Experience nature in a magical way by camping in Grand Teton National Park!
Enjoy walking down to the lake after dark to see the brilliant display of stars in the night sky, then returning to your cozy campsite to warm up by the crackling fire. Catch a ranger program at the nearby amphitheater or rent a canoe and spend a morning on the water.
Whatever camping experience you are looking for, you will find it in the Grand Teton National Park campgrounds.
What You Need to Know About Camping in Grand Teton
- Season dates may vary by year. Be sure to check the website for information on opening and closing dates while you are planning your trip.
- Pack plenty of blankets/warm sleeping bags. While daytime temperatures can be quite warm, nights are always cold, even in the summer months!
- Due to high demand, reservations are now required for all Grand Teton campgrounds.
- Full Hookup RV sites are available at the Colter Bay RV Park, Headwaters RV Park, and Signal Mountain (only one site).
- Dump Stations with potable water are available in Colter Bay, Gros Ventre, Signal Mountain, and Headwaters.
- Each standard campsite only accommodates six people. If you have a larger group, you will need to book two campsites or look for a campground that offers double or group campsites.
- Grand Teton is bear country! You will find bear boxes at each campsite for you to store your food and other scented items in, but be sure to educate yourself on proper food storage practices before you go.
This article contains information on the frontcountry camping experiences that are available within Grand Teton National Park. In other words, it covers places you can get to with your car! If you’re interested in hike-in backcountry camping options, click here.
Getting to the Campgrounds in Grand Teton
Take a look at the Grand Teton Park Map to plan out your vacation and where you would like to stay in proximity to the activities on your itinerary. For your convenience, you can click on the name of each campground in the list below for more detailed information.
How to Get a Campsite in Grand Teton
All sites in Grand Teton are now requiring reservations.
Reservations for all campgrounds can be made at Recreation.gov on a 6-month rolling basis. For example, if you want to start camping on July 7, you will make your reservations on January 7 at 8 a.m. MST.
To choose your ideal campground, take a look at the in-park options below:
Gros Ventre Campground
Gros Ventre Campground is located just 9 miles from the town of Jackson, making it a great place to stay if you plan on dividing your time between the town and the Park. This campground is close to Mormon Row, and the activities are near the Moose Entrance. It’s also a great place to see a moose!
Open Season: Beginning of May to the beginning of October
Max RV Length: 45 feet
Hookups: 36 sites have electricity
Dump Station: Yes
Generator: 2 loops allow generator use, 1 loop does not (tent only)
Reservations Required: Yes, 6 months in advance here.
Fee: $57 – $77
Number of Sites: 300
Pets Allowed: Yes, but please review Grand Teton’s Pet Policy
Restrooms: Flush toilets with cold running water
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
Jenny Lake Campground
Jenny Lake is the hub of activity in Grand Teton, so this is the most popular campground in the park and is the quickest to fill up. RVs, trailers, and pop-ups are prohibited as this campground only has tent sites. Only one car (less than 14 ft long and 8 ft tall) is allowed per campsite.
Open Season: Beginning of May to the end of September
Max RV Length: No RVs allowed. Tents Only
Hookups: No
Dump Station: No
Generator: No
Reservations Required: Yes, 6 months in advance here.
Fee: $13 – $56
Number of Sites: 49
Pets Allowed: Yes, but please review Grand Teton’s Pet Policy
Restrooms: Flush toilets with running water
Wheelchair Accessibility: No
Signal Mountain Campground
Signal Mountain Campground is located on Jackson Lake with great views of the Teton Range. This area is a great spot to stay if you want a central home base that makes the northern and southern sections of the park easily accessible. The individual sites are generally small, but several have lake views. The Signal Mountain Campground has laundry facilities, showers, a camp store, and is in close proximity to Signal Mountain Lodge.
Open Season: Beginning of May to the middle of October
Max RV Length: 30 ft
Generator: Yes
Hookups: 24 sites have electric hookups
Dump Station: Yes
Reservations Required: Yes, 6 months in advance here.
Fee: $55 – $100
Number of Sites: 81
Pets Allowed: Yes, but please review Grand Teton’s Pet Policy
Restrooms: Flush toilets with cold running water
Wheelchair Accessibility: No
Planning a trip to Grand Teton can be overwhelming.
How do you make a solid plan if you’ve never been to the park before? How do you keep everyone in your group excited and engaged?
You can spend hours on the internet searching for things to do, but you still won’t find the insider tips and first-hand knowledge that I’ve gained from working as a park ranger.
If you’re hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people, check out this Grand Teton Itinerary.
You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
Colter Bay Campground
I’m probably a little biased because I grew up camping in Colter Bay Village, but I love the area. The campground is huge while still feeling semi-private and has a variety of options for every type of camper. It is located right on Jackson Lake, and I often see bears roaming through camp (so be sure to educate yourself on bear safety first)! The Colter Bay Campground has group sites, full hookups, a large RV Park, modern comfort stations, showers, laundry facilities, a convenience store, and a visitor center.
Open Season: Middle of May to the end of September
Max RV Length: 45 feet
Hookups: 13 sites in the campground have electricity but are ADA sites. The RV park has full hookups.
Dump Station: Yes
Generator: Yes
Reservations Required: Yes, 6 months in advance here.
Fee: $59 – $80
Number of Sites: 335
Pets Allowed: Yes, but please review Grand Teton’s Pet Policy
Restrooms: Flush toilets with running water
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
Lizard Creek Campground
If you are looking for a less developed, less busy experience while camping in Grand Teton, you might want to try the Lizard Creek Campground. This campground is quite far north, but it has a prime location right on Jackson Lake and provides a quiet retreat in a forest of spruce trees.
Open Season: Middle of June to the beginning of September
Max RV Length: 30 feet
Hookups: No
Dump Station: No
Generator: Yes
Reservations Required: Yes, 6 months in advance here.
Fee: $49
Number of Sites: 60
Pets Allowed: Yes, but please review Grand Teton’s Pet Policy
Restrooms: Flush toilets with cold running water
Wheelchair Accessibility: No
Headwaters Campground
The Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch is located along the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway between Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. If staying here, you will not have a short drive to get to the most popular hiking trails in either park. I actually don’t suggest staying here to see both parks (here’s why). The Headwaters campground provides a dump station, showers, laundry, and a large RV Park all within walking distance of the Snake River.
Open Season: Beginning of June to the end of September
Max RV Length: None
Hookups: None in the campground, full hookups in the RV park
Dump Station: Yes
Generator: Yes
Reservations Required: Yes, 6 months in advance here.
Fee: $59 for campsite, $117 for RV Park
Number of Sites: 175
Pets Allowed: Yes, but please review Grand Teton’s Pet Policy
Restrooms: Flush toilets with running water
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
Enjoy camping in Grand Teton!
More Grand Teton Trip Planning Information
Grand Teton Itinerary — a detailed hour-by-hour sightseeing schedule.
How to Get to Grand Teton — the best airports and roads in the area.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Grand Teton? — itinerary ideas.
