The Best Camping in Grand Teton National Park in 2022

Are you planning a camping trip to Grand Teton National Park but aren’t sure which campground to choose? If so, this guide is here to help!

Grand Teton National Park is filled with incredible hikes, scenic drives, and must-do adventures. Plus, there’s no shortage of places to stay near all the best things to do in Grand Teton.

Camping in Grand Teton allows you to stay close to trailheads, save money, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Teton Range.

In this post, you’ll find an overview of the best camping in Grand Teton National Park, plus tips on reserving a campsite and essential information for planning your camping trip.

Are you looking for more ideas for your trip to Grand Teton? Check out these posts!

Grand Teton Campsites Overview

There are seven campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park: Colter Bay, Colter Bay RV Park, Headwaters, Lizard Creek, Signal Mountain, Jenny Lake, and Gros Ventre.

The National Park Service manages these campgrounds, and you can make reservations via Recreation.gov.

Before diving into the details of each campground, here’s a quick overview of the seven campgrounds inside Grand Teton National Park.

Campground	2022 Dates	Reserve	Sites	Amenities
Colter Bay	5/26-9/24	Yes	357	Flush Toilets, Laundry, Dump Station, General Store
Colter Bay RV Park	5/5-10/8	Yes	112	Flush Toilets, Laundry, Dump Station, General Store
Gros Ventre	4/29-10/9	Yes	322	Flush Toilets, Dump Station
Headwaters	5/13-10/1	Yes	131	Flush Toilets, Showers
Jenny Lake	5/6-9/24	Yes	61	Flush Toilets, Showers
Lizard Creek	6/10-9/11	Yes	60	Flush Toilets
Signal Mountain	5/13-10/15	Yes	81	Flush Toilets, Laundry, Showers, Dump Station, General Store

Do you have to reserve Grand Teton campgrounds?

Yes, all seven campgrounds in Grand Teton require reservations. All reservations are open six months in advance via Recreation.gov. If you don’t want to make a reservation, a handful of campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park or nearby Bridger-Teton National Forest offer first-come, first-served camping.

I recommend making a camping reservation in Grand Teton as soon as possible. Given the short camping season (May to early October), campsites are in high demand.

Read More: 12 Best Campgrounds in Yellowstone

How to Book a Grand Teton Campground

All Grand Teton National Park campgrounds require reservations through Recreation.gov. Here are a couple of essential things to note for making reservations:

• Reservations open on a rolling 6-month basis. For example, a campsite reservation for July 1, 2023, opens on January 1, 2023, at 8 AM mountain time.
• Book these campgrounds as soon as reservations open six months out. Campgrounds book up very quickly. For the best selection, create an account on Recreation.gov in advance and be ready to book at 8 AM on the day reservations open.
• Pick your campsite ahead of time. On Recreation.gov, you book a specific campsite. Be prepared to secure the correct type of site for your set-up (tent-only or RV). I recommend picking out a couple just in case the campsite you had your eye on is booked.

Recreation.gov Reservation Tip
Campgrounds on Recreation.gov get booked quickly. I recommend adding a campsite to your cart right away when reservations are released. You can hold a campsite in your cart for 15 minutes before it is released. During that 15 minutes, I go back and check if I can find a more desirable site. If I can, I’ll add that one to my cart. If not, I will book the one I’ve already added to my cart.

Tips for Camping at Grand Teton National Park

• A camping reservation in Grand Teton does not cover your park entry fee. I highly recommend purchasing the America the Beautiful National Park Pass before your trip. This pass gets you into Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, plus 400 more national park sites! Get your annual national park pass here for only $80.
• There are no RV hookups at Jenny Lake Campground or Lizard Creek Campground. All other campgrounds have either electric-only hookups or full hookups.
• Dump stations are only available at specific campgrounds. You’ll find dump stations at Colter Bay, Gros Ventre, and Signal Mountain campgrounds.
• Campsites for RVs 30+ feet in length are relatively limited. You’ll need to check the restrictions and max lengths for each campground before making a reservation. I recommend booking at Colter Bay RV Park for those with Class A motorhomes.
• Fire restrictions can happen in the summer. Typically from July through September, the park may limit when and where you can have fires. These restrictions include wood and charcoal fires in campgrounds. If you’re visiting in the summer, I recommend bringing a propane stove to cook your food.
• Grand Teton National Park is in bear country. Protect wildlife by storing all food, trash, and scented items (including toothpaste, deodorant, and sunscreen) inside the food locker at your campsite. You can read more here about bear safety in Grand Teton.
• Pets are allowed in campgrounds but are not permitted on hiking trails and cannot be left unattended. Therefore, if you plan to bring a pet, you will need to plan for someone to stay with them at the campsite during the day if you plan to hike. Read more about pets in Grand Teton.
• Cell service is limited in most areas of the park. Be sure to download your campground details or take a screenshot before arriving at the park.

