Are you preparing to visit the Grand Teton National Park? Look no further than this guide to camping in the Grand Teton front-country.
With three summers spent in this remote and stunning National Park, I know my way around the 485 square miles that makes up the park.
There are many ways to stay in the park, but I am partial to camping. However, if camping is not your jam, you may want to lodge in the park here are your options.
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Below is a map of the Grand Teton National Park Camping Options.
Ideal Times to Visit
Depending on your activity, you may adjust your time of year, but I don't think there is a bad time to travel to the park.
Weather
Backpacking and Hiking
If you are hoping to get the most out of your adventure, I recommend traveling in the summer months, specifically June through September. If you are day hiking, most trails should be cleared from snow by June, however, this depends on snowpack from year to year.
Winter Activities
Now, if you are a winter adventurer, there are abundant winter activities to participate in. Winter is a different beast in Wyoming. Instead of lacing up your hiking boots, you are locking in your ski boots or snowshoes.
Ideal Ways to get to the park
Flying In & Renting a Car
Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson Hole, WY
The easiest and most efficient way to get to the Grand Teton National Park is to fly into Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson Hole, WY. This airport is serviced by Alaska, American, Delta, and United. The airport can be more expensive than others within a day's drive, but if you are pressed for time this is your best bet to get the most out of this golden location.
Bozeman, MT
This is a popular location to fly into while planning out your trip, most used to cut down the costs of flying into the small boutique airport near the park. Bozeman sits about 4 and a 1/2 hours away and 222 miles away.
Salt Lake City, UT
This is another popular location to fly into, making this likely the cheapest option for budget travel. Salt Lake City is approximately 300 miles southwest of the park and just around a 5 hour drive.
Car Rentals
It is super convenient to rent a car at the airport, which is what I recommend to avoid taking Ubers or taxi services. Renting a campervan is also a great idea if sleeping on the ground in bear country sounds terrifying (or rent an RV or campervan with Outdoorsy). If you're under 25, here are my car rental tips to avoid pesky underage charges.
Packing up & Roadtripping
I am partial to this option because I LOVE a good road trip and you can avoid flying with your backpacking or hiking gear. Which is great if you need to bring larger things like a cooler or stand-up paddle board. Again, this a good option, if you are carpooling with friends because you can split the costs unlike you can with flights.
Local Emergency Numbers
Universal Emergency Services: 911
Ranger Station: Grand Tetons Park Ranger Station: Phone #: 307-739-3300 (press 6 for emergency dispatch)
Local Medical Center: Grand Teton Medical Clinic: (307) 543-2514
Address: 100 Jackson Lake Lodge Rd, Moran, WY 83013
Hours: 9am to 5pm (7 days a week)
Hospital: St. Johns Health: (307) 733-3636
Address: 625 E Broadway Ave, Jackson, WY 83001
Hours: 24 hours/7 days a week
LEave no trace
In order to preserve public land and sacred places for years to come, please follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles when hiking and camping. If you need a refresher on what those may be, watch this video or READ here.
Bear Country
Grand Teton is populated by black and brown bears, which means that while camping, hiking, and backpacking you need to be bear-aware. This involves storing food properly, carrying scented items properly, carrying bear spray, knowing difference between each bear, and knowing how to engage with a bear if you happen to come across one while camping or adventuring.
If you plan to go backpacking in the Grand Teton National Park, you will need to store all food in a hard-sided bear-resistant bear container (NOT A BEAR BAG)!
Tips for a Smooth Trip
Plan your stay as soon as you can (or as soon as reservations are live). These campsites are VERY difficult to reserve last minute. The Grand Teton National Park is a well-traveled park. (or as soon as reservations are live). The National Park Service manages all the campgrounds, so you can make reservations via Recreation.gov. Each campsite has different open dates, covered below, therefore they open for reservations at different times. Each reservation window opens approximately 180 days or 6 months prior to the season. For example, a reservation for July 1, 2023, opens on January 1, 2023, at 8 AM mountain time.
Make sure the campsites location is proximal to the activities you want to do and parts of the park you want to explore.
Purchase an America the Beautiful pass to save money throughout the year on all of your National Park adventures. Coming in at $80, which is the cost of two entrance fees a year, this is the best purchase for any outdoor adventurer!
Campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park
Campground | Type | Reservations Available | Amenities |
Colter Bay Campground | Standard Sites (324), Electric Hookup (13), Hiker/Biker Sites (10), Group Sites (10) | Yes | pay showers and laundry nearby, dump station, 45-foot length limit |
Lizard Creek Campground | Standard Sites (60) | Yes | N/A |
Signal Mountain Campground | Standard Sites (56), Electric Hookup (25) | Yes | pay showers and laundry nearby, dump station, 30-foot length limit |
Headwaters Campground | Standard Sites (34), Full Hookup pull-through (97), Camper Cabins (40) | Yes | showers included, 45-foot length limit |
Gros Venture Campground | Standard Sites (279), Electric Hookup (39), Group Site (4) | Yes | dump station(limited), 45-foot length limit |
Jenny Lake Campground | Standard Sites (51), Hiker/Biker Sites (10) | Yes | tents only, pay showers nearby |
2023 Operating Dates: May 25 to September 26
Colter bay is easily my favorite campsite in the park boundaries (in the front country at least). Not only is this campground the largest in the park it is the closest to amenities while feeling private too! This is a close walk to Jackson lake and Colter Bay village (which has restaurants, hiking access, coffee, lake access, and grocery shopping).