The Best Time to Visit — what to expect during each month of the year.
Weather, Hours, and Closures — important weather info and common closures.
Where Should I Stay? — the best options in and around the park.
The Best Things to Do In Grand Teton — activities for your whole group.
12 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit to Grand Teton — the top 12 spots.
The Best Easy Hikes — the perfect trails for kids, wheelchairs, and beginners.
The Ultimate Grand Teton Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
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I’m planning to stay at Gros Center for a few days in late July. I’d like to know the options for showers in the area. I know that Colter Bay is a little too far. Do you know of any showers in Jackson or other nearby options?
Signal Mountain has them. There’s also a rec center in Jackson with showers!
Hello Ash,
In your opinion which are the best campsites for tent camping at Jenny Lake, balancing view, privacy, etc.?
Thanks in advance,
John
If you want views, most of the first sites in the loop (abt 1-12 or so) have mountain views. Privacy is hard to come by in this campground, though….everything is packed in there pretty tight. I suggest looking at a website that shows photos of the individual sites to determine what is best for you (campgroundviews.com or campsitephotos.com). Have fun!
Hello – Awesome website with lots of useful information – thanks. We are planning our camping trip for late summer and use a car 12v portable refrigerator instead of an ice cooler. Will we be ok to keep it in our car overnight or are we required to put it in the bear box at the campsite? (I don’t think it would fit in there.) Thanks!
You can keep it in your car with the doors/windows locked. Enjoy the Tetons!
Hello!! I am feeling a bit panicked here, I have a trip planned for the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone October 20-27, 2021 (Only time me and my boyfriend could get off). Our plan thus far is to rent a vehicle that we can drive/sleep in for the week… I was preparing for cold and potential road closures, but up until this page I wasn’t led to believe there would be nowhere for us to camp along the way of the trip….. any suggestions??? I have an app that shows car camping for free in the area, but will they be shut down too? Really hopeful we can find a way to still accomplish this affordably.
Look forward to hearing from you!
It’s mostly the actual campgrounds, not necessarily the boondocking spots, that will be closed by then. I like the Campendium website for finding camping options near the national parks. Have fun!
We have a Teton/Yellowstone trip planned for the end of August (19-26). We’re towing a 20′ popup camper and have reservations at Lizard Creek (and Grant in Yellowstone). Curious about two main things: weather and cooking in bear country.
1. Is it likely we’ll get snow at the end of August in either of these parks?
2. As for cooking, we have a stove inside and a detachable one that hooks to propane on the outside. Should I ditch both of these in favor of a portable camp stove we can store in the car overnight? Any tips for washing dishes too? I figure we can’t use our sink unless we’re collecting and dumping the greywater, is that right?
1. You could, but it’s unlikely. Snow becomes more of a likelihood starting in September.
2. Your inside stove should be fine to use, and yes, you’ll need to catch the greywater and dump it properly if you use your sink.
Safe travels!
I booked a spot in August at Jenny Lake, I had no idea there was an exclusive rule about the vehicle not being longer than 14′ …. mine is 20 ‘ long. What are the chances that they are really going to kick me out of my spot? Do they actually follow through with that? Thanks.
It will depend on a few different things…the driveway length of the particular spot you reserved and if your vehicle is just a regular vehicle (not a van/converted vehicle). For example, our family vehicle is a truck that is about 20′ long. We don’t camp in it, that’s just what we drive. In that case, they will probably be a lot more understanding than if you’re in a converted van that is too long (as long as you are able to fit in your spot without parking off-pavement). You can probably also park in the Jenny Lake parking lot and walk to the campground if needed.
Can you tell me how group campsites work within Colter Bay? We will have two travel trailers with a tent. Nothing is available except group sites. Thank you!
The group sites typically have a minimum number of people required, and you pay per person. For example, Group Site 1 at Colter Bay has a minimum of 18 people at $13 per person, so your cost would be about $250 per night.
Thanks for all the advice! I’m late to plan a trip with my husband from June 30th-July 5th. We’re hoping to camp but nothing is available on the recreation.gov website. Is nothing FCFS anymore? Is there any hope of camping within the park?
Grand Teton changed all of their sites over to reservation only this year. No more FCFS :(
Hi Ash,
My little group will be backpacking for 7 days in the Tetons and hiking out on a Sunday in July. I don’t have a reserved campsite for that night, but have read that there are first come first serve hiker sites at Jenny and Colter. Can you tell me if they do exist, and if they fill up fast? Can we stay in them the night before our hike begins? Thanks!
Teri
It’s my understanding that all campsites in the park now require reservations, even the hiker/biker sites. If you can’t get a reservation in the park, I recommend checking some of the nearby forest service campsites to see if there is any availability!
Hello! For Colter Bay, many of the tent-only sites say that only 1 tent is allowed, even though the tent pad dimensions seem big enough for 2-3 small tents. Do you know if the park enforces one tent per site, or are you allowed to have up to 2 or more tents? Do they need to stay on the tent pad?
They need to stay on the tent pad, but I’m not sure how strict they are about the number of tents as long as they are all on the pad. I’d call and ask!
Thanks, Ash, for the insightful information.
I want to camp at Jenny lake but I saw posted pictures of vans that are not allowed.
I have a van smaller than a minivan and it’s under 8ft high, but it has a sink. If I pitch a tent and sleep in the tent, can I still camp there?
As long as you sleep in a tent, you should be okay.
Hi! Thanks for your great website! We have reservations for Jenny Lake June 11th – June 15th. Are we nuts to tent camp this time of year? Will we be really cold? Is the day time temp comfortable? And I am guessing it is much too cold to swim in June? I would love to hear more. We ended up choosing June because through my research it said that early June you might still be able to avoid the massive summer crowds. And may also be able to view baby animals still. But, is it worth avoiding the crowds while being frozen? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks so much!
Nights in Grand Teton are usually quite chilly, even during the later summer months. Daytime temps can be very comfortable at that time, but there will likely still be snow in the higher elevations. I’ve been tent camping in the park many times in June, and haven’t had a problem as long as I’m prepared with warm blankets and clothing. Have fun!
We would like to camp at Signal campground this summer. Our car plus pull behind camper combined are 36 ft. Will we be allowed to camp there? Thanks
Signal is one of the tighter campgrounds. If you’re able to find an available site that says it’s long enough for your set up, you should be fine. If not, consider Gros Ventre or Colter Bay. You’ll have no problem getting something that size into those ones. Have fun!
“For example, If you want to start camping on July 7th, you will make your reservations on January 7th at 8am MST”
No, recreation.gov goes live on Jan. 26th at 8 am MST.
No one can reserve until then.
That’s true this year because they just barely changed the process, but from here on out it will be on a six-month rolling basis.
Hi Ash! I am so glad I found your review!
