Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming provides a range of camping experiences from developed campgrounds to primitive dispersed sites. Signal Mountain Campground sits near Jackson Lake with stunning mountain views, while Shadow Mountain and Upper Teton View offer free dispersed camping options on surrounding public lands. The park and adjacent forest areas support tent camping, RV sites with hookups at locations like Colter Bay RV Park, cabin accommodations, and yurt options scattered throughout the region.
Camping is highly seasonal in the Tetons, with many sites only operating from May through September due to winter conditions. "We arrived at 6:15am on a Sunday and felt so lucky to find an open spot," notes one camper about Signal Mountain Campground, highlighting the competition for prime locations during peak season. Most developed sites within the national park require advance reservations through recreation.gov, while dispersed camping options on forest service land typically have 14-day stay limits. Several campgrounds like Jenny Lake and Lizard Creek Campground provide drinking water and toilets but lack shower facilities, requiring visitors to plan accordingly. Higher elevation sites may experience significantly cooler temperatures even during summer months.
Waterfront camping locations receive particular praise from visitors to the area. Sites along Jackson Lake offer direct access to paddling opportunities and unobstructed views of the Teton Range. According to a review, "Campsite 12 might be the best campsite in the U.S. with unobstructed views of Jackson Lake." Wildlife sightings are common throughout the area, with many campers reporting encounters with deer, moose, and occasionally bears. Campers seeking more solitude often prefer the dispersed sites on Shadow Mountain or Spread Creek areas, while those wanting more amenities gravitate toward Signal Mountain or Colter Bay with their nearby stores, restaurants, and marina facilities. Sites with electrical hookups are limited and tend to fill quickly, especially during July and August when visitor numbers peak throughout the park.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
"This is an awesome dispersed camping area near Grand Teton National Park."
"Shadow Mountain dispersed camping is just a few miles across the way from the Moose, Wyoming, entrance to Grand Teton National Park."
$13 - $58 / night
"This campground is not only a great place to have as a starting point for exploring Grand Teton National Park, but the campground itself has great features."
"Jenny Lake is a tent only campground located right on the shore of Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park."
$122 - $127 / night
"Me and my family decided to take a spontaneous weekend trip up to Wyoming. We were there the 26th & 27th of September, it was so awesome!"
"Upon our arrival in Grand Teton National Park, Colter Bay Campground was our first night of camping during a massive 5 week/ 10,500 mile road trip during the Summer of 2021."
$78 / night
"I went out to Wyoming a couple of summers ago, and honestly it was one of the most amazing trips I have ever been on. I stayed with some friends from college in Gros Ventre campground."
"Great location to south entrance of Grand Tetons National Park. Sites are level and paved. Paths from camp site are available to restroom (no showers). Also, good proximity to Jackson, WY."
"This spot in the National Forest was great for the nights we were visiting Grand Tetons National Park."
"Around 630 it appeared all the sites were full as we saw a lot of vehicles heading back down the road. So I'd suggest getting there fairly early."
$101 / night
"Colter Bay is on the north end of Grand Teton National Park. As well as a large campground, it houses cabins, marina, beach, general store, post office, gas station, and visitor's center."
"This campground has some absolutely beautiful scenery as you would expect in Grand Teton National Park."
$59 - $103 / night
"Great campground in Grand Teton National Park. Good access to Jackson Lake, though it’s a bit of a haul if you’re carrying inflatables or kayaks. Sites are all nicely wooded."
"Beautiful campground in Grand Teton National Park. Very close to the iconic Oxbow Bend. The sites are spacious and mostly level. Some sites have electricity."
"Unfortunately, With its vast meadows, flowing creek, and picturesque surroundings, Spread Creek Dispersed Campground is a great option for campers looking for a quiet, back-to-basics outdoor experience"
"Spread Creek Dispersed Campground is an ideal choice for campers seeking a peaceful, back-to-basics outdoor experience, with its open meadows, flowing creek, and scenic surroundings providing a tranquil"
$53 / night
"My family had an amazing time here while visiting Grand Teton National Park. Very quiet, clean and also had some amazing views!"
"Lizard Creek is a first-come, first-served campground with 60 sites near the northern end of Grand Teton National Park."
"One of our favorite dispersed sites throughout our trip in Wyoming & Montana!"
"This site is about 2.5 miles off Highway 89. Very private. Lots of wood can be gathered in surrounding area. At dusk elk were bugling near campsite!!"
ScoutThe spot is not too far off the highway. Road is in good condition. There are marked spots and fire rings. They had only a portion open but there weren’t many other people. Woke up to the most beautiful view of the Tetons.
ScoutEasy and quick campground to get to off the main stretch of road. I drive a regular Honda crv and did just fine getting in on the dirt road. About 15 campsites, all first come first serve. All have amazing views of the Teton range. One outhouse. All sites have fire rings. Would camp here again!
