If you are looking for a Grand Teton National Park boondocking area then the Bridger-Teton National Forest should be your choice of destinations. There are 1000’s of acres of land for you to setup camp, virtually everywhere.
Both the 3.4 million-acre Bridger-Teton National Forest and the National Elk Refuge are close to Grand Teton National Park. Three wilderness areas within the Bridger-Teton have been designated as national wilderness areas: the Bridger, Gros Ventre, and Teton wildernesses.
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Wildlife is diverse in the Bridger-Teton. Visitors are eager to see the wildlife. In the forest, a variety of creatures might find habitat. Horned swans, sandhill cranes, coyotes, bald eagles, and elk may be seen by visitors during the summer. Other species that are less noticeable in the summer can be spotted more easily during the winter when they migrate to lower elevations. In the winter, it is simpler to spot certain creatures, such as moose, mule deer, and bighorn sheep. Despite being famous for its enormous creatures, such as grizzly bears, Bridger-Teton is also home to over 355 different bird species.
Are you considering spending the night in Grand Teton National Park? Having trouble deciding where to camp? Since this is a busy park, available campsites fill up quickly. While camping is permitted inside the park, it is first come, first served, and we have observed lines of people waiting at 6 am for campers to depart so they can claim their spots. You may check out the camping choices inside the park, but don’t be shocked if they’re all booked up and expensive.
A desperate camper at Grand Teton National Park does have some good news, though. There are a ton of great campsites outside the park, some just a half-hour drive away and others a little more than an hour. It’s a National Park, though, and you typically have to go a long way to find camping spaces close to National Parks. Here is a list of some of our favorite places in the Jackson and Tetons area.
None of these locations have restrooms, so bring a shovel and dispose of your toilet paper properly. I hope I don’t have to remove this post because people abuse this site.
Our 10 Best Grand Teton National Park Boondocking Areas
check out our video
1. Curtis Canyon Designated Boondocking
Bridger-Teton National Forest
Forest Rd 30445
Jackson, WY 83001
GPS: 43.5218, -110.6266
Elevation 7,808 ft / 2,379 m
Max Stay 5 Days
Description:
If you want a Grand Teton National Park boondocking area close to town while being off the beaten road, Curtis Canyon Campground and dispersed camping areas are a terrific choice for Grand Teton National Park boondocking area. A short stroll from your tent will reward you with breathtaking views of the National Elk Refuge and the Teton mountain range. This woodland campground is situated above the National Elk Refuge. You may easily go horseback riding and hiking from the campground in a matter of minutes. Both paid and unreserved dispersed camping areas are available in Curtis Canyon.
Off the Curtis Canyon Road 30440, which branches off the National Elk Refuge Road leaving Jackson, Wyoming, sits the breathtaking Curtis Canyon Overlook. Direct, amazing views of the Tetons and the Elk Refuge are available from the dirt parking area. Informational kiosks offer excellent local knowledge. Although there are scattered and paid campgrounds close by, there are no other facilities on the property. A seasonal closure applies to the Curtis Canyon Road, which can be challenging in bad weather and in the spring and fall but can accept trailers in good weather. There is cellular service, however it can be sporadic.
Grand Teton National Park boondocking areas are located beyond the developed campground.
2. Pacific Creek Designated Dispersed Campsites
Bridger-Teton National Forest
FR-30090
Moran, WY 83013
GPS: 43.9182, -110.4671
Number of Sites: 8
Pad Type: dirt
Elevation: 6,922 ft / 2,109 m
Max Stay: 5 Nights
Description:
The eight selected Grand Teton National Park boondocking areas 100 feet or more off Pacific Creek Rd., the Pacific Creek Area Dispersed Camping near Moran, Wyoming, offers free rustic tent and RV camping (the gravel road that leads back to Pacific Creek Campground from Grand Teton National Park). Having said that, they are free! These Grand Teton National Park boondocking areas are identified by little numbered posts along the gravel road in large camping spaces with a mixture of clearings and shade trees. Because there are many bears in this area, it is essential to store food and aromatic items properly. The longest stays are limited to 16 days.
These locations are not kept up because they are dispersed sites. The routes and roads leading to the locations can be difficult, rutted, and inaccessible when wet. You could or might not discover a well-kept camp site, depending on how tidy past visitors kept their campsites.
3. Box Creek Trailhead
Bridger-Teton National Forest
Buffalo Valley Rd.
