Grand Teton National Park is one of the most sought-out places in the northwestern United States. Camping here is popular and encouraged. We hope you enjoy this Grand Teton Camping guide!
The most striking feature of this park is its namesake, the Teton Mountain Range. Rising over 7,000 feet from the park floor, this collection of peaks is one of the most photographed in the world. Pristine lakes and natural forests often stop campers and hikers in their tracks.
Grant Teton Camping
There’s also Grand Teton wildlife. Home to many wild animals, Grand Teton National Park is famous for moose, elk, bears, bison, birds, and fish. You’ll be hard-pressed to go a day in the park without seeing some form of wildlife.
If you camp in the late summer and fall months, expect to hear elk bugling while you’re wrapped tightly in your sleeping bag. Wolves and coyotes can be heard howling as well.
There is nothing quite like a Grand Teton Camping Trip to make you truly appreciate our National Parks.
Fees and Campgrounds
There are six main campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park: Colter Bay, Flagg Ranch, Gros Ventre, Jenny Lake, Lizard Creek, and Signal Mountain. Single-night stays range from $14 to $60 depending on the campground.
There are several backcountry camping areas where camping is allowed in the park. Permits are required for backcountry stays. Backcountry sites can be reserved in advance through May 15. A nonrefundable service charge of $25 will be charged for advance reservations.
In the backcountry, it is important that you follow all park regulations regarding site setup, food storage, and general safety.
Grand Teton Camping Safety
Food and toiletries must be stored in bear-proof containers. You can purchase these containers at sporting goods stores, or use park-issued ones free-of-charge in GTNP backcountry.
Backcountry campers especially should carry bear spray, a potent pepper spray that can be used in the event of a bear encounter. These can be purchased both in and outside of the park.
Keep a close eye on children and pets at all times, and note that pets must be restrained throughout their stay in the park. Make sure you know GTNP rules for bringing your pet in the park prior to your visit.
Clean up after yourself, your children, and your pets at your campsite, as any unfamiliar smell can attract a bear, even in well-traveled areas.
While the park may be full of people during peak summer months, the park’s wildlife lives there year-round and is no less wild in the summer than when the park is empty. Do not approach wildlife. Carry bear spray and consider putting bells or some other noise-maker on your backpack when you go hiking.
Camping in Grand Teton National Park is a must for anyone who loves nature and wildlife. Fees for camping in the park are affordable and ensuring your safety is easy if you follow all park regulations and clean up after yourself.
And lastly, don’t forget to bring your camera!
Camera Gear we use
We are big fans of using great camera gear to get amazing photos while traveling.
Canon R5 - We recently upgraded to the R5 after using a Mark 5 for years. We are loving the camera shutter speed and quality of images.
Canon 100 - 500mm - We use the Canon 100-500 for wildlife photography.
Camera Rain Cover - A rain cover will help protect your camera during rain showers but also when photographing waterfalls.
Camera Cleaning Kit - Cameras can get dirty, beat up, and dusty while in the parks. We like having a cleaning kit with us so we can do on the spot touch ups.
Extra Camera Batteries - We suggest always having one or two extra camera batteries with you. There is nothing worse than going to take a shot and the battery dies.
Extra Memory Cards - We use Extreme PRO SanDisk cards
Colter Bay Campground
Location: 25 miles north of Moose, Close to Jackson Lake
Elevation: 6,831 feet
Open: May – September
Number of sites: 335 sites, 11 group sites, 13 electric hookup sites
Accessible Sites: 13 electric accessible sites.
Cost per night:
- $32 per night
- $16 per night for Golden Age/Interagency Senior or Golden Access/Interagency Access campers
Electric/ADA RV Sites
- $55 per night
- $39.00 per night for Golden Age/Interagency Senior or Golden Access/Interagency Access campers
*Please note these are first come first serve sites as well.
Group Sites
- $31 non-refundable registration fee, and $12 per person per night for group tent sites or $6 per person per night for Golden Age/Interagency Senior campers or Golden Access/Interagency Access campers
- Group sites require at least 10 guests or more and are mainly for tent camping. RV accommodations are very limited in group sites.
- Advance reservations for group sites open on January 2nd of each year and can be made by calling 307-543-3100.
Reservations?: Yes, as of 2021 all sites can be reserved on Recreation.gov
Reservations are only taken for group sites.
Campground Amenities: 22 restrooms with running water in the campground. Fire rings, picnic tables, great location within Grand Teton National Park.
Showers and coin-operated laundry services are available for an additional fee at the Colter Bay Launderette
RVs allowed?: up to 45 ft. length motor homes or trailers.
For more information and photos check out our post on Colter Bay Campground
Colter Bay RV Park Campground
Location: Near Colter Bay Village
Elevation: 6,887 feet
Open: May – October
Number of sites: 103 sites
Accessible Sites:
Cost per night:
Pull-Through Sites (no length restriction)
- $83 per site per night plus tax and fees
- $67.50 per site per night for Golden Age/Interagency Senior or Golden Access/Interagency Access campers plus tax and fees
Back-In Sites (30 ft. max total length)
- $73 per site per night plus tax and fees
- $56.50 per site per night for Golden Age/Interagency Senior or Golden Access/Interagency Access campers plus tax and fees
Reservations?: Yes, online or by calling 307-543-3100
This campground will move to recreation.gov in 2022
Campground Amenities: showers and coin-operated laundry is available at the Colter Bay Launderette.
RVs allowed?: Yes, No restrictions with size. Full hookups
For more information and photos check out our post on Colter Bay RV Campground
Gros Ventre Campground
Location: closest campground to the town of Jackson, Wyoming.
Elevation: 6,565 feet
Open: May - October
Number of sites: 300 sites, 5 groups sites, 36 electric hookup sites
Accessible Sites: Yes, #169, 173, 174, 204, 206
Cost per night:
Individual Tent & RV Sites (dry)
- $30 per night
- $15 per night for Golden Age/Interagency Senior or Golden Access/Interagency Access campers
Electric/ADA Sites
- $55 per night
- $40.00 per night for Golden Age/Interagency Senior or Golden Access/Interagency Access campers
Reservations?: Yes, as of 2021 all sites can be reserved on Recreation.gov
Campground Amenities: Close to Jackson Hole, wildlife viewing, access to Mormon Row. Each site has a fire pit, picnic table, access to a bathroom with flush toilets.
RVs allowed?: Yes, Thirty-six sites have electricity, 10 of which are ADA compliant with an adjacent restroom. RVs up to 45ft
For more information and photos check out our post on Gros Ventre Campground
Headwaters Campground and RV Park at Flagg Ranch
Location: Located in John D Rockefeller Parkway between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park
Elevation: 6,300 feet
Open:
- RV Sites: May - September
- Camper Cabin and Tent Sites: June – September
Number of sites: 131 campsites and 40 cabins
Accessible Sites: Most sites are accessible to wheelchairs. Restroom facilities are accessible. One fully accessible shower is available.
Cost per night:
- $38.50 per night plus taxes and fees
- $21.00 per night plus taxes and fees for Golden Age/Interagency Senior campers or Golden Access/Interagency Access campers
Reservations?: Camper Cabins, RV Sites, and some Tent Sites can be reserved in advance. Reservations can be made online or by calling our Reservations Team at 307-543-2861.
This campground will move to recreation.gov in 2022
Campground Amenities: 24-hour showers, laundry facilities,
RVs allowed?: Yes, pull-through RV sites with full hook-ups (including 20, 30, and 50 amp electricity)
For more information and photos check out our post on Headwater Campground at Flagg Ranch
Jenny Lake Campground
Location: Next to Jenny Lake
Elevation: 6,783 feet
Open: May - September
Number of sites: 49 individual tent campsites and 10 sites designated for hikers and bicyclists.
Accessible Sites: There are three accessible sites within the campground (Sites 3, 5 and 6)
Cost per night:
Individual Tent Sites
- $29 per night
- $14.50 per night for Golden Age/Interagency Senior or Golden Access/Interagency Access campers
Hiker/Bicyclist Sites
- $12 per person per night
- $6 per person per night for Golden Age/Interagency Senior or Golden Access/Interagency Access campers
Reservations?: Yes, as of 2021 all sites can be reserved on Recreation.gov
Campground Amenities: Each campsite has a picnic table, a fire pit, and nearby flush toilets and food storage.
RVs allowed?: No, Campground is a tent-only campground
For more information and photos check out our post on Jenny Lake Campground
Lizard Creek Campground
Location: 17 miles north of Signal Mountain Lodge on Highway 89, about 10 miles south of the South Entrance into Yellowstone National Park.
Elevation: 6,827 feet
Open: June - September
Number of sites: 60
Accessible Sites: Currently there are no accessible sites.
Cost per night:
- Standard Site: $33.00/night**
- Electric Site: $55.00/night**
Reservations?: Yes, as of 2021 all sites can be reserved on Recreation.gov
Campground Amenities: Flush toilets, generators permitted,
RVs allowed?: Yes, RVs up to 30 feet in length.
For more information and photos check out our post on Lizard Creek Campground
Signal Mountain Campground
Location: located on the Signal Mountain Lodge property
Elevation: 6,824 feet
Open: Open May 8 - October 18, 2020
Number of sites: 81
Accessible Sites: Sites 43, 44, and 46 were designated ADA sites.
Cost per night: 2019 rates:
- Standard Site: $33.00/night**
- Electric Site: $55.00/night**
2020 rates will be available in April 2020
Reservations?:
No, All individual campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Mid-June through mid-August typical fill times average between 8 am and 10 am.
Campground Amenities: The campground is very close to a general store, gift shop, laundromat, and showers. Flush toilets, picnic tables, fire pits in each site.
RVs allowed?: Yes, RVs up to 30 feet in length.
For more information and photos check out our post on Signal Mountain Campground
We hope this Grand Teton Camping Guide helps you plan an amazing trip to the park.
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Additional Grand Teton/Yellowstone Resources
Jackson Lake Lodge - Room photo and video, find out what it is like to stay at this great lodge.
Yellowstone Camping Guide - Breakdown of every campground in Yellowstone with site photos, reservations and more.
Top things to do in Yellowstone - All the things you don't want to miss during your trip.
Wyoming National Park - Check out the other great parks you can visit in Wyoming
Top things to do in Grand Teton
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