Jenny Lake Campground

Two tents - one gray and one yellow - with Mount Teewinot in the background

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.

Quick facts

Reservation System: Recreation.gov
Reservation Window: 6 months in advance
Reservation Tips: Set a phone alarm 6 months before your trip date. Peak-season (July-August) spaces vanish within minutes of booking window opening. Hiker-bicyclist sites don't require advance booking—arrive early morning (7-8 am) for walk-up chances.
Season Dates: May 3 - September 26

Reservations & season

Reservation System: Recreation.gov
Reservation Window: 6 months in advance
Reservation Tips: Set a phone alarm 6 months before your trip date. Peak-season (July-August) spaces vanish within minutes of booking window opening. Hiker-bicyclist sites don't require advance booking—arrive early morning (7-8 am) for walk-up chances.
Season Dates: May 3 - September 26
Fills Up Speed: Books instantly (fills before 9 am peak season)
Per Night Cost: $56 per night (tent camper with vehicle); $13 per night (hiker-bicyclist)
Extra Vehicle Fees: One vehicle per site maximum; additional vehicles not permitted
Day Use Fees: No day-use fee; park entrance $35/vehicle (7-day pass)
Passes Accepted: America the Beautiful annual pass ($80); Senior and Access pass discounts available

Sites & RV fit

Sites Total: 61
Site Types: Tent-only; includes hiker-bicyclist walk-up sites
Site Type Breakdown: 51 tent sites (reservable); 10 hiker-bicyclist sites (first-come, first-serve)
RV Max Length: RVs and trailers prohibited
Group Sites Available: 0
Group Site Capacity: None available
Hookups: Dry camping only; no hookups
Site Features: Picnic table, fire ring (metal grate), bear box, paved tent pad
Ground Type: Paved or gravel tent pads on glacial moraine; well-drained, level
Site Privacy: Tucked in pines with natural separation between sites; modest privacy for a high-demand campground; expect company in July-August

Facilities

Bathroom Types: Flush toilets (seasonal)
Showers Available: Coin-operated showers (seasonal, south of campground); bring quarters
Potable Water: Spigots available (seasonal); bring backup water container
Dump Station: No dump station on-site
Trash Service: Dumpsters provided (seasonal)
Camp Store: Yes—seasonal (ice and firewood available)
Firewood Availability: Firewood for sale at camp store (seasonal). Downed and dead wood gathering allowed within campground.
Cell Service: Good year-round signal; may be spotty within campground
Nearby Facilities: Jackson, WY (15 miles south): full groceries, lodging, medical services, restaurants. Moose Village (8 miles): fuel, limited supplies.

Access

Road Type: Paved
Road Conditions: Paved loop roads, generally level with one hill at each end. No washboards. All standard vehicles navigate easily.
Vehicle Restrictions: No trailers, campers, cab-over campers, or pop-top vans. No generators. Height limit 8 feet; length limit 14 feet.
Clearance Needed: Standard
Gate Hours: Open dawn to dusk during operating season
Distance From Entrance: 8 miles from South Park entrance (Moose Junction); 12 miles from North Park entrance (Jackson Lake Junction)
Nearest Gas Services: Jackson, WY (15 miles south) for fuel, food, and supplies
Elevation: ~6,700 feet
Accessibility: Paved loop roads generally level (one hill each end); accessible restrooms with flush toilets; accessible showers south of campground (unisex). ADA parking near registration kiosk.
ADA Accessible Sites: 3 ADA-compliant tent sites; paved loop roads and accessible restrooms; accessible showers available south of campground

Rules & safety

Bear Country: Yes
Food Storage Requirements: Bear boxes provided at every site. All food and scented items must be stored at all times. 100-yard minimum distance from bears/wolves while hiking.
Fire Restrictions: Campfires allowed in metal fire grates only. No gathering of live wood. Seasonal fire bans may apply during extreme conditions.
Pets Allowed: Yes
Pet Restrictions: Dogs must be on leash ≤6 feet within 30 feet of roadways. Not allowed on multi-use pathways, park trails, or backcountry.
Generator Hours: Generators prohibited
Quiet Hours: 10 pm - 6 am
Max Stay Limit: 7 nights at Jenny Lake; 30 nights combined across all Grand Teton campgrounds
Alcohol Permitted: 1

What it is like

Onsite Activities: Hiking to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point; Jenny Lake scenic trail; lake boating; ranger programs (seasonal); wildlife viewing
Trailheads Nearby: Hidden Falls trailhead (1 mile via scenic trail); Inspiration Point; Jenny Lake Loop (3.6 miles); Cascade Canyon; Lake Solitude
Fishing Details: Consult current NPS fishing regulations; license required for all anglers 16+
Wildlife Viewing: Moose, mule deer, black bears, bald eagles, coyotes. Maintain 100-yard minimum from bears/wolves; 25 yards from other wildlife.
Stargazing Quality: Good stargazing; minimal light pollution in remote alpine location
Shade Coverage: Open forest of lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, and Douglas fir; moderate shade coverage
Scenic Views: Teewinot Mountain, Cascade Canyon, and Mount St. John across Jenny Lake; open forest with Teton range backdrop
Noise Level: Quiet during day; some evening noise from other campers and nearby stream; wildlife sounds in early morning
Best Time To Visit: Late June through early September. Sweet spot: mid-July through early August (warmest, mostly dry). September offers fewer crowds and crisp mountain mornings.
Vibe Check: 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.
Camp Here If Skip If: ✅ 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).
Tips Advice: Bring wool socks—nights drop to 40°F even in July-August.
Stake your tent with guylines; wind picks up on the moraine.
Book exactly 6 months ahead; peak-season sites vanish in minutes.
Fill water early; spigots may slow by afternoon.
Store ALL food and toiletries in bear boxes; take it seriously.
The 10 hiker-bicyclist sites are first-come, first-serve—best for spontaneous visitors.
Download offline maps; cell service spotty inside campground.
Bring a headlamp; darkness falls fast at high elevation.

More details

Park Area: Jenny Lake
Sites Tent Only: 51
Family Friendly Notes: 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.
Senior Access Discounts: Senior and Access pass discounts apply to camping fees
Amphitheater: No amphitheater on-site; ranger programs held seasonally
Boat Launch: Hand-carry boat launch at Jenny Lake; scenic boat tours available
Nearby Attractions: Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, Cascade Canyon, Teton Peak viewpoints, Colter Bay Visitor Center (15 miles north), Cathedral Group Turnout, Chapel of the Transfiguration
Terrain Type: Glacial moraine with gentle slopes; well-drained
Temperature Ranges: July-August: highs 75-80°F, lows 40-50°F. June/September: highs 65-70°F, lows 35-45°F. May: highs 55-65°F, lows 30-40°F. Frost possible any month.
Snow Season: Snow possible April-May and September-October; heavy snow December-March (campground closed)
Monsoon Season: Afternoon thunderstorms common July-August; afternoon showers June-September. Lightning risk on exposed terrain.
Wind Exposure: Moraine setting exposed to wind; shelter not guaranteed. Stake tents firmly with guylines.
Bug Season: Mosquitoes active June-August; bring bug spray. Biting flies possible July-August.
Setup Strategy: 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.
Bath Laundry Recon: 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.
Review Summary: 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.

Location

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my RV or trailer?

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.

Do I need a reservation?

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.

Are there bears?

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.

Will showers be open when I visit?

Coin-op showers are available seasonally (typically May-September). Bring quarters; they're reliable and clean. Check with campground host on arrival day.

Can I use a generator?

No. Generators are prohibited to protect the quiet alpine experience and wildlife habitat.

What's the cell service like?

Good year-round signal from most carriers, but spotty within the campground proper. Download offline maps before arrival to avoid surprises.

Is this a good base camp for day hikes?

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.