Looking for more tips on what to pack for your trip? Check out my guides on the best hiking gear, what to pack for a road trip, and essential camping gear for all my favorite gear picks and tips to make packing for your trip a breeze!

Best Grand Teton National Park Campgrounds

There are seven campgrounds located inside Grand Teton National Park. The best one for your trip will depend on your interests, amenity preference, and trip dates. Keep reading for all the details on the campgrounds located in Grand Teton.

All campgrounds in Grand Teton offer picnic tables, fire pits, and flush toilets.

Colter Bay Campground

• 2022 Operating Dates: May 26 to September 24
• Sites: 357
• Reservations: Yes, via Recreation.gov
• Hookups: 13 sites with electric-only
• Max RV Length: 45 feet
• Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
• Amenities: Flush Toilets, Laundry, Dump Station, General Store
• What’s Nearby: Colter Bay Village, Lakeshore Trail, Jackson Lake, Colter Bay Visitor Center, Colter Bay Cabins

Colter Bay Campground is the largest in Grand Teton National Park. This large, forested campground offers relatively private campsites with excellent access to amenities and restaurants in Colter Bay Village, only a short walk to Jackson Lake.

Here you’ll find 324 standard campsites that can accommodate both tents and RVs, plus ten hiker/biker sites, 10 group sites, and 13 campsites with electric hookups. Colter Bay Village is only a short walk away, providing campers access to a general store, several restaurants, laundry facilities, and more.

Reserve a campsite at Colter Bay Campground here.

Colter Bay RV Park

• 2022 Operating Dates: May 5 to October 8
• Sites: 112
• Reservations: Yes, via Recreation.gov
• Hookups: All sites have full hookups
• Max RV Length: No stated maximum
• Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
• Amenities: Flush Toilets, Laundry, Dump Station, General Store
• What’s Nearby: Colter Bay Village, Lakeshore Trail, Jackson Lake, Colter Bay Visitor Center, Colter Bay Cabins

Located next door to Colter Bay Campground, the RV Park is an excellent option for those looking for a campsite with full hookups. This RV-specific campground can accommodate motorhomes of all sizes with both pull-through and back-in sites.

In Colter Bay RV Park, you’ll find 102 pull-through sites with full hookups and ten back-in sites with full hookups. Plus, you’re within walking distance to laundry facilities, restaurants, a general store, and the visitor center in Colter Bay Village!

Reserve a campsite at Colter Bay RV Park here.

Gros Ventre Campground

• 2022 Operating Dates: April 29 to October 9
• Sites: 322 
• Reservations: Yes, via Recreation.gov
• Hookups: 39 sites with electric-only
• Max RV Length: 45 feet
• Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
• Amenities: Flush Toilets, Dump Station
• What’s Nearby: Mormon Row, Moose Park Entrance, Craig Thomas Discovery Center

Gros Ventre Campground is located in the southern part of Grand Teton, near Jackson. With 322 sites, it’s the second large campground in the park, second to Colter Bay Campground. The campground sites along the Gros Ventre River providing excellent views of the surrounding region, including the Tetons!

Here you’ll find 279 standard campsites that can accommodate both tents and RVs, plus 39 sites with electric-only hookups and 4 group sites. Campers can enjoy a prime location in Grand Teton, plus access to a convenient RV dump station.

Reserve a campsite at Gros Ventre Campground here.

Headwaters Campground

• 2022 Operating Dates: May 13 to October 1
• Sites: 131
• Reservations: Yes, via Recreation.gov
• Hookups: 97 sites with full hookups
• Max RV Length: 45 feet
• Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
• Amenities: Flush Toilets, Showers
• What’s Nearby: Headwaters Lodge at Flagg Ranch, Flagg Ranch Information Station 

Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch is located in the far northern part of Grand Teton along John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. This campground is roughly halfway between Yellowstone and Grand Teton, making it perfect for those exploring both national parks on one trip.

The large campground has 34 standard sites to accommodate tents and RVs, plus 97 additional full hookup pull-through RV sites. Campers can enjoy access to the nearby restaurant, lodge, and ranger information station.

Reserve a campsite at Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch here.

Jenny Lake Campground

• 2022 Operating Dates: May 6 to September 24
• Sites: 61 (Tent Only)
• Reservations: Yes, via Recreation.gov
• Hookups: None
• Max RV Length: RVs not allowed
• Wheelchair Accessible: No
• Amenities: Flush Toilets, Showers
• What’s Nearby: Jenny Lake, Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, Cascade Canyon Trail, String Lake, Leigh Lake, Jenny Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Visitor Center

Jenny Lake Campground is the only campground in Grand Teton that is tent-only. It also has arguably the best location in the park, nestled along the shores of the ultra-scenic Jenny Lake. From your campsite, you can take in incredible Teton Range views and have access to many of the best hiking trails in the park.

With 61 tent-only sites, campers will enjoy a quieter camping experience in the forested campground with excellent opportunities for spotting wildlife. Campers here can enjoy flush toilets, nearby showers, and all that the prime location near Jenny Lake has to offer.

