NP Campground Review – Gros Ventre Campground, Teton National Park, WY
A mixed-quality National Park campground in an outstanding location to explore the Tetons in NW Wyoming.
Link to campground here: Gros Ventre, Teton NP, WY
Link to map location here: Gros Ventre, Teton NP, WY
- Site Quality = 2.5/5
Totally mixed site quality here. There are a select number of wonderfully large and flat sites, but also a number of horribly small and uneven sites and it’s a total mish-mash across all loops. Also most sites have large logs across the back limiting how far back you can park, which means there are many sites which “might” fit bigger rigs, but cannot simply because of the logs (in our site we had to park sideways to fit, and also needed leveling blocks to level). The majority of the sites are dirt (a select few are concrete), with a “sitting area” consisting of picnic table and fire-pit. In general river-facing sites (there are no actual views of the river, but you’ll have a nice grassy view and be able to walk there from your site) are sunnier, better spaced and bigger than sites in interior of the loops . Also electric sites tend to be bigger, but you’ll get a mix of quality in each and every loop. Generators are only allowed in loops A-C from 8AM to 10PM. Loop E is employee only and Loop G is tenters only.
There are 6 main loops which vary slightly in experience:- Loop A -> Sites 44-89. This is eastern-most loop and the only loop that has an actual view of the Tetons (sites 68,69,71 have the absolute best views with decent views from 63-82). Sites here are generally less tree’d and more open (decent solar), which means they have more views but also a lot less privacy than other loops. No hookups, but generators allowed.
- Loop B -> Sites 90-123. More tree’d than A-loop, but generally more sunny/open than other sites. River-facing sites are generally better-spaced with nice brush views. No hookups, but generators allowed.
- Loop C -> Sites 124-167. Heavily tree’d loop. Again, river-facing sites are generally bigger, sunnier and better-spaced. No hookups, but generators allowed..
- Loop D -> Sites 168-207. Heavily tree’d loop. This is the main electric hookup loop (30/50 amp) and seems to have been partially upgraded. Some of the campsites near the beginning of the loop are HUGE, perfectly flat concrete sites with very spacious parking spots. Campsites towards the middle of the loop are regular dirt and not upgraded (seems the park gave up half way?). NO Generators allowed here.
- Loop E – Employee only.
- Loop F -> Sites 287-336. Tree’d loop mostly occupied by smaller trailers and truck campers. Some solar possibilities towards river-facing sites. NO Generators allowed here.
- Loop G -> Sites 337-372. Heavily tree’d loop occupied exclusively by tent campers. NO Generators allowed here.
- In-between Sites – All other site numbers. There are a slew of sites on the north-facing road linking the main camping loops. Most of the sites are somewhat smaller in size and you do tend to get more road-traffic here, but they have great separation and many of them have very nice, open views to the north. Sites 2,5,7 are particularly lovely and would be a nice choice for smaller rigs (e.g. Class C’s).
- Facilities = 2/5
Really basic facilities here. There are flush toilets, but they were not particularly clean and NO showers (nearest showers are in Jackson). There is a dump station and threaded water spigots near the toilets in each of the campground loops. - Location = 5/5
This is an excellent spot from which to explore the area. You are only ~10 mins from Mormon Row, ~20 mins from Jackson and 30-40 mins from all the main photography spots in Teton National Park. Drive directly to the East and you’re in the Gros Ventre Wilderness, directly North and you’re in Teton National Park, directly South to Jackson, and if you meander to the West you’ll end up in dog-friendly Teton Village. The campground is really smack in the middle of it all! Plus you’re right by a lovely river (watch out for Moose making their way to the river every morning), and next to miles of dirt roads where you can hike with doggie. - Pet Friendliness = 5/5
Despite the fact that this is a National Park Campground it’s actually an excellent location for doggie. There is plenty of space around camp for paws to hang out, plus you can walk doggie around the campground, to the river, around the amphitheater and down the extensive dirt roads behind campsite #68 in A-loop. The latter actually provides miles of “hiking” with lovely views of the Tetons. Plus you are only ~20-30 mins from many dog-friendly outings in the area.
Overall Rating = 3.6
BONUS ALERT = Watch Moose walk through your campground early AM!
