Map showing campground location near Moran, Wyoming

Camper submitted image from Turpin Meadows Campground

Turpin Meadows Campground

Within Teton National Forest, Turpin Meadows Campground provides dispersed camping along the Snake River corridor, managed by the US Forest Service. The campground sits several miles down a narrow dirt road that requires careful navigation, particularly for larger rigs despite accommodating vehicles up to 66 feet.

Campers access individual sites scattered throughout the wooded area, with some positioned directly along the riverbank and others tucked back in the trees. Kathleen D. found "site #12 was totally private, nestled in the woods, with Snake River at the end of the driveway." The road conditions present challenges, with reviewers consistently noting potholes and potential vehicle damage. Most sites can accommodate multiple camping units, though this means less privacy during busy periods.

River access defines much of the camping experience here. Several sites offer direct water frontage, while others require a short walk to reach the Snake River. The proximity to water brings trade-offs—mosquitoes can be intense near the river, particularly during summer months. Wildlife encounters occur regularly, with horses wandering through the area and occasional fox sightings reported.

The campground operates on a first-come, first-serve basis with daily ranger checks to ensure compliance. Access involves driving past Buffalo Ranch and continuing further back than GPS typically indicates. Many campers discover this spot when campgrounds near Moran and other area options reach capacity. The location provides convenient access to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks within 20 minutes of driving.

Sites range from shaded forest locations to more exposed areas with mountain views. The narrow access road allows only single-vehicle passage, creating potential traffic conflicts. Rangers patrol regularly and will relocate campers claiming unmarked spots.

Reservation Info

No reservations for this campground, all of the Bridger-Teton campgrounds are on a "First come, first served basis."

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Location

Public Campground

Turpin Meadows Campground is located in Wyoming

Directions

Turpin Meadows Campground The Turpin Meadow Campground is located on Buffalo Valley Road within the Blackrock Ranger District. From Moran, Wyoming, which is located south of Yellowstone National Park entrance, head East on East Highway 287 (US-26) for about 13 miles, turning left on Turpin Meadows Ranch Road (National Forest Road 30050). Continue on this road for 4 miles then take a right turn on Turpin Meadows Loop (National Forest Road 30065) for a mile where you will see signage for Turpin Meadows Campground on the right. Travel details from Moran: 17.48 miles, 23 minutes (approximate time estimate)

Coordinates

43.84461799 N
110.41570036 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Equestrian

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

2 hrs 29 min from Idaho Falls, ID
3 hrs 12 min from Pocatello, ID
4 hrs 43 min from Bozeman, MT
5 hrs 48 min from Billings, MT

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5 Stars

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4.0

out of 5

11 Reviews

Thomas W.

Ranger

Reviewed Jul. 15, 2021

Great location - with mosquitos

Great location just outside of Grand Teton. Easy to get into the park within a few minutes. Dispersed camping was great, but the spots close to the river were swarmed with mosquitos and even the one on top of the hill which we ended up using had plenty of them to make it very uncomfortable to sit outside. Otherwise great spot! Once you get to the ranch on top of the first hill, just keep on going for a while. Then you’ll find it. It’s further back than the GPS pin here suggests.

Month of VisitJuly

(7) View All

Erin R.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 10, 2021

Turpin Meadows Dispersed Camping - A True Wyoming Experience

A little ways off the highway comes a dispersed camping area near Turpin Meadows. There are nearby and accessible vault toilets and horse areas but for the most part, these camping spots are few and far between. There are several shaded spots without a view but that keep you free from the heat of summer and a couple more exposed spots that are very warm during the day but reward you with some incredible views. Easy access to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park as well as some great hiking in the area. Would definitely return!

Month of VisitJuly

Camille O.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 9, 2021

Privacy close to Teton np

Perfect camping spot if you’re coming to teton np from the east on 26, as it’s right off 26 and 20 min from the park. We arrived around 8 on a Friday in June (knew it would be impossible to find camping in the park) and had no trouble camping here. Lovely spot with river access. Woke up to some horses meandering down the road!

Site19

Month of VisitJune

Emily O.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 16, 2020

Not worth the drive

Other reviews mention how full Tetons/Yellowstone campgrounds are. This is absolutely true, however, I would camp in my car before staying here. The weeds were overgrown and there were tons of bugs. It’s too far a drive back to the highway to justify such a bad spot. These were empty on 9/15/20.

Jaycob D.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 6, 2020

It’s a good site

Good site with a pretty river running through. Only bad part was the bugs at night

Jake L.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 24, 2020

Good Backup plan

All the campsites in the area are first come first serve. After trying to find a campsite at multiple locations ended up finding a spot here to camp.

