Wildlife viewing starts the moment you pull into Colter Bay Campground, where moose, bears, elk, and raptors have all been spotted along the trails and near Jackson Lake Dam. Set within Grand Teton National Park, this NPS-managed campground sits close enough to Jackson Lake that some sites allow a direct walk to the rock beach along the water's edge. Certain sites also face the peaks across the lake, giving campers open sightlines toward the Teton Range without leaving camp.
The campground runs large and fills fast. Every site was occupied mid-week in mid-September during a recent visit, and the crowd draws from across the US, Canada, and Europe. Each site has a tent pad, picnic table, and fire ring, with flush toilets and water spigots in buildings within each loop. As Michael notes, "sites are well screened from adjacent sites with dense trees and bushes," though that same tree cover limits stargazing. Sites vary considerably in quality: some are level and close to restrooms, while others, particularly in the O Loop, have enough slope to make leveling a trailer a real challenge. After heavy rain, low-lying sites can collect standing water, though the gravel-and-log tent pads tend to stay above the flood line.
The campground accommodates tents, trailers, and RVs up to 45 feet, with a separate full-hookup RV section nearby and a dump station available for $10. Showers require a trip to the central Colter Bay visitor center. Cell service is essentially nonexistent throughout the campground. Campers traveling with dogs will find pet-friendly camping near Grand Teton National Park is well-suited to this area, though bear country protocols apply and bear spray is recommended on all hikes.
Reservations are available and strongly advised given the consistent demand. The location works well as a base for day trips to Jenny Lake to the south or Yellowstone to the north. Colter Bay suits campers who prioritize lake access and wildlife proximity over quiet or solitude.
Description
This is DRY camping.
The vast Colter Bay Campground at Colter Bay Village is set amidst towering lodgepole pines just a short, picturesque stroll away from Jackson Lake. The campground offers camping for tents and dry camping for RVs. (For full hookup RV sites, check out the Colter Bay RV Park.) Campsites include 338 individual campsites, 12 large group sites, 10 hiker-bicycler sites, and 13 electric-only ADA-accessible sites. Generator Loops are H, J, K M, & O. The campground is open from mid-May to late-September. As with all campgrounds in the park, the Colter Bay Campground is very popular and tends to fill up quickly. Visitors are strongly encouraged to plan and book early.
Think of Colter Bay Village as summer camp for the entire family. This lovely area is set on the shores of Jackson Lake, and offers practical amenities like laundry facilities, showers, restaurants and a grocery store, as well as purely-for-fun diversions like a marina, gift shop, visitor center, and horse corrals. Colter Bay has an activity for everyone in the family. Visitors can enjoy hiking, kayaking and canoeing, horseback riding, fishing, swimming and beach-going, lake cruises, and ranger-led programs. Set against the majestic backdrop of the Teton Mountains, Colter Bay Village is a must-visit.
Colter Bay Campground offers camping for tents and dry camping for RVs. (For full hookup RV sites, check out the Colter Bay RV Park.) Each tent site has a gravel parking space for up to two vehicles and space for one tent. For parties with extra-large tents or multiple tents, please see individual site specifications before booking. Multiple tents are only permitted in sites designated for multiple tents.
Each RV site has a back-in or pull-through gravel parking space for one RV . RV sites are of various sizes, and guests should look at individual site specifications prior to booking to ensure max length availability. When factoring site length, tow vehicles should be included in total length. The maximum length permitted is 45 feet. There is a complimentary RV dump station and potable water filling station available to guests, and propane is available for purchase at the nearby RV Park. Please note, generators are only permitted in loops H, J, K, M, O, and Group Sites between the hours of 6am and 10pm.
All sites include a picnic table, a fire pit with metal fire grate, bear-proof food storage lockers, and access to nearby water spigots, flush toilets, and laundry and showers available for an additional fee.
ADA Access: There are 13 ADA-compliant campsites with electric-only hook-ups, accessible picnic tables, and paved sites. The campground loop roads are paved and mostly level, with some sloping incline and decline. Restroom facilities are partially accessible, with accessible showers available at the launderette. Routes to the amphitheater are paved but on a sloping incline/decline.
Complimentary WiFi/internet service is available at the restaurants, activities desk, launderette, and stores. Cellular coverage varies, and may be available depending location within the campground and service provider. A courtesy phone is located at the Campground Kiosk near the campground entrance. Firewood, food, ice, camping supplies and more can be purchased at the grocery store and adjacent gift shop.
Reservation Info
This is dry camping. Full Hookups available at Colter Bay RV Park.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsColter Bay Campground at Colter Bay Village is located in Wyoming near Grand Teton National Park
Coordinates
43.91135 N
110.643243 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/30/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 185 usersLast on 6/30/26- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 70 usersLast on 6/30/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/30/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 185 usersLast on 6/30/26
- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 70 usersLast on 6/30/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Pull-Through Sites
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 41 min from Idaho Falls, ID
- 3 hrs 24 min from Pocatello, ID
- 4 hrs 55 min from Bozeman, MT
- 5 hrs 2 min from Logan, UT
