A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

National Park Service campground

Colter Bay Campground

National Park Service campground in Grand Teton National Park, Teton County, Wyoming. 6,820 feet.

Managed by
National Park Service Grand Teton National Park
Elevation
6,820 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
349 276 standard non-electric, 49 tent only non-electric, 13 standard electric
Longest rig
50 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
Electric
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Teton County

Overview

The vast Colter Bay Campground at Colter Bay Village is set amidst towering lodgepole pines just a short, picturesque stroll away from Jackson Lake. The campground offers camping for tents and dry camping for RVs. (For full hookup RV sites, check out the Colter Bay RV Park.) Campsites include 338 individual campsites, 12 large group sites, 10 hiker-bicycler sites, and 13 electric-only ADA-accessible sites. Generator Loops are H, J, K M, & O. The campground is open from mid-May to late-September. As with all campgrounds in the park, the Colter Bay Campground is very popular and tends to fill up quickly. Visitors are strongly encouraged to plan and book early. For questions call Colter Bay RV Park & Campground office: 307-543-3020.

Think of Colter Bay Village as summer camp for the entire family. This lovely area is set on the shores of Jackson Lake, and offers practical amenities like laundry facilities, showers, restaurants and a grocery store, as well as purely-for-fun diversions like a marina, gift shop, visitor center, and horse corrals. Colter Bay has an activity for everyone in the family. Visitors can enjoy hiking, kayaking and canoeing, horseback riding, fishing, swimming and beach-going, lake cruises, and ranger-led programs. