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At 3.4 million acres, the Bridger-Teton
National Forest is the second largest national forest in the contiguous
United States. The forest is so immense it reaches into portions
of the Wind River Range, and west to the Snake River Canyon between
the Palisades Reservoir and the town of Alpine, Wyoming. The forest
also happens to border Yellowstone, making for one of the wildest
and untrammeled landscapes in the world. So why camp in the Bridger-Teton?
Those looking for remote car camping while still within an easy
drive of Grand Teton National Park and Jackson will need to look
no further.
Few places contain most of the native wildlife
prior to European settlement. The
Bridger-Teton qualifies as one of them. Grizzly bears, wolves,
wolverine, moose, elk, black bear and cougar all call the deep
forest home. Numerous lakes and rivers punctuate the landscape,
and you're never very far from water. Bird life is diverse and
plentiful, from pelicans to bald eagles.
For the sake of clarity, let me say that
you simply cannot go wrong with camping in the Bridger-Teton National
Forest. It is one of the top outdoor recreation locations in the
world. It would take anyone a lifetime to properly explore and
camp this magnificent national forest. That said, there are many
in Wyoming who are anti-predator, meaning there is a hostile attitude
towards wolves and other carnivores. The issue has been blown
out of proportion by the agriculture and ranching community, and
unfortunately a few folks have hopped on board. Wyoming has established
a "shoot on sight" zone for wolves that wander out of
Yellowstone. Shopping at pro-wildlife establishments is a great
way to support a culture that understands ecology and common sense.
Parkcamper.com is, and always will be a
wildlife-friendly site.
Scroll down to view the campgrounds, or use these links: Atherton
Creek Campground, East
Table Campground, Station
Creek Campground, Little
Cottonwood Group Campground,
Wolf Creek Campground,
Alpine Campground,
Pacific Creek Campground.
Atherton Creek
Campground
Atherton Creek is a small, sloping campground on
the northern shore of Lower Slide Lake. The sites are decently
spacious,but privacy is not the best. Those interested in fishing
and water views will find Atherton Creek a pleasing campground.
In the photo above, you can see vehicles in the campground along
the shore.
Visitors to Atherton Creek can expect a boat ramp,
drinking water, vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings.
The road to Atherton is paved, but it's primitive (And that's
a compliment). Atherton Creek is in some wild country. This portion
of the Bridger-Teton has the highest density of top tier ungulates
in the U.S. Keep your eyes peeled for moose and elk that often
stroll out of the tree line into the numerous meadows.
Since much of the campground is exposed, expect
cold wind gusts off Lower Slide Lake. Campers wishing to avoid
the bustle of Grand Teton and Jackson will find Atherton Creek
a great place to camp while still remaining within 20 miles of
Jackson, and 13 miles from the Moose Junction entrance to Grand
Teton. While Atherton Creek is not the nicest looking campground
we've ever seen, it does sit amidst wonderful country.
Location: 9
Scenery: 8
In-campground aesthetics: 5
Unnatural Noise: 6
Cleanliness: 6
Site Privacy: 4
Parkcamper Rating: 6.3/10
Atherton campground facts:
Video Tour available: Coming soon
Open: May 27 to Snow Season
Sites: 16
Laundry: No (20.61 miles southwest to Jackson)
Showers: No (20.61 miles southwest to Jackson)
Dump Station: No
Store: No (20.61 miles southwest to Jackson)
Quiet Hours: 10 am to 6 am
Fee: $12 per vehicle
Parking Apron Size: 15' X 40'
Handicapped Accessible: Yes
Toilets: Yes | Tables: Yes | Fire rings: Yes
Water: Yes
Elevation: 6,989 feet
Fishing: Yes (Lower Slide Lake for trout)
Generator: Yes (8 am to 8 pm reasonable usage)
Gas: No (20.61 miles southwest to Jackson)
Repairs: No(20.61 miles southwest to Jackson )
East Table Campground
East Table campground lies at the easternmost point
of the Snake River campground complex in the Bridger-Teton National
Forest. East Table campground is on the bank of the magnificent
Snake River, and some sites are within stone-tossing distance.
