NPS · Grand Teton National Park · Wyoming

Colter Bay Campground

The vast Colter Bay Campground at Colter Bay Village is set amidst towering lodgepole pines just a short, picturesque stroll away from Jackson Lake. The campground offers camping for tents and dry camping for RVs. (For full hookup RV sites, check out the Colter Bay RV Park.) Campsites include 338 individual campsites, 12 large group sites, 10 hiker-bicycler sites, and 13 electric-only ADA-accessible sites. Generator Loops are H, J, K M, & O. The campground is open from mid-May to late-September. As with all campgrounds in the park, the Colter Bay Campground is very popular and tends to fill up quickly. Visitors are strongly encouraged to plan and book early.

More like this: electric hookups in Wyoming · reservable in Wyoming · big rigs in Wyoming · pets allowed in Wyoming · group sites in Wyoming

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Colter Bay Campground Tent SiteColter Bay Campground RV siteColter Bay Horseback RidingColter Bay Visitor Center
Photos courtesy of Grand Teton Lodge Company, NPS Photo / A. Mattson, NPS Photo/ J. Bonney · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups276
Tent-only49
Standard with electric13
Group sites10
RV, no hookups1
Host/management11
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

348 sites in 16 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePowerWater / sewerPeople / vehiclesFiresAccessible
4AStandardPull-through20PartialNoNo / –6 / 1Yes
5AStandardPull-through24GravelPartialNoNo / –6 / 2Yes
6AStandardPull-through24GravelPartialNoNo / –6 / 1Yes
7AStandardPull-through24GravelPartialNoNo / –6 / 1Yes
8AStandardPull-through24GravelPartialNoNo / –6 / 1Yes
9AStandardPull-through24GravelPartialNoNo / –6 / 1Yes
10AStandardPull-through24GravelPartialNoNo / –6 / 1Yes
11AStandardPull-through24GravelPartialNoNo / –6 / 1Yes
12AStandardPull-through24GravelPartialNoNo / –6 / 1Yes
13AStandardPull-through24GravelPartialNoNo / –6 / 1Yes

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsElectric
Max vehicle length50 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesWater Hookup Fee: The Utility fee is imposed on all lodging and camping products to defer the higher cost of providing water and sewer in the remote locations in which we operate.
AccessibilitySites 180, 181, 182, 183 and 10 more are listed accessible

Colter Bay Campground offers camping for tents and dry camping for RVs. (For full hookup RV sites, check out the Colter Bay RV Park.) Each tent site has a gravel parking space for up to two vehicles and space for one tent. For parties with extra-large tents or multiple tents, please see individual site specifications before booking. Multiple tents are only permitted in sites designated for multiple tents. Only one RV/Camper/Caravan is allowed per site. Each RV site has a back-in or pull-through gravel parking space for one RV. RV sites are of various sizes, and guests should look at individual site specifications prior to booking to ensure max length availability. When factoring site length, tow vehicles should be included in total length. There is a complimentary RV dump station and potable water filling station available to guests, and propane is available for purchase at the nearby RV Park.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Colter Bay Campground10°20°30°40°50°60°January: 2.90 inches of precipitation, 39.5 inches of snowFebruary: 2.31 inches of precipitation, 28.2 inches of snowMarch: 2.34 inches of precipitation, 22.0 inches of snowApril: 2.16 inches of precipitation, 11.7 inches of snowMay: 2.36 inches of precipitation, 2.9 inches of snowJune: 1.75 inches of precipitation, 0.3 inches of snowJuly: 1.02 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 1.28 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 1.64 inches of precipitation, 0.4 inches of snowOctober: 1.92 inches of precipitation, 6.5 inches of snowNovember: 2.61 inches of precipitation, 23.5 inches of snowDecember: 3.10 inches of precipitation, 39.9 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 12.6°F averageFebruary: 16.7°F averageMarch: 25.2°F averageApril: 33.8°F averageMay: 43.4°F averageJune: 52.0°F averageJuly: 59.5°F averageAugust: 58.2°F averageSeptember: 49.9°F averageOctober: 37.8°F averageNovember: 24.3°F averageDecember: 14.1°F average0 in10 in20 in30 in40 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Moran 5Wnw, 4 miles from the campground at 6,805 feet, station USC00486440 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 25 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 175 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

Coordinates43.9062° N, 110.6403° W · Directions ↗

Good to know

  • Please note, generators are only permitted in loops H, J, K, M, O, and Group Sites between the hours of 6am and 10pm.