I’m going to be tent camping mid-July this summer in both the GTNP and YNP and I’m really excited about this trip. After reading your info, I’m even more excited to go as I love the mountains! Since we will be tent camping, which campground would you say has the best views of the Tetons and has multiple toilets? I’m ok without showers, but I need toilets and a fantastic view. All the campgrounds sound great, but I haven’t found too many reviews where folks say one campground has a better view than another.
If you’re wanting Teton views, Jenny Lake :) Signal Mountain has some campsites with great views of the lake, and Gros Ventre also has some sights with beautiful views of the mountains, but those are limited.
Hi Ash! Your site is so informative and takes so much stress off. My husband and I are coming to GTNP and YNP mid June. Seeing that we want to see both parks, probably a couple days for each would it be feasible to stay at a campground in between both? Or would you recommend staying at two different campgrounds?
Thank-you, Kathy
I always recommend staying in each park separately…otherwise, it’s a ton of driving. It’s easy to underestimate how big Yellowstone actually is. Go for somewhere in Grand Teton, and then head up to Yellowstone and camp somewhere near Madison, Norris, Canyon if you can. Hope that helps!
We’re planning a trip for the end of June and I’m curious how buggy the lake campsites get. We stayed at one of the lake campgrounds at Glacier a couple years ago and the mosquitoes were terrible. So much so that we spent most of our time at camp in our camper. Would it be the same at Colter Bay or should we shoot for Gros Ventre if we want to avoid that problem?
I love your website and purchased a couple of your guides. Thank you!
The normal campsites (not the RV park) at Colter Bay aren’t very close to the lake, so the bug situation in the campground isn’t usually too bad. I camp there all the time and it’s never been a problem for me. Have a great time in the Tetons!
Hi there!
Thank you for all the info that you have provided! It has been really helpful. My husband and I are planning to visit the park next week. He has to take a test for school while we are there and will need either cell service or WiFi to do so. Is there a park or two that you recommend staying at that has cell service or a place that is open with COVID where he could use WiFi?
Thanks so much!
Sara
Cell reception/wifi is spotty in the park, so he’ll probably want to drive into Jackson for that! I would try the library, Cowboy Coffee, Persephone Bakery, or McDonald’s. Have fun!
We are going to camp in the Grand Teton Area for over a week starting around September 23rd. Which campground would you suggest given our goal is photographing fall colors in Teton and maybe Yellowstone. We had even thought of dispersed camping in Shadow Mountain Area but would that be advisable given bear activity during that time.
Thanks for your advice.
I think the only campground in the park that will be open for a whole week at that time is Gros Ventre. Most campgrounds start closing down by then! Shadow Mountain is probably fine, but definitely be bear aware and leave no trace. Have fun!
Do you think they will still want us to get two campsites if we are a family of 7 or do you think they won’t mind since the 7th is only 8 years old? We were thinking either Gros venture or colter bay.
It’s usually ok as long as it’s immediate family. They just don’t want large groups of friends or extended families all trying to pack into one site. Have fun!
Thanks for the information!
Since it sounds like you have to snag a campsite early I’m hoping to not waste any time having to figure things out. Where do you go once you are in the park to reserve your site? Do you go to a specific visitor’s center or directly to the campground of choice?
You’ll want to drive directly to the campground, and they will instruct you from there. Have fun!
Hello, thank you for this in-depth article about camping!
We’re new to camping in this area (although love the area) and heading to GTNP this August, with a side-trip to Yellowstone for two nights in the middle. If we were to snag a spot at Jenny Lake are we able to keep it while we camp in Yellowstone (by just paying for it or possibly leaving an extra tent set up) so we have a place to stay when we come back after two nights, or would the tent be taken down or us booted out? We’re worried we won’t be able to get another spot if we spend any time in Yellowstone that last morning, based on how quickly sites are filling up.
Thank you so much!
It’s a valid concern because sites are filling up extremely fast in Grand Teton, but you’ll have to spend each night at your site at Jenny Lake or it can be forfeited. Colter Bay, Lizard Creek, and Flagg Ranch are all options that are closer to Yellowstone that you could snag as you go back down to Grand Teton. Have fun!
I plan on going next week to Grand Teton – are the free camping grounds open? How early do I have to get there in order to secure a spot and are they hard to find?
The first-come, first-served campgrounds are filling early, and you’ll want to be there by 7 or 8 a.m. to get a spot in line. But those campgrounds aren’t free. If you’re hoping to boondock somewhere for free, I actually have no idea how early those ones are filling because they aren’t in the national park :) Have fun!
HI, Thanks for all of the good info! I am a little confused as to how to first come first served sites in Grand Teton NP work. My experience is that campsite check out is usually at 12:00 or something like that, how do you secure a site at 8:00 am?
There are camp hosts that will check you in early, even before the checkout time. Many people pack up and leave before checkout, or you’ll just wait in line and snag something as people checkout throughout the morning. Have fun!
Lots of good info on this site – thank you. First time to GTNP next week – looking to arrive early at Signal Mt Campground. Where exactly does the line start? Where would we locate the camp hosts?
Thanks in advance for responding.
The campground is south of the lodge. You’ll see a little kiosk on the right-hand side right of the road as you pull in toward the campground, and you’ll find the check-in instructions there. Good luck!
Is this the case for Signal Mt as well? A response further down this thread (5/15/18) indicates it’s different at Signal Mt and you find an available site and self-pay. Perhaps things have changed since 2018 but before arriving, I would like to confirm whether we are to look for a kiosk/camp host or not. Thank you.
They typically do just have a kiosk, but I’m not sure what they are doing this year because of COVID. Things have been a little chaotic, so I would be shocked if they didn’t have someone there to regulate the check-in process.
Circling back – we were able to secure a site at Signal Mt on 8/3 for 5 nights (arriving by 7:15 am).. There was no one regulating the check-in process – it was very chaotic/stressful! I ended up walking the loops while my husband drove the opposite way (at mercy of traffic) and we were able to secure one of the last sites available that day. Whew! This could be alleviated by using the Colter Bay campground process (first car in line gets first site available). Having said that, what a delightful place
to camp – can see why it fills up so quickly and is so highly sought after.
Thanks for the update! I wish they had someone helping people check-in. Glad you were able to snag a site!
Thanks, great blog, tons of great info here! We are on our way to Montana, and would like to stop at Grand Teton (or second priority, Yellowstone) in early/mid October and having a hard time finding an open campground, arriving Friday Oct 9 and departing Monday Oct 12. We have 32 ft fifth wheel, and would like hookups but don’t have to have them. Prefer something a little more natural (vs a KOA/etc). Stumbled on your great blog while googling! Any suggestions???
I suggest using Campendium to find something nearby. The park campgrounds are typically closed by October, but there are some boondocking options as well as Forest Service options nearby that may still be open that time of year!
I am planning on visiting the Tetons 9/29 – 10/4. I am flying in to Jackson and arriving the afternoon/evening on September 29th. How likely am I to find a camp spot at one of the sites arriving so late? Because I am going so late in the season, do you think I could get a spot that late? Thanks for all your info!
