CampgroundColter Bay Tent Village
66 tent cabins with bunks and wood stoves near Jackson Lake. Bring sleeping bags; book early on Recreation.gov.
Jenny Lake
Jenny Lake Campground is a small, intimate 61-site tent-only campground straddling a glacial moraine with open lodgepole forest. All sites feature a picnic table, fire ring, and bear box; 51 are reservable, 10 are hiker-bicyclist walk-up. Located mere yards from Jenny Lake's east shore with unobstructed views of Teewinot Mountain, Cascade Canyon, and Mount St. John across the water. This is high-elevation alpine camping at ~6,700 ft—expect cold nights (down to 40°F even July-August), afternoon thunderstorms June-September, and the constant hum of serious hikers gearing up for Teton trailheads.
✅ BOOK IF: Tent campers seeking high-alpine lake setting with direct hike access; families comfortable with 40°F lows and no hookups; backpackers using hiker-bicyclist sites for trailhead staging; anyone prioritizing scenery and trail access over creature comforts. ❌ SKIP IF: RV travelers (prohibited), anyone needing 50-amp power or year-round showers, visitors uncomfortable with cold alpine nights, campers seeking isolation (tight spacing in peak season), trailers or cab-over campers (height/length restricted).
Tent-only; includes hiker-bicyclist walk-up sites
Teewinot Mountain, Cascade Canyon, and Mount St. John across Jenny Lake; open forest with Teton range backdrop
Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, Cascade Canyon, Teton Peak viewpoints, Colter Bay Visitor Center (15 miles north), Cathedral Group Turnout, Chapel of the Transfiguration
Excellent for families. No playground, but lake proximity and short trail access. Cold nights may challenge young kids—plan layering. Ranger programs teach Leave No Trace and wildlife safety. Hiker-bicyclist sites ideal for families with older kids biking in.
Late June through early September. Sweet spot: mid-July through early August (warmest, mostly dry). September offers fewer crowds and crisp mountain mornings.
Drive to campground entrance on Teton Park Road (paved). Proceed to loop road—all paved with gentle grades. At kiosk, receive site assignment. Paved pad fits tent footprint; most sites level with minimal blocking needed. Configuration varies (back-in or pull-through). Position tent on pad, nose toward fire grate and table. Maximum vehicle 14 feet long (small SUVs fit; no RVs). Setup time: ~15 minutes.
High-elevation alpine campground with intimate forested setting. Not a parking-lot feel—natural separation by pines creates modest privacy. Vibe: Serious Hikers + Families = respectful crowd. Quiet hours observed. Evening breeze through pines, sunrise views of Tetons. Crowded in July-August, quieter June and September. Expect neighbors but not shoulder-to-shoulder.
SHOWERS: Coin-op heated showers south of campground (seasonal, typically May-September). Bring quarters; reliable and clean shared facilities. Plan off-peak visits for shorter lines. NO LAUNDRY on-site. TOILETS: Flush toilets in restroom blocks (seasonal). Water and soap provided. Plan washing small items in lake or creek for deeper cleaning.
Campers praise the intimate setting, direct lake access, and trailhead proximity. Most report sites filling before 9 am in July-August. Common concerns: cold nights and high wind exposure; some note sites are tightly spaced for a 'private' alpine experience. Experienced hikers love it; families appreciate the scenic baseline.
Tent-only; includes hiker-bicyclist walk-up sites
Hiking to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point; Jenny Lake scenic trail; lake boating; ranger programs (seasonal); wildlife viewing
Recreation.gov (Booking: 6 months in advance)
Pets Allowed - Dogs must be on leash ≤6 feet within 30 feet of roadways. Not allowed on multi-use pathways, park trails, or backcountry.
To Park Entrance
8 miles from South Park entrance (Moose Junction); 12 miles from North Park entrance (Jackson Lake Junction)
Elevation
~6,700 feet
" Campers praise the intimate setting, direct lake access, and trailhead proximity. Most report sites filling before 9 am in July-August. Common concerns: cold nights and high wind exposure; some note sites are tightly spaced for a 'private' alpine experience. Experienced hikers love it; families appreciate the scenic baseline."
No. RVs, trailers, cab-over campers, and pop-top vans are prohibited. Maximum vehicle height 8 feet, length 14 feet. This is tent-only camping.
Yes, strongly recommended. Recreation.gov opens booking 6 months ahead; July-August sites fill within minutes. Hiker-bicyclist sites are first-come, first-serve—arrive by 8 am for walk-up chances.
Yes. Food storage in bear boxes is mandatory. Maintain 100 yards from bears/wolves while hiking. Follow all Leave No Trace rules; a single food violation can result in site closure.
Coin-op showers are available seasonally (typically May-September). Bring quarters; they're reliable and clean. Check with campground host on arrival day.
No. Generators are prohibited to protect the quiet alpine experience and wildlife habitat.
Good year-round signal from most carriers, but spotty within the campground proper. Download offline maps before arrival to avoid surprises.
Excellent. Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and Cascade Canyon trailheads are 1-3 miles away. Jenny Lake Loop is walkable from camp. Many hikers do 2-3 day trips per camping stay.
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