Turpin Meadows Dispersed Campground

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.

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!

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

This free campsite is part of the Blackrock Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest and about 10 minute drive from U.S Hwy 26 on Buffalo Valley Road (then about 100 yards on a dirt road).  This an awesome secluded spot right off the road in route to Turpin Meadows campground (which is paid camping).  There are other campsites along the road but you will more than likely have neighbors parked right next to you.  

This location will give you privacy without the road traffic or neighbors parked near you.  You can stay at this site location for up to 16 days.  There is a designated fire pit and the site overlooks the Buffalo Fork River.  With a short walk you are able to see the Grand Tetons from the site.  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.   You will pass by many a handful of ranches in route to this location.  We would have stayed longer as the site is absolutely beautiful overloading the valley  There is no Verizon cell phone service at this location or other amenities.  

Video link: https://youtu.be/z30Oiwi5eHw  

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