September will be much less busy, but the camping situation has been a little crazy in the park this year. Gros Ventre, which typically doesn’t fill until the evening if at all, has been filling by 11 or 12. I don’t think it will fill that early by the time you go, but it may still fill in the afternoon. I’d definitely come with a few backup options just in case!
Your site is very helpful – thank you! I’m just about to buy one or two of your Itineraries (btw, those are a genius business idea!).
I’m going to Grand Tetons / Yellowstone for a few nights in late July with a group of 6 people – 3 men, 3 women, no couples. So we’ll have a men’s tent and a women’s tent. We’ll be in 2 cars – no camper/RV – just two vehicles. Should we reserve two campsites or one? How big is a typical campsite? We’re budget conscious but wanting to be somewhat comfortable and of course to abide by all regulations.
Thank you!
If you have 6 people in your group, you’re fine (according to the rules, at least) with one campsite. It may be a little tight with two tents, and they’ll need to fit on the tent pad or pavement. When you’re reserving a spot, it will usually give you an idea of how big the tent pad is. In Yellowstone, you’ll want a site for a large tent if you can get one. I have fit two tents in the Gros Ventre Campground in Grand Teton, but one was large and one was small. If you’re trying for first-come, first-served, I would mention it to the camp host as you check-in. They will usually try to accommodate things like that or let you know if you’ll need two sites. Have a great time!
I bought Ash’s Yellowstone Itinerary and Grand Teton Itinerary. They are fantastic!
Thanks Ray! Glad you enjoyed them!
Great information – thank you so much for putting this out there for those of us who have no clue. I am planning to arrive on a Sunday evening around 6pm. Any idea which campground may be my best chance for getting a tent site? The driving schedule won’t allow any earlier arrival (I’ve tried to make it work).
Gros Ventre or Lizard Creek typically fill last, though 6 p.m. may be too late for both of them. You could look at some of the other campgrounds in the area, like Atherton Creek CG or something near the Hoback Junction.
Hi! We will be visiting Grand Teton the last week of July. We are thinking of staying in one of the forest service campgrounds on the west side of the park to avoid some of the crowds. What are your thoughts? Also, what shower facilities do you recommend, in the park and outside of it? We will be camping for a week in tents and will want at least a couple of showers!
It’s quite a drive from those campsites. I personally would aim for being in the park so that you can maximize your sightseeing time. Colter Bay and Signal Mountain have showers. They’re nothing special, but they get the job done!
Awesome information! I’ve read a few of your articles and you provide a nice detailed overview every time. We are looking to travel to Grand Teton mid to late September in our 32 foot 5th wheel. We are looking at staying at Colter Bay or Gros Ventre. Do the campgrounds fill up this time of year? We would need an electric site or be in a loop with generator hours.
They might fill, but probably not until later in the afternoon or evening!
This year all of the campgrounds are filling and doing so early, especially near the weekends. If you arrive on a Friday, get in line by 8am, even at Gros Ventre.
We are looking to find a good backcountry base camp somewhere in the vicinity of Tetons (doesn’t need to be in the NP!). I am envisioning backpacking in to a site 3-5 miles from a trailhead, setting up camp, and being able to to day hikes from there. Most of the backpacking info I’m finding is for multi-day point-to-point routes (which look awesome but not doable for us at the moment!). Any thoughts? Thanks!
I’d look into camping in Death Canyon or Paintbrush Canyon. Alaska Basin is awesome as a base camp as well.
Thank you for all this great info! We’re planning on heading out on Tuesday this week from Boise, ID and are hoping to snag a site at Lizard Creek. Would arriving around noon be too late on a weekday for that campground?
That’s usually ok for that campground!
Great site! We are spending a few days (7/5-7/15) at Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and then heading to Glacier.
1) Any indication/thoughts about how full parks will be given the pandemic?
2) We are 4 people and are wondering if the parks are strict about the 1-2 tent rule per site? We are thinking of doing 4 one person tents for health and safety reasons.
Thanks!
The parks have been less-visited this year than compared to other years, at least so far. For the tents, it will mostly depend on the camp hosts and how strict they are. But technically, yes, the tent rule can be enforced. Have a great trip!
I’m not really used to all the campsites in a region being first come, first serve which makes planning a bit concerning.
Do you think there would be any problems finding at least one camp site if we arrive late June (probably the 25th) in the early (ish) afternoon (1pm to 3pm)? (say at Lizard Creek or Gros Ventre)
Both of those campgrounds usually don’t fill until later in the afternoon. If some of the other campgrounds in the park are still closed, they will probably fill earlier than usual. But if all campgrounds are open, you should be able to get something at that time. I’d shoot for 1 p.m. though…the earlier, the better.
Great website you have put together here! I have camped at Jenny Lake before but was wondering if I was to arrive and wanted the best shot at a spot there would you recommend arriving super early on a Sunday morning or a Monday morning from your experience which day are we more likely to have better luck? Also how early is too early to arrive 5am??
Probably Sunday morning as the weekend crowds leave. But 5 a.m. might be a little too early :)
If I definitely wanted to be early and possibly have first or second choice of what is coming available but 5am may be too early what would you guess is appropriate? 6am arrival at Jenny Lake? I don’t mind waiting around for a few hours since wife and kid will be back at hotel in Jackson until I get camping situation secured.
Also if I am able to go by Jenny lake the afternoon prior would I be able to get a good idea of how many spots are going to be coming up the next day and see during the daylight what those sites look like to pick what works best for our family and know for the next morning?
They likely won’t let you pick a site, so I wouldn’t bother trying to get there the day before to scope things out. That campground is chaotic, but the hosts do a great job of getting it all figured out each day. 6 a.m. would be fine if you don’t mind waiting around for a while :)
Hey – Thanks for the useful tips. Can you say something about wireless connectivity at the campgrounds in case someone needs to work etc. If so – is there a preferred cellular provider needed for a trip there. Thanks!
I really like using Campendium.com for that. They provide information on cell service for campgrounds around the country.
Hi,
Thanks for all the information! We will (hopefully) be driving about 36 hours from FL in the beginning of July to Grand Teton for a camping trip. We’d be arriving July 3rd very early in the morning (like 6-7am). From everything I’ve read about Jenny Lake campground and how difficult it is to get in there, we are probably going to try to just go straight to Signal Mountain and hope we get a spot. My questions for you are:
1. What do you think the odds we get a spot at Signal Mountain then? Obviously the whole pandemic makes it tough to predict, and it’s the day before the 4th.
2. If Signal Mountain is Plan A, which sites do you think should be Plan B and Plan C in case we aren’t able to get a spot? We are very scared to drive 36 hours just to have nowhere to camp.
Thanks so much!
I think you’ll be ok that early in the morning, but Gros Ventre and Colter Bay both fill a little later than Jenny Lake and Signal. Either of those would be good alternatives if Signal is full. Have fun!