Summary: So, this park was an interesting experience for us. Our first impressions were not exactly good. We got a site which was too small for us (we hard to squeeze in at an angle to fit), we felt too close to our neighbors in the back and we needed leveling blocks to get level. A quick peruse around the campground revealed a total mix. Some sites were wonderfully large, flat & private while others were so small and uneven you could barely fit a truck camper. It felt like the concessionaires had upgraded a select few sites and then just given up, leaving the rest to deteriorate as they are. Also, almost all the sites had large logs in the back which prevented larger rigs from fitting (where they otherwise could) and toilets were not particularly clean (never a good sign). However the longer we stayed here the more we found we liked it! Our site was quiet (despite the close-ish neighbor), we had a very decent “sitting area” space and we were a short 2 mins walk from the river and 5 mins walk to the dirt roads behind site #68 in Loop A (= extensive hiking for doggie). Plus there were Moose that went through the campground every AM (between 6:30-7:00) making wildlife watching from the RV a breeze. In addition the campground was in an OUTstanding location to explore the area. It’s only ~10 mins from Mormon Row, ~20 mins from Gros Ventre Wilderness, ~20 mins from Jackson and ~30-40 mins from all the key photography areas in the Tetons. Plus it’s excellent value for the area, costing only $24/night (for dry camping) compared to much more expensive options in town. In the end we enjoyed it so much we extended our stay (twice) and were sad to leave when our time was up. All sites are first-come-first-serve so my advice is to try to arrive before 11AM since the best sites get filled early. For large rigs, ask for a river-facing site since these tend to be largest (you can’t actually see the river from your RV, but you’ll have a nice green view and can walk to the river just behind the site) and if you don’t like your initial site, look around for another. For smaller rigs ask to be placed on the north-side of the campground (outside the main camping loops) as these sites have lovely, open views. And if you want a peek of the Tetons ask to be placed in Loop A (the only loop where you can actually see them). In the end we thoroughly enjoyed our stay here and if we come back to the area this is definitely where we’ll stay.
Extra Info: We had 2 bars of very stable Verizon LTE (non-boosted), but very variable/iffy 1 bar 4G ATT (we got intermittent data signal and dropped calls without the booster). 300 total campsites (of which 36 have electricity) all first-come-first-serve. Electric sites $50/night ($38/night with senior pass). Dry-camping $24/night ($12/night with senior pass). 14-day stay limit. Dump station on-site.
Extra, Extra Info: Boondocking? There are actually quite a few well-known boondocking spots in this area, but only a few are suited for bigger rigs. Shadow Mountain, just north of Gros Ventre is probably the best-known spot and provides excellent views of the Tetons to boot. There is a small, free campground at the southern end of Shadow Mountain and limited big-rig boondocking near the bottom of the northern end of Shadow Mountain. However the best (and most plentiful) sites are up at the top of the mountain which require driving up some quite rutted road (= best suited for smaller rigs). We scoped out both sides of the mountain, but since it was Labor Day Weekend when we were there all the sites that could fit us were already taken by trailer or tent campers, and the road to the very top of the mountain was far too narrow and rutted for the “beast”.
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Glad you ended up liking the campground! We extended our stay there twice too…lol. Sorry you had such a tight spot…I wish I had thought to tell you to ask for the A-loop, but sounds like it all worked out okay. I can’t wait to go back someday!
When we first saw our site I was about ready to leave on the spot, but in the end we ended up loving the area so much we just stayed right there. Never really been in a campground that had such mixed effect on us LOL. Now I’d go back in a heartbeat!
Nina
Good review. We are here now in A loop. Just missed you by a few days. Originally in B loop but snagged a view site so moved. One note. The ATT signal gets weaker further away from highway 89. We had 2 bars in west loop B now one bar in east loop A. Verizon ok but sluggish a bit.
We Prefer this campground over Colter bay which is too closed in.
We will head east from here next week. Happy trails and Thanks for great photo tips. Now if the weather will clear…..
Great info Kent! Thanks for chiming in on the signal part of it. Hope you get some nice weather soon!
Nina
Thanks for the review. We will be there on 9/18 for 3 nights. Will show up right at 11 am and see what is available. It will be around 30 degrees or less in the am, so we are not sure if we will go for an electric site or use our generator. I know I will need to run my furnace in the am. Looking forward to it!
