The Driggs area provides access to both sides of the Teton Range at 6,600 feet elevation, with temperatures often dropping 30-40 degrees from day to night. Most Forest Service campgrounds near Driggs open from mid-May through September, with limited facilities available during shoulder seasons. Dispersed sites can become muddy during spring snowmelt, requiring high-clearance vehicles for access.
What to do
Fishing access: 15 minutes from town: At Big Eddy/Rainey Campground, the Teton River provides excellent fishing opportunities. "The Big Eddy campgrounds are spacious and well kept. Mostly quiet with a bit of fishing traffic but everyone is respectful... Great hiking, kayak on the Teton River!" according to Michele.
Mountain biking: Multiple skill levels: Mike Harris Campground offers direct access to several trail systems. "What most don't know is that 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," notes FLETCHER W.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn/dusk recommended: Several campgrounds provide wildlife viewing opportunities away from the busier Jackson Hole area. "We had a moose that frequented our site every morning! Lots of beautiful wildlife to see and hear," shares Bethany W. from Teton Canyon Campground.
What campers like
Quieter alternatives to Jackson Hole: Teton Canyon Campground provides a peaceful setting. "I've stayed here the last two summers. 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 that come to the area. Only 19 sites, and you can reserve online," says Christina R.
Free camping options: Shadow Mountain Dispersed Camping offers no-cost options with mountain views. "Incredible site with insane views of the Tetons. You are pretty close to neighbors, but the views makes it all worth it. 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," explains Ryan L.
Well-maintained facilities: Clean, accessible facilities impress many campers. "The pit toilets were also spotless - the cleanest I've ever seen. Great little spot - especially if you're headed in from east Idaho toward the tetons," Alicia G. says about Mike Harris Campground.
What you should know
Alternative road directions: When traveling to certain sites, standard GPS directions can cause problems. "If you were coming from Driggs, do not follow Google map instructions. Continue down the road until you hit 6000 and turn right. If you follow the Google map to turn on the first road, it is extremely rutted and unless you have a very high clearance, likely will damage something," advises Abby M. about Big Eddy.
Seasonal timing matters: Most sites fill quickly during peak summer months. "We went in July and it was packed!! We came in at sunset and we drove around for over a hour trying to find a campsite. Everywhere was full but a lady let us stay on her site since it was really big," reports Chloe T. about Shadow Mountain.
Bear safety requirements: Campgrounds throughout the region require proper food storage. "All Food MUST be stored in a hard-sided camper or the provided Bear Boxes, there are both Grizzly and Black Bears in the area!" warns Ellen W. about camping at Mike Harris.
Tips for camping with families
Pet-friendly amenities: For families camping with dogs, Teton Valley Resort offers upgraded accommodations. "This campground has a blend of cabins mixed with the RV sites so it has a ton of added value with the heated pool/hottub, laundry, showers looked decent and my personal favorite… they have little s'more bags that they give you and do little community bonfires each night," mentions Amber W.
Kid-friendly hikes: Several areas around Driggs have trails suitable for children. "The staff here was very friendly and helpful. We had our two dogs, and the staff helped guide us to several awesome hikes that were dog friendly that were great," Catherine G. shares about Teton Valley Resort.
Bathroom quality: Families with children appreciate clean facilities. "Maybe the cleanest pit toilets ever," reports Lilly E. about Mike Harris Campground, noting this makes a significant difference when camping with kids.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Upper Teton View accommodates various RV sizes but requires planning. "There is a small parking area at the base of the hill, then a rough gravel road leads up to the top. If you have a larger rig, I suggest arriving around early to mid-day to make sure you get a spot. Smaller vans, truck campers, and tent campers will almost always find a spot somewhere," advises Brittany M.
Road conditions: RV drivers should be prepared for rough forest roads. "Road up is a little rough but made it fine towing our 38ft 5th wheel. Views are amazing and probably none better in the Tetons when camping for free," chuck S. says about Upper Teton View.
Hookup availability: Most dispersed sites have no facilities while campgrounds offer varying levels of services. "Crushed stone sites. Very tight. No shade. Very good laundry and rest rooms. Quiet. Good views. Nice pool and hot tub. They are doubling the size with construction under way," explains Marty S. about Teton Valley Resort.
