Grand Teton National Park Fees & Reservations

Two bison are fighting in Grand Teton National...

Two bison are fighting in Grand Teton National Park

Everybody likes a bargain, and although entrance to Grand Teton National Park is not free, it’s not far off . . . you know the old “buy one, get one free” – BOGOF – that’s going around the supermarkets at the moment, well, if you buy a ticket to Grand Teton National Park, you get access to Yellowstone National Park included, and if you buy a ticket to Yellowstone National Park, you get access to Grand Teton National Park included . . . for a full seven days. How’s that for a bargain! Okay, you know it’s a bargain, but what’s it gonna’ cost?

  • Vehicles will have to pay $25 for a seven day pass to both parks.
  • Motorcycles will have to pay $20 for the seven day pass.
  • Cyclists, hikers etc will have to pay $12 each.
  • Winter day use, however, is only $5 per day, from mid December through to the end of April.
  • If you’re lucky enough to live close enough to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park for regular visits throughout the year, then an annual pass will cost you only $50 for the two.

Back Country Climbing and Camping Fees

You don’t need a permit for climbing in the Grand Teton National Park, however, if you intend to do a spot of back country camping whilst you’re there you do need a back country permit. The number of back country permits available is limited to help protect the resources of Grand Teton National Park, but one third of the number of back country permits may be reserved in advance . . . the remaining two thirds are supplied on a first come, first served basis and competition gets pretty hot during the summer months. You can reserve your permit in advance, but this reservation does not count as a permit, you’ve gotta’ pick that up from either in person from Craig Thomas or Colter Bay Visitor Center, or the Jenny Lake Ranger Station. Reservations are charged at $25 each.

Facilities at Grand Teton National Park Campgrounds

  • Colter Bay Campground – opens at the end of May through the end of September, give or take a day or two. Situated 25 miles north of Moose, there are a total of 350 sites and 11 group sites – showers and laundry are nearby, and there’s a trailer dump station too. What more could you need for your camping trip to Grand Teton National Park? This campground sometimes fills by the afternoon, but there are often spaces available. The Colter Bay Campground offers easy access for those camping with trailers and RV’s, and with it being so close to Jackson Lake there’s no shortage of things to do.
  • Gros Ventre Campground – opens up at the beginning of May until early in October – weather permitting. Incidentally, all campground opening times are weather permitting, which kind of goes without saying somewhere so wild and unpredictable as Grand Teton National Park, except that I’ve just said it! Right, back to business, this campground is around 11.5 miles to the south and east of Moose, and has 350 sites with 5 group sites and a trailer dump station. It’s only a short distance to the Gros Ventre River from this campground making it a great place to spend time.

You never know who might come a calling . . . .

  • Headwaters Campground and RV Sites at Flagg Ranch – opens at the beginning of June until the end of September. You’ll find this campground in the John D Rockefeller Jr Memorial Park, five miles north of Grand Teton National Park, just a little south of the south boundary of Yellowstone National Park. There are 175 sites which are nice and spacious, there’s full hook-up RV sites too, and camper cabins. Services at this campground include showers, laundry and dump station, but you’d be wise to reserve a place just to be on the safe side.
  • Jenny Lake Campground – is open for tents only, 49 of them to be exact. It’s open (weather permitting) from early in May until the end of September, and can be found 8 miles north of Moose. It’s the most popular campground in the Grand Teton National Park and is often full by 11am, so get there early. You’re only permitted to have one vehicle per site, no trailers.

Beautiful huh!

Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park

Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park

  • Lizard Creek Campground – on the other hand, has 60 sites available and is rarely full. Located 32 miles north of Moose, this campground isn’t quite so heavily developed, sites are in the spruce and fir forest. The size of vehicles permitted is limited to 30 feet.
  • Signal Mountain Campground – located 9 miles north of Jenny Lake, the Signal Mountain Campground is open from mid May until mid October. This campground can fill up by the middle of the afternoon in peak season, so if you’re visiting in peak season you have been warned. There are 86 sites available, described as “small and intimate” with a vehicle limit size of 30 feet. Close to the Signal Mountain Lodge and marina, there’s a camp store and other amenities close by.


Winter Camping at Grand Teton National Park

  • Colter Bay Campground – primitive winter camping is allowed at $5 per night, on the plowed parking lot which is next to the Colter Bay Visitor Center. Simply camp on the snow covering the parking lot and pay your fees at the self-pay station close to the restroom.
  • Back country Winter Camping – is also permitted at Grand Teton National Park, but you’ve gotta’ make sure that you’ve obtained a free back country permit.
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