Average Pricing
$45 / night (campsite w/ vehicle)
$71 / night (campsite w/ electric hookup)
$15 / night / per person (group campsite)
total Campsites
324 sites
Campsite Contact
Cell phone reception
Yes
Internet Connectivity
Yes, seasonal
Trash/Recycling
Yes, seasonal
Food Locker Storage
Yes, seasonal
Camp Store (ice, firewood)
Yes, seasonal
shower & Laundry
Yes, seasonal (additional fee)
Dump Station
Yes, seasonal
Potable Water
Yes, seasonal
Staff on Site
Yes, seasonal
2023 Operating Dates: June 9 to September 10
Lizard creek is fairly undeveloped along the outer shores of jackson lake. Each site is average sized. While there are flush toilets and running water, This campground has a remote feel. The closest showers are in Colter Bay Village, which is doable on your way back out to camp after a day of adventures.
Bear are frequent in this campground. I stayed here last in 2022 and I can say that the camp hosts were great!
Average Pricing
$41 / night (campsite w/ vehicle)
total Campsites
60 sites
Campsite Contact
Cell phone reception
Yes
Internet Connectivity
No
Trash/Recycling
Yes, seasonal
Food Locker Storage
Yes, seasonal
Camp Store (ice, firewood)
No
shower & Laundry
No
Dump Station
No
Potable Water
Yes, seasonal
Staff on Site
Yes, seasonal
2023 Operating Dates: May 12 to October 14
Signal Mountain is fairly undeveloped and in the center of the park. While the location is ideal, the campground feels very private! Each site is small and nestled in some larger brush or trees. While there are flush toilets and showers near the lodge, This campground is remote.
Moose frequent this area and so do mosquitos! Be aware that due to the remote feel, the campsites are smaller in size and sit on uneven ground.
Average Pricing
$45 / night (campsite w/ vehicle)
$68 /night (campsite w/ electric hookup)
total Campsites
81 sites
Campsite Contact
Cell phone reception
Yes
Internet Connectivity
Yes, seasonal
Trash/Recycling
Yes, seasonal
Food Locker Storage
Yes, seasonal
Camp Store (ice, firewood)
Yes
shower & Laundry
Yes, seasonal
Dump Station
Yes, seasonal
Potable Water
Yes, seasonal
Staff on Site
Yes, seasonal
2023 Operating Dates: May 12 to September 30
THis campsite is the closest to Yellowstone, offering the best access to both parks. Personally, I would recommend staying closer to the Tetons for some of your trip and closer to Yellowstone for the other part of your trip to avoid unnecessary driving.
Average Pricing
$47 / night (campsite w/ vehicle)
$93 /night (full hook-up pull-through site)
total Campsites
171 sites
Campsite Contact
Cell phone reception
No
Internet Connectivity
No
Trash/Recycling
Yes, seasonal
Food Locker Storage
Yes, seasonal
Camp Store (ice, firewood)
Yes, seasonal
shower & Laundry
Yes, seasonal
Dump Station
Yes, seasonal
Potable Water
Yes, seasonal
Staff on Site
Yes, seasonal
2023 Operating Dates: April 28 to October 14
If you are hoping to jump between town and the national park often, then this is a great campsite for you to stay at! This is prime location for moose sighting as it sits along the gros ventre river.
Average Pricing
$42 / night (campsite w/ vehicle)
$71 /night (campsite w/ electric vehicle)
total Campsites
279 sites
Campsite Contact
Cell phone reception
Yes
Internet Connectivity
No
Trash/Recycling
Yes, seasonal
Food Locker Storage
Yes, seasonal
Camp Store (ice, firewood)
No
shower & Laundry
No
Dump Station
Yes, seasonal
Potable Water
Yes, seasonal
Staff on Site
Yes, seasonal
2023 Operating Dates: May 5 to September 26
Jenny lake campground is the most coveted campground in the entire park due to its close proximity to the heart of the park. This campground is nestled along jenny lake shore and has quick access to the trails around Jenny lake. However, this campsite is so prime that reservations are nearly impossible to secure. If this is a hope for your camping trip, make sure tobe online asap when reservations go live.
Average Pricing
$41 / night (campsite w/ vehicle)
$13 /night (hike/bike site)
total Campsites
61 sites
Campsite Contact
Cell phone reception
Yes
Internet Connectivity
No
Trash/Recycling
Yes, seasonal
Food Locker Storage
Yes, seasonal
Camp Store (ice, firewood)
Yes, seasonal
shower & Laundry
No
Dump Station
No
Potable Water
Yes, seasonal
Staff on Site
Yes, seasonal
What to wear while camping?
Here are my favorite camping baselayers - especially for chilly nights that you might encounter in the Grand Teton National Park.
Picking a tent?
Read all about my tips, tricks, and recommendations for choosing your backcountry or front-country tent.
AND, if tents aren't your jam, then here is a post ALLLLLL about hammocks that you are going to want to read: What You Need To Know About Hammock Camping
Picking a sleeping bag?
Comfort is key when camping! I want to snuggle up in a sleeping bag and never feel cold - these are my recommendations for achieving that cozy feeling.
Picking a sleeping pad?
The purpose of a sleeping pad is to keep you off the ground. The ground can suck your body heat from you, so you want to have distance between you and the ground. The sleeping pad serves as an insulating barrier. This is a necessity when camping in colder temps and GREAT for comfort.
Last, if you want to see my gear choices and the pros and cons of the gear that I do have: My Big Three Picks | Pros and Cons
That's a wrap!
xoxo,
Lea Dawn Hart
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