Equestrian camping near Moran, Wyoming sits at elevations between 6,800-7,200 feet, creating cooler summer nights even when days reach the 80s. The area's proximity to the Continental Divide brings rapidly changing weather conditions. Camping in Bridger-Teton National Forest provides access to over 3.4 million acres of wilderness with designated horse-friendly facilities.
What to do
Trail riding from camp: Several campgrounds connect directly to riding trails in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. At Turpin Meadow Campground, "A small herd of horses roaming with bells to deter the bears" creates an authentic western experience, according to Timothy N.
Fishing access: Cast a line in nearby rivers and streams accessible from most campsites. At Pacific Creek Campground, the location provides "Great trails leave right from here," notes Andrew L., who visited during a quieter period when the campground "was about empty."
Wildlife viewing: Observe native species in their natural habitat throughout the region. One camper at Turpin Meadows Dispersed Campground reported, "We were woke up by bugling Elk one of the mornings we stayed and saw a about 30 head coming into camp another night across the river."
Mountain exploration: Use established campgrounds as base camps for backcountry adventures. "There are many great trails for bikes," explains Suzy H., who visited Colter Bay and enjoyed exploring multiple lakes in the region, noting that "String Lake for lunch was lovely."
What campers like
Affordability: Several campgrounds offer economical options for extended stays. At Pacific Creek, matt E. appreciated that "this campground was relatively inexpensive ($10) compared to other campgrounds with plenty of availability," adding that "firewood was available for purchase ($6) in case you couldn't find wood around the campsite."
Less crowded alternatives: When main park campgrounds fill, nearby options provide relief. At Sheffield Campground, Natalie B. found that "when the park campgrounds were full, this spot was still available!" She adds it's a "nice spot to get away from the crowds."
Clean facilities: Even rustic campgrounds maintain quality facilities. At Pacific Creek, matt E. was impressed by "the cleanest, best smelling bathrooms," noting the site contained "a nice fire pit with benches made out of tree trunks."
Bear safety infrastructure: Proper food storage facilities provide peace of mind. Rod D. at Sheffield Campground appreciated that sites have "bear boxes" and noted the campground was "spotless and they sold firewood for less than anyone else."
What you should know
Bear awareness: The entire region requires vigilant food management. At Grassy Lake Rd, Kimberly L. advises "There is a 14 day limit and it is very difficult to get a site," but notes that "park rangers also check in with you to make sure you follow the rules."
Seasonal mosquito activity: Insects can be intense during summer months. At Grassy Lake Rd, Kerrie L. cautions, "We set up camp as fast as we could and ate snacks for dinner so we didn't have to leave the tent. Somehow the mosquitoes were getting in so we spent the night killing so many mosquitoes."
Weight restrictions: Some access roads have vehicle limitations. Blake M. notes about Sheffield Campground: "There is a weight limit of 5 ton to cross the bridge to get in," which affects larger vehicles trying to access this horse-friendly site.
Dispersed options: When established sites fill, look for alternative camping. Ryan at Grassy Lake Rd explains, "We drove about 30 minutes past the last developed site to find a nice area next to a little creek and a bridge. We saw maybe 3-4 vehicles pass through the whole night and morning we were there."
Tips for camping with families
Fire ring availability: During fire bans, select campgrounds with metal fire rings for legal fires. Kathryn R. at Pacific Creek points out: "We stayed in spot #4 of the official sites because there was a fire ban in place unless you stayed in a campsite with a metal fire ring."
Temperature preparation: Nights get cold even in summer months. Rod D. recommends at Sheffield Campground: "It was cold at night (25 degrees) so plan accordingly! With high R-value pads and 0 degree bags we were toasty."
Campground host assistance: Hosts provide valuable local information. At Headwaters Campground, Brenda L. noted "They ask to clean up your site each evening and put grill and coolers away so as to not attract the bears," highlighting the helpful guidance from staff.
Nearby amenities: Some campgrounds offer access to additional services. Les R. appreciated at Headwaters that "It's nice having the lodge right there, so even if you're tent or RV camping, you can get a warm hearty meal ready when you want."
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Campgrounds vary in accommodating larger vehicles. At Sheffield Campground, Mike M. advises "Not Big rig friendly, so walk or first if you're going to try anything over 30ft. The small one lane road and one lane bridge are narrow. Bridge is rated for 5 ton and a little unnerving for anything of size."
Cellular service: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Turpin Meadows Dispersed Campground, UnnamedAdventures reports "There is no Verizon cell phone service at this location or other amenities," which affects planning for remote work or emergency communications.
Road conditions: Access roads can be challenging for larger rigs. Kathleen D. warns about Turpin Meadows Dispersed Campground: "A drive in will reward you with greater odds of privacy but also greater risks of vehicle damage. I scratched the hell out of my new car. There are horrific potholes."
Hookup availability: Most sites offer minimal or no utility connections. At Headwaters, Susan R. notes "Sewer connection had an odd configuration. We had to dig a bit of dirt out in order to make a connection," demonstrating the adaptations sometimes needed at forest service campgrounds.
