Grand Teton National Park's dramatic mountain peaks, alpine lakes and abundant wildlife should make it more than just a speed bump on the way to Yellowstone. But of the 2.5 million people who entered the park in 2009, less than 25 percent stayed overnight. If you're one of the enlightened few, you'll find yourself immersed in the solitude that eluded you earlier in the day. Even in the park's developed campgrounds, tent and RV sites are positioned to maximize privacy and that characteristically Western sense of open space.
Developed Campgrounds
Grand Teton National Park does not accept reservations for basic tent or RV camping at any of the five developed campgrounds, where a combined 895 sites go on a first-come, first-served basis. During July and August, when the park sees the most visitors, the tent-only sites at Jenny Lake usually fill up in the morning and the tent and RV sites at Signal Mountain typically get claimed by early afternoon. The larger Colter Bay and Gros Ventre campgrounds, with 350 sites each, almost always have available space for tents and RVs, even into evening. The 60 sites at the remote Lizard Creek Campground rarely fill, but they don't accommodate vehicles longer than 30 feet.
Large Groups
If you're going to be camping in a group of 10 or more people, you'll need to reserve a group site at either the Colter Bay or Gros Ventre campground. The 16 group sites range in capacity from 10 to 100 people. You must reserve the group sites in advance by calling Grand Teton Lodge Company at 800-628-9988 or 307-543-3100 or online at gtlc.com/campgrounds.aspx. Though it's possible to make a reservation all year long, campground staff advise people planning to visit the park with a large group to make their plans and confirm their sites prior to the start of the summer season.
Backcountry Camping
You can apply for a permit for backcountry camping between January 5 and May 15 each year, either online at nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/bcres.htm or by downloading an application and mailing it to Grand Teton National Park, Backcountry Permits, P.O. Drawer 170, Moose, WY 83012 or faxing the forms to 307-739-3443.
Grand Teton National Park issues one-third of the available permits in each camping zone by reservation for a non-refundable $25 fee. If you miss the cutoff date, the remaining permits will be available free of charge throughout the summer on a first-come, first-served basis. You can apply in person the day before you want to enter the park at the Colter Bay Visitor Center, the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center or at the Jenny Lake Ranger Station. If you're going to be camping and climbing, you'll need to obtain your permit at the Jenny Lake Ranger Station.
Flagg Ranch
Though it's not technically in the park, Flagg Ranch Campground, located five miles from the north entrance on the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway that connects Grand Teton National Park with Yellowstone National Park, makes a convenient base for travel in both parks. You can make advance reservations for one of 175 tent and RV sites by calling Flagg Ranch Resort at 800-443-2311 or online at flaggranch.com/camping.html.
Considerations
You can take your dog to Grand Teton National Park, but pets must be restrained at all times and are not allowed on hiking trails or in the backcountry. Accessibility at park camping facilities varies from full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act to only partial compliance, so if you use a wheelchair, call ahead to make sure your needs will be met at the campsite of your choice.
Member Comments