Shoshone National Forest campsites range from 6,000 to over 9,000 feet in elevation, creating varied camping conditions throughout the season. The forest's eastern side features drier terrain with pine forests and rocky landscapes, while western sections receive more precipitation and showcase alpine environments. Winter snowpack can delay access to higher-elevation camping areas until late June, particularly at locations above 8,000 feet.
What to do
Fishing in creek systems: At Double Cabin Campground, creeks offer excellent trout fishing opportunities. "Great fishing for brookies and cutthroat trout. There are corrals for horses nearby," notes Nathan K., who camped at Double Cabin.
Explore mountain trails: From Brooks Lake Campground, hikers can access several trail networks. "There's hiking trails from the campground that were pretty and not strenuous," reports Connor N., who visited during off-season.
Photography at sunrise/sunset: At Pinnacles Campground, the light quality during golden hours creates exceptional photography opportunities. "The tent door opened perfectly to the setting sun, which bounced yellows and pinks off the lake and surrounding cliffs," Courtney B. observed about her lake-view site.
Paddle sports on lakes: Multiple campgrounds provide lake access for kayaking and paddleboarding. "Brooks Lake is great for paddle boarding but not ideal for swimming," notes Kelly M., who found the area convenient for exploring both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Campers at Spread Creek Dispersed Campground frequently encounter native wildlife. "On our walk out this morning, we noticed a family of deer munching in the field," reports Yimm H., highlighting the natural encounters possible at this location.
Relative solitude: Many sites throughout the forest offer spacing and privacy even during busy seasons. "We truly felt like we were the only people in the campground, even though it was a highly trafficked time during eclipse," wrote Sari K. about her Double Cabin experience.
Clean facilities: Despite their remote locations, campground facilities receive positive reviews. "The bathrooms were open, even during the off-season, and clean!" Connor N. remarked about Brooks Lake Campground, while another camper at Falls Campground noted, "For being semi closed for the season, the vault toilets were wonderfully cleaned."
Night sky viewing: The area's minimal light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. "The stars go on forever & we were lucky enough to stay here for 3 clear nights & a full moon," Jon G. described at his Double Cabin dispersed site.
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: Some campgrounds restrict tent camping due to bear activity. "Bears are a serious threat here so you can't even camp in a tent. We arrived with tents and were told we couldn't sleep in our cars either so had to leave. YOU NEED A HARD SIDED CAMPER!" warns Kim B. regarding Brooks Lake Campground.
Seasonal water availability: Water systems operate on limited schedules at most forest campgrounds. At Double Cabin Campground, Josh R. alerts campers: "Be aware that a sign posted at the campground says water won't be available again until the 2022 season."
Elevation challenges: Many campgrounds sit at high elevations with corresponding temperature drops. "Elevation is 9100 ft so it does get cold at night. We did stay in tents," notes Brandon P. about Brooks Lake Campground, contradicting the usual hard-sided requirement.
Mosquito presence: Summer months bring heavy insect activity. "We stayed in June and the mosquito's are heavy so be prepared," shares Jennifer S. about Falls Campground, a common observation at many forest campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Bear boxes availability: Eagle Creek Campground provides secure food storage options. "Each site has a fire ring and picnic table, and sites are level and grassy so tent camping is comfortable," notes Gretchen B., who camped near Gardiner, MT.
Wildlife viewing guidance: Children can safely observe wildlife with proper supervision. "We spoke with a couple of them & they told us that grizzlies, moose, black bears, elk at times, & mule deer are very present in the valley although we only saw deer," reported Jon G. about his Double Cabin experience.
Playground access: Some developed campgrounds include recreational facilities. Ashley M. notes about Buffalo Bill State Park: "The playground was fenced off due to Covid in August 2020," indicating this feature typically exists for families.
Creek exploration opportunities: Children enjoy wading in shallow creeks near campsites. "We strolled the creek in the morning, and the dogs really enjoyed it," shares Temio G. about Spread Creek, highlighting family-friendly water access.
Tips from RVers
Road condition awareness: Access roads to remote campgrounds require careful navigation. "Getting to Double Cabin with our 30' TT was a challenge. Most of the road there is a one lane, winding road with dropoffs at times," explains Jon G. who successfully reached his destination despite difficulties.
Water fill locations: RVers must plan water supplies carefully. "There are water connections available, but you are not allowed to connect a hose," Jennifer S. cautions about Upper Teton View, suggesting campers bring containers for filling.
Site selection for larger rigs: Not all campgrounds accommodate large RVs equally. "This spot in the National Forest was great for the nights we were visiting Grand Tetons National Park. If you have a pickup truck with a RTT or are car camping you can find a spot here almost any time of the night," explains Joshua M. about Upper Teton View.
Generator policies: Campers should verify generator restrictions. At Falls Campground, which offers electric hookups in some loops, Robin B. notes: "We had a site with electric, and there is water at the park, however you can't attach a hose. So, have some jugs to fill if you plan on staying a few days."