Campers looking for sites near fantastic water recreation will
find this a desirable campground. It's a pretty campground, with
tall pines and a forested feel. Site privacy isn't the best, and
the highway can be heard the further you are from the Snake River.
Wildlife watching is quite good, with bald eagles and osprey common.
Campers can expect picnic tables, two vault toilets,
drinking water, fire rings, boat ramp, and numerous opportunities
for water-based recreation. The campgrounds along the Snake River
between Hoback Junction and Alpine are all heavily used, and most
of this use comes from campers who float the Snake River. Our
Downloadable campground pack covers this stretch in detail.
East Table campground also has an overflow campground across the
road to accommodate users when the main campground is full.
Location: 9
Scenery: 8
In-campground aesthetics: 7.5
Unnatural Noise: 6 (closer to river is better)
Cleanliness: 7
Site privacy: 5
Parkcamper Rating: 7.08/10
Site with good privacy at East Table Campground.
East Table campground facts:
Video Tour available: Coming soon
Open: late May to late September
Sites: 17
Laundry: No (12.14 miles west to Alpine)
Showers: No (12.14 miles west to Alpine)
Dump Station: Yes (Thursday before Memorial Day until snow flies)
Store: No (12.14 miles west to Alpine)
Quiet Hours: 10 am to 6 am
Fee: $15 per vehicle
Parking Apron Size: 12' X 52'
Handicapped Accessible: Yes
Toilets: Yes | Tables: Yes | Fire rings: Yes
Water: Yes
Elevation: 5,848 feet
Fishing: Yes (Snake River)
Generator: Yes (8 am to 8 pm reasonable usage)
Gas: No (12.14 miles west to Alpine)
Repairs: No(12.14 miles west to Alpine )
Station Creek
Campground
Station Creek is another nice campground in the
Snake River Campground Complex. Campers interested in kayaking
and rafting will find this a pleasing spot. Station Creek is convenient
to several boat launches for the Wild and Scenic Snake River.
Like other campgrounds along the stretch usage during the summer
months is quite heavy. The Snake is a beautiful and popular river.
Campers can expect picnic tables, fire rings, drinking water,
and vault toilets. The sites have decent privacy, and there's
a nice woodland feel to the sites. Campers can expect noise from
passing rafters, and noise from the adjacent highway. The canyon
is scenic and numerous wildflowers can be seen during the warmer
months.
Don't be confused by the Targhee National Forest sign. Station
Creek campground is actually managed by the Bridger-Teton National
Forest. Overall, Station Creek is a well-rounded national forest
campground. Campers will have fond memories of woods, water, and
campfires.
Location: 9
Scenery: 8
In-campground aesthetics: 8
Unnatural Noise: 6 (closer to river is better)
Cleanliness: 7
Site privacy: 7
Parkcamper rating: 7.5/10
Station Creek campground facts:
Video Tour available: Coming soon
Open: late May to late September
Sites: 15
Laundry: No (10.01 miles west to Alpine)
Showers: No (10.01 miles west to Alpine)
Dump Station: Yes (Thursday before Memorial Day until snow flies)
Store: No (10.01 miles west to Alpine)
Quiet Hours: 10 am to 6 am
Fee: $12 per vehicle
Parking Apron Size: 15' X 44'
Handicapped Accessible: Yes
Toilets: Yes | Tables: Yes | Fire rings: Yes
Water: Yes
Elevation: 5,739 feet
Fishing: Yes (Snake River)
Generator: Yes (8 am to 8 pm reasonable usage)
Gas: No (10.01 miles west to Alpine)
Repairs: No (10.01 miles west to Alpine )
Little Cottonwood
Group Campground
How would you like to have a campground to yourself,
with the majestic Snake River bordering the grounds? Well, Little
Cottonwood group campground is the place for you.
Users can expect excellent privacy, with views of the Snake River
and the canyon. This is also a good place to see wildlife. Campground
aesthetics are similar to other campgrounds in the Snake River
Complex, but this one is a bit more private for obvious reasons.