TravelerWe stopped her for Tetons overnight after our first campsite was closed.. this was simple and a lot easier to car camp than tent camping ( at least where we were)
TravelerWe called before hand and was told they’d be open and the duet recommended this site, but by the time we drove 10 hours from SD to sleep here for the night it was closed ? Added an extra hour to try for another site we had saved for the Grand Tetons .. i wanted to be at this site but it clearly wasn’t meant for us - Maybe next year!
TravelerThese roads remain open in winter. I camped here early April. Rough road to enter and was very wet due to snowmelt so off-road tires needed, but should be more accessible in summer. Ideal for vans, pickup trucks and small-medium trailers. Dispersed camping spots are scattered on FR 20120 and the roads coming off it. Some are individual and others are wider areas ideal for group camping.
TravelerCamped here for 2 nights in April when there was still snow on the ground. Road was accessible during winter conditions but lots of potholes on dirt road to dispersed camping. 4wd recommended but not essential.beautiful spot with Mountain View’s and easy access to the stream and hiking trails. 15 min drive to ski resort
ScoutReally enjoyed reading about this spot—Spread Creek seems like a perfect option if you’re into raw, back-to-nature camping. The wide open meadows, creek access, and occasional wildlife sightings make it feel much more immersive compared to traditional campgrounds. I like that it’s free and flexible, but at the same time, people should be prepared since there are no real facilities and it can get crowded during peak times. Arriving early and bringing essentials like bug spray definitely seems important here. After a long day outdoors, having some offline entertainment also helps—lately I’ve been using inat box indir on my device, which makes downtime at remote places like this much more enjoyable. Overall, a great choice for campers who prefer scenery and freedom over comfort.
ScoutSpread Creek Dispersed Campground is perfect for peaceful, nature-filled camping, but there are no facilities, so come fully prepared. Try to arrive early for a good spot and always follow Leave No Trace rules. I also found some helpful tools and simple camping tips on HappyMoodHub that can make planning and navigation much easier, especially for beginners.
LegendSpend the fall equinox here. Beautiful time with the aspens changing color. Saw moose in the river. My first!
Loved exploring this park and this campground was a great staging point. So much great hiking and even found some trails that allowed my dog--rare for a National Park.
I can't say enough good things about this area and this park.
Grand Teton National Park camping ranges in elevation from 6,800 feet at lower campgrounds to nearly 8,000 feet at higher dispersed sites, creating significant temperature variations between day and night. Even summer campers should prepare for overnight temperatures that can drop below 40°F at higher elevations. Most forest service dispersed camping areas limit stays to 5-14 days depending on location.
Lake activities at Jackson Lake: Signal Mountain Campground provides excellent access to Jackson Lake for water recreation. "We rented kayaks from the campground and explored the little lake...the views were absolutely surreal. Great hiking nearby too," notes one camper at Signal Mountain Campground. Multiple water spigots and centralized restrooms make this a convenient base for lake activities.
Explore wildlife viewing areas: The northern campgrounds provide opportunities for wildlife sightings. "Wake up extra early because the sun rises over the mountains and there is a crystal clear reflection on the lake," advises a camper about Lizard Creek Campground, noting the spectacular morning light for photography. Early morning and dusk offer the best viewing times when animals are most active.
Scenic drives on lesser-known roads: Access points like Spread Creek provide alternatives to crowded park roads. "The drive and view were incredible. There was tons of clear postage of free camping for a 5 day limit! It was super close to Yellowstone and grand Tetons," reports a visitor to Shadow Mountain Dispersed Camping. Many dispersed camping areas connect to scenic forest service roads with mountain views.
Privacy levels vary by campground: Some sites offer more seclusion than others. "We were a minute walk away from the lake and a perfect view of the mountains. They had a great general store with decent prices for being the only store around," shares a camper about Colter Bay Tent Village. The tent-only areas typically provide more separation between sites than RV sections.
Early arrival necessity: Competition for prime spots is fierce during peak season. "We got here about 2:30pm on a Friday. May 30 2025. It had some people in the best spots but we were able to get a spot with a view," explains a camper at Upper Teton View. For first-come, first-served campgrounds, arriving before noon significantly improves your chances for securing a site with views.
Easy access to hiking trails: Many campgrounds connect directly to trail networks. "Great access to trails along the lake," notes a visitor about Colter Bay. Jenny Lake Campground offers "access to trails, lakes, visitor center, and camp showers," making it convenient for hikers who want trail access directly from their site.
