Best Campgrounds near Alta, WY
The Alta, Wyoming area encompasses diverse camping options centered around the western side of the Grand Teton Mountains. Nearby established sites include USFS Teton Canyon Campground, which features 19 designated camping spots suitable for tents and smaller RVs, while Shadow Mountain and Upper Teton View provide dispersed camping alternatives with more primitive conditions. The region sits at the border between Wyoming and Idaho, offering both national forest and national park camping experiences, with Grand Teton National Park campgrounds located within an hour's drive.
Many sites require high-clearance vehicles to access, particularly the dispersed camping areas. The camping season typically runs from May through September or early October, with higher elevation sites remaining snow-covered until mid-June and beginning to accumulate snow again in October. Temperatures can drop significantly at night even during summer months, with campers reporting overnight temperatures in the 30s Fahrenheit even in July. Bear activity necessitates proper food storage in all camping areas, with many sites providing bear boxes for visitors. A camper noted, "This is a bear food storage enforced area and any bear attractants are required to be stored properly in a locked hard-sided vehicle or other bear-resistant containers."
The Teton Canyon area receives consistently positive reviews for its scenic beauty and relative tranquility compared to more crowded areas within Grand Teton National Park. Campers highlight the pristine mountain views, proximity to hiking trails, and creek access at several sites. Most established campgrounds offer basic amenities like vault toilets and water spigots, while dispersed sites require complete self-sufficiency. Cell service is limited throughout the region, with signal disappearing entirely in many canyon areas. Several campgrounds feature nearby trailheads leading into the Jedediah Smith Wilderness and Alaska Basin, making them popular bases for day hiking and backpacking. A visitor remarked, "Outstanding little USFS campground with convenient trail access for Jedediah Smith Wilderness, Alaska Basin, and Grand Teton National Park."