Month of VisitAugust

Kathleen D.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 11, 2020

The Best.

The best free campsite EVER. All the campgrounds in the Tetons and Yellowstone were full and we found the gem to top them all. Site #12 was totally private, nestled in the woods, with Snake River at the end of the driveway. No amenities, but an easy drive to Buffalo Ranch Cafe, where the food was a tasty splurge and we felt like we could afford the luxury, given our free campsite. Things to know:

Most sites are large and can accommodate more than one — so expect visitors. Especially site #1 and the couple others that sit right off the main road or right on the river.

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. We bottomed out and feared worse damage multiple times. It’s a dodgy dirt road that can change radically with inclement weather.

The road is narrow and can only accommodate 1 vehicle. If you encounter another, good luck. If you’re towing a short wheel base trailer (like us) and backing up is impossible, hail Mary!

The mosquitoes are terrible and worse closer to the water.

The ranger WILL check in daily and send anyone claiming an unmarked spot packing.

The sites along the road that attract the most people can be a little noisy.

Despite the challenges, we FAR preferred the beauty, quiet, and privacy of this site to any other option in the parks. We biked and rafted and had a blast. We encountered horses meandering through and a gorgeous fox. If the roads were maintained, they could easily call these group sites and charge over $100./night.

(5) View All

Makena W.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 9, 2020

Nice spot on the river

Perfect spot right on the river. Not many spots but found one when I arrived around 6pm. Not positive but I think there are more tent campsites that you can walk to but not drive in at the end/bottom of the road.

(4) View All

Wyatt R.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 26, 2020

Pretty good spot.

Pretty good spot. We pulled in at midnight so we couldn’t see much but in the morning it was very pretty and rainy

Jacob B.

Traveler

Reviewed Nov. 1, 2019

Nice pull off top of pass

Dirt road to site after pull off parking area. no amenities but the views are wonderful. You can see the Tetons and the area is prime for wildlife viewing.

James D.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 11, 2019

Beautiful, Isolated, Great Views!

We pulled in on a Saturday night, in the middle of August, when every campsite in Yellowstone, West Yellowstone, and Teton NP were full. This place was empty, and you can't be the view of the Get one and the Buffalo River. Two minute walk down to the river, and the sites were very clean. Primitive, and the ground was a bit uneven, but, again, my wife, my three boys, and I loved every inch of of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Turpin Meadow Campground located and how do I get there?

Turpin Meadow Campground is located in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, part of the Blackrock Ranger District. It's situated about 10 minutes from U.S. Highway 26 along Buffalo Valley Road. To reach the campground, turn onto Buffalo Valley Road from Highway 26, then travel approximately 100 yards on a dirt road to reach the camping area. The campground is about 20 minutes from Grand Teton National Park, making it a convenient base for exploring the Tetons. The location offers beautiful views of the Teton mountains and provides access to the Buffalo River.

What's the difference between Turpin Meadow Campground and Turpin Meadow Ranch?

Turpin Meadow Campground is a free, dispersed camping area in the Bridger-Teton National Forest with primitive facilities (vault toilets only) and no reservations—sites are first-come, first-served. In contrast, Turpin Meadow Ranch is a developed hospitality property in the same general vicinity that offers accommodations, dining options including the Buffalo Ranch Cafe, and likely more amenities and services than the campground. The ranch provides a more comfortable, service-oriented experience, while the campground offers a rustic, self-sufficient camping opportunity in a natural setting near the same beautiful landscape.

Are there photos available of Turpin Meadow Campground?

While specific photo resources aren't detailed here, visitors can expect to see stunning views worth photographing at Turpin Meadow Campground. The area features beautiful vistas of the Teton mountains, access to the Snake and Buffalo Rivers, forested camping spots, and opportunities for wildlife viewing. For current photos, check the U.S. Forest Service website for the Bridger-Teton National Forest, outdoor recreation platforms like The Dyrt, or contact the Blackrock Ranger District directly for official imagery of the campground.

What amenities are available at Turpin Meadow Campground?

Turpin Meadow Campground is a primitive camping area with limited amenities. There are vault toilets accessible nearby, but no running water, electric hookups, or other developed facilities. The campground features multiple dispersed camping spots with varying levels of shade. Some sites are located near the river, while others are positioned on higher ground. The main attraction is the natural setting with river access just a short walk from most sites. This is primarily a rustic, no-frills camping experience where you'll need to bring all necessary supplies.

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