Set on the shore of Jackson Lake, Colter Bay Village is the most central hub of Grand Teton National Park. There are THREE different campgrounds here, and we’ll help you select which one is best for your next camping adventure!
1. The Colter Bay Campground
The Colter Bay Campground offers over 350 campsites. Thirteen offer electricity; however, they are ADA-only sites. All others sites are for tent and dry-camping set-ups. Each site has its own RV length restrictions, the longest permitted length being 45 feet.
Campers can book sites through Recreation.gov up to six months in advance. Nightly rates are $50 per site.
Each site offers a fire ring and a food storage box (bear box.) There are bath houses with running water and flush toilets. Campers may use coin-operated showers and laundry facilities. The camp store offers ice and firewood.
What to know:
Many of these campsites are very tight for RVs and can be difficult to fit into and comfortably use. We strongly suggest that you carefully consider the pictures and the reviews for the individual sites on Recreation.gov.
It is also important to note that some of the campsites in this area do flood. Others are prone to standing water after rain storms. Carefully read reviews to ensure that you are prepared for your site’s nuances.
FInally, as with all three of the Colter Bay campgrounds we are mentioning, there is no reliable cellular service. There are emergency campground phones.
2. Colter Bay RV Park
Colter Bay RV Park offers 112 full hook-up campsites that are rented for RV use only. Although it is adjacent to the Colter Bay Campground, the Colter Bay RV Park is laid out specifically to accommodate the needs of RVs.
The maximum RV length in this section is 45 feet. Wood burning fires are NEVER permitted in this campground, and there are no bear boxes in this section. All items with odor must be stored inside your RV or vehicle.
You can reserve your RV site up to six months in advance through Recreation.gov. The cost is currently $112 per night.
3. Colter Bay Tent Village
Although it sounds like this is a campground reserved for tents only, it is not. This section of Colter Bay offers 66 very popular canvas camper cabins. These are only available from May-September. They are pimitive, without water, bathrooms, or electricity.
Each tent accommodates up to six people, and they offer four beds. You can reserve these tents through Recreation.gov six months in advance for $98 per night.
Colter Bay Campground Area Attractions
One of the most fun ways to enjoy an evening camping in Colter Bay is to attend a Ranger-led program. The National Park Service is careful to the daily programming schedules throughout the village.
I can’t believe I missed the program on the Wolves!
Colter Bay is one of the main hubs within Grand Teton National Park. The area includes the Colter Bay Visitor Center featuring a ranger desk, park film, indigenous museum, and park store.
Colter Bay Village also offers guests two dining locations. The Ranch House is a full service restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner (view menu.) The Jon Colter Cafe Court is a counter-service pizzaria and a great place to grab a to-go dinner!
Additionally, guests can find a gas station and convenience store nested in the heart of Colter Bay.
Since Colter Bay is nestled on Jackson Lake, the park offers boat rentals, boat tours, fishing tours, and trail rides! Many campers choose to bring their own kayaks and paddleboards to use on the lake.
No matter how you access your watercraft, there are few more spectacular lake experiences than floating atop that clear water with the famous Teton Mountains watching over you!
Colter Bay is also a pick-up and drop-off location for Grand Teton National Park’s complimentary shuttle delivering guests throughout the park and even into Jackson.
Although the Colter Bay Campground does not have a pool, guests will be thrilled to know that for a mere $5 per person, you can drive a few minutes south and enjoy a day at the Jackson Lake Lodge! You pass includes access to the main, heated pool, a toddler pool, yard games, and a playground.
Even though the Colter Bay Campgrounds are not resort properties, the Colter Bay Village offers guests as many and as diverse of entertainment and experiences that you could enjoy at the most popular resort-style campgrounds!
Safety at Colter Bay Campground
Park guests MUST remain cognizant of their surroundings when enjoying the Colter Bay Campground and Grand Teton area. You can both purchase bear spray and often rent bear spray at the visitor centers. During one of our visits to Grand Teton National Park, the rangers actually offered trainings on how to use it. We were thankful because this is one of the national parks in which you have the highest likelihood of a bear encounter!
Read more about bear spray risks and considerations before deploying your can.
Conclusion
Each Colter Bay Campground offers a unique set of camping opportunities that will surely meet the needs of any visitor. When combined with the perfect location and the endless amenities of Colter Bay Village, these camping options are among top picks for families travelling to Grand Teton National Park.
