Best Tent Camping near Driggs, ID
Public lands surrounding Driggs, Idaho provide diverse tent camping options within proximity to Grand Teton National Park. Pine Creek Pass Dispersed Camping offers free primitive tent sites just east of Driggs, while Targhee National Forest Trail Creek Campground provides established tent campsites with amenities like drinking water and picnic tables from May to September. Tent campers looking for more developed options can venture to Jenny Lake Campground or Colter Bay Tent Village in Grand Teton National Park, both highly rated for their tent-friendly facilities.
Most tent campgrounds near Driggs feature level tent pads on forest duff or compacted dirt surfaces. Bear activity is common throughout the region, requiring proper food storage in provided bear boxes or personal bear canisters. Vault toilets are available at established campgrounds, while dispersed areas typically lack facilities. Seasonal access varies significantly, with higher elevation sites often inaccessible until late June due to snowmelt. Fire restrictions are common during dry summer months, particularly in August and September. Campers should bring water filtration systems for dispersed camping, as potable water is limited to developed campgrounds.
Tent-only camping areas provide distinct advantages over mixed-use campgrounds. According to one camper at Jenny Lake, "The campground is relatively quiet due to it being a tent-only campground." Walk-in tent sites often offer greater privacy and separation from neighboring campers. Early morning wildlife sightings are common, with visitors reporting deer, moose, and occasionally bears near tent sites. Mosquitoes can be problematic in early summer, particularly near water sources. One visitor at Buffalo Valley noted, "The only minus was that the mosquitoes were unbearable in the evenings." For backcountry tent camping, permits are required for sites within Grand Teton National Park, with applications opening January 1st each year and remaining permits available first-come, first-served at ranger stations.