Free winter car camping near Tetons (2wd?)

Going on a little non-climbing road trip with a stop in Jackson Hole and getting in likely past midnight on Wednesday. We're only gonna be there until afternoon of the next day so this is really just to find a place to crash for the night without hassle so we're not fumbling around at 1am. View for the morning would be much appreciated as we'll be chilling for a while.

I've been there a few times before but never in the winter - usually I'd just do Shadow Mountain across from the park as it's pretty much perfect but I'm pretty sure that's a no go with a Corolla even with snow tires this time of the year. Anything similar exist?

Which direction are you coming from?

Thomas Carson wrote: Which direction are you coming from?

Coming from Denver.

Teton Canyon on the other side of the range from Jackson is nice. the road is closed this time of year but the parking lot is sufficient, I lived there for a bit.

Shay Subramanian wrote:

Coming from Denver.

So you'll be passing Pinedale. Between Bondurant and Hoback Junction there are forest service campgrounds. I think they're closed this time of year, but there might be dispersed camping in that corridor. Granite Creek Rd. has some camping options in the summer, but this time of year there's a closure. I think it might start after the first mile or so of road. As for coming up into the Tetons, we don't have too much snow yet. Shadow Mountain might be a possibility depending on how much it snows this week. Might be able to find a place on the other side of the highway from Cunningham Cabins.

Thomas Carson wrote:

So you'll be passing Pinedale. Between Bondurant and Hoback Junction there are forest service campgrounds. I think they're closed this time of year, but there might be dispersed camping in that corridor. Granite Creek Rd. has some camping options in the summer, but this time of year there's a closure. I think it might start after the first mile or so of road. As for coming up into the Tetons, we don't have too much snow yet. Shadow Mountain might be a possibility depending on how much it snows this week. Might be able to find a place on the other side of the highway from Cunningham Cabins.

Looks like the best bets are Granite Creek / Hoback area, which would totally work - thanks guys.

Still really wish there was a spot we could wake up to a view of the Teets. Sunrise from the tent on Shadow Mountain was a morning to remember. Do you think it's worth it to drive up there to try and see about Shadow? We might be able to hike the road...right? 

Any Plan Bs if we drove up to the park and that didn't work out? Thomas, what do you mean about across the highway from Cunningham Cabins?

Shay Subramanian wrote:

Thomas, what do you mean about across the highway from Cunningham Cabins?

https://www.google.com/maps/place/43%C2%B045'49.4%22N+110%C2%B033'25.3%22W/ 

I actually just called the Visitor's Center and Dan was super helpful with the current snow levels in the valley and some recommendations, I think we're going to just try Shadow or FR 30310 as some have suggested here. Thanks everybody! 

I doubt anyone cares if you park in the pullout just south of the Smiths grocery store on Highway 89 (might be with a semi-trailer overnight). It has been a favorite spot for one-nighters for many years.

Town cops usually don't bother anyone unless you are bothering someone else (parking in front of their house) or you are doing something dangerous/otherwise illegal. It is illegal to car camp in the town limits but not a big deal to most cops. Never park on town streets overnight during the winter - car will be towed or ticketed. They plow the streets overnight and it is illegal to park (not just car camp) on town streets overnight even if it isn't snowing and the streets are as dry as the Sahara.

Coming up Dec 1st:

Primitive winter camping is allowed in the plowed parking lot adjacent to the Colter Bay Visitor Center for $5 per night from December 1 to April 15. Camp on the snow covering the parking lot. Pay at the self-pay station by the restroom. Backcounty camping is free during that time.

Why not park and sleep in the parking garage?

I just spent a couple nights around Jackson. It had been snowing a lot so the snow at Granite Creek and Hoback was too deep to drive in (I tried and got solidly stuck for a bit..) Good news was that the county doesn't plow from 9pm to 5am so the plowed pull outs were ok between then. There were some people parked on 191 north of South Park. I also went to Colter Bay for a couple nights. It's about an hour + drive from Jackson and feels super remote. I was a bit creeped out as a single woman. I also had luck parking on 191 north of Jackson in Grand Teton National Park for a couple nights. After the storm cleared I woke up to a sunrise on the Grand!