The fee for group camping is $60. Luckily, you can make reservations,
leaving you with peace of mind as you plan your big family gathering.
Reservations can be made at: 1-877-444-6777.
Campers can expect picnic tables, fire rings, a
pit toilet, and nearby boat launches. Camping groups larger than
15 people interested in floating the Snake River will need a permit
from the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Contact the USFS at: 307-739-5500.
Location: 9
Scenery: 8
In-campground aesthetics: 8
Unnatural Noise: 6 (closer to river is better)
Cleanliness: 7
Site privacy: 10
Parkcamper rating: 8/10
Little Cottonwood Group campground facts:
Video Tour available: Coming soon
Open: late May to late September
Sites: 1 group
Laundry: No (7.28 miles west to Alpine)
Showers: No (7.28 miles west to Alpine)
Dump Station: Yes (Thursday before Memorial Day until snow flies)
Store: No (7.28 miles west to Alpine)
Quiet Hours: 10 am to 6 am
Fee: $60 per group
Parking Apron Size: 15' X 44'
Handicapped Accessible: Yes
Toilets: Yes | Tables: Yes | Fire rings: Yes
Water: Yes
Elevation: 5,722 feet
Fishing: Yes (Snake River)
Generator: Yes (8 am to 8 pm reasonable usage)
Gas: No (7.28 miles west to Alpine)
Repairs: No(7.28 miles west to Alpine )
Wolf Creek Campground
Wolf Creek Campground sits on the northern side
of Highway 26 in the beautiful Snake River Canyon, where Wolf
Creek meets the Snake River. It is one of several near-river campgrounds
in the area, and one of the featured campgrounds in our Snake
River Complex Pack, which you can download soon.
Wolf Creek almost seems like an afterthought, cut
into an exposed rocky hill area. Site privacy is poor, and campers
can expect lots of highway noise as well as nice views of the
traffic. Headlights may impact tenters. This is not ideal. However,
the campground is in a beautiful location, much better than many
areas across the U.S., and access to the river is good. Everything
is relative.
Campers at Wolf Creek Campground can expect vault toilets, picnic
tables, drinking water, and fire rings. The fishing is good in
the Snake River, and so is the wildlife watching. If you have
kids or pets that like to wander, be careful of the highway. Everything
sort of slopes down to it here. If you want to camp in the Snake
River Campground complex and you arrive late, and the other campgrounds
are full, I suggest skipping right down to Wolf Creek, and then
getting up first thing to try and secure a site in the other campgrounds.
It serves a useful function as an overflow campground.
Location: 9
Scenery: 8
In-campground aesthetics: 4
Unnatural Noise: 4 (closer to river is better)
Cleanliness: 6
Site privacy: 4
Parkcamper rating: 5.8/10
Wolf Creek campground facts:
Video Tour available: Coming soon
Open: late May to September 10
Sites: 21
Laundry: No (4.17 miles west to Alpine)
Showers: No (4.17 miles west to Alpine)
Dump Station: Yes
Store: No (4.17 miles west to Alpine)
Quiet Hours: 10 am to 6 am
Fee: $12
Parking Apron Size: 15' X 44'
Handicapped Accessible: Yes
Toilets: Yes | Tables: Yes | Fire rings: Yes
Water: Yes
Elevation: 5,791 feet
Fishing: Yes (Snake River)
Generator: Yes (8 am to 8 pm reasonable usage)
Gas: No (4.17 miles west to Alpine)
Repairs: No(4.17 miles west to Alpine )
Alpine Campground
Alpine is a beautiful campground close to the shores
of Palisades Reservoir. While technically in the Targhee National
Forest, we're including it here because of its proximity to the
popular Snake River Canyon Campground complex and as a useful
overflow campground.
The terrain is mostly flat, with wide sweeps of
gravel and lodgepole pines. Site privacy is also quite good, and
campers interested in fishing will love casting the shore of Palisade
Lake for cutthroat trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon, and mackinaw
trout. It's also just west of the main Snake River Campground
complex, and receives lighter use than the campgrounds along the
river which we addressed on this page.