Charges and cancellations

  • Changing Reservations:
  • There is no change fee if a visitor extends or shortens a reservation, as long as the change includes dates from the original reservation. Additionally, there is no change fee if the visitor wants to switch sites that are the same price with the same reservation dates in the same facility.
  • If a visitor wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee.
  • If a reservation is made that includes dates beyond the maximum booking window, that reservation cannot be changed until 18 days have passed from the original booking date.
  • Once a reservation date has begun, visitors cannot change a reservation using the online system or through the Call Center. Onsite staff will assist with changes or cancellations.
  • Cancellations:
  • Visitors may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation.
  • A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's approved rate including tax and applicable add-on. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
  • Visitors who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days prior to arrival date will pay a $10 service fee AND forfeit the first night’s rate.
  • No-Shows:
  • A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.
  • No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite.
  • Early Departures:
  • Visitors are requested to notify staff at the facility if they depart early to allow others to use the site.
  • If the visitor chooses to depart early, they may forfeit the approved rate and applicable tax and applicable add-on for the day of departure. If a visitor departs prior to the scheduled check-out date, they may be eligible for a partial refund. Visitors may notify the Recreation.gov call center to request a refund of remaining unused nights. If a visitor requests a refund for an early departure af
  • Refunds:
  • Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Visitors may also initiate a refund request through the call center at any time after their reservation has ended.
  • Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay.
  • For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive.
  • In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗0.2 mi
Outdoor gearRent Bear Spray ↗29.6 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Colter Bay Campground & RV Park: Review & Tips on Camping in the Grand Teton Natio

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Caribou-Targhee National Forest.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

The Colter Bay Campground is situated in a lodgepole pine forest within walking distance of Jackson Lake and numerous trails. From the lakeshore, visitors will have views across Jackson Lake to Mount Moran and the northern end of the Teton Range. Colter Bay is home to black and grizzly bears, moose, deer, elk and other large animals, as well as marmots, foxes, bald eagles, and more. Bears are often seen on trails and in the developed areas.

Recreation

Colter Bay and the surrounding area offers a wide variety of activities for all ages, including marina rentals, horseback riding, world-class guided fishing, and lake cruises. Stop by our activities desk to find the perfect excursion for everyone in your group! Jackson Lake is a popular area for boating. Several islands float just off Colter Bay’s shores, and are home to fish, birds, river otters, beavers and other wildlife. Bring your own boat or rent a canoe, kayak, or motor boat from the Colter Bay Marina. Lake cruises are the perfect excursion for the entire family. Cruise around Jackson Lake and learn about the history, geology, flora and fauna of the area while getting up-close views of the spectacular Tetons, which rise majestically from the water. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner meal cruises offer a delicious opportunity to dine at our private meal site on Elk Island, and a truly unique vantage point for experiencing the park.

Nearby

Visitors can take a self-guided tour of Grand Teton via the 43-mile Scenic Loop Drive, offering an opportunity to photograph the famous landscape and local wildlife. Make sure you stop at the historic Jackson Lake Lodge for its famous huckleberry milkshakes and spectacular Teton views through 60-foot tall wall-to-wall windows. While you’re there, book a scenic raft trip, park bus tour, or horseback ride. A short drive from Jenny Lake is the town of Jackson, where you can visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art just north of town, walk under the famous giant elk antler archway in town center, attend the Jackson Hole Rodeo, browse local shops, or dine at one of the many restaurants. In the opposite direction, Yellowstone National Park is within easy reach by car, and has a great diversity of activities for everyone to enjoy.

Guidebooks for Grand Teton National Park

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks
    Andrew Dean Nystrom, 2017
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Frommer's Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
    Elizabeth Kwak-Hefferan, 2025
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Lonely Planet Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
    2024
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Moon Wyoming: with Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
    Carter Walker, 2023
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Hiking Grand Teton National Park
    Bill Schneider, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Colter Bay Campground?

Sites at Colter Bay Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Colter Bay Campground?

Water Hookup Fee: The Utility fee is imposed on all lodging and camping products to defer the higher cost of providing water and sewer in the remote locations in which we operate.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Colter Bay Campground?

Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Source: Recreation.gov

What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Colter Bay Campground?

Visitors may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation.

Source: Charges and cancellations

How many sites does Colter Bay Campground have?

360 sites, including 276 standard sites without power, 49 tent-only sites, 13 standard sites with power, and 10 group sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Colter Bay Campground?

The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Does Colter Bay Campground have hookups?

Yes, electric hookups at some sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there showers or a dump station at Colter Bay Campground?

There is a complimentary RV dump station and potable water filling station available to guests, and propane is available for purchase at the nearby RV Park.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Colter Bay Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Colter Bay Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Colter Bay Campground?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at Colter Bay Campground?

Sites 180, 181, 182, and 183 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 14 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Colter Bay Campground?

Colter Bay and the surrounding area offers a wide variety of activities for all ages, including marina rentals, horseback riding, world-class guided fishing, and lake cruises. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation