Are you planning a camping trip to Grand Teton National Park but aren’t sure which campground to choose? If so, this guide is here to help! Show
Grand Teton National Park is filled with incredible hikes, scenic drives, and must-do adventures. Plus, there’s no shortage of places to stay near all the best things to do in Grand Teton. Camping in Grand Teton allows you to stay close to trailheads, save money, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Teton Range. In this post, you’ll find an overview of the best camping in Grand Teton National Park, plus tips on reserving a campsite and essential information for planning your camping trip. Are you looking for more ideas for your trip to Grand Teton? Check out these posts!
This post may contain affiliate links, where I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read more in this disclosure policy. Grand Teton At-A-Glance Before diving in, here are a few highlights to help you plan your trip:
Grand Teton Campsites OverviewThere are seven campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park: Colter Bay, Colter Bay RV Park, Headwaters, Lizard Creek, Signal Mountain, Jenny Lake, and Gros Ventre. The National Park Service manages these campgrounds, and you can make reservations via Recreation.gov. Before diving into the details of each campground, here’s a quick overview of the seven campgrounds inside Grand Teton National Park.
Do you have to reserve Grand Teton campgrounds?Yes, all seven campgrounds in Grand Teton require reservations. All reservations are open six months in advance via Recreation.gov. If you don’t want to make a reservation, a handful of campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park or nearby Bridger-Teton National Forest offer first-come, first-served camping. I recommend making a camping reservation in Grand Teton as soon as possible. Given the short camping season (May to early October), campsites are in high demand. Read More: 12 Best Campgrounds in Yellowstone How to Book a Grand Teton CampgroundAll Grand Teton National Park campgrounds require reservations through Recreation.gov. Here are a couple of essential things to note for making reservations:
Recreation.gov Reservation Tip
Looking for more tips on what to pack for your trip? Check out my guides on the best hiking gear, what to pack for a road trip, and essential camping gear for all my favorite gear picks and tips to make packing for your trip a breeze! Best Grand Teton National Park CampgroundsThere are seven campgrounds located inside Grand Teton National Park. The best one for your trip will depend on your interests, amenity preference, and trip dates. Keep reading for all the details on the campgrounds located in Grand Teton. All campgrounds in Grand Teton offer picnic tables, fire pits, and flush toilets. Colter Bay Campground
Colter Bay Campground is the largest in Grand Teton National Park. This large, forested campground offers relatively private campsites with excellent access to amenities and restaurants in Colter Bay Village, only a short walk to Jackson Lake. Here you’ll find 324 standard campsites that can accommodate both tents and RVs, plus ten hiker/biker sites, 10 group sites, and 13 campsites with electric hookups. Colter Bay Village is only a short walk away, providing campers access to a general store, several restaurants, laundry facilities, and more. Reserve a campsite at Colter Bay Campground here. Colter Bay RV Park
Located next door to Colter Bay Campground, the RV Park is an excellent option for those looking for a campsite with full hookups. This RV-specific campground can accommodate motorhomes of all sizes with both pull-through and back-in sites. In Colter Bay RV Park, you’ll find 102 pull-through sites with full hookups and ten back-in sites with full hookups. Plus, you’re within walking distance to laundry facilities, restaurants, a general store, and the visitor center in Colter Bay Village! Reserve a campsite at Colter Bay RV Park here. Gros Ventre Campground
Gros Ventre Campground is located in the southern part of Grand Teton, near Jackson. With 322 sites, it’s the second large campground in the park, second to Colter Bay Campground. The campground sites along the Gros Ventre River providing excellent views of the surrounding region, including the Tetons! Here you’ll find 279 standard campsites that can accommodate both tents and RVs, plus 39 sites with electric-only hookups and 4 group sites. Campers can enjoy a prime location in Grand Teton, plus access to a convenient RV dump station. Reserve a campsite at Gros Ventre Campground here. Headwaters Campground
Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch is located in the far northern part of Grand Teton along John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. This campground is roughly halfway between Yellowstone and Grand Teton, making it perfect for those exploring both national parks on one trip. The large campground has 34 standard sites to accommodate tents and RVs, plus 97 additional full hookup pull-through RV sites. Campers can enjoy access to the nearby restaurant, lodge, and ranger information station. Reserve a campsite at Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch here. Jenny Lake Campground
Jenny Lake Campground is the only campground in Grand Teton that is tent-only. It also has arguably the best location in the park, nestled along the shores of the ultra-scenic Jenny Lake. From your campsite, you can take in incredible Teton Range views and have access to many of the best hiking trails in the park. With 61 tent-only sites, campers will enjoy a quieter camping experience in the forested campground with excellent opportunities for spotting wildlife. Campers here can enjoy flush toilets, nearby showers, and all that the prime location near Jenny Lake has to offer. Jenny Lake Campground is easily one of the most popular campgrounds in the park, so be sure to book when reservations are releasable for the best availability. Reserve a campsite at Jenny Lake Campground here. Lizard Creek Campground
