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Free Camping near the Tetons

Original Post
Monomaniac · · Morrison, CO · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 17,295

Anybody got any leads on free camping in the vicinity of Jackson, WY?

Darren S · · Minneapolis, MN · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 3,388

I'm not sure this helps but last time I was there I stayed on some BLM land about 15 min (or less) away from the park. We just looked on one of those cheesey park maps and figured it out. Or you could ask around at the climber's ranch they could probably help.

Tom Hanson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 950

Two words: Timbered Island

This is the terminal moraine that appears as a huge north-south grove of trees, well out east of the road, to the east of the Jenny Lake Ranger Station.
It is about a mile hike across some sagebrush flats, but we used to camp there free (questionable legality).

Buff Johnson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 1,145

just shoot to the other side of antelope flats and there's your forest.

John Bradford · · Yellowstone National Park · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 1,605

(quoting the above post) "It is about a mile hike across some sagebrush flats, but we used to camp there free (questionable legality)"

No question about it, outside a campground or designated camping area, and inside the National Park; camping is illegal.

There is the Gros Ventre Wilderness east of the Elk refuge that would be a good bet. Follow the road along the east edge of the refuge towards and beyond Curtis Canyon and the forest service campground located there. The other option would be to drive past Kelly (nice warm springs for swimming) and out towards the campgrounds above Slide Lake. I have not camped out here, but would suspect there is primitve camping beyond the established campgrounds.

Nick Stayner · · Wymont Kingdom · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 2,315

PM sent. There are many better places than the ones discussed here.

Bill Fitz · · Fort Collins CO · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 10

All the backcountry sites in the national park are free. if you want a less structured site, there are many places to camp to the east of the park on Pacific creek road, shadow mountain (near antelope flats) and lots of free sites near the gros ventre slide area. these areas are prime since you cant have fires in the park. timbered island would be a good way to meet some pissed of rangers.

Mike Larson · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined May 2006 · Points: 95
Mark Nelson wrote:just shoot to the other side of antelope flats and there's your forest.
Just stayed a week there. Take a right on Antelope Flats Rd (just past Moose Junction) then a left at the first stop sign (Storm Mtn Road). Follow this until you see a sign for National Forest access. Plenty of free sites available. About 4 or 5 miles from Moose Junction.
Nick Stayner · · Wymont Kingdom · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 2,315

It's Shadow Mountain, not Storm Mountain. But definitely a good (maybe the best?) spot for free camping close to GTNP.

MHanson · · SLC, UT · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 0

Same question, but looking for a update since 2008

Adam Paashaus · · Greensboro, NC · Joined May 2007 · Points: 791
Mike Larson wrote: Just stayed a week there. Take a right on Antelope Flats Rd (just past Moose Junction) then a left at the first stop sign (Storm Mtn Road). Follow this until you see a sign for National Forest access. Plenty of free sites available. About 4 or 5 miles from Moose Junction.
+10 I once was driving down the gravel forest service road with my jeep top down and had 3 huge bull moose running in the mature aspens not far off the road. the same direction as i was driving. Surreal. Great place to camp.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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