Quiet, scenic spot right by the creek. Perfect for vanlife or tents. Cold, clear water makes for a refreshing (very cold!) natural bath. No amenities, just peace and nature."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The horse-friendly regions around Driggs attract diverse wildlife. Be prepared for potential encounters as one camper at Sheffield Campground warned, "Was actually asked to leave earlier than anticipated by the rangers because there was excessive bear activity in the area."
Stargazing conditions: The areas around Driggs offer excellent night sky viewing. A visitor to Moose Creek noted, "Never too packed. There's about 6 spaces that I've counted to camp. Trailhead draws a lot of visitors during the day. No toilets, dumping, hookups or water. Just the stars and roaring creek. Beautiful back there."
What you should know
Bear awareness critical: Bear activity is significant in horse camping areas near Driggs. At Moose Creek Trailhead, a visitor cautioned, "Be cautious of bears as we arrived and found large bear droppings." Food storage containers are provided at established sites like Sheffield Campground.
Seasonal considerations: The camping season around Driggs is shorter than many expect. A Sheffield visitor shared, "September was a great time to visit. No mosquitoes! It was cold at night (25 degrees) so plan accordingly! With high R-value pads and 0 degree bags we were toasty."
Bridge weight restrictions: Equestrians with large trailers should note infrastructure limitations. A Sheffield camper warned, "There is a weight limit of 5 ton to cross the bridge to get in," and another added, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with amenities: Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch offers facilities helpful for families with horses. A visitor explained, "We stayed at headwaters for 5 nights while visiting the Grand Tetons. It was a bit further to tour Jackson (an hour and a half) but we did twice anyway. We loved the campground feel as the sites were spacious and the pines and other trees made it feel very woodsy."
Prepare for insects: Mosquitoes can be problematic in horse-accessible camping areas. A Sheffield camper stated simply, "The mosquitoes are horrible. But we loved it other than that, it was nice and quiet."
Pack for temperature swings: Despite warm days, nights can be very cold. A Sheffield reviewer experienced this firsthand: "Brrrrr! Temps got down to below freezing overnight. Although below freezing in the early morning hrs, temps were 80° in the afternoons."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Phillips Bench Trailhead and other areas have space constraints for larger rigs. A visitor described it as a "Dirt circle with room for a few cars, vans etc. No actual designated spots. Just for sleeping mostly."
Bring essential supplies: Most equestrian camping areas near Driggs lack hookups and amenities. A Palisades Creek camper advised, "No water, no dumping, no electricity. Right next to the creek, and lots of shady camp spots. Absolutely gorgeous and perfect for camping."
Consider noise factors: Despite rural settings, some sites experience road noise. At Phillips Bench Trailhead, a camper observed, "Right next to highway, but not a lot of traffic or road noise, could change seasonally."
