Best Tent Camping near Kelly, WY
Tent camping near Kelly, Wyoming provides access to some of Grand Teton National Park's most scenic backcountry areas and established campgrounds. Jenny Lake Campground, a tent-only facility within the national park, offers 49 sites with mountain views and proximity to hiking trails. Antelope Springs Designated Dispersed Camping Sites provide a more primitive tent camping experience with basic amenities including fire rings, pit toilets, and bear boxes. Both locations serve as gateways to the Teton Range and surrounding wilderness areas.
Tent campsites in this region require proper bear safety protocols, with bear boxes provided at most established sites. Jenny Lake Campground operates from mid-May through mid-September and features level tent pads, flush toilets, and drinking water. According to reviews, sites fill quickly, with campers often arriving by 6-7 AM to secure a spot when the gates open at 8 AM. Antelope Springs and other dispersed camping areas typically lack potable water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Summer evenings can bring heavy mosquito activity, particularly in July and August. Fire regulations vary by location and season, with restrictions common during dry periods.
The backcountry tent camping experience near Kelly offers exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities and solitude. One visitor noted that Jenny Lake Campground "is relatively quiet due to it being a tent-only campground" with "deer and bear frequently traveling through the campground." Walk-in tent sites at places like Phelps Lake require backcountry permits but reward campers with increased privacy and direct lake access. Primitive tent camping areas like Buffalo Valley Designated Dispersed Camping provide what one camper described as "beautiful views of the valley and mountains" with sites that are "quiet and peaceful." Most backcountry areas require proper food storage and adherence to Leave No Trace principles, with all waste packed out.