Colter Bay Campground
Summer camp for the whole family — Jackson Lake, marina, horseback, and Teton views
Location: Grand Teton National Park, WY, WY
Price: From $35 per night
Price range: $35–$78 per night
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (849 reviews)
Elevation: 6854 feet
Season: Mid-May–Late September
The most complete camping experience in Grand Teton National Park. Colter Bay Village on the north shore of Jackson Lake is essentially a self-contained national park resort — marina with boat rentals and lake cruises, horseback riding, restaurants, grocery store, laundry, showers, and ranger programs all within walking distance of 349 campsites tucked into lodgepole pine. Grizzly bears, moose, bald eagles, and river otters are regularly seen in the area.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Pay Showers, Flush Toilets, Laundry, Marina, Boat Rentals, Horseback Riding, Lake Cruises, Grocery Store, Restaurant, Gift Shop, Visitor Center, Ranger Programs, Bear Boxes, Fire Rings, Dump Station, Pet Friendly
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/colter-bay-grand-teton to be notified when sites open up.
Grand Teton's most complete camping village. Colter Bay is positioned on Jackson Lake's north shore with the full Teton Range as a backdrop — Mount Moran reflected in the lake at sunrise is one of the most photographed views in the American West. Unlike most national park campgrounds, everything you could need is within walking distance: grocery store, restaurant, marina, boat rentals, horseback riding, laundry, showers. It truly functions as summer camp for the whole family.
The Jackson Lake dinner cruise departs from Colter Bay Marina and takes you to a private meal site on Elk Island in the middle of the lake with the Teton Range looming in every direction. Most campers eat at the cafeteria or cook at camp and never know the dinner cruise exists. It runs May–September and is one of the most extraordinary dining experiences in any national park. ⇒ Water: Jackson Lake at Colter Bay Marina reaches 65°F in July–August. The sandy cove north of the marina has calmer water than the main lake. Swim with the Teton Range directly in front of you. No lifeguards — self-rescue only.
What is new at Colter Bay Campground: All Grand Teton campgrounds moved to Recreation.gov reservations in 2024. Colter Bay Village marina refreshed for 2026 season. New ADA-accessible sites added to the RV Park.
Wildlife alert: GRIZZLY BEAR country. Bear spray is mandatory on all hikes — not optional. Store ALL food in bear boxes including inside tents. Bears have been seen in the campground and village. Black bears also present.
Fire rules: Campfires permitted in fire rings only. No fires when restrictions posted (common in dry years). No wood gathering in the park.
Things to do near Colter Bay Campground: Jackson Lake dinner cruise — departs Colter Bay Marina, book at activities desk immediately. Swan Lake and Heron Pond Trail — easy 3-mile loop with exceptional bird and moose viewing. Jackson Lake Dam at dusk — most reliable moose viewing spot in the park. Horseback rides — depart from Colter Bay corrals, 1 and 2-hour options. Ranger-led Indian Arts and Culture program at the Visitor Center.
Insider tips for Colter Bay Campground: Book the dinner cruise at the marina activities desk first thing — it fills within hours September walk-up sites are often available even at this popular campground Drive the 1-mile road to Colter Bay from the highway at dawn — moose in the willows is near-guaranteed
Skip Colter Bay Campground if: You need hookups in the main campground (none — book RV Park separately). You're visiting after late September (campground closes). You're mosquito-intolerant in June.
Best time to visit Colter Bay Campground: Sep — Fall colors peak. Crowds drop 50%. Grizzlies active before hibernation. Moose sightings frequent. Fishing excellent.. Jun–Jul — Everything running. Wildflowers. Bears with cubs. All activities available..
Common issues at Colter Bay Campground: Main campground has no hookups — must book the separate Colter Bay RV Park ($72–78/night) for full hookups. Book the RV Park (separate Recreation.gov listing) well in advance. 112 sites with full hookups including 50A. No generators permitted at any time — strict rule. Plan ahead for a fully battery-powered stay or book the RV Park which has shore power. Some loop restrooms (particularly Loop I) reported poorly maintained. Request sites in Loop A, B, or C. Avoid Loop I or O which get the heaviest use. Mosquitoes can be intense in June–early July. DEET-based repellent, long sleeves at dawn and dusk. Bring a head net — it's not optional in June.
What campers say about Colter Bay Campground: "Loaded with wildlife. Two nights here and we saw mule deer, a badger, and a grizzly. The best campground in the Tetons, full stop." — Hipcamp Sep 2025 "Everything is a short walk — restaurant, store, lake, marina. Stayed for one night headed to Yellowstone and liked it so much we stayed three more." — PerfectCamp Sep 2025 "Showers cost extra at the launderette — bring quarters. Otherwise this place has genuinely everything you need inside the park." — The Dyrt Sep 2024 "September here: golden fall color everywhere, almost no crowds, grizzly sightings near the lake dam. Best month to visit by far." — Campendium Sep 2025
What are the best sites at Colter Bay Campground Grand Teton? Sites in loops 1–6 nearest Jackson Lake are the most coveted — several have lake views and are within 200 feet of the shore. Loop D (sites D1–D30) is slightly removed from the main area and tends to be quieter. Tent-only sites in the E and F loops offer more separation from RVs. Colter Bay is one of Grand Teton's largest campgrounds (350 sites) with a full marina, laundry, and restaurants on-site.
How far in advance should I book Colter Bay? Colter Bay reservations open 6 months in advance on Recreation.gov. June and July weekends sell out within the first hour of release. August is slightly easier. September is significantly easier and the weather is still excellent — fall colors peak late September. First-come, first-served sites (about 40) fill by 10 AM on summer weekends.
Does Colter Bay have hookups for RVs? Yes — Colter Bay has RV sites with water and electric hookups (30A). Full hookup sites are in loops 1–4. Generator use is allowed in RV loops during designated hours. No sewer hookups — a dump station is available near the campground entrance. Maximum vehicle length in hookup loops is 40 feet. Tent loops have no hookups.
Can I kayak from Colter Bay Campground? Yes — Colter Bay has a full marina with kayak, canoe, and motorboat rentals directly from camp. You can launch from the beach within the campground itself. Jackson Lake is one of the best flatwater kayaking destinations in the Tetons — paddle to Waterfalls Canyon, Elk Island, or the scenic bay arms. Rentals run approximately $25–55/hour. No permit required for non-motorized boats.
