Camping in Grand Teton National Park is hard to beat if you love stunning alpine views and fresh mountain air. The park has 6 developed campgrounds and thousands of backcountry campsites to choose from, making camping within the park an excellent way to see everything the Tetons offer.
Whether you’re looking for a comfortable front-country camping experience or you want to head deep into the mountains, there’s a campsite for you at Grand Teton.
Here are some of the best camping locations inside and outside Grand Teton National Park so you can start planning your upcoming camping trip.
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Things to know before booking
- The peak season is from May to October.
- Campsites can be booked 2 months ahead.
- The maximum stay per visit is 14 nights for each campground.
- A $10 fee is applied for each campsite to change the reservation dates.
- A $10 fee is applied for any cancellations up to 1 day before.
- Late cancellation (starts from one day before) will incur the first night’s fees.
- Notify the Campground Ranger Station if you’re checking out earlier to get the refund for your remaining days.
- Grand Teton National Park charges entrance fees in addition to campsite fees – $35 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, or $20 per person.
Campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park
Colter Bay Campground
- Type : Tent / RV
- Open : May 20 to September 25 (approximately)
- Cost : $36 to $64 per night
- Reservation : Group sites only
Located in the central part of the park, just a short walk from the eastern shores of Jackson Lake, Colter Bay Campground offers exceptional views and waterfront access.
Colter Bay offers 346 campsites, including 13 that are ADA accessible, have electrical hookups, and 11 that are designed for large groups. It’s nestled within the heart of Colter Bay Village, which has various amenities, such as a visitor’s center, restaurants, laundry, and even showers.
All the campsites in the campground are available on a first-come, first-served basis, except the 11 group campsites. These group campsites can be reserved starting in January each year.
However, if you want to grab an individual spot on the weekend in this popular campground, be sure to arrive early in the morning on Thursday or Friday to secure your site.
Gros Ventre Campground
- Type : Tent / RV
- Open : April 30 to October 10 (approximately)
- Cost : $33 to $64 per night
- Reservation : Group sites only
One of the southernmost developed campgrounds in Grand Teton, the Gros Ventre Campground is located near the town of Jackson. It is one of the largest in the park with 300 campsites, including 5 group campsites, 36 with electric hookups, and 35 that are designated for tents only.
Aptly named, the campground is right next to the Gros Ventre River, so it provides nice opportunities to view moose, mule deer, and bison. Many campsites are also perfectly positioned to give you good views of the Grand Teton.
Each campsite in Gros Ventre comes with a picnic table and a fire pit, so don’t forget to bring your firestarter and tinders. Also, remember that the individual campsites at the campground are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Jenny Lake Campground
- Type : Tent
- Open : April 30 to September 25 (approximately)
- Cost : $13 to $32 per night
- Reservation : No
Perhaps the most iconic campground in the park, the Jenny Lake Campground is the go-to camping destination for anyone looking to venture into the heart of the Teton Range. Situated along the eastern shore of Jenny Lake, this small, 59-site campground is an alpine wonderland.
The campground is situated within a forest of beautiful Douglas fir and lodgepole pine, with views across Jenny Lake to Teewinot Mountain. It’s one of the most popular starting points for mountaineers, and tent sites are hard to come by, so try to plan a mid-week trip, if possible.
All campsites in Jenny Lake are tent only, and no reservations are accepted. It’s worth noting that gas and propane generators are not allowed in the campground, and cell phone service is non-existent, so bring walkie talkies and solar panels to stay connected.
Headwaters Campground
- Type : Tent / RV
- Open : April 30 to October 10
- Cost : $47 to $93 per night
- Reservation : Yes
Nestled on the northern edge of Grand Teton, just a few miles from the south entrance of Yellowstone National Park, Headwaters Campground is a tent and RV-friendly camping area for people to get away from the hustle and bustle of Jackson.
There are 131 campsites at the campground, half of which are reservable and half of which are first-come, first-served. Each site has access to a picnic table, fire pit, and potable water.
The campground also has a camp store that sells ice, firewood, and other goodies for your stay. Oh, and Headwaters Campground also has flush toilets, hot showers, and laundry facilities available for you to enjoy.
Lizard Creek Campground
- Type : Tent / RV
- Open : April 30 to September 25 (approximately)
- Cost : $11 to $31 per night
- Reservation : No
One of the northernmost campgrounds in the Jackson Lake area, Lizard Creek is a small, rustic camping location that provides good access to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. It’s situated just across the lake from the northern edge of the Teton Range, including Owl and Ranger peaks.
Lizard Creek has 60 campsites, all of which are first-come, first-served. While this campground is open to both tent and RV campers, all vehicles have a strict 30’ maximum length.
The campground offers a picnic table and a fire ring at every campsite, plus potable water nearby. While amenities are simple and rustic at Lizard Creek, there’s a fully-outfitted camp store at the nearby Signal Mountain Lodge.
Signal Mountain Campground
- Type : Tent / RV
- Open : April 30 to September 25 (approximately)
- Cost : $11 to $56 per night
- Reservation : No
Offering excellent views of Mount Moran across Jackson Lake, the Signal Mountain Campground is located in a beautiful lodgepole pine forest in the southern part of the park. There are 81 campsites in the campground, 25 of which offer electric hookups.
Signal Mountain is open to tent campers and small RVs no more than 30’ long. All sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but be aware that this campground tends to fill up quickly on summer weekends.
The park has plenty of amenities, including fire pits, picnic tables, potable water, coin-operated showers, and a well-stocked camp store. There’s also access to the marina from Signal Mountain, so don’t forget your hiking sandals if you want to stroll by the lake.