Dirt In My Shoes,
We won’t be arriving to Grand Teton until late afternoon on a Monday in July (not the weekend of the 4th!). I’m wondering about the chances of snagging a FCFS campsite at Colter Bay? BTW thanks for taking the time to put all this info up.
Thanks!
Scott
Colter Bay may be full by late afternoon. You’ll probably have better luck getting into Gros Ventre, depending on where you’re coming in from. Good luck!
Thanks for the site and all the great feedback. Trip – Glacier Campground @ GNP June 30-July 3rd, Rocky Mountain RV @YNP July 4th-July 10th, Campground tbd@Tetons, 31ft trailer. Couple questions:
-Is it possible to make it from Glacier to YNP in a day or do I need to find another campground?
-Any recommendations on Teton’s Campground? Anything family friendly, maybe pool, etc? Family might be tired of the outdoors and want to relax.
-Any other thoughts, suggestions as I’m just starting to put the plans/itinerary together?
It’s a long drive, but can be done if your family is okay with it. When we pull our trailer from park to park, we always add at least 1.5-2 hours to the Google Maps drive times because of our reduced speed and the elevation changes in that area. I haven’t found a fabulous RV park near Grand Teton yet, and we definitely prefer staying in the park. If you stay at Colter Bay, there’s a swimming beach on Jackson Lake that’s fun. Be sure to check out the itineraries for each of those parks here: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-park-trip-itineraries/ The itineraries will make a huge difference in your level of enjoyment — they help you avoid a lot of the crazy summer crowding issues. Have a great trip!
Liked reading through this site very much. Looking to camp at Jenny lake in July for a few nights. I’ve never done first come first served places that get packed quickly. Are weekdays better? If I get there early 7 am or earlier where do I go to make sure I’m first in line for an open campsite? Do they state on any of their websites how many open spots will be available on the day you plan to show up? Thanks for info and help.
Weekdays are definitely better, but the campground still routinely fills by 8 a.m. any day during the summer. There’s a kiosk you’ll stop at when you get to the campground. It will either be staffed, or there will be instructions on what to do to claim a site. Grand Teton doesn’t update their website with specific campsite availability, so you’ll just have to show up. If you’re not able to get into Jenny Lake, the other campgrounds will have availability at that time in the morning so you won’t be left without anywhere to go. Have fun!
Thanks so much for info
Of course!
Converse to one of the questions above…what is the likelihood of being able to leave Yellowstone on a Saturday morning in July and getting down to Grand Teton to snag a FCFS tent campsite? Would it make more sense to try and extend our reservation at Madison campground in YNP to make sure we have a place to sleep, even if it means driving down to the Tetons a couple of days?
No, I wouldn’t stay at Madison if you plan on visiting the Tetons…that’s a LONG drive each day. Get up early and move your stuff down to Grand Teton! If you’re there at a good time in the morning, you should have no problem getting something at Lizard Creek, Colter Bay, or Gros Ventre. Have fun!
Awesome, thank you! I was just worried about what FCFS chances might be on a Saturday morning in July. Your site has been invaluable as we start planning a trip through Glacier, Yellowstone, and the Tetons next summer!.
Oh yeah, I totally get it! FCFS can be nerve-wracking. You shouldn’t have a problem though…as long as it’s not on the Fourth of July. I should add that the holiday will definitely make it harder to get something. And if you need any additional help with the trip planning/avoiding crowds, check out my detailed trip itineraries here: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-park-trip-itineraries/ Those will definitely help you get through the summer craziness in the parks!
Love this website. what is the best time to come and camp for about a week, in a camper, temperature wise, for Yellowstone and the Tetons? We are looking at the months of May thru September.
Well, summertime has the warmest temps but also the most crowds. I’ve camped in Yellowstone in May and September and it’s definitely cooler {snow at this time is not unheard of}. So the weather is better in the summer, but if you’re willing to be a little colder I’d go in September to beat the crowds. Have fun!
Hi Ash,
Thank you for this site! Would be able to answer the following:
1. If I get a site at Colter Bay for a few nights starting July 22nd, 2019, then want to head up to Yellowstone and get a first come first serve site there, how early would I need to leave Colter Bay to get to (Tower Falls, Norris, or other) a Yellowstone campground in time to get a spot?
2. If I need to leave super early, can I get into Yellowstone by the South Gate early in the morning?
Many thanks if you have any thoughts.
Regards,
David
Hey David,
You’ll want to check the campground status page to see what time the sites are filling: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm. I’d plan on about 1.5-2 hours to drive up from Colter Bay. The park entrances are left open, even if they are not staffed yet for the day, so you’ll have no problem getting in. Good luck!
Do you have a similar website for Grand Teton NP? I’m very curious! We will be arriving on Friday, hopefully by about 10AM. We’d love Jenny Lake but don’t have high hopes, but really really hope for Signal Mountain!
Grand Teton doesn’t have a site that updates with the fill times. Good luck!
Hi! Learning a lot on this site! I have two questions, can we stay longer than one night at lizard creek campsite? Or is it a mad rush every morning to get the site? We planning on staying in area August 26-September 3. How far is the drive from this campsite to yellowstone np?
Thanks!
Jose
Yes, you can stay multiple nights. After you snag a spot, you can pay for your spot for the rest of your stay. The drive to the South Entrance of Yellowstone is about 20 minutes, but then you have to drive about an additional hour to get to any points of interest in Yellowstone. Have a great trip!
HI Ash,
My wife and I are considering moving to either Wyoming,Montana, or Idaho. We are living in TN and retired want to relocate out west and what would you suggest the best way to travel to these states to check them out for possible relocation. We are taking the whole month of June to do it, plus take in the sites Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park etc. I know this is a little different question but I thought I would ask your expert opinion anyway.
Thanks so much for any advice,
Rick and Carolyn
I’d save Glacier for last because the Going-to-the-Sun Road doesn’t fully open until later in June/early July! Roads through Yellowstone and Grand Teton should be fully open for the month of June, so you can hit those earlier in the month. Have fun!!
I’m doing a road trip and am planning to stay in teton and yellow stone area for 4 days. Is there a place for me to just sleep in my car for free and just use public showers everyday?
You can look at the surrounding National Forest land. There’s isn’t anywhere to do that within the parks though, but the forest service has free places to park and camp.
Can you provide more information about the forest service free places to park and camp. Currently no availability for reservations and we are concerned about driving 23 hours and not being able to get one of the first come/first serve sites. Thanks.
There are several websites with information about campsites in and around Grand Teton! I usually use Campendium :)
Hi Ash,
My wife and I will be spending a few days exploring Grand Teton National Park in a camper van. In your experience, is it tough to get a camp site in mid September (15th – 18th)? Our camper van is about 19ft long. Love this website!
No you’ll be just fine :)
Hello!
What a fantastic resource you have provided for individuals planning a trip to Grand Teton NP. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this.
My wife and I will be spending 5 days in a camper van exploring GTNP and YSNP. Would you advise us to make reservations at camp grounds for September 15 – 20th? Or will it be relatively slow that time of the year. That is what I was told by the company who we rented the van from but now I am getting a bit worried since many are first come first serve. We land in Jackson at 2PM on Saturday and plan camp a few nights at either Jenny Lake or Colter Bay. Let me know what you think!