When I talked to the front office they told me the earliest you can “officially” get a campsite is 10AM, but that if a site is obviously empty before then you are welcome to go get it. So, honestly you can show up earlier if you wish. I don’t think there’s much downside to getting there as early as you can.
It IS going to a little chilly this next week, but those electric sites are a bit pricey for non-seniors.
Nina
You nailed this place well. It’s been three years since our last visit, so looking forward to seeing the power sites upgrades. We’ll go with a non powered site, in the generator loops, just in case we need to run top off to assist our Solar Panels.
Our first visit we were in A loop with a spot that we could hang our rear end over the log (it was low enough), and had a great front windshield view of the Teton’s. Subsequent visits, we’ve been in B, twice on river facing spots, and twice on the other side of the loop road from the river facing sites.
We never use any of the facilities, so have never been in them.
Moose and their calfs coming thru are always a pleasure to see.
And as you said, it is a great home base to enjoy the Teton’s! And for use with our Golden Age Pass (New this year, and trying to use the heck out of it!), it’s a real bargain for the area. (Interestingly, the electric sites are not 50% off with the pass, just a few dollars off, so still expensive compared to the non electric sites.)
Gros Ventre was one of those places that sold my wife on RV’ing, so, it always is a favorite spot for us to visit while in the area. In general, we enjoy the Teton experiences, more then we have our Yellowstone ones. Colter Bay is nice, expensive, but unless you take small hike to the lake, your in the trees. We’ve stayed in the West Yellowstone area a few times, another good home base for going into Yellowstone. We preferred West Yellowstone over Jackson Hole, for town like parks close to either Teton’s or Yellowstone. (The Virginian in Jackson Hole, was a bad experience, our first time in that area. We could get over the bad sites, it was the staff working their that were not very friendly and did a poor job on the facilities upkeep. (This was 7 years ago, but we will not go back, just from that one visits experience.)
Thanks for the great write up, and shots, of Gros Ventre. Again, a fair and spot on evaluation!
Smitty
We’ve stayed there twice, both times in the A loop with wonderful views. In fact Gros Ventre is probably our favorite national park campground of all we’ve stayed in. We had moose and bison wander through our loop, and saw beavers in the river just a short walk from our site. Hard to beat that location!
I have to agree the location rocks. We’ll definitely stay here again when we come thro’ the area in the future.
Nina
Excellent post. I appreciate all the info on the campground as well as on the boondocking spots. Rough and rutted roads are always of concern. Can’t wait to visit the Tetons. Your stunning photos had me wanting to skip Denver and head straight there.
We had the best of intentions to boondock here, but it just didn’t work out. It was just too busy that week-end and the spots which were open (very top of Shadow Mountain) were too difficult to get to for “the beast”. Maybe next time.
Nina
We were there 4 years ago and loved it. Your review is spot on about the pros and cons. You provide amazing detail. Love all the loop and site pictures. Have to say, we didn’t have moose walking through the campground but we were there in early August not the much more sane month of September.
Thanks so much for this review. I’ve bookmarked it, as I am planning a two week trip to the Tetons next summer.
Love your blog!!
Tanya
Been to Gros Ventre 2 times, now. A loop preferred. Downside is being in a small 21 foot travel trailer solo, the price per night adds up fast, even with solar panels and generator. Perhaps when I turn 62 and qualify for a 1/2 price Golden Pass.
Views, and river can’t be beat, no idea about the rest of the facilities. Due to much better dry camping opportunities, I prefer much more being west of West Yellowstone, but you can’t match the views and photo opportunities of the Grand Tetons, early and late. Wildlife is everywhere in that area.
I don’t often “post” but it’s time to say hello. Read your site from cover to cover 2-3 years ago when we were in the planning stages. Liked your common sense approach and find we are living the nomad life in a similar manner (solar, cell boosters, remote campsites, a beast). We’ve been “homeless” a year and a half and loving it. Seems we’ve traded places with you recently. We spent 9 wonderful days at a little NF campground upstream on the Gros Ventre River in early August and visited your Cape D lighthouse this week. We toured the NP Gros Ventre campground and your review is very accurate. I was happy elsewhere. Thanks for all the quality information.
