Camping

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Nature never really sleeps, but immersing yourself in the wild through the night opens up a whole new set of experiences you just can’t get in a day's adventure.

Only campers know the hard-earned rewards of a night spent under the stars. A meal prepped on an open flame, the warmth of a campfire as dusk fades into night, witnessing the glow of a sunrise—camping in Jackson connects you to the largest intact ecosystem in the world. Whether you choose a designated campground or secure a backcountry permit for a night in the wilderness, prepare to feel small sleeping under the stars in the shadow of the Tetons.

No matter how you choose to camp, you’ll want to plan ahead, since camping is one of the most popular ways to stay in Jackson Hole. Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) have designated campgrounds for tents, vans, and RVs. There are also privately run RV parks outside the parks and national forest; some of these may welcome tent campers. The BTNF’s Jackson and Blackrock Ranger Districts have about 600 free campsites for tents, vans, and small RVs (30 feet max) in designated dispersed camping areas. Most campgrounds open in May, although snow may linger in the designated dispersed camping areas until July. Most campgrounds in the national parks close in late September. In May and October, camping is colder than it is between June and September, but there are also fewer bugs and crowds.

Campgrounds range from the simple — a flat spot to pitch a tent in a park — to full-service. Generally, campgrounds in the Bridger-Teton National Forest are more about a nature experience than amenities. Privately owned commercial campgrounds are usually at the opposite end of the spectrum as they offer amenities. Campgrounds in national parks can range in their amenities and offerings.

Backcountry Camping with Dog in Jackson Hole.

Backcountry Camping in Grand Teton National Park.

How to have a great camping experience in Jackson Hole

Reserve Ahead

If you want to spend the night at one of the 1,000 tent and RV sites in Grand Teton National Park, you must make advance reservations, which can be done up to 6 months in advance.

Grand Teton National Park Camping Reservations
Yellowstone National Park Camping Reservations

Arrive early for first-come, first-served

If you plan to camp for free on dispersed land in the BTNF, know that these spots are first-come, first-served between June and September, and most are taken by early afternoon. Because it might be difficult to find a free campsite, be sure to have a plan B such as getting a hotel room. Remember that it’s harmful to the land and prohibited to camp in undesignated areas.

Local tip

Grab a Campsite without a Reservation

If you’re looking for free camping in the BTNF close to Grand Teton National Park, your best chance of snagging a site is between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. “You want to show up when the campers who were there the night before are just leaving,” says Julie Butler, a campground ambassador for the BTNF. “Show up early in the morning, get your camp set up — making sure all of your food is properly stored — and then head off on the day’s adventure.”

Live by the wild rules.

Expect the unexpected on your adventure. Tell a friend or family member where you are going and what time you expect to return, keep an eye on local weather reports (as mountain weather can often change on a dime), and carry a map and emergency essentials with you. Locals know to always have a warm layer, rain jacket and headlamp in their pack, along with means to stay hydrated and fueled beyond what you expect you’ll need.

Backcountry Prep Guide

Always view wildlife from a distance. Give bears, other large carnivores, and large nesting birds at least 100 yards of space. Give all other animals, including bison, elk, and moose, at least 25 yards of space. Limit disturbance to wildlife and avoid surprise encounters. Never scare or chase wildlife. Be patient, find alternate routes, or turn around in order to give wildlife space.

Questions about Camping in Jackson Hole

All campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park have flush toilets and potable water. The developed campgrounds in the BTNF have vault toilets. Dispersed camping areas in the BTNF don’t have bathrooms; in these areas, tent campers poop in the woods. Please do this at least 75 paces from your campsite and any water source, make sure to bury solid waste (dig a cat hole to poop in), and pack all used toilet paper out with you. For information on how to dig a cat hole, visit the Leave No Trace website. RV campers in dispersed camping areas shouldn’t dump blackwater in the forest or into any waterways — hefty fines can be assessed for doing so. Some gas stations and developed campgrounds in the valley allow RVers not staying with them to dump blackwater for a fee.

Anything with an odor can attract curious and hungry wild animals. By keeping food and garbage inside something that’s hard-sided and locked — like your car, RV, or, if your campsite has one, a bear box — wildlife won’t be able to eat it. Eating human food can make some species of wild animals sick or even kill them, and bears that consistently get into human food may be euthanized.

The average nightly low temperature in Jackson Hole in September is about 33 F. By October, the average nighttime temperature is about 25 F. Most developed campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest are open through September. By mid-October, all the campgrounds in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park are closed. There’s no established season for dispersed camping in Bridger-Teton; it’s snow that eventually closes these areas down, and that can happen anytime from mid-September to mid-October.

While April and May days get into the 50s and 60s, the average nighttime temperatures in both these months is around freezing. Most developed campgrounds and dispersed camping areas in the Bridge-Teton National Forest aren’t open until mid-May. Their opening depends on the amount of winter snowfall. In Grand Teton National Park, the first campground opens in late April and sleeping overnight in vehicles is not allowed in pullouts, parking areas, picnic grounds, or any place other than a designated campground. Overnight parking at trailheads is permitted, but only with a backcountry camping permit.

It’s always important to store food and other attractants in a way that prevents bears from getting at them. This is especially important in the spring, when bears emerge from hibernation and are more ravenous than usual.

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