Colter Bay will still have spots….Jenny Lake may be full by that late in the day. Gros Ventre will also still have spots. Yellowstone is kind of a different beast when it comes to FCFS sites. If it were me, I’d try to get a campsite reserved in Yellowstone…just because I don’t like having to get up really early and be stressed about it. You can probably get a site in Yellowstone without reservations, but if there’s something open in Madison or Canyon I’d take it!
Great Site! Thanks for taking the time and making the effort. Planning a minimum 4 week long camping trip in 2019 and the first week will be in Grand Teton NP. The plan is to get there on or about the 30th of May, stay until 6/4 and then head to Yellowstone for 3 weeks. A trip to Glacier after and heading west is a possibility. Anyhoo, what are my chances for getting a camping spot near Jenny Lake on the 30th? I’ll be in Idaho Falls the night before.
Thanks, Dave
Jenny Lake often fills by 7:30 or 8 a.m. during the summer and holiday weekends. You’d need to get a pretty early start if leaving from Idaho Falls to guarantee yourself a spot in that campground. The other campgrounds won’t fill that early so it’s up to you!
So even at the end of May campgrounds fill up early morning? We will be there May 30th-31st 2019 as well and I honestly thought we wouldn’t have much trouble getting a campsite later in the day… :-/ This is thursday and friday after Memorial Day. Your site is great by the way ! :-)
It’s not going to be as busy that time of year, but there will still be crowds. You probably won’t have a problem getting something at Gros Ventre later in the day. Colter Bay may still have availability too…but Jenny and Signal will likely still fill in the morning. Have fun!
Very good tips, Thanks! I’m car camping the first weekend of August (2018), and I’m driving up from SLC, UT; I anticipate getting there around 7p on a Friday. Any advice for the most likely place of successfully finding a campsite that night? How often does the entire park fill up (for camping)? Any suggestions that are toward to southern end of the park? Any ideas for places outside Tetons to look (primitive okay, so long as it is accessible by a Subaru!) Thanks!
You could check out Gros Ventre….there are sometimes spaces there that late at night. Also take a look at Atherton Creek or somewhere around there in the Forest Service Land. Shadow Mountain is an option too, although it may be a little rougher than you’d like in your Subaru. Good luck!
Hello,
Thank you so so much for all the info. You are very good at writing.
My questions are about hiking. We will be at Tetons and Yellowstone with our 2 year old son for 4 days in total, two days in each park, on Aug 5-9. Which hikes would you recommend with a toddler? We have a hiking carrier. We want to do easy to moderate hikes with amazing views to mountain rages and lakes. Also do you know of any company that organizes hikes in group? Kind of afraid of hiking with my son with all the bears over there…
Again… THANK YOU XX
Hi there! Check out my itineraries for those parks here: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-park-trip-itineraries/ They include all my recommendations of what to see in the parks. All of the hikes are family-friendly and nothing is more than about 3 miles or so. Have fun!
Hello, Thank you so much this website has been invaluable! I will be in Grand Teton’s next week back country camping and backpacking through as much of the park as possible. I don’t have reservations yet but the rangers at the park assured me that I would be able to still find places to stay! I just have a few questions about the park:
Where would you recommend I try and get to when backpacking (certain areas of the park or hidden gems)
What kind of bear container do I need? I have both a hard shell canister and a water proof “scent proof lined” bag
Are fires allowed in the back country? Last year I was in Rocky Mountain National Park fires at camp were very strictly prohibited!
Thank you so much!
Hey Adam,
Very cool! It depends on how many miles you are looking to cover. Cascade Canyon {I prefer South for camping but North makes more sense if you’re going to try to do the loop}, Paintbrush Canyon {Holly Lake is nice}, Death Canyon {the Shelf is amazing but very hard to get permits for}, and Surprise Lake are a few favorites. If you have more days then you could venture along the Teton Crest Trail and even stay in the Alaska Basin or something. Honestly it’s hard to go wrong!
I don’t think that the bear bags are approved at this time. The park will lend you a bear canister if you don’t want to bring your own. No fires allowed in the backcountry.
Have a great time!
Ash
Hey! I am planning a cross country, car camping road trip and we are stopping at the Grand Tetons on August 25th, which is unfortunately a Saturday. We will be driving there from Boulder, CO, which is about a 9 hour drive. This means it will be basically impossible for us to get to the campsite at 9 am unless we left at midnight and then we would be so tired we would probably barely enjoy the park at all. What do you suggest in this situation? We dont mind driving to get to some hikes but I would like a campsite with a nice-ish view.
You could try to make a reservation in Jackson, Wilson, Teton Village, Flagg Ranch, or near the Hoback Junction and the canyon into Alpine. Or, depending on your vehicle, you could look into Shadow Mountain!
We are group of 7, 4 kids and 3 adults who’s plans for a backcountry trip in New Mexico were cancelled. Will we be limited on the number of tents per site? We are a Boy Scout group, so the 3 adults were planning on individual one person tents and two tents for the kids. We are too small for a group site. Also, what would make a good overnight spot nearby on our way in from Denver so that we could arrive at a GTNP site early in the day? Thanks in advance.
You’ll need two campsites at Grand Teton if you have 7 people. Coming from Denver, it depends on which route you take. But you could look into staying near Dubois or near Pinedale and the Wind Rivers. Both of those will get you somewhat close to the Tetons for the next morning. Good luck!
Great Informations! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! We are flying into Salt Lake City late July and renting a car to drive up and spend two day in The Grand Tetons before moving onto Cody Wy to stay with family. We want to tent camp but since we are flying in we won’t be able to bring any gear. Do you know of any rental companies that rent tents/sleeping bags and such? Looks like all the cabins are rented. Thanks!
I’ve heard good things about these guys: https://tetonbcrentals.com/index
This site has been very helpful, thank you! We’re headed to Grand Teton and GNP next week and plan on camping the whole time. Are there general stores in the parks that sell ice and firewood? Trying to plan our meals for the week…
Thanks!
Yes! Most of the main camping/lodging areas have small general stores with things like that. Have a great time!
Planning to arrive first thing on the Sunday morning of Labor Day weekend. Do you think it will be impossible to get a camp site mid-holiday weekend? I am stressing about not being able to make reservations but hoping it will be late enough in the season to be ok?
It can be busy, but there’s almost always space in Gros Ventre if you get there early enough in the day. I think you’ll be fine :)
Going cross country in September in an Rv from South Carolina. Planning on visiting the Tetons for a day and staying at Headwaters. Is it possible to drive a 37’ motor home around or should I stay in Jackson and rent a car? Thanks for your help.
It is possible, though you’ll likely have a hard time finding parking. A car would definitely be easier, but I don’t see why you couldn’t make it work in your RV if that’s what you needed to do!
