Tent campsites near Jackson, Wyoming sit at elevations between 6,400-7,200 feet, creating cooler nighttime temperatures even during summer months. Many dispersed sites require advance preparation for dealing with wildlife and weather conditions. Campers should always carry bear spray when hiking or camping throughout the region's national forest lands.
What to do
Fishing at mountain lakes: Phelps Lake offers excellent fishing opportunities during summer months. Access requires a 2-mile hike from Death Canyon Trailhead. According to a camper, "Death canyon trail head is the starting point for the hike. Permit is required. You can get one at the visitor center."
Wildlife viewing at dawn/dusk: Taylor Ranch Road provides secluded riverside camping with wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper notes, "A friendly fox came poking down to the river while I was sitting there." The road requires careful navigation as "The road is rough. Recommend high clearance vehicles."
Scenic photography: Shadow Mountain Dispersed Camping offers unparalleled sunrise and sunset photography opportunities. A visitor reports, "Site #9 was near the top and had near 360 views, perfect for sunset over the Tetons." Plan to arrive early as these prime locations fill quickly, with one camper noting they "got there around 1-2pm and every spot was already filled except for 10a."
What campers like
Natural water features: Many campers appreciate riverside camping options. At Taylor Ranch Road Dispersed Camping, one visitor enjoyed "a spot with its own private beach" while another mentioned there are "2-3 good spots for tents and a couple of hammock-worthy trees. There's also a large rock next to the lower fire pit that served as a great kitchen table."
Proximity to trails: Open Canyon provides backcountry camping with easy trail access. A camper described, "Roughly 3/4 up the Open Canyon trail the trees open up to a good spot to grab water. Just further up the trail this camp site was a 50-75ft hike down to this great open spot for setting up your tent."
Free camping with views: Campers consistently rate free dispersed camping options highly. At Curtis Canyon, a visitor reported, "Each site has a fire pit and ample room for tents or trailers. The park ranger on site was very helpful and alerted us when there were bears in the area." Another noted they "loved this campsite and the view it has of the Teton's."
What you should know
Early arrival essential: Established campgrounds fill extremely early. At Jenny Lake Campground, a camper advised, "It's worth the early wake up to get in here. It's worse on the weekends but the views make up for it." Many sites are claimed by 8am during peak season.
Bug activity: Several campgrounds report significant insect issues during summer months. One camper at Shadow Mountain warned, "The flies and mosquitoes were horrible! Beware. I spent several hours in the tent just to get some relief and make it to sunset." Another visitor had a more extreme experience: "I am a pretty experienced camper. Never in my LIFE have I been swarmed by this many flies and horse flies."
Weather challenges: Unpredictable mountain weather affects camping conditions. A visitor to Phillips Bench Trailhead described, "Dirt circle with room for a few cars, vans etc. No actual designated spots. Just for sleeping mostly." Another camper warned about rain: "If it rains, that dirt/rocky road turns into pure mud. I hydroplaned the whole 15-20ish minutes down."
Tips for camping with families
Amenities access: Colter Bay Tent Village offers more family-friendly amenities than dispersed sites. A visitor noted, "Amazing lake right off the campground where you can swim and rent boats." Another mentioned, "They had a great general store with decent prices for being the only store around. And a really nice buffet restaurant."
Noise considerations: Some dispersed sites experience significant visitor traffic and noise. A camper at Shadow Mountain reported, "We knew it was a Friday night, and we could hear even more partying down the road, but we still wished for peace and quiet." Another noted it was "Beautiful but LOUD" with "a big group of teenagers with multiple cars set up camp right around the corner."
Bear safety: Camping zones with designated bear boxes provide added security for families. At Antelope Springs Designated Dispersed Camping, a visitor mentioned, "We got here early and got the last spot. The toilets were clean and always stocked on toilet paper." Another camper reported, "They have fire rings, and shared food lockers. Only 7 spots in this loop."
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Many dispersed camping areas have rough access roads requiring high clearance. At Curtis Canyon, a visitor advised, "There are only 16 spots at this site. Several of them are only accessible if you have a 4WD with high clearance." Another reported, "The road is sketchy for a moment then it levels out. (I made it with my Nissan Sentra)."
Campsite configurations: Some sites accommodate both tents and smaller RVs. At Taylor Ranch Road, a camper noted, "The road is a little rough but manageable, at least for our 22ft plus trailer. Sites were not very level but the views are unreal." This information helps RVers plan appropriate rig size for specific locations.
Cell service availability: Connectivity varies significantly between camping areas. One camper at Antelope Springs reported "Some 3G service with T-Mobile. Starlink was perfect out here." At Taylor Ranch Road, another visitor noted, "Verizon and ATT reception was spotty."