Death Canyon Shelf Camping Zone
- Type : Tent / Horse
- Open : All year
- Cost : $45 per trip
- Reservation : Yes
One of Grand Teton’s excellent backcountry camping zones, Death Canyon Shelf is situated in the far southwestern portion of the park at the base of Mount Bannon. The camping zone is most commonly accessed via the Death Canyon Trail, a 10-mile hike into the alpine.
With 16 campsites and 1 horse camp, getting a permit for Death Canyon Shelf is difficult. This is one of the most popular backcountry camping zones in the entire park, so be sure to get a permit as soon as possible (applications usually start in January).
While rugged and stunning, Death Canyon Shelf is a primitive camping area. So, be prepared with all the gear you need to be self-sufficient, including a first aid kit for emergencies.
Paintbrush Canyon Camping Zones
- Type : Tent
- Open : All year
- Cost : $45 per trip
- Reservation : Yes
Located in the central part of Grand Teton National Park, the Paintbrush Canyon Camping Zones are an ideal camping area if you want to check out the heart of the Teton range.
The camping zones are split up into 2 sections. In the lower section of Paintbrush Canyon near String Lake, there are about 12 campsites available to backpackers. Alternatively, if you’re willing to hike a bit further with your gear, the Upper Paintbrush Camping Zone is open for dispersed camping to the south of Holly Lake.
Both camping zones require permits for overnight stays, which you can apply for as early as January each year. Be mindful that fires are prohibited at Upper Paintbrush Canyon, so bring plenty of warm hiking clothes on your trip, instead.
Cascade Canyon Camping Zones
- Type : Tent
- Open : All year
- Cost : $45 per trip
- Reservation : Yes
The Cascade Canyon Camping Zones are highly popular backcountry destinations. They are accessible from Jenny Lake and offer dozens of campsites for intrepid backcountry travelers.
Both the North Fork and the South Fork camping areas require permits to access, which you can apply for as early as January each year. From these primitive camping areas, you can access Lake Solitude, Avalanche Divide, and Hurricane Pass, as well as some excellent climbing destinations.
Due to the camping zone’s relative accessibility, getting permits during the summer months can be tricky, so consider visiting in the middle of the week. Also, it’s worth remembering that there are no amenities at these backcountry campsites, so come prepared with everything you need for the night, including camping meals.
Campgrounds near Grand Teton National Park
Atherton Creek Campground
- Type : Tent / RV
- Open : April 30 to September 30 (approximately)
- Cost : $15 to $25 per night
- Reservation : No
Nestled within the scenic Bridger-Teton National Forest, the Atherton Creek Campground is a popular choice for people that want a quiet place to spend the night.
The campground’s 22 campsites are all available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Atherton Creek is just a 15-minute drive from the town of Jackson and the national park, making it an affordable and serene camping alternative to the hustle and bustle of staying near town.
Within the campground, there are plenty of boating and fishing opportunities on the Gros Ventre River and Lower Slide Lake. Each campsite has access to picnic tables, potable water, and vault toilets, making for a comfortable, yet simple camping experience.
Crystal Creek Campground
- Type : Tent
- Open : April 30 to September 5 (approximately)
- Cost : $12 per night
- Reservation : No
Hidden along the Gros Ventre River banks, the Crystal Creek Campground is one of the smallest camping areas near Grand Teton National Park.
Although the campground has 6 campsites, only 3 are open for visitor use. No reservations are accepted for camping at Crystal Creek as everything is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground offers affordable nightly fees, picnic tables, drinking water, and vault toilets.
This small camping area also offers excellent hiking, OHV, and biking opportunities in Bridger-Teton National Forest if you’re looking for some more adventure off the beaten path or, perhaps a sunset hike. However, it’s just about a 1-hour drive from the campground to all of Grand Teton’s most popular attractions.
Curtis Canyon Campground
- Type : Tent / RV
- Open : April 30 to September 5 (approximately)
- Cost : $15 per night
- Reservation : No
Only a short 30-minute drive to the east of the city of Jackson, the Curtis Canyon Campground is an excellent place to stay if you want solitude but don’t want to be too far from the action.
The campground is located within the Bridger-Teton National Forest and doesn’t take reservations like all campgrounds in the forest. Within the campground, 11 campsites can accommodate either tents or small RVs.
It is very close to the National Elk Refuge, providing you with a great chance to see these magnificent creatures in action. With hiking and horseback riding trails located just a short drive from the campground and easy access to Grand Teton, Curtis Canyon is a nice place to stay if you want to see the greater Jackson Hole region during your trip.
Teton Canyon Campground
- Type : Tent / RV / Horse
- Open : May 15 to October 15 (approximately)
- Cost : $12 to $24 per night
- Reservation : Yes
One of the few established campgrounds near the western side of Grand Teton National Park, the Teton Canyon Campground is a cozy camping area in Caribou-Targhee National Forest near the town of Driggs, Idaho.
The campground is located at 6,500’ above sea level and it offers excellent access to the western Teton’s hiking and horseback riding trails. Teton Canyon Campground was recently renovated and each campsite has picnic tables, grills, fire pits, and a food storage locker.
For horse packers, there are also 2 dedicated equestrian sites to check out. Plus, there are great fly fishing opportunities in the nearby Teton Creek, which is home to both Yellowstone cutthroat and brook trout.
Gaby Pilson
Gaby is a professional mountain guide with a master’s degree in outdoor education. She works primarily in the polar regions as an expedition guide, though she can be found hiking, climbing, skiing, sailing, or paddling in some of the world’s most amazing places when not at work.
