Best Cabin Camping near John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway

Colter Bay Village has a few options for setting up temporary residence: first-come, first-serve campground, reservable tent-cabins and tents, an RV park, and maybe a lodge. When arriving at Colter Bay, the campground is to the right and the cabins and tent cabins are both to the left. They are operated separately; the cabins and tent-cabins are operated by the Grand Teton Lodge Company. The tent cabins and the actual cabins each have different check-in areas (a driver will pass the cabins first and the take another left to go up the hill to the tent cabins). From the cabins, there is a short walk to Jackson lake, the village with the market, laundromat, showers, and wifi, the evening ranger talks, the boat ramps, and the visitor center. The ranger talks in the evening were really marvelous.

Before arriving, we had travelled 7,000 miles across the country, tent camping the entire way. We planned to tent camp in the Tetons too, but to our dismay, we discovered that there are no practical, reservable car-camping sites, and I wasn't willing to risk first-come, first-serve as an option (good thing, because that campground was full by 9). So we reserved a tent-cabin and looked forward to a new experience. It was so wonderful that we are going back this summer.

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. There is an electrical light, but I don't think there are any plugs. There is a covered picnic area outside the door and a bear box for each site, along with the picnic table and fire ring. There are four beds (two bunks on each log wall), and campers will need to bring their own everything except for the bed and tent. There are flushing toilets close by, and a dishwashing sink. We had a perimeter cabin, as seen in the video.

Colter Bay Village has restaurants, a lovely and well supplied market, a laundromat and pay showers. The laundromat/shower facility has wifi which extends out as far as the gift shop and market.

The five stars is something I reserve for only our most beloved places in this world. Why we love Colter Bay: the atmosphere is just so easy going and undemanding, the people are relaxed. The landscape is breathtaking--like the water temperature of Colter Bay. The wildlife was incredible. We saw a grizzly, and a moose with her calf, among other creatures. Maybe the presence of Colter Bay was simply a release from the tension of Yellowstone, which was beautiful, but crowded, and people seemed a little edgy after being in lines, sulphur, and the very hot sun all day. But really, I believe that Colter Bay has a truly peaceful serenity that soothes the soul and is as simple and clear as the waters of Jackson lake, and as warm and smooth as the rocks that line the shore.

Several years (10) ago I booked this KOA to travel with friends and visit Yellowstone.  They all backed out, and it ended up being an incredible trip with my Mom.  So much so that we are having our 11th trip this year.  I am also bringing my husband separately for his first time.

This KOA is well kept, clean, spacious, plenty of fun things to do, the staff is courteous.  And I love the different options that you have for staying there.  Tents, RV's, and Cabins.  The general store is great if you forget anything.  And the BBQ is wonderful for breakfast or dinner!  

The accommodations are perfect.  We have stayed in tents and cabins.  I love that each site has a picnic table, and fire pit.  If you choose a cabin, it consists of beds, a porch swing, and a space heater.  Unless you choose to upgrade (which we have done in the past as well).  Then you have a kitchenette and bathroom/shower.

Reserved a cabin at KOA in West Yellowstone; it had been raining, the area in front of our cabin was a lake!!    Our fire pit and picnic table were completely underwater.   We went to office & they assured us they would send someone over to take a look.   They threw down some boards to walk on, but fire pit was still underwater & we would have to navigate those boards to go to the restroom in the middle of the night!    

We went to the office again & asked if there was another cabin for us to move to; the manager said there was but it would be $100 upgrade!!   We asked if he would be negotiable as our cabin wasn't safe.   The manager kicked our family of 5 out, with the words.....good luck finding another place to stay in West Yellowstone this time of year!!    Luckily, we found, Hibernation Station in town - lovely place, fully furnished cabins with bathrooms.   Why anyone would stay at the crappy KOA cabins 7 miles out of town when you can stay at nicely furnish Hibernation Station cabins with bedding, private bathroom, fully equiped ktichen, walking distance to restaurants & wonderful management.    Shame on KOA for not ensuring better management.

HeadWaters Rv campground is located in the perfect place right between Yellowstone and The Tetons. Perfect for exploring both Parks. The cell service is pretty spotty, but it’s great to just put down your phone and enjoy your surroundings. It is only 5 minutes walk from the campground to Snake River access. Fires are allowed at this campground. There are Rv, tent, and cabins to stay at. The cabins in the camp area are small but have full sized bunk beds and a desk and dresser. These cabins do not have water or electricity, but there are other cabins with power up the road. The tent and Rv spots are on gravel with lots of shade, a picnic table, and fire ring. Rv sites are Electric and water. There are so many activities to do. Along with the activities they have every day there is horse riding, guided fly fishing, hiking trails for everyone, bus tours, jr. rancher classes and so much more Also on site at the campground is a dish washing area next to the clean bathrooms and showers. There is a propane fill, fresh water fill, restaurant, gift shop, ATM machine, gas station, and bear boxes. I would definitely recommend this campground for any duration of trip.

I camped here twice last summer when I worked in the park as a wildlife research technician studying bats (This cabin may only be available for park staff). The hike in is best done as a through hike with a planned pick up on the other side. The trail is hard to follow in some areas. Starts out flat then you go up Mary Mountain where the cabin is located. The Mary mountain cabin is small but has enough bedding for up to 5 or 6 people. It has bunk beds, cots, tons of sleeping bags and pads. There is a cute porch, pic nic table, fire pit, and a double seated outhouse. Locks up nicely as there are definitely bears in the area. The small lake in front of the cabin is cold and clear. One of my favorite places in the park!

This is a large campground with 15 loops of 350 campsites plus group and hiker/biker sites as well as a separate RV park. Although during peak season, it will be full by late afternoon based on the times I've camped here in recent years.

Most sites are forested with good shade on Loops A-G while many sites on Loops H-O tend to be less forested. Many sites tend to have some scrub/underbrush and lack a designated tent pad (including this site).

Each loop has restrooms with flush toilets and running water as well as a utility room with a flush sink for washing dishes. Each restroom site also has a faucet outside for potable water.

Each site has a fire ring, picnic table, and bear bin.

There is a short trail to the shore of Jackson Lake for water activities, great views of the Tetons, a designated picnic area, as well as the marina and visitors center. Another trail takes you to the general store/deli and the laundry/shower facilities (both places have WiFi access although the general store network seemed faster). Firewood, ice, etc. can be purchased at the general store or at the gas station located just before you enter the campground.

There are multiple options for activities from this campground: hiking (Hermitage Point TH), horseback rides, boat cruises, scenic raft trips, fishing, kayaking, swimming, etc. Boat rentals and fishing equipment/licenses are available at the marina store.

Despite the number of sites/people, our site was pretty peaceful. Didn't see much wildlife around the campground this season, although there is a fox den near the general store that has been there the past few years.

Misc. Info: El 6800'; the South Gate of Yellowstone is 16 miles N; Jackson, WY is 40 miles S