FIELD GUIDE · CHAPTER 50 · REGION IIEST. 2026
Wyoming
The Cowboy State
WY · 43°00′ N · 107°33′ W · 452 SITES SURVEYED
JENNY LAKE CAMPGROUND · PLATE A-501
§ 01 — Opening Plate
A letter from the field
Wyoming offers some of the most spectacular camping in the American West. Home to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, the state draws millions of visitors, yet vast stretches of BLM land, national forests, and state parks mean solitude is always within reach. From the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone's interior to the jagged granite spires of the Tetons and the pristine alpine lakes of the Wind River Range, Wyoming's campgrounds sit at the doorstep of some of the continent's most dramatic landscapes. Whether you're pulling a fifth wheel into a full-hookup RV park, pitching a tent steps from a trailhead, or dispersed camping along a Forest Service road with nothing but elk and coyotes for company, Wyoming delivers an outdoor experience that's hard to match.
§ 02 — The Plates
Top 10 sites, filed
Jenny Lake Campground
Arguably the most coveted campground in the Tetons, Jenny Lake sits at the base of the Cathedral Group with direct trailhead access to Cascade Canyon and Paintbrush Divide. Just 49 tent-only sites on a first-come, first-served basis — arrive by 7 AM in summer or don't bother. The reward is waking up to some of the most iconic mountain scenery in North America, with the lake's crystal waters reflecting the peaks at dawn.
Grant Village Campground
Perched on the shores of Yellowstone Lake, Grant Village offers 430 sites in a lodgepole pine forest. Easy access to West Thumb Geyser Basin and the south loop road makes it an ideal base for first-time Yellowstone visitors. The campground has flush toilets, a coin laundry, and showers at the nearby lodge — rare amenities inside the park. September visits are magical: bison wander through camp at dawn and the crowds have thinned.
Colter Bay Campground
The largest campground in Grand Teton with 350 sites, Colter Bay balances accessibility with wilderness feel. Jackson Lake access means kayaking and fishing right from camp, and the visitor center and general store add convenience. Pull-through sites accommodate large RVs, and the nearby Colter Bay RV Park offers full hookups for those who need them.
Madison Campground
Sitting at the junction of the Firehole and Gibbon Rivers in Yellowstone, Madison is a favorite of anglers and wildlife watchers. The 278 sites fill early in summer, but the location can't be beat — Old Faithful is 16 miles south, Norris Geyser Basin 14 miles north, and the Madison River is one of the best fly-fishing stretches in the park. Elk and bison frequently graze in the meadow directly adjacent to camp.
- 05Gros Ventre CampgroundWith 300+ sites spread across five loops along the Gros Ventre River, this is…→
- 06Slough Creek CampgroundJust 16 sites accessed via a rough two-mile dirt road in Yellowstone's remote Lamar…→
- 07Pebble Creek CampgroundTucked in Yellowstone's quiet northeast corner near the Beartooth Highway, Pebble Creek's 27 sites…→
- 08Worthen Meadow CampgroundThe gateway to Wyoming's legendary Wind River Range, Worthen Meadow sits at 8,800 feet…→
- 09Signal Mountain CampgroundPerched above Jackson Lake in Grand Teton, Signal Mountain's 81 sites offer some of…→
- 10Bridge Bay CampgroundYellowstone's largest campground with 432 sites sits on the north shore of Yellowstone Lake.…→
§ 03 — Field Data
The working page
Best Time
Peak season. All campgrounds open by mid-June. Reserve Yellowstone and Teton sites 6+ months ahead — popular spots like Jenny Lake fill by 7 AM on a first-come basis. Daytime highs reach 70–85°F but nights can drop to 40°F even in July. Afternoon thunderstorms are common June through August. Pack layers and rain gear. Expect crowds at major attractions.
Reservations
It depends on the campground. Bridge Bay, Canyon, Fishing Bridge RV, Grant Village, and Madison accept reservations through Recreation.gov and should be booked 6+ months in advance for summer dates. Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Mammoth, Norris,…
Permits & Signal
Yes. Dispersed camping on BLM and national forest land is free throughout Wyoming. Popular free areas include Spread Creek and Shadow Mountain near Grand Teton, and vast stretches of BLM land in the Red Desert and…
Camping Etiquette
Most campgrounds in Wyoming allow pets, but with significant restrictions in national parks. In Yellowstone and Grand Teton, pets must be leashed (6 feet max), are not allowed on trails or boardwalks, and cannot be left…
§ 04 — Almanac
Four seasons, four readings
Spring
Apr–May
Shoulder season with limited access. Most campgrounds above 7,000 feet remain closed. Lower-elevation sites near Thermopolis, Cody, and along the Bighorn Basin open mid-April. Yellowstone's roads open in stages through May. Wildlife is highly active — bears emerging from hibernation, elk calving in late May. Expect snow at higher elevations and muddy trails.
Summer
Jun–Aug
Peak season. All campgrounds open by mid-June. Reserve Yellowstone and Teton sites 6+ months ahead — popular spots like Jenny Lake fill by 7 AM on a first-come basis. Daytime highs reach 70–85°F but nights can drop to 40°F even in July. Afternoon thunderstorms are common June through August. Pack layers and rain gear. Expect crowds at major attractions.
Fall
Sep–Oct
The sweet spot. September is arguably the finest camping month in Wyoming — summer crowds dissipate, the elk rut fills evenings with bugling, fall colors peak in the cottonwoods and aspens, and fire restrictions ease. Most campgrounds close mid-October as frost becomes common. Nights drop to 20–30°F. Fewer services but far more solitude.
Winter
Nov–Mar
Nearly all campgrounds are closed. Yellowstone's Mammoth Campground is the only year-round NPS campground in the state. Temperatures regularly hit single digits or below zero. Winter camping is for the well-prepared only, but cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in Yellowstone or the Bighorns can be extraordinary. Access to most of Yellowstone is by snowcoach or snowmobile only.
§ 05A — Activity File
Best for Hiking
Wyoming's trail networks range from easy boardwalk loops through geyser basins to multi-day backcountry traverses in the Wind River Range. The state's campgrounds put you at trailheads for some of the most iconic hikes in the American West.
Jenny Lake Campground
Cascade Canyon, Paintbrush Divide, and Lake Solitude trailheads are within walking distance — the single best trailhead campground in the Tetons.
Pebble Creek Campground
Gateway to Yellowstone's quietest trails in the Lamar Valley and northeast corner, with access to the Absaroka Range backcountry.
Worthen Meadow Campground
Base camp for the Wind River Range — trails lead to the Cirque of the Towers, one of the premier alpine destinations in the Lower 48.
Colter Bay Campground
The Hermitage Point trail starts right from camp, and the Lakeshore Trail offers easy shoreline hiking with Teton views.
§ 05B — Activity File
Best for RV Camping
Wyoming's wide-open spaces and well-maintained federal and state campgrounds make it one of the best RV states in the West. Full-hookup options exist inside both national parks, and several state parks along key routes cater to larger rigs.
Colter Bay RV Park
Full hookups with Teton views. Pull-through sites accommodate rigs up to 45 feet, with a dump station and general store on site.
Signal Mountain Campground
Accommodates RVs up to 30 feet with stunning Jackson Lake views. The marina is walking distance for boat rentals and dining.
Grant Village Campground
While not full-hookup, Grant Village accommodates RVs up to 40 feet with dump station access and on-site laundry.
Bridge Bay Campground
Yellowstone's largest campground accommodates RVs with a dump station. Central location makes it an ideal base for exploring both loops.
§ 05C — Activity File
Best for Fishing
Wyoming is a fly-fishing paradise. From Yellowstone's legendary cutthroat streams to the Wind River Range's golden trout lakes, the state offers world-class fishing and over 4,000 lakes and reservoirs. These campgrounds put you steps from the best water.
Slough Creek Campground
Legendary cutthroat trout fishing in one of Yellowstone's most pristine streams. The meadow section upstream from camp is iconic fly water.
Madison Campground
The Madison River is one of the premier fly-fishing stretches in Yellowstone, accessible right from the campground loop.
Bridge Bay Campground
Yellowstone Lake's largest marina is steps away — rent a boat and fish for native cutthroat trout in one of the park's most productive areas.
Grant Village Campground
Yellowstone Lake's cutthroat trout are accessible from shore or by boat. The West Thumb area is a productive fishing zone.
§ 05D — Activity File
Best for Wildlife Viewing
Wyoming's Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the largest intact temperate ecosystem in the Northern Hemisphere, home to grizzly bears, wolves, bison, elk, moose, and more. Camp in the right spot and wildlife comes to you.
Slough Creek Campground
In the heart of Lamar Valley — wolf packs, grizzlies, and bison herds are commonly spotted from the campground road.
Gros Ventre Campground
Moose frequent the riverside campsites regularly, and the Gros Ventre Road is one of the best drives in the Tetons for spotting wildlife.
Pebble Creek Campground
Minutes from the Lamar Valley, widely considered the best wildlife viewing corridor in North America.
§ 07 — Q & A
Frequently asked
Peak camping season runs June through August when all campgrounds are open and trails are snow-free. However, September is often the best month for experienced campers — crowds thin dramatically, the elk rut is in full swing, fall colors are stunning, and weather is still pleasant. Most campgrounds above 7,000 feet close by mid-October.
§ 08 — Adjacent Sheets