The 6 Best Campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park

THE HUB

Colter Bay Campground is Grand Teton's busiest and most developed camping hub. With 373 sites spread across multiple loops, it caters to everyone—standard nonelectric sites, electric hookups, group camping, and hiker-bicyclist walk-in spots. You'll find laundry, showers, RV dump stations, propane, and even WiFi at select locations.

The location delivers: steps to Jackson Lake for boating and fishing, and short walks reveal dramatic views of Mount Moran and the northern Teton Range. The adjacent Colter Bay Village includes a marina with boat rentals, a restaurant, grocery store, and gift shop.

ACTIVITIES & NEARBY

Guided fishing trips, scenic float trips on the Snake River, and water-based explorations depart from the marina. On land, hiking trails ring Jackson Lake, and the Indian Arts and Cultural Demonstration Program runs at the nearby Colter Bay Visitor Center.

RESERVATION TIMING

This campground fills within hours of the Recreation.gov opening at 6 months in advance. Mid-May arrival is guaranteed only if you book within minutes of release. For June arrivals (less crowded, warmer), you'll have more flexibility. Maximum stay is 14 nights; quiet hours are 10 PM to 8 AM.

INTIMATE & ICONIC

Jenny Lake Campground is the smallest and most intimate option in the park. Fifty-one tent-only sites spread across two loops, with a strict 7-night maximum stay that keeps the campground turning over and prevents entrenched tent cities. No trailers, campers, pop-ups, or generators—this is intentional: the silence and the wilderness baseline matter here.

Sitting a few hundred yards from Jenny Lake's eastern shore, the campground straddles a glacial moraine ringed by lodgepole pine. Views reach up to Teewinot Mountain and Mount St. John. This is the base camp for the park's most iconic dayhikes: Cascade Canyon, Inspiration Point, and the scramble routes on the Tetons themselves.

ACCESS & LOGISTICS

The Jenny Lake Ranger Station is on-site for backcountry and climbing permits. A short walk across a moraine reaches the lake's shore and the trailhead for Cascade Canyon—the gateway to the central Teton wilderness. Facilities are minimal: flush toilets, picnic tables, fire pits, and bear-proof food lockers. Hot showers are available (2 token-operated for all 51 sites)—bring coins. No WiFi or internet.

BOOKING & WEATHER

This campground fills fastest because hikers and Teton mountaineers plan around it. Book exactly 6 months ahead if you want July or August. The 7-night limit means you can extend a trip but not settle in long-term. Nights are cold year-round—frost is possible even in August. July–August bring warm days (70s°F) and afternoon thunderstorms. September is crisp and clear, with fewer crowds.

CENTRAL COMFORT

Signal Mountain Campground straddles the sweet spot between accessibility and scenery. Eighty sites spread across three loops, with electric hookups available in loops 1 and 2 (24 total 30-amp and 50-amp sites). The campground sits on slightly elevated terrain just above Jackson Lake's southeastern shore, offering views of Mount Moran and the northern Teton Range.

The Signal Mountain Lodge is right adjacent—a general store, restaurant, bar, and gift shop mean you don't have to leave for coffee or a meal. Boat rentals and guided fishing and float trips depart from the lodge's marina.

HIKING & EXPLORATION

Two signature hikes start nearby: the 2-mile lakeshore trail offering lake-and-mountain vistas with minimal elevation gain, and the 6-mile Signal Mountain summit loop. The central location means day trips to Jenny Lake (south), Colter Bay (north), and the Snake River Overlook scenic drive are all 15–30 minutes away.

SEASON & BOOKING

Signal Mountain opens earlier (late spring) and closes later (late fall) than most park campgrounds, making it ideal for shoulder-season trips when weather is unpredictable but crowds are lighter. Four comfort stations, potable water, flush toilets, and hot water are available. Quiet hours are 10 PM to 8 AM. Maximum stay is 14 nights.

THE WILDLIFE CHOICE

Gros Ventre Campground is the park's largest, with 322 sites spread across multiple loops in a cottonwood forest interspersed with sagebrush. It's the place to be if wildlife is your draw: bison herds, moose, and mule deer are routine sightings along the adjacent Gros Ventre River and throughout the campground. The setting is less manicured and bustling than Colter Bay—more space between sites, quieter atmosphere, and a genuine backcountry feel despite the size.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Gros Ventre is the only main park campground without shower facilities—bring wet wipes or plan visits around laundromats at other sites. Flush toilets, water spigots, picnic tables, fire pits, and bear-proof food lockers are standard. Generators are permitted only in loops A, B, C, and the East Corridor, 8 AM–8 PM. Quiet hours are 10 PM to 8 AM.

TIMING & BOOKING

This campground's season (late April–early October) is the longest of any in the park. It's the first to open in spring and the last to close in fall, making it perfect for those chasing shoulder seasons. June and September offer warm days, cool nights, and substantially fewer crowds than July–August. Maximum stay is 14 nights.

REMOTE & RUSTIC

Lizard Creek is for those seeking solitude and a step back in time. Sixty sites, nearly half of them walk-in tent pads, sit on the northern shore of Jackson Lake in a forest of spruce and fir. There's no RV hookups, no generator electricity, and no boat ramp—intentionally. The campground is 11 miles south of Yellowstone's south entrance and 8 miles north of Colter Bay, making it a quiet alternative for those willing to accept fewer amenities in exchange for fewer neighbors.

Three comfort stations provide flush toilets and potable water. Picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-proof food boxes are scattered throughout. Walk-in tent sites range from short walks to longer approaches through the forest—solitude is earned, but views of northern Jackson Lake and the Teton Range reward the effort.

ACTIVITIES & PROXIMITY

Hiking and fishing on Jackson Lake's northern arm dominate the experience. Kayaking and canoeing are excellent here, though you'll need to bring your own vessel. For those based at Lizard Creek, day trips to Yellowstone's south entrance (45 minutes) or back south to the central Tetons (30 minutes) are manageable.

SEASON & BOOKING

Lizard Creek opens later in spring (dates vary; check with the park) and closes earlier in fall than Colter Bay or Jenny Lake. This limits shoulder-season access but guarantees a shorter, more predictable summer window and fewer crowds. Maximum stay is 14 nights, with 6 occupants per site strictly enforced and a maximum of 1 vehicle and 2 tents per site.

RV HEADQUARTERS

Colter Bay RV Park is the dedicated full-hookup destination for RVers in Grand Teton. One hundred twelve RV-only sites offer sewer, water, and 20/30/50-amp electrical hookups—everything needed for extended stays with all the comforts of home. Pull-through sites accommodate RVs and tow vehicles up to 45 feet total length; back-in sites fit vehicles up to 30 feet. Six sites are ADA wheelchair-accessible.

The park sits in a lodgepole pine forest with Mount Moran and Teton Range views. The adjacent Colter Bay Village includes a restaurant, grocery store, gift shop, and full-service marina with boat rentals and guided fishing and float trips.

AMENITIES & RESTRICTIONS

On-site facilities include flush toilets at each site, laundry (fee-based), showers (fee-based), and propane service. Picnic tables and bear-proof food storage boxes are standard. One crucial distinction: NO GENERATOR USE is permitted anywhere—plan accordingly by arriving with a full charge and managing power consumption. Gas and charcoal grills are OK; wood fires are prohibited. Quiet hours run 10 PM to 8 AM.

LOCATION & BOOKING

The RV Park opens early May and closes early October. Book 6 months ahead for July–August via Recreation.gov. Check-in is after 12 PM; check-out is 11 AM. Maximum stay is 14 nights (30-night cumulative across all Grand Teton campgrounds). The park is adjacent to horse corrals and an activities desk—horseback rides and ranger programs depart from the area.