Moran, WY 83013
307-543-2386
307-739-5500
GPS: 43.8603, -110.2946
Number of Sites 6
Pad Type dirt
Open Seasonally May-Sept.
Elevation 7,053 ft / 2,149 m
Max Stay 16 Nights
Description:
In the heart of the national forest, the Box Creek Grand Teton National Park boondocking area is really a quiet camping location.
Along a pipeline road, there is entry to the national forest land. Although this road is rough and washboarded, it becomes better after you enter the national forest at the sign with the number 160. Additionally, there is signage indicating a seasonal closure from December to June in order to conserve wildlife. I advise giving any entering car some room.
At one of the Grand Teton National Park boondocking areas we noticed a 30 foot travel trailer. Forest Roads 160, 130, and 130s are where most camping is located. About ten sites, the most of which were huge and private, were visited. Although we didn’t take any of the side roads, they probably had more sights. Most locations have thick shade. It was quite silent everywhere.
There are entrances that mark the transition from National Forest to BLM territory.
At the entrance, Verizon had 2 bars of 4G and a 10 megabit download speed. Better service was available at the first main road fork, with 3 bars and 35 megabit download.
4. Buffalo Valley Dispersed Campsite #9
Bridger-Teton National Forest
Buffalo Valley Rd
Moran, WY 83013
307-543-2386
GPS: 43.8505, -110.342
Longest RV Reported: 27 feet (Travel Trailer)
Number of Sites 4
Pad Type dirt
Open Seasonally Yes
Elevation 7,020 ft / 2,139 m
Description:
We were on a lengthy summer RV vacation, traffic was at its busiest, and we had nowhere to stop in Wyoming. The Grand Teton National Park boondocking area where we sought to camp off the grid was fully occupied. We required a large site for our group of four RVs, which couldn’t be accommodated at Shadow Mountain Road. We questioned the rangers if there were any other Grand Teton National Park boondocking areas that could accommodate our sizable group because we had no idea where to go. She suggested Buffalo Valley Road, and it ended up being a great place to set up camp. It was far away, beautiful, close to the Bridger-Teton National Forest, and only a 30-minute drive from the Moran gate to Grand Teton National Park. Yes, we were fortunate.
After turning onto Buffalo Valley Road, you’ll pass a few ranches and houses hidden in the hills as you travel. Small campgrounds will be located just along the road, and if you travel all the way to the GPS location, you’ll discover the spacious campground that kept us safe throughout that hectic Fourth of July. There is a fire pit where you can gather and the area is huge and can fit up to six RVs. You are also entirely surrounded by trees. There is a little creek further along Forest Road 30069 as well. If you choose to camp here, please let us know how it goes!
5. Porter Reservoir Dispersed Camping
Bridger-Teton National Forest
FR-30160
Moran, WY 83013
307-543-2386
307-739-5500
GPS: 43.8074, -110.3788
Longest RV Reported: 39 feet (Class A)
Pad Type grass
Open Seasonally Yes
Elevation 7,545 ft / 2,299 m
Max Stay 14 Nights
Description:
Porter Reservoir is a scattered Grand Teton National Park boondocking area; access is not certain; always do your research when traveling along unpaved roads.
Lately, the Porter Mountain Grand Teton National Park boondocking area was forested, leaving sunny campsites in its wake. If you like silence, stay away from this place because it is close to a local target shooting range and an OAV area.
There is a sizable open space to the left across the livestock gate. Unfortunately, that isn’t a very level spot for a huge rig, and it took a long time to level our fifth wheel. It was an ideal spot for a Starlink or solar rig. A couple smaller spots that are located further to the left would be suitable for a campervan or ultralight.
6. Angles Camp
Bridger-Teton National Forest
FS-30041
Moran, WY 83013
307-543-2386
307-739-5500
GPS: 43.8245, -110.2016
Longest RV Reported: 36 feet (Class A)
Number of Sites 2
Pad Type dirt
Open Seasonally June-Sept.
Elevation 8,530 ft / 2,599 m
Max Stay 16 Nights
Description:
Basically, this is merely a trailhead with a few parking spaces, not really a Grand Teton National Park boondocking area but it will do for a night or two. Two parking spaces remain with the unauthorized circle of rocks fire pit and hitching rail after the USFS decided to fence off one parking space and then let the one fall to overgrowth. Three units may fit comfortably on one site, which is fairly level. The parking pad at the opposite location is noticeably uneven. Because of its distance from the highway, only the noisiest trucks and motorbikes may be heard at this location.
Utilizing the route between the Togwotee Lodge and store, descend behind them. At the foot of the slope, take the right fork. No issues with our hitch making that turn. Rain has little effect on access because the road is made of gravel and rock.
The smoke from the wildfires in 2021 entirely obscured the Tetons, which would normally be seen from this location in a magnificent distance. Thankfully, it made them accessible for a day excursion so we could see them once we descended to their base. On a day trip to Brooks Lake and a trek to Bear Cub Pass, while being severely obscured by the smoke, we still considered the mountains east of the location to be impressive.
7. Shadow Mountain Designated Dispersed Camping
Bridger-Teton National Forest
FR-30345A
Jackson, WY 83001
307-739-5500
GPS: 43.7174, -110.5768
Number of Sites 1
Open Seasonally Yes
Elevation 8,234 ft / 2,509 m
Max Stay 5 Nights
Description:
More than 11 miles of this Grand Teton National Park boondocking area are accessible to off-highway vehicles (OHV) with a width that is less than or equal to 50 inches from June 1 through November 30. Both Gros Ventre Mountains and the Teton Range in nearby Grand Teton National Park can be seen from high mountain ridges in this region, which are distinguished by thickly forested pathways that are punctuated with small grasslands and canyons.
Two trailheads from off the Shadow Mountain Road (Rd. #30340) on the northern side of Shadow Mountain provide entry to this network of trails. Access to an extra eight miles of roads in the Shadow Mountain Area that are accessible to all is available to riders with a valid driver’s license.
8. Spread Creek Dispersed Campsites #10 – 13
Bridger-Teton National Forest
FR-30290
Moran, WY 83013
307-739-5500
GPS: 43.7709, -110.4885
Longest RV Reported: 35 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Number of Sites 4
Open Seasonally Yes
Elevation 7,086 ft / 2,159 m
Max Stay 5 Nights
Description:
Due to Spread Creek’s breathtaking scenery, the Grand Teton National Park boondocking area use there has grown in popularity among camper communities across the U.S. To fully engage themselves in nature, thousands of visitors come here every year.
Grand Teton National Park boondocking and camping along Spread Creek is the best option if you really want to lose yourself in the immensity of nature. This camping area allows you to do unrestricted camping whether you want to tent camp, vehicle camp, or RV camp. RVers who live in their vehicles full-time adore this region. Additionally, it makes for a wonderful boondocking spot.
If you intend to travel to this location, I will give you a detailed overview of Spread Creek scattered camping in this article. This video above should assist you in familiarizing yourself with the location, map, traffic conditions, and travel instructions. Additionally, you ought to be able to pick a campsite that is in the ideal spot for your requirements.
9. River Plateau
Bridger-Teton National Forest
Gros Ventre Road
Kelly, WY 83011
GPS: 43.631, -110.5608
Number of Sites 1
Pad Type mixed
Elevation 6,955 ft / 2,119 m
Max Stay 14 Nights
Description:
Grand Teton National Park boondocking – Not Accepting Reservations. secluded area just beyond the NP line. Ideally, it can accommodate three or four two-person tents; otherwise, you’ll have to sleep on a slope with a good morning view. Very good, but really roughing it. Bring everything you might need, if any.
10. Gros Ventre Wilderness
Bridger-Teton National Forest
Gros Ventre Rd.
Jackson, WY 83001
GPS: 43.6209, -110.4753
Open Seasonally: Yes
Elevation: 7,086 ft / 2,159 m
Max Stay: 5 Nights
Description:
The Gros Ventre Wilderness is a great place for Grand Teton National Park boondocking trips. You can take your dogs along as well as escape from the occasionally crowded Grand Teton National Park. In some places, you may see not only the Tetons as well as the Gros Ventre Range. Backcountry camping does not require permits, so you can set it up wherever you like; they simply ask that you choose a spot 200 feet or more from a lakeshore to preserve the opportunity for isolation (how awesome is that!).
Additionally, there is good hiking, fishing, and a campground nearby.
Not to mention the fauna! I saw bears, moose, elk, caught a few fish, and a ton of marmots all in one day. You can get there by going to the Gros Ventre Campground; however, since there are so many small pullouts, I just drove until I could see the Teton Mountain Range behind me (about 10 miles).
For complete photos and videos of our trip visit our photos on our page Instagram Page
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