Grand Teton National Park features dramatic alpine terrain rising more than 7,000 feet above the valley floor, creating distinctive microclimates throughout the camping areas. Summer temperatures at glamping locations can vary significantly between day and night, with evening temperatures often dropping 30-40 degrees compared to afternoon highs. These temperature swings make the comfort features of glamping accommodations particularly valuable during peak season from June through September.
What to do
Boat rentals at Jackson Lake: At Colter Bay RV Park, visitors can access diverse water activities. "With Colter bay marina nearby, there was plenty to go see and do. We will definitely stay here again in the future," notes John S.
Hiking to Table Rock: The trails near USFS Teton Canyon Campground offer challenging day hikes with significant elevation gain. "Hiking table rock nearby is an awesome hike," recommends Schuyler J., highlighting one of the area's most rewarding summit trails.
Wildlife viewing at dawn: Early mornings provide prime wildlife spotting opportunities, particularly along quieter campground perimeters. "We saw a grizzly, and a moose with her calf, among other creatures," reports Celina M. about her experience at Colter Bay.
What campers like
Creek access for cooling off: Many guests appreciate having water features for hot summer days. "I was hoping to test my new paddleboard out on Lower Slide Lake but I found a quieter spot on the creek to float and chill," shares Sophia A. at Crystal Creek Campground.
Tent-cabin hybrid structures: The weatherproof canvas-and-log structures at Colter Bay Tent Village provide more insulation than standard tents. "What is a tent-cabin? It is a structure that has two log walls and two canvas walls, a canvas roof, and a little, tiny wood stove," explains Celina M.
Proximity between parks: Locations between Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks allow for efficient visits to both. "We really enjoyed the location — smack between Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Campground is quiet, beautiful, and with good amenities," writes Wes L. about Headwaters Campground.
What you should know
Campground fills quickly: Secure sites early, especially at the most scenic locations. "This campground is pretty within the trees at the park, but it fills up quickly," warns Bridget K. about Jenny Lake Campground.
Temperature variations: Pack for both warm days and cold nights throughout summer. "It was so wonderful that we are going back this summer," remarks Marissa W. about Reunion Flat, while noting the significant temperature swings between day and night.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require navigating unpaved forest roads. "The road leading to this campsite is rough and only gets tougher as you get closer. Beautiful, absolutely silent, but the road is not for the faint of heart or engine!" cautions Bri about Crystal Creek Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Bear safety protocols: All camping areas require proper food storage and disposal. "They ask to clean up your site each evening and put grill and coolers away so as to not attract the bears," notes Brenda L. about glamping at Headwaters Campground.
Laundry facilities: Some locations offer washing machines for extended stays. "Colter bay campground they have a laundromat, showers, grocery store, coffee stand, and gift shop," points out Krissy P., highlighting amenities that can make family glamping more comfortable.
Overflow options: Have backup plans during peak season when first-choice sites are taken. "We were originally going to stay at Atherton, but this one was quite nice too!" shares Sophia A. about finding an alternative at Crystal Creek when their first choice was full.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited in the immediate park area. "We were in site 70," mentions David H. about Fireside Resort, adding: "Only electric hook ups and cable tv. There was water available to fill your tanks and a dump station on site."
Site leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks for uneven terrain. "Most sites are pretty uneven so bring blocks. I had to get pretty creative in our super C," advises Chris A. about Colter Bay RV Park.
Road restrictions: Some park roads prohibit RV access. "Word of advice if you are in an RV, don't make a right out of the park, the road into Tetons is closed to all RVs," warns Samantha S. about navigating from Fireside Resort.