Jenny Lake Campground is easily one of the most popular campgrounds in the park, so be sure to book when reservations are releasable for the best availability.

Reserve a campsite at Jenny Lake Campground here.

Lizard Creek Campground

• 2022 Operating Dates: June 10 to September 11
• Sites: 60
• Reservations: Yes, via Recreation.gov
• Hookups: None
• Max RV Length: 30 feet
• Wheelchair Accessible: No
• Amenities: Flush Toilets
• What’s Nearby: Jackson Lake, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Highway

Lizard Creek Campground is the least developed campground in Grand Teton National Park. While the campground still offers amenities like flush toilets, you won’t find laundry, showers, or RV hookups here.

The campground is heavily wooded with 60 tent and RV-friendly campsites, providing plenty of privacy. If you’re looking for a less crowded, more secluded camping experience, choose to stay at Lizard Creek in Grand Teton.

Reserve a campsite at Lizard Creek Campground here.

Signal Mountain Campground

• 2022 Operating Dates: May 13 to October 15
• Sites: 81
• Reservations: Yes, via Recreation.gov
• Hookups: 25 sites with electric-only
• Max RV Length: 30 feet
• Wheelchair Accessible: No
• Amenities: Flush Toilets, Laundry, Showers, Dump Station, General Store
• What’s Nearby: Signal Mountain Lodge, Signal Mountain Summit Road, Jackson Lake

Signal Mountain Campground is centrally located along Teton Park Road in the heart of Grand Teton. Its location near Signal Mountain Lodge offers plenty of amenities, like restaurants and a general store. Plus, its tree-filled campsites provide guests with some privacy.

Here you’ll find 56 standard campsites that can accommodate both tents and RVs, plus an additional 25 sites with electric-only hookups. The location of Signal Mountain Campground makes it the perfect home base for exploring all that Grand Teton offers.

Reserve a campsite at Signal Mountain Campground here.

Best Campgrounds Near Grand Teton National Park

If camping in Grand Teton National Park is already full or you are interested in first-come, first-served camping, consider staying in one of the many campgrounds outside Grand Teton.

Nearby Bridger-Teton National Forest offers several options for first-come, first-served camping:

• Atherton Creek Campground – Beautiful, quiet campground with 22 campsites along Lower Slide Lake, about 40 minutes from the Moose Entrance of Grand Teton.
• Crystal Creek Campground – Small, peaceful campground with seven campsites along the Gros Ventre River and Crystal Creek, located 45 minutes from the Moose Entrance of Grand Teton
• Curtis Canyon Campground – Wooded campground with 12 campsites near the National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole, about 45 minutes from the Moose Entrance of Grand Teton

Dispersed camping is also allowed in Bridger-Teton National Forest. You can read more about boondocking and dispersed camping in the national forest.

Best Backcountry Campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park

If you’re looking to explore off-the-beaten-path, backcountry camping in Grand Teton is an excellent option. Popular backpacking campgrounds include the Death Canyon Shelf, Paintbrush Canyon, and Cascade Canyon camping zones.

Backpackers are required to get backcountry permits year-round. The best way to get permit reservations is via Recreation.gov. Reservations open up at the beginning of January for each summer season and sell out quickly. 

After mid-May, reservations are no longer offered, and backcountry permits are only provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Read more here about backcountry camping in Grand Teton.

Where to Stay When Campgrounds at Grand Teton National Park Are Booked

If you find campgrounds in Grand Teton are already full for your trip dates, consider staying at a campground or hotel outside of the park instead. It’s also worth checking to see if any of the seven lodges inside Grand Teton have any availability.

Typically, accommodation outside the park doesn’t fill up as far in advance. Plus, staying outside the park tends to be more budget-friendly.

Read More: Best Hotels Near Grand Teton

These are the best hotels near Grand Teton National Park:

• The Lexington at Jackson Hole is a 3-star hotel near Jackson Town Square with 89 guestrooms, a complimentary buffet breakfast, and an indoor pool.
• Homewood Suites by Hilton is a pet-friendly 3-star chain hotel with a spa, 41 guestrooms, complimentary to-go breakfast, and an indoor pool.
• Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole is a mountain hotel with a restaurant, 69 guestrooms, hot tub, and fitness center near Jackson Town Square.

There are also several affordable Airbnb rentals in the area. Read more about the best Airbnbs near Grand Teton & Yellowstone here.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Campground in Grand Teton National Park

Final Thoughts on the Best Camping in Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is an excellent camping destination. There’s a wide selection from campgrounds near popular Jenny Lake to more private sites at Lizard Creek.

You’ll find the best camping in Grand Teton National Park at these campgrounds:

1. Colter Bay Campground
2. Colter Bay RV Park
3. Gros Ventre Campground
4. Headwaters Campground
5. Jenny Lake Campground
6. Lizard Creek Campground
7. Signal Mountain Campground

If you want to learn more about Grand Teton National Park, check out these posts!

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