Dispersed camping near Moose, Wyoming gives campers direct access to the Bridger-Teton National Forest, situated at elevations ranging from 6,500 to 8,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 40°F at night to 80°F during the day, with afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. Free camping areas fill rapidly during peak season, with most sites accessible via unpaved forest roads requiring careful navigation.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Curtis Canyon Dispersed Camping provides excellent wildlife spotting. Taylor Ranch Road Dispersed Camping offers riverside locations where visitors might encounter local wildlife. As one camper noted, "A friendly fox came poking down to the river while I was sitting there."
Morning photography: Head to Upper Teton View Dispersed for sunrise shots. A visitor recommends "getting up early to best enjoy the sunrise" while another mentioned, "We walked down the road a bit to watch the sunrise reflecting off the Tetons."
Hiking access: The Curtis Canyon Dispersed Camping area connects to trails leading toward Goodwin Lake. One reviewer pointed out, "Trailhead to Goodwin Lake is close by. Full Teton view is better at the trailhead, but it's not far."
What campers like
Mountain views from elevated sites: At Shadow Mountain - Dispersed Campsite #10, campers enjoy panoramic perspectives. One visitor reported, "Site #9 was near the top and had near 360 views, perfect for sunset over the Tetons."
River proximity: Campsites along Taylor Ranch Road offer direct water access. A camper described their experience: "I was lucky enough to get a spot with its own private beach."
Open space: Moran Vista on Forest Road 30290 provides large camping areas for groups. As one camper described, "Spacious leveled terrain with fire pits and perfect view of setting sun over mount Teton."
Privacy options: Different free camping locations near Moose offer varying levels of seclusion. At Forest Road 30442, "The places are big and you can enjoy a nice view on this small valley. You have a nice river below."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Some areas remain snowbound into late spring. At Upper Teton View, one camper warned, "Most of this area is not open in early May, and the part of it that is open is packed with people. Wouldn't recommend in spring."
Insects: Summer brings heavy mosquito and fly populations. At Forest Rd 30340B Dispersed Site, one camper reported, "The flies are horrible, you'd think there was a whole pile of dead meat everywhere you walk. We could sit in our tent and hear at least 20 flies all buzzing around."
Arrival timing: Sites typically fill before mid-afternoon. For Shadow Mountain Campground, a visitor observed, "We stayed here in June and finally found a spot after passing dozens of filled ones, only to see about half a dozen other vehicles drive by looking for somewhere to park."
Road conditions vary: Access to prime free camping sites near Moose requires careful driving. A Curtis Canyon visitor noted, "They weren't kidding when the sign said end of county road maintenance. This free spot was absolutely beautiful, and came with a fire ring! We loved it aside from the road, which we survived in an Acura MDX."
Tips for camping with families
Bear precautions: Taylor Ranch Road campsites are in bear country. One camper mentioned, "Happy to have a ranger visit us soon after setting up camp to remind us of bear precautions. Luckily no bear sitings but a few foxes ran around our site."
Fire ring availability: Most dispersed camping areas include established fire rings. At Shadow Mountain Campground, visitors noted that sites "do have a fire pit" which provides a central gathering spot for family activities.
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies significantly across free camping areas near Moose. At Taylor Ranch Road, a visitor reported, "Verizon and ATT reception was spotty," which affects family safety communications.
Tips from RVers
Vehicle limitations: Many free camping spots have rough access roads. For Upper Teton View, one RVer advised, "Road up is a little rough but made it fine towing our 38ft 5th wheel."
Site availability: Moran Vista offers better options for larger vehicles. One RVer shared, "We tried to access other dispersed camping locations in the Tetons first, but the roads were difficult to travel on with our RV. This was perfect. We stayed in the gravel 'parking lot' that was set up with fire rings."
Timing for large rigs: Arrive early to secure spots that accommodate RVs. At Shadow Mountain, a camper suggested, "If you have a larger rig, I suggest arriving around early to mid-day to make sure you get a spot. Smaller vans, truck campers, and tent campers will almost always find a spot somewhere."