So is there anything wrong with Alpine Campground?
Well I'm sorry to tell you that I had the worst experience I've
ever had at a campground, in all the years we've been running
this site and camping. I would go into details, but lets just
say I wasn't happy with a person, and I ended up leaving the campground,
upon which I paid a $5 day fee, which I never got back after spending
fifteen minutes in the place.
I've been doing this for a long time, folks. I've
seen a lot of strange things. This was the strangest. Hopefully
the person whom I encountered is no longer there. If so, this
is a high-level campground.
Location: 8
Scenery: 8
In-campground aesthetics: 8
Unnatural Noise: 5 (closer to river is better)
Cleanliness: 6
Site privacy: 8
Misc: 0
Parkcamper rating: 6.14/10
Alpine campground facts:
Video Tour available: No
Open: Mid May to September 12
Sites: 15
Laundry: No (4.17 miles west to Alpine)
Showers: No (4.17 miles west to Alpine)
Dump Station: Yes
Store: No (4.17 miles west to Alpine)
Quiet Hours: 10 am to 6 am
Fee: $10 for single, $20 for double units, $35 night for 25 people,
$1 per person beyond 25, and $5 a night for extra vehicle.
Parking Apron Size: 15' X 44'
Handicapped Accessible: Yes
Toilets: Yes | Tables: Yes | Fire rings: Yes
Water: Yes
Elevation: 5,660 feet
Fishing: Yes (Palisades Reservoir, Snake River)
Generator: Yes (8 am to 8 pm reasonable usage)
Gas: No (2 miles west to Alpine)
Repairs: No(4.17 miles west to Alpine )
Pacific Creek Campground
Pacific Creek is a remote and quiet campground located eight
miles northeast of Highway 89 which runs through Grand Teton National
Park. The campground is very quiet and borders the spectacular
Bridger-Teton Wilderness. A trail leads from the campground to
these wilds.
Many who are looking for a more remote car camping experience
near Grand Teton will be happy to know about Pacific Creek campground.
This definitely fits that category. The road to the campground,
although gravel, is maintained, and any vehicle can make the eight
mile trek from Highway 89.
The sites are really spacious at Pacific Creek, with wide area
of gravel. Some of the sites do offer privacy.
Campers should know that Pacific Creek is grizzly bear habitat
and all bear precautions such as proper food storage apply. Wildlife
enthusiasts will find this area to be brimming with elk and moose--especially
in the fall. You can often see the tips of their high, impressive
antlers deep into the forest as you approach, with the golden
leaves of the aspen and cottonwoods trailing behind.
There is little doubt that this corner of the world is one of
the most beautiful. And the close proximity to Grand Teton National
Park makes Pacific Creek Campground a car camper's delight.
Location: 10
Scenery: 9
In-campground aesthetics: 7
Unnatural Noise: 9
Cleanliness: 7
Site Privacy: 7
Parkcamper Rating: 8.16/10
Pacific Creek is also an excellent campground for horse use,
as there's even a corral and wilderness trails which allow horses
and other pack animals. Be aware that pack outfitters operate
quite often near this area. Expect lots of pack animal activity.
Fishermen will love the campground as magnificent Pacific Creek
is only a short walk through the woods.
Pacific Creek campground facts:
Video Tour available: Coming Soon
Open: May 20 to September 30
Sites: 8
Laundry: No
Showers: No
Dump Station: No
Store: No(12.8 miles to Signal Mountain)
Fee: $5
Suitable for all vehicles
Ranger District: Buffalo
Handicapped Accessible: Yes
Toilets: Yes(vault) | Tables: Yes | Fire rings: Yes
Water: No
Elevation: 7,051 feet
Fishing: Yes (Pacific Creek)
Generator: Yes
Gas: No (12.8 miles west to Signal Mountain)
Repairs: No (31 miles south to Jackson)
A grouse struts on the road to Pacific Creek Campground.
The road to Pacific Creek Campground.
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