Road conditions to dispersed sites: Access roads vary considerably in quality. "The road varies in quality: some parts are very smooth, some parts are very rocky (some parts looked very muddy after rain!)," explains a camper about Toppings Lake in Bridger-Teton National Forest. Low-clearance vehicles may struggle on some forest service roads, particularly after rainfall.
Bear safety requirements: All sites enforce strict food storage protocols. "They reminded us to keep all food stored safely in a bear safe compartment (there are none provided at the sites). We kept it in our yeti cooler in the car," notes a Toppings Lake visitor. Rangers actively patrol campgrounds for food storage compliance and can issue citations for violations.
Shower availability limited: Most campgrounds lack shower facilities. "The bathrooms in the campground look like they have never been cleaned or maintained... No hot water, broken cold water faucets," reports one visitor to Colter Bay RV Park. Colter Bay Village offers pay showers at $5-7 per shower, one of the few shower options in the park.
Best campgrounds for amenities: Families benefit from sites with services. "At Colter Bay campground they have a laundromat, showers, grocery store, coffee stand, and gift shop. We were able to use our active military ID for a discount at the campsite," shares a visitor to Colter Bay. Colter Bay and Signal Mountain offer the most complete amenities for families needing access to supplies.
Weather preparedness required: Temperature swings affect children particularly. "It gets pretty windy but worth it!" reports a camper at Jenny Lake Campground. Higher elevation campgrounds can experience strong afternoon winds and overnight temperatures below 40°F even in summer, requiring proper clothing and sleeping gear for children.
Booking strategies for families: Securing suitable sites requires planning. "Check-in was super helpful to a rookie camper. They suggested how we should pull into the site in order to face the correct direction," explains a Colter Bay RV Park visitor. Family-friendly sites with level ground and proximity to bathrooms fill earliest, typically by mid-morning during summer.
Hookup availability: Electric connections are limited to specific campgrounds. "Most sites are pretty uneven so bring blocks. I had to get pretty creative in our super C," notes a visitor to Colter Bay RV Park. Only Colter Bay RV Park, Signal Mountain, and Gros Ventre offer any electric hookups, and they remain in high demand.
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites require significant leveling. "Very level boondocking sites with a grand view of the Tetons. You're only allowed to stay for 5 days due to the views," reports a visitor to Toppings Lake. RVers should bring leveling blocks as most sites have some slope, particularly those in national forest areas.
Size restrictions matter: Forest service roads limit viable RV sites. "I have a 40ft class A with no problems getting to site. You just have to travel around 5 mph or slower in some spots," advises another Toppings Lake camper. RVs over 25 feet should stick to established campgrounds or well-documented dispersed areas to avoid difficult turn-arounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time of year to camp in Grand Teton National Park?
The best time to camp in Grand Teton National Park is late spring through early fall (June to September), when most campgrounds are fully operational. Summer offers warm days and cool nights, though this is also peak visitor season. Gros Ventre Campground — Grand Teton National Park is an excellent option with its proximity to both the park's south entrance and Jackson. For those wanting to avoid summer crowds, consider May or late September/early October when Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch and other locations offer more solitude. Be prepared for mosquitoes in early summer and bring appropriate bug spray.
What are the best campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park for families?
Lizard Creek Campground — Grand Teton National Park is excellent for families seeking a quieter experience with amazing views. Clean facilities and peaceful surroundings make it ideal for family camping trips. For families needing more amenities, Colter Bay RV Park at Colter Bay Village offers convenient facilities and a central location within the park. Both campgrounds provide good access to hiking trails and scenic areas. Signal Mountain Campground is another family-friendly option with its central location and proximity to Jackson Lake. Most family-oriented campgrounds in the park feature level sites, restroom facilities, and ranger programs during peak season.
Are there camping options available outside Grand Teton National Park?
Yes, numerous camping options exist outside Grand Teton National Park. Shadow Mountain Dispersed Camping offers free sites with excellent park access and solitude away from crowds. For those seeking more amenities, Teton Valley Resort in Victor, Idaho provides full facilities with helpful staff who can guide you to dog-friendly hikes and activities. Falls Campground makes an excellent stopover location with spectacular views. Bridger-Teton National Forest offers numerous dispersed camping options, including Forest Road 30442 sites with beautiful river access and mountain views. These outside options often provide more availability during peak season and may allow longer stays.
Where is Jenny Lake Campground located in Grand Teton National Park?
Jenny Lake Campground — Grand Teton National Park is located near the eastern shore of Jenny Lake, in the heart of Grand Teton National Park. It's perfectly positioned as a starting point for exploring the park, with numerous hiking trails accessible directly from the campground. The campground is surrounded by trees and boulders that create a scenic atmosphere, and it offers easy access to the beautiful Jenny Lake itself. Its central location provides convenient access to many of the park's most popular attractions and scenic areas.
Keep Exploring
