Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park meet at John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, a 27,000-acre preserve sitting at elevations between 6,800 and 8,800 feet. Weather conditions change rapidly in this corridor, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 40°F at night to 80°F during the day. Winter arrives early in this region, with first snowfalls often occurring by mid-September and continuing through May.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 5-minute walk to Snake River from Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch. "We loved the location — smack between Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Campground is quiet, beautiful, and with good amenities," notes a recent visitor. The campground provides access to prime fishing spots along the Snake River.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning recommended for best chances to spot wildlife. At Colter Bay RV Park, visitors report seeing diverse wildlife. "This place is unbelievably beautiful! The campground is just a place to lay your head, but the hikes around Colter Bay are majestic," says one camper who enjoyed the natural surroundings.
Hiking to Table Rock: 4-mile trail accessible from the western side of the parkway. "This is large camp. Great for hiking nearby can be skied or hiked to in winter and driven to in summer. Hiking table rock nearby is an awesome hike," reports a visitor to Teton Canyon.
Water activities: Boat rentals available at multiple locations. "Amazing lake right off the campground where you can swim and rent boats," notes a camper about options near Colter Bay Tent Village. Kayaking and paddleboarding are popular during summer months when water temperatures warm slightly.
What campers like
Strategic location: Central access point between two national parks. "We loved the campground feel as the sites were spacious and the pines and other trees made it feel very woodsy," reports one visitor who stayed at Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch for 5 nights. The lodge, restaurant, and gas station across the street provide convenient services.
Yurt camping: Alternative accommodation option in John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway area. "Love this app. Tells you where you can go and even shows prices! We love it!" mentioned a visitor about finding yurt options at Colter Bay Tent Village. Yurt camping combines comfort with wilderness experience.
Free hot showers and WiFi access: Available at select locations. "All basic spots were taken so I got the last little cabin a few days before arriving- this is a busy place! Spendy, but right in Grand Teton and with free hot showers and laundry," notes one visitor about cabin accommodations near the parkway.
Natural sound environment: Creek and river sounds enhance camping experience. "The area near the ranch was burned in the 2016 wildfires so you will see lots of burned trees. On the plus side, the wildfires provide nutrients for the wildflowers to thrive," shares a visitor describing the natural regeneration visible in the area.
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: Strict food storage rules enforced throughout the area. "They ask to clean up your site each evening and put grill and coolers away so as to not attract the bears," notes a camper who stayed at Headwaters. Bear boxes are provided at most sites.
Limited cell service: Plan communications accordingly. "No cell phone service. A courtesy phone is available at the lodge reception desk," mentions a visitor from Colter Bay RV Park. Download offline maps before arrival.
Seasonal availability: Most facilities open June-September with limited shoulder season options. "Get there in the AM and getting a spot is easy. Do not wait till 4pm," advises a camper about first-come-first-served sites. Most campgrounds close by early October due to winter conditions.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: From basic to well-maintained. "The bathrooms in the campground look like they have never been cleaned or maintained," reports one critical reviewer, while others note, "Clean bathrooms and showers. Beautiful setting as well."
Tips for camping with families
Educational activities: Ranger-led programs offered throughout summer. "We took a nice ride out Grassy Lake Road from the ranch. The area near the ranch was burned in the 2016 wildfires so you will see lots of nutrients for the wildflowers to thrive," shares a visitor about exploring with children.
Site selection for privacy: Reserve early for best family-friendly spots. At Jenny Lake Campground, "Loved this campsite! Super pretty, tucked away, close to trails, lakes, visitor center, and camp showers. Highly recommend. Site 7 tent pad is more tucked away and has bigger space."
Weather preparedness: Pack for temperature swings of 40°F between day and night. "Although it rained for two days at the Grand Tetons, camp was amazing! Big spots, lots of trees for shade (if it's not raining) fire pits and much more," notes a family that camped through variable conditions.
Evening activities: Astronomy programs available seasonally. "It is away from everything so you can see lots of stars at night," mentions a camper describing the dark sky viewing opportunities in the area.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Gravel access roads require careful driving. At Hatchet Campground, "Small CG, w a great location. Campsites are nicely tucked in trees. One single vault toilet and ample water spigot. Tables and fire rings in all sites. Nice part is they have a very large gravel overflow."
Site leveling challenges: Bring stabilizing blocks. "Most sites are pretty uneven so bring blocks. I had to get pretty creative in our super C," advises an RVer who stayed at Colter Bay, noting the importance of preparation.
Limited hookups: Plan for boondocking capability at most locations. "If you depend on solar you're going to have a lot of shading in this park," notes a visitor at Hatchet Campground, highlighting the need for alternative power sources.
Laundry facilities: Available but expensive. "Laundry was a bit expensive at $5.25 to wash and $3 to dry. But it was clean and open 24/7," reports a camper who utilized the facilities at Headwaters Campground.