My dad and I are planning to visit GTNP the first week of July this year. We were hoping of staying in Lizard Creek Campground, as it is in the north part of the park and we would be traveling into Yellowstone 3 of the 5 days we are there. We live quite far though. We have to drive 12 hours just to get there! We are planning on heading up on July 1st which is a Sunday. What do you think our chances are at getting a spot on a Sunday evening in July? Would it be better to try to stay outside of the park for the first night and drive in the next morning?
Lizard Creek is typically one of the last to fill, but I would guess it would be full by the evening in July. I think you’d be safer staying somewhere nearby the night before and then heading in in the morning to snatch a site!
Ash – Really appreciate an unbiased opinion on GTNP. Can you tell clue me in on the actual process of claiming a self pay site? For example, is a site available only when the current camper leaves? Or, is there a way to claim the site knowing the current occupant is vacating later in the morning? I’m concerned this is going to be a stressful process.
Also, I did click on an ad on your site. You may want to consider encouraging your visitors to do that. You are providing valuable info. It would be great for you to at least cover your costs of web hosting.
Thanks for the info!
Thanks Dan….appreciate it!
The sites are available in the mornings even before the campers leave for the day. It is a little stressful sometimes — Jenny Lake is the most stressful haha. Colter Bay does have a kiosk with hosts that will help you get a site for the day. If you don’t want to drive around and try to find a spot on your own, I’d go there. Or Gros Ventre. Signal Mountain isn’t too hard to get into sometimes depending on the day of the week and holidays. Hope that helps!
Hello! I’m looking to head to GTNP for Memorial Day weekend, I have a site reserved at the KOA for Friday evening as I won’t be getting in til late. I’m planning to wake up early Saturday to secure a spot at one of the campgrounds, likely Signal Mountain. Was curious what time you would suggest getting there considering it’s a holiday weekend? Thanks in advance!
Signal Mountain is usually the second campground to fill. Really the earlier the better….no later than 9 though.
Wow!! Love your insights, and thank you for sharing.
We’re thinking about a trip to GTNP in mid late September. We have an Airstream, a small dog and my wife and I. Love hiking and easy mountain biking, and would love to learn to fly fish. We’re hoping to show up on a Monday morning or late Sunday and get into Gros Ventre Campground. Can we hike day hike from the campground? I have found memories of seeing a moose for hte first time on a hike to Jenny Lake as a kid a lifetime ago and hope to share experiences like this with my wife.
Sounds amazing! You can’t really dayhike from Gros Ventre…it’s too far out of the way. I’d probably aim for Signal Mountain or Colter Bay if you want hikes nearby and amazing views. Oh, and be prepared for snow that time of the year. I love late September in the Tetons, but the weather can be a little crazy :)
Hi, thank you for this information!
Quick couple questions. We will be camping in GTNP the last week of June, and are trying for Signal Mountain campground, with Colter Bay being next. What is the process for getting a campground? When we went to Glacier last year, we had to wait until 7 am for a ranger to give us an available campsite. Is this the same process at GTNP or is it different?
Also, in your opinion, what are the chances of us getting a campsite on a Monday morning? And what time do you think we should be there? We don’t mind being as early as necessary.
Thank you so much!
It’s different at Signal Mountain…you’ll just find an available site and self-pay. Colter Bay has an entrance station at the campground that is staffed. If someone is there, they will assign you a spot. I’d recommend being there no later than 8 or so though. They sometimes fill even earlier on holidays or weekends. You should be able to find something on a Monday morning :)
Hello,
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences for others to learn from. My question is about driving time. Google maps suggests that it takes about an hour to drive from Gros Ventre to Jenny Lake Visitor Center. Based on your experience, would you say that’s accurate, or a bit conservative?
Thanks,
That sounds about right, maybe a little on the conservative side. Gros Ventre is a little ways off the main park road so it takes some extra time to get in and out of there!
Hi Ash- thanks so much for your amazing web site! We got the bug last year at Zion NP and this summer will be at 8 more national parks with our 5 kids! Hello Road TriP! A few questions… you mention camp spots being limited to 6, we have 5 kids and 2 adults- but one of the kids is a baby. Will that be a problem? We plan on using 2 rather large tents and were hoping to stay in Colter Bay. Also… I keep reading that we should get there early, but where is there? Do you mean the park entrance? Or the actual camp ground? We are planning on driving up from Rocky Mountain NP the day before and staying close to the park in a hotel, then coming in early to get a tent camping spot. Any advice on what town we should stay in so that we can get to wherever we need to be early? Ok…. lots of questions… thanks for your amazing site!
Very cool!!! You are covering a lot of ground! To answer your questions: I don’t think babies should count towards your total people :) I’d get to Colter Bay no later than 9 a.m….earlier if you can. Jackson or Wilson would be the closest towns to Grand Teton, but if you don’t mind being a little further out you could also check out Dubois.
Hope that helps!
Ash
Hello Ash,
Thank you for all your wise information on the park. We are planning a trip to Cody, Wyoming first and traveling into Yellowstone a few times to get our feet wet. We are coming with our teenage children and little dog. We love to hike in the Smokey mountains but your mountains are a little intimidating for this Florida family. I do not have reservations and know wherever we go we need to get their early, but which campground has easier hikes that are best for newbies like us. Also, we have an RV we are planning to leave our dog in when we hike, is that OK? We do this all the time on the east coast. Thank you so much.
Deborah
I totally understand! For Grand Teton, most of the campgrounds are close enough to each other that you can easily access the trails from any of them. Jenny Lake is the most central to everything…it’s also the hardest to get into and tent only. It depends on the length of your RV, but Signal Mountain, Colter Bay, and Gros Ventre are all good choices for a home base. Gros Ventre will fill last, Signal Mountain will fill first {most likely}.
Hi Thanks for all the great tips and Info. I have a 18ft trailer and 22 for truck so can I fit into a 30′ RV site? Also without reservations and a travel trailer what are the best places to try and get to and I assume by 7a m. Our friends are staying in the tent cabins at Colter Bay. If I reserve a cabin can I park my rig and trailer there or is there a place for that?
Thanks again,
Jackie
It would totally be dependent on the site, but I would call Colter Bay and chat with them about what might work for your situation. There would be space in the Colter Bay Campground at 7 a.m. Parking is pretty limited up by the tent cabins so I don’t think you’d be able to park your trailer there. They may let you park it down near the marina or boat launch, but that would be a question you’d need to ask them directly. But again, you shouldn’t have a problem getting a site in the campground if you’re there early in the morning!
I have loved your site! Thanks for sharing so much knowledge. We are taking a road trip through YNP and the Tetons this summer, so we are going to move our RV to a new location each day. Do you have a suggestion for how to stay in the Tetons since we can’t reserve anything?
Position yourself to get to each campsite early! That’s the only way you’ll be able to snag something!
We are going to be spending a week at GTNP in July. Is it better to arrive Saturday AM or Sunday AM to get a site?
I think more people leave their campsites on Sundays then Saturdays, but if you’re there early you shouldn’t really have a problem on either day. Jenny Lake fills up first {often by 8 a.m. at the latest} but Colter Bay, Lizard Creek, and Gros Ventre often have spots open into the later morning, early afternoon hours.
Hi there, I was hoping you can answer a few questions for me.
I will be visiting Yellowstone NP in June 2018 for the first time. I would really like to visit Grand Teton NP on my way down, but just now realizing that all of the campgrounds are first come first serve only. What is the process and what’s the best way of securing a site? What times are the campground offices open usually? After reading your blog, I would really like to stay at Jenny Lake, Colter Bay, or Signal Mountain. I plan on traveling to YNP by air (coming from SoCal), then drive down to GTNP and attempt to secure a campsite. I’m planning on flying back home, so I need to make sure the dates are all lined up.
Thanks in advance!
You just need to make sure you are there early in the morning! Jenny Lake usually fills by 8 a.m. The further you get from Jenny Lake, the longer the campgrounds take to fill. I’ve never had much of a problem getting a site as long as I’m there early enough. Good luck!!
Do any campgrounds have showers?
Yes! Colter Bay and Signal Mountain have showers available near the campgrounds!
Hi Ash, great site. Glad I came across it. Two of us are traveling to see the eclipse next week and explore GT and YSNP for 5 days. I land in Jackson Hole at 9pm Saturday. Are plan is to attempt and snag whatever may be available in the park, driving in after midnight early Sunday.. if nothing is available inside the park what is your suggestion for camping in one of the adjacent forest areas? Thank you!
I would have some sort of lodging reservation already in place for Saturday night if you can….everything will be full by that time of night. You may be able to snag something early Sunday morning, but I doubt it. Most people are heading into the area right now to get a campsite for the eclipse :( You might be able to find some dispersed camping near the park, but again, it’s gonna be crowded for sure. Just try to get to your desired camping area as early in the morning on Sunday as you can. Good luck!!
I’ve recently come across your site and I am impressed with the help it has already given me. I am wondering though, like many others, I want to get a campsite for the eclipse. I wanted to camp inside the GTNF instead of the GTNP, but since they are next to each other I might add it to my backup list. So the question is this: When should I leave to make sure I will get a spot at the site I want? As of right now my plans are to leave before the crack of the 17th so I can be to any of the sites on my list early in the morning. I am sitting here worried to death that the sites in the Forest will already be full by then and so will the Park leaving me with no options.
Should I leave sooner than the 17th? Almost tempted just to leave now.. :P
I would think that you should be able to find something on the 17th….but I definitely don’t know for sure. As long as you get there early in the morning, you’ll have a good chance of snagging something. Good luck!!
Hi Ash! I just stumbled upon your awesome blog :) I’m a Texas girl visiting Glacier National Park, Yellowstone and hopefully Grand Tetons! I had a question regarding the busy weekend expected for the solar eclipse on August 21st. I plan to be in Grand Tetons by Friday the 18th, most likely early afternoon. Would you suggest I wait to arrive until Saturday early morning to get a first come first serve campsite? Reading your blogs I will be aiming for Colter Bay but I am definitely open to any campsite :) I’ve never gone through the process of first come first serve either but I read through the comments and you have great info. Thank you.
I don’t think you’ll be able to find one on Friday if you get there anytime after like 10 a.m. but you could try. They tell you at the entrance station which campsites are full. You’ll likely have to get up super early Saturday morning to try to get one…but not many people will be leaving that morning I would guess. It’s going to be hard to find one so I would definitely have a few back-up plans. Good luck!
Hi Ash! Great info here. Going to grand tetons first time on way to yellowstone n.p. w wife n 2 children. Wanted to ask about process for first come camping at Jenny Lake. Once I get there. Do I line up at office w other campers? Or do I walk the campgrounds “claiming” dates not taken? …just want to get there and know what to do. Also going on friday next week. What time should I get there? Thanks!
Hi Jin,
There is a little station as you enter the campground. Usually there is something there to help you, but if not they will have the payment envelopes available and you drive through the campground, find a spot without a tag on it, and put your tag on it! Things can get a little chaotic, but I wouldn’t get there any later than 7:30 a.m. Have a great trip!
Ash
Hi! I love reading your blog! Me and my husband are going on a trip to grand Teton national park in a week and we are really excited. We are hopping to stay at the jenny lake campground because it’s closest to most of the activities we are wanting to do. I’ve never been there so I was wondering if you could answer some questions we have. If we get to the campground by 7:00 am do you think we would be able to get a spot? We’re also kind of worried about all the bear safety stuff. Are there bear boxes at all the camping spots at jenny lake? If not is it ok to keep our food in our car? We’re kind of worried about that because our car trunk doesn’t latch and it’s just kept closed by a bungee cord (I know, it’s really getto). We would keep the food in the back seat area, but I keep imagining a bear ripping off our trunk and breaking into the back seats to get at our food. Also, if we aren’t able to wash off bug spray and sun screen before we sleep will a bear smell us and think we’re food? Sorry about such a long comment, but you just seemed like the best person to ask. Thanks!
Hey Lindsey,
I’m more than happy to answer your questions — you are going to have THE BEST time in Grand Teton!! It’s my favorite park :) You should be able to get a spot if you’re there by 7, but I would definitely not be later than that if you really have your heart set on staying there. As for the bears, they should have a bear box for you at your campsite. If not, leaving food in your car is okay and should be fine even with the broken trunk so I wouldn’t stress too much about it. If you’re worried about the bug spray and sunscreen being an attractant, I would suggest a quick rinse with a washcloth…but you don’t need to be too thorough. Of more concern is the smell that will be on your clothes from cooking dinner, so just be sure that the clothes you sleep in aren’t the ones you ate in!
Thanks for being a concerned and responsible camper. If you follow the rules posted at the campground about bear safety, you’ll have a very slim chance of having a negative experience with a bear. Bears are often given a bad rap, but 99% of the time they are not looking for trouble. I’ve camped all over Grand Teton and have never had a bad experience with a bear :)
–Ash
Love this website! Thanks for all the great information. We are planning a week long Teton trip in late June. We will be staying in the tent cabins the first night and then moving to the campgrounds the next morning (hoping to snag a good spot be be there bright and early). I was wondering what the showering options were in the area? We are staying a week, and I just can’t imaging going that long without washing my hair! :)
Hey Alana,
Colter Bay is really your only option for showers, and you’ll already be there if you’re staying in the tent cabins. I personally love Colter Bay and usually choose to make that my home base while I’m in the Tetons!
Hi Ash!
Thanks so much for this information! I’m so happy I stumbled across your blog–your tips are great! I’m from Wyoming, but have lived in Washington for a while. I’m going on a road trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton for a week, so your posts are great refreshers! And THANKS for your campground summaries and recommendations!!
Kristie
Kristie,
I am happy to help and hope that you have a great time on your trip! Let me know if you have any additional questions!