Gros Ventre Campground | Jackson WY Camping
Gros Ventre offers Jackson's most versatile camping—choose between a 350-site developed campground with full amenities or drive 10 minutes up-valley for free dispersed camping with complete wilderness solitude. Located 12 miles northeast of Jackson along the Gros Ventre River, this area combines accessibility with authentic mountain camping, all positioned beneath the eastern slopes of the Teton Range.
Quick Facts - Developed Campground:
Sites: 350+ across 6 loops
Reservations: 60% reservable, 40% first-come
Cost: $32/night
Season: May through October
Maximum Stay: 14 days
Amenities: Flush toilets, water, dump station, bear boxes
Location: 12 miles from Jackson on Gros Ventre Road
Quick Facts - Dispersed Camping:
Sites: 100+ unmarked sites within 10 miles
Reservations: None needed
Cost: FREE
Season: Year-round (summer easiest)
Maximum Stay: 16 days per location
Amenities: None—complete self-sufficiency required
Location: Gros Ventre Road corridor, miles 0-25
Two Completely Different Experiences
Developed Campground
What You Get:
Designated sites with picnic tables and fire rings
Flush toilets and running water
Bear-proof food storage lockers
Camp hosts and ranger patrols
RV-friendly (sites up to 45 feet)
Dump station
60% sitesreservable on recreation.gov
40% sites first-come, first-served
Best For:
Families wanting amenities
RV campers
First-time campers
Those wanting security of reservation
Week-long basecamp for exploring
Dispersed Camping
What You Get:
Free camping on Forest Service land
Complete solitude (nearest camper may be miles away)
No facilities (no water, toilets, trash service)
No reservations (arrive and find spot)
Flexibility (camp where you want, when you want)
Authentic wilderness experience
Best For:
Budget camping (completely free)
Experienced campers comfortable with self-sufficiency
Those seeking solitude and quiet
Adventure-oriented campers
Large groups (no site size limits)
Critical Distinction: These are fundamentally different experiences. Dispersed camping requires complete self-reliance—no water, no toilets, no help. If you're expecting developed campground amenities at dispersed sites, you'll be disappointed and possibly unprepared.
DEVELOPED CAMPGROUND GUIDE
Getting There
From Jackson (20 minutes):
North on Highway 89/191
Right on Gros Ventre Road (at Gros Ventre Junction)
4 miles to campground entrance
Paved entire route
GPS: 43.6433° N, 110.7044° W
The Six Loops
A Loop (Sites 1-60):
First loop, closest to entrance
Mix tent/RV sites
Near camp host (good for questions)
More traffic but convenient
B Loop (Sites 61-115):
Tent-oriented, denser vegetation
Better privacy than A Loop
2-5 minute walk to river
Quieter
C Loop (Sites 116-180):
Most popular—books first
Best scenery/privacy balance
Direct river access many sites
Cottonwood shade
Mix of tent and RV
D Loop (Sites 181-245):
Larger RV sites
More open, less vegetation
Good for big rigs needing space
Mountain views
E Loop (Sites 246-300):
Farthest from entrance
Quietest loop
Longer walk to amenities
Best solitude in developed setting
F Loop (Sites 301-360):
Newer loop
Good infrastructure
Balanced tent/RV sites
Reservation Strategy
Reservable Sites (60%):
Book onrecreation.gov 6 months ahead
July-August weekends fill immediately
Mid-week much easier
$32/night + $10 reservation fee
Check cancellations daily before trip
Best Sites:
Sites 125-145 (C Loop): River access, spacing, shade—book these first
Sites 85-95 (B Loop): Privacy, vegetation
Sites 275-285 (E Loop): Maximum quiet
First-Come Sites (40%):
Same $32 rate, no reservation fee
Checkout 10 AM, check-in 2 PM
Peak season: Arrive 8-9 AM weekends, 10-11 AM weekdays
Shoulder season: Afternoon arrival usually fine
Talk to camp host about expected vacancies
Facilities
Available:
Flush toilets (modern bathhouses)
Potable water spigots throughout
Dump station
Bear-proof lockers (every site—mandatory use)
Trash/recycling (daily service)
Picnic tables and fire rings (every site)
Camp host (help and firewood sales)
NOT Available:
Showers (nearest in Jackson)
Hookups (water/electric/sewer)
WiFi
Reliable cell service
Rules
Bear Safety (CRITICAL):
ALL food, toiletries, trash in bear lockers when not in use
Never store in vehicle or tent
Violations = $150+ fine and ejection
Other Rules:
14-day maximum stay
8 people, 2 vehicles per site
Quiet hours: 10 PM - 6 AM
Generators: 6 AM - 10 PM only
Pets on 6-foot leash
Wyoming fishing license required for river
What to Bring
Essential:
Tent/RV and appropriate gear
Sleeping bags (nights 30s-50s°F even summer)
Layers (temps swing 40°F daily)
Rain gear (afternoon storms)
Food/cooler (ice in Jackson)
Camp stove and fuel
Firewood ($10-12 from host, or bring from Jackson)
Bear spray (if hiking)
First aid kit
Headlamp
Optional but Recommended:
Fishing gear (excellent river access)
Camp chairs
Binoculars (wildlife viewing)
Mountain bike (nearby trails)
DISPERSED CAMPING GUIDE
Understanding Dispersed Camping
What It Means: Camping on National Forest land outside developed campgrounds. No designated sites, no facilities, no fees, no reservations. You find a suitable spot and practiceLeave No Trace.
Legal Requirements:
200 feet from water sources
200 feet from trails
Not in meadows
Not blocking roads
On National Forest land (not private property)
16-day maximum per location
What "No Facilities" Actually Means:
No water (bring all or filter from river)
No toilets (dig catholes 6-8" deep, 200+ feet from water)
No trash service (pack out everything)
No help (emergency response may be hours)
No cell service
Where to Dispersed Camp
Lower Gros Ventre (Miles 0-8 from campground):
Access: Easy—paved/good gravel, 2WD fine
Solitude: Low—closer spacing, more traffic
Best for: Beginners, 2WD vehicles, families
Sites closer together, less privacy
River access excellent
Middle Gros Ventre (Miles 8-15):
Access: Moderate—gravel (usually good condition)
Solitude: Moderate—better spacing
Best for: Balance of access and remoteness
River parallels road
Scenic camping
Upper Gros Ventre (Miles 15-25):
Access: Challenging—rough road, high-clearance recommended
Solitude: High—significant isolation
Best for: Experienced campers, capable vehicles
4WD helpful in muddy conditions
Spectacular scenery, wildlife common
Red Hills Road (Turnoff ~Mile 10):
Branches north, higher elevation (6,800-7,200 ft)
Forest camping, cooler temps
Less river access
Quieter, less traveled
High-clearance helpful
Slide Lake Area (Upper Valley):
Historical1925 Gros Ventre Slide site
4WD often necessary
Remote, beautiful
Fishing opportunities
Finding a Dispersed Site
Look For:
Existing disturbed areas (don't create new sites)
Fire rings indicating previous camping
Pullouts with level areas
200+ feet from water/trails
No dead trees overhead ("widow-makers")
Flat ground for tent/vehicle
Away from flood zones
How to Find:
Drive slowly looking for pullouts
Weekdays = more choices than weekends
Talk to other dispersed campers
UseGoogle Earth beforehand (shows roads/clearings)
Be flexible—willing to drive farther
Best Zones:
Mile 4-5: Established pullouts, easy access, beginner-friendly
Mile 9-10: Better spacing, less traffic, good river access
Mile 16-18: Spectacular but rough road, high-clearance helpful
Red Hills 2-4 miles up: Pine forest, cooler, quiet
Essential Dispersed Camping Gear
Water (CRITICAL):
Bring all water from Jackson OR
Water filter/purifier for river water
1 gallon per person per day minimum
Collapsible water containers
Sanitation:
Portable toilet OR trowel for catholes
Toilet paper (pack out or bury deep)
Hand sanitizer
Trash bags (pack out everything)
Food Storage:
Bear-proof containers (hard canisters) OR
Bear bags hung properly (10+ feet high, 4+ feet from trunk)
Never in vehicle or tent
Cook 100+ feet from sleeping area
Navigation:
Physical maps (Bridger-Teton National Forest map)
GPS or phone with downloaded maps (no cell service)
Compass
Emergency:
Other:
Camp stove (more reliable than fires)
Fuel
Firewood (buy in Jackson)
Shovel (catholes, fire safety)
Headlamp with extra batteries
Leave No Trace Essentials
Pack Out Everything:
All trash (every scrap)
Toilet paper
Food scraps
Don't bury anything except human waste in catholes
Fires:
Use existing fire rings if available
Keep small
Burn completely to ash
Extinguish thoroughly (cold to touch)
Followfire restrictions (check current status)
Waste:
Catholes 6-8 inches deep, 200+ feet from water
Scatter dishwater 200+ feet from water (no soap in streams)
Pack out toilet paper
Bear Safety:
Store food properly always
Clean cooking areas thoroughly
If you encounter a bear: stay calm, don't run, speak calmly, back away slowly
Respect Others:
Camp away from others (maintain solitude for all)
Keep noise down
Don't block roads
Share information with other campers
Dispersed Camping Costs
Camping: FREE (no fees ever)
What You Need to Buy:
Food and supplies: Variable
Water containers: $10-30 one-time
Bear canister: $80-100 one-time (or rent in Jackson)
Firewood: $10-15 per bundle
Camping permits: None required for dispersed
Savings vs. Developed:
7 nights Gros Ventre Campground: $224
7 nights dispersed: $0
Savings: $224 (minus equipment if needed)
Activities from Gros Ventre
Fishing
Gros Ventre River:
Cutthroat and brook trout
Fly fishing and spin casting
Wyoming fishing license required
Best: Early morning, evening
Checkregulations (some catch-and-release areas)
Wildlife Viewing
Common Sightings:
Moose: River corridors, willow areas (dawn/dusk)
Elk: Meadows, forest edges (early morning)
Deer: Throughout area
Eagles/Ospreys: Near river
Black bears: Active June-September
Best Times: Dawn and dusk—bring binoculars, stay in vehicle for closer viewing
Hiking
Nearby Trails:
2 miles round trip, easy
Historical 1925 slide site
Upper Gros Ventre Road
Sheep Creek Trail:
Access from Curtis Canyon Road
Various lengths, moderate
Valley and mountain views
15 minutes from campground
Rock climbing and hiking
Multiple trail options
Day Trips
15-30 minutes to entrances
$35 entrance fee or annual pass
Jenny Lake, Cascade Canyon, scenic drives
20 minutes
Restaurants, shopping, gear stores
Town Square with antler arches
Museums, nightlife
15 minutes
Wildlife viewing year-round
Winter sleigh rides (December-March)
Seasonal Guide
Summer (July-August)
Developed Campground:
Reservations essential for weekends
First-come sites fill 9-11 AM weekdays
Highs 80s-90s°F, lows 50s-60s°F
Afternoon thunderstorms common
Dispersed Camping:
All roads accessible (2WD fine on main road)
Some sites occupied but plenty available
Best season for beginners
Mosquitoes June-July
Shoulder Season (May-June, Sept-Oct)
May-June:
Campground opens late May typically
Fewer crowds, easier site availability
Dispersed roads may be muddy (4WD helpful)
Nights cold (30s-40s°F)
Wildflowers, rushing river
September:
Best month (locals' favorite)
Stable weather, gorgeous conditions
Much easier site availability
Dispersed camping excellent
Cool nights (30s-40s°F)
October:
Campground closes mid-October
Dispersed camping still possible
Cold (below freezing nights)
Snow possible
Very few people
Winter (November-April)
Campground: Closed
Dispersed: Technically possible but:
Roads snow-covered (snowmobile/ski access only)
Extreme cold (0-20°F)
Winter camping skills required
Not recommended unless experienced
Cost Comparison
Developed Gros Ventre:
$32/night
7 nights = $224
Includes: Amenities, security, convenience
Dispersed Camping:
$0/night
7 nights = $0
Requires: Self-sufficiency, equipment, experience
Other Area Campgrounds:
Jenny Lake: $37/night (tent-only, first-come, very competitive)
Signal Mountain: $39/night (reservable, RV-friendly)
Colter Bay: $39/night + hookup fees (RV resort-style)
Curtis Canyon: $15/night (12 sites, rarely full, no water)
Best Value: Dispersed (free) if you're equipped and comfortable. Gros Ventre developed if you want amenities without national park prices.
Nearby Alternatives
If Gros Ventre doesn't fit:
East Gros Ventre Road
20 sites, first-come
$10/night, primitive
Quieter than Gros Ventre
Gros Ventre corridor
5 sites, first-come
$10/night
Forest setting
National Park Campgrounds:
Jenny Lake: Premium location, tent-only, competitive
Signal Mountain: Jackson Lake, reservable, RV-friendly
Colter Bay: Large, full services, resort-style
Pro Tips
Developed Campground:
Reserve C Loop sites 6 months out (best sites)
Weekdays much easier than weekends
Arrive 9-10 AM for first-come sites (peak season)
September = best weather, fewer crowds
Site 130-145 = premium river access
Dispersed Camping:
Bring all water from Jackson (filter river water as backup)
Weekdays = more site choices
Drive farther up-valley for better solitude
Use existing sites (don't create new impact)
Early/late season may need 4WD
Both:
Bear safety mandatory (food storage, clean camps)
Afternoon thunderstorms July-August (secure camps)
Fish early morning or evening
Wildlife viewing at dawn/dusk
Layer clothing (40°F temp swings daily)
Money-Saving:
Dispersed camping = free (bring water, self-sufficient)
Buy groceries in Jackson before camping
Bring firewood from valley (cheaper than camp host)
Fish for dinner (license required)
Emergency and Contacts
Emergency: 911
Gros Ventre Campground Host: On-site (A Loop area)
Bridger-Teton National Forest (Jackson Ranger District):
307-739-5400
Medical:
St. John's Medical Center (Jackson): 307-733-3636
20 minutes to hospital
Weather:weather.gov/riw
Road Conditions:wyoroad.info | 307-344-2117
Bear Hotline (sightings/incidents): 307-739-3300
Final Thoughts
Gros Ventre offers Jackson's most flexible camping—choose your own adventure from developed comfort to wilderness solitude, all in the same area. The developed campground provides excellent value at $32/night with real amenities and the option to reserve, while dispersed camping delivers complete freedom and solitude for free.
Choose Developed if: You want amenities, security of reservation, RV camping, or family-friendly infrastructure.
Choose Dispersed if: You're comfortable with self-sufficiency, want to save money, seek solitude, or have the gear and experience for wilderness camping.
Either way, you're camping along a pristine river beneath the Tetons with wildlife, fishing, and hiking all around—and you're 20 minutes from Jackson's restaurants when you want a break.