Lizard Creek Campground is the least developed campground in Grand Teton National Park. While the campground still offers amenities like flush toilets, you won’t find laundry, showers, or RV hookups here. The campground is heavily wooded with 60 tent and RV-friendly campsites, providing plenty of privacy. If you’re looking for a less crowded, more secluded camping experience, choose to stay at Lizard Creek in Grand Teton. Reserve a campsite at Lizard Creek Campground here. Signal Mountain Campground
Signal Mountain Campground is centrally located along Teton Park Road in the heart of Grand Teton. Its location near Signal Mountain Lodge offers plenty of amenities, like restaurants and a general store. Plus, its tree-filled campsites provide guests with some privacy. Here you’ll find 56 standard campsites that can accommodate both tents and RVs, plus an additional 25 sites with electric-only hookups. The location of Signal Mountain Campground makes it the perfect home base for exploring all that Grand Teton offers. Reserve a campsite at Signal Mountain Campground here. Best Campgrounds Near Grand Teton National ParkIf camping in Grand Teton National Park is already full or you are interested in first-come, first-served camping, consider staying in one of the many campgrounds outside Grand Teton. Nearby Bridger-Teton National Forest offers several options for first-come, first-served camping:
Dispersed camping is also allowed in Bridger-Teton National Forest. You can read more about boondocking and dispersed camping in the national forest. Best Backcountry Campgrounds in Grand Teton National ParkIf you’re looking to explore off-the-beaten-path, backcountry camping in Grand Teton is an excellent option. Popular backpacking campgrounds include the Death Canyon Shelf, Paintbrush Canyon, and Cascade Canyon camping zones. Backpackers are required to get backcountry permits year-round. The best way to get permit reservations is via Recreation.gov. Reservations open up at the beginning of January for each summer season and sell out quickly. After mid-May, reservations are no longer offered, and backcountry permits are only provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Read more here about backcountry camping in Grand Teton. Where to Stay When Campgrounds at Grand Teton National Park Are BookedIf you find campgrounds in Grand Teton are already full for your trip dates, consider staying at a campground or hotel outside of the park instead. It’s also worth checking to see if any of the seven lodges inside Grand Teton have any availability. Typically, accommodation outside the park doesn’t fill up as far in advance. Plus, staying outside the park tends to be more budget-friendly. Read More: Best Hotels Near Grand Teton The Lexington at Jackson HoleSource: Hotels.com These are the best hotels near Grand Teton National Park:
There are also several affordable Airbnb rentals in the area. Read more about the best Airbnbs near Grand Teton & Yellowstone here. Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Campground in Grand Teton National ParkCan you camp anywhere in Grand Teton National Park?You can only camp at designated campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park. All Grand Teton campgrounds are reservation-only. However, you can dispersed camp and find first-come, first-served campgrounds in nearby Bridger-Teton National Forest. Are there bears in Colter Bay Campground?Both grizzly bears and black bears can be found in campgrounds in Grand Teton, including Colter Bay Campground. You should practice proper bear safety, including storing all scented items in bear lockers. Can you camp in Grand Teton in the winter?All seven campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park are only open during the summer. You cannot camp in Grand Teton in the winter except in the backcountry with proper permits. Camping can also be found at nearby campgrounds outside the park in the winter. Can you camp for free in the Grand Tetons?All seven campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park require reservations and charge a fee to camp. Camping is only allowed in designated campsites in Grand Teton. However, you can find free, dispersed camping in nearby Bridger-Teton National Forest. Final Thoughts on the Best Camping in Grand Teton National ParkGrand Teton National Park is an excellent camping destination. There’s a wide selection from campgrounds near popular Jenny Lake to more private sites at Lizard Creek. You’ll find the best camping in Grand Teton National Park at these campgrounds:
If you want to learn more about Grand Teton National Park, check out these posts!
Are you planning a national park trip but don’t know where to start? Get my free 28-page national park ebook where I break down everything you need to know to visit all 63 USA national parks. Download your free ebook here. Don’t Forget to Save This Post on PinterestWhere can I stay with an RV near Grand Teton National Park?Gros Ventre Campground.. Jenny Lake Campground.. Signal Mountain Campground.. Colter Bay Campground.. Colter Bay RV Park.. Colter Bay Tent Village.. Lizard Creek Campground.. Headwaters Campground.. Are RVs allowed in Grand Teton National Park?Enjoy spectacular views of Mount Moran and the northern Teton Range. The campground accepts both tents and smaller RVs (up to 30 feet total length). The developed area offers a wide variety of services and amenities including lodging, restaurants, showers, laundry, and marina.
What is the best month to visit Grand Teton National Park?The best time to visit Grand Teton National Park is late spring and early summer (the end of June & beginning of July). Visitation during this time of year has not yet hit it's peak, temperatures are warm enough but still mild, and wildlife is on the move.
What town is closest to Grand Teton National Park?The closest town to Grand Teton National Park is Jackson, Wyoming. Jackson is 20 minutes away from the Moose Entrance in the southern part of Grand Teton, making it an excellent home base for any trip to Grand Teton.
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