Grand Teton Camping: Which Campground to Choose, Reservations and Fees

By Victoria Boissonade · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Grand Teton

In a nutshell: Grand Teton National Park has 8 NPS campgrounds with a total of 1,154 sites. Nearly all operate by reservation through Recreation.gov; Jenny Lake also offers first-come, first-served sites. Published rates range from $49 to $112 per night, depending on the campground.

Campgrounds in the park (8)

• Campground Gros Ventre Campground recreation.gov · 279 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Jenny Lake Campground recreation.gov · 61 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Signal Mountain Campground recreation.gov · 81 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Colter Bay Campground recreation.gov · 324 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Colter Bay RV Park see NPS · 112 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Colter Bay Tent Village recreation.gov · 66 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Lizard Creek Campground recreation.gov · 60 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Headwaters Campground see NPS · 171 sites Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

Can you camp inside Grand Teton?

Yes. The park's 8 NPS campgrounds stretch from the north (Flagg Ranch) to the foot of the Tetons (Jenny Lake). None stay open year-round. They all close for winter, sometime between early September and mid-October depending on the campground. Outside designated sites, camping is prohibited in the frontcountry. Only permitted backcountry camping is allowed in remote areas.

Campgrounds inside the park

There are 8 NPS campgrounds with 1,154 sites in all. The table associated with this page summarizes the figures for each campground, including site counts, rates, services, and opening dates. The sections below cover what the table doesn't tell you: each campground's atmosphere, limitations, and the trade-offs involved.

Jenny Lake Campground

With 61 sites, including 51 tent-only sites, Jenny Lake is the park's smallest and most sought-after campground. Its lakeside location, just minutes from the trails leading to Cascade Canyon, explains the demand. It uses a mixed system: some sites are reserved through Recreation.gov, while others are first-come, first-served. In peak season, the campground often fills before 9 a.m. Rate: $56 per night. Closes in late September.

Signal Mountain Campground

There are 81 sites in all, including 25 with electrical hookups. The maximum vehicle length is 30 feet, so large trailers and long motorhomes can't fit. The campground often fills before noon during peak season. Showers, a dump station, and a store are available on-site. Rate: $55 per night. Closes in mid-October.

Colter Bay Campground and Colter Bay RV Park

The Colter Bay area has three separate campgrounds, with very different comfort levels and rates.

Colter Bay Campground is the park's largest campground, with 324 sites, including 13 with electricity and 10 group sites. Showers, a dump station, a store, bear lockers, and laundry facilities are available. Maximum length: 45 feet. Rate: $59 per night. Closes in late September.

Colter Bay RV Park has 112 sites exclusively for RVs, all with electrical hookups. It's the best-equipped option for RVs in the park, but also the most expensive at $112 per night. Showers and laundry facilities are available on-site. Maximum length: 45 feet. Closes in mid-October.

Colter Bay Tent Village has 66 sites at $104 per night. Showers, a store, and bear lockers are available. It closes in early September, before the area's other two campgrounds.

Gros Ventre Campground

With 279 sites, including 39 with electricity and 4 group sites, Gros Ventre is the park's second-largest campground. It operates entirely by reservation and fills up during peak season. Its rate isn't published through the NPS API, so check the exact amount on Recreation.gov before booking. Located east of the park along the Gros Ventre River, it's the campground closest to Jackson. There are no showers on-site, but restrooms, water, and a dump station are available. Maximum length: 45 feet. Closes in mid-October.

Lizard Creek Campground

There are 60 sites at the park's northern end, on the shore of Jackson Lake. No hookups, no showers, and a maximum length of 30 feet. Facilities are more basic than those in the Colter Bay area, but the setting is quiet, and this is a practical choice if you're continuing north into Yellowstone. Rate: $49 per night, the lowest published rate among the park's NPS campgrounds. Short season: closes in mid-September.

Headwaters Campground (Flagg Ranch)

There are 171 sites at the park's northern entrance, including 34 tent sites and 97 RV sites. Showers, a store, a dump station, and bear lockers are available. Maximum length: 45 feet. Rate: $59 per night. This campground often remains available when campgrounds in the heart of the park, such as Jenny Lake and Signal Mountain, are full during peak season. It's a practical backup, especially for travelers coming from Yellowstone. Closes in early October.

RV or tent: which site should you choose?

Long RVs, up to 45 feet, are accepted at Colter Bay Campground, Colter Bay RV Park, Gros Ventre, and Headwaters. Signal Mountain and Lizard Creek have a 30-foot limit, so check your vehicle's length before booking. Jenny Lake is essentially for tents only: 51 of its 61 sites are classified as tent-only, and RVs aren't accommodated there. For exact restrictions and available facilities at each campground, see the Grand Teton RV camping guide.

Camping nearby: options outside the park

In July and August, the park regularly fills all 1,154 sites. Private campgrounds around Jackson and in the adjacent national forests, Bridger-Teton and Caribou-Targhee, then become the alternatives. They sometimes offer more comfortable facilities, including full hookups and permanent showers, but the drive to trailheads can double. For lodges, cabins, and hotels in the area, the Grand Teton accommodations guide covers all the options.

Backcountry camping

Backcountry camping is allowed in Grand Teton's designated areas as long as you have a backcountry permit. You can get one at the Moose Backcountry Office or online through Recreation.gov for some numbered sites. Campfires are prohibited in the backcountry. The Grand Teton hiking guide covers the routes and backcountry zones in detail. Here's what matters here: permits are required, pack it in and pack it out, and a bear-resistant food canister is required in most areas.

How and when to reserve a campsite in Grand Teton

Reservations are made through Recreation.gov, with a booking window opening 6 months before your arrival date at 7 a.m. Pacific Time. Jenny Lake and Signal Mountain can book up within minutes on high-demand days.

Three ways to improve your chances:

• Create your Recreation.gov account well before reservation day.
• Log in at 6:55 a.m. so you're ready when the window opens.
• If everything is booked, check for cancellations daily. They appear regularly, especially during the 7 days before arrival.

At Jenny Lake, some sites remain available without reservations on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive before 8 a.m. for a chance during peak season.

Rates: how much does a night of camping cost in Grand Teton?

These rates are in addition to the park entrance fee, which is $35 per vehicle and valid for 7 days. The America the Beautiful pass costs $80 and covers admission; it pays for itself after visiting two parks in a year. The Rates & passes page provides more guidance on entrance fees and passes.

Camping safety and best practices

Grand Teton is home to black bears and grizzlies. The basic rule is simple: don't leave any food accessible. The NPS requires food storage in all campgrounds. Store all food, beverages, cosmetics, and scented products in a locked vehicle or in the bear boxes provided at the sites. Your tent is not a food locker.

Four practical habits to adopt:

• Put food away immediately after eating, every time.
• Prepare and eat meals in the campground's cooking area, never right next to your tent.
• Keep bear spray accessible while hiking, not buried at the bottom of your pack.
• Stay at least 75 feet from bison and elk. They can charge without warning.

For all the park's wildlife-safety rules, see the Grand Teton wildlife guide.

Which campground is right for you?

To plan your entire trip, the complete Grand Teton guide brings together all the park's essentials.

Frequently asked questions