I can’t thank you all enough for the information about this park and the Tetons. I’m just now making plans to go next July. We are new to RVing and my husband is retiring at the end of the year. Had no clue about the issue with dogs and Yellowstone.
Thanks again for enlightening us newbies.
I appreciate you not giving out the name or location of the actual best boondocking spot in the Tetons! 😉
Thanks so much for this info. We stayed up at Colter Bay and then moved to Gros Ventre for 2 nights. We even we’re lucky enough to get #69! It was wonderful. The moose came by and all was right in our world!
Oh how utterly cool! Glad you enjoyed the campground and the area.
Nina
Thanks for the awesomely detailed write-up! We’re planning our Teton/Yellowstone visit for early September 2016 (hoping for fewer crowds once all the kiddies are in school) and were trying to decide between Colter Bay and Gros Ventre. I think we’re going with GV and hopefully get a sunny spot in A loop so we don’t need the generator much. It’s awesome how much detail you provided about each loop! Was it extra crowded during Labor Day weekend? That’s our current target timeframe, then we’d head to Yellowstone (and I need to decide between Fishing Bridge and Grant Village there).
It was definitely fully packed Labor Day weekend, but I didn’t feel like we were overly cramped. I think if you get there slightly early, you should be able to secure a nice spot. It’s an AWESOME place to visit. Enjoy!
Nina
Camped there with family in 1961 because other areas were full, and I cannot imagine the place full of monster RVs now. My dad was thrilled with fly fishing in the river, and came back to our camp one morning wide-eyed after seeing a “real cattle round-up” with local cowboys — the real deal! It was so quiet and peaceful, the only other campers that June being a family that was homeless. That was unusual for the time. The campsites were all primitive then; no complaining about the flush toilets being less than clean, since there weren’t any!
Thanx for the review on this campground. Especially the pictures. We reserved 14 days at two Yellowstone Campgrounds (Madison & Bridge Bay). Others on IRV2 said Gros Ventre is a good location for the Teton’s. Do you think we would have any issues arriving on the Wed. before Memorial Day weekend?
Our Alaska trip last summer, there were many mornings with my coffee walk I would run into Moose….Looking forward to more Moose sightings.
Your GV review of a couple years ago is still spot on. Most of the sites remain on the rustic side while others, like the hand fully upgraded ones in the “electric” section, are over-the-top nice. Puzzling that several tenters were occupying electric sites? Passed up Colter Bay on the way down from Yellowstone & arrived GV at 10:30 am. Was able to snag a “beast sized” site near the amphitheater which provided excellent solar/sat ability without trees as well as Teton views peaking above the nearby hills. Feeder road in front of us was busy only at checkin/out time but quiet otherwise. Maybe next weeks total solar eclipse caused the CG to fill so quickly? The 4 mile wide Aug 21st 2017 eclipse swath will travel right through Colter Bay just to the north. Had we arrived too much after 10 am in anything larger than a pop up it might’ve been disappointing. Diagonal parking skills with larger rigs will come in handy for many of the sites at this park. AT&T signal is now much stronger than you mentioned 2 years ago with no booster needed.
We loved how close it is to Jackson though stop & go traffic from the Elks Refuge all the way into town in the evening was something to avoid. Downtown tourist area was fun for a few hours but REALLY busy and the nice Albertsons supermarket came in handy. Can highly recommend the Bar J BBQ Cowboy Musical Show which is near Teton Village about 7 miles west of town. So much to do and see in the area and GVs 14 day limit means return visits needed.
Thanks again Nina & Paul!
Thank you SO much for reporting back on your stay! Great, detailed info which I’m sure will be super useful for others.
Nina
You ought to come back to the Gros Ventre. All RV sites are paved and level. The NPS did an audit on the facility on 7/19/20 and we got all 5’s. The highest. EVEN THE RESTROOMS! We’re doing something right. We’ve sold out the past 18 days. If you want a site, get here by 6:30 AM. The line will astound you.
Thank you so much for your detailed review and all the pictures!! It was sure helpful to me! We reserved a site for Sept 8-13, 2021 and I can’t wait. I’m sure its changed some since your review, but gave me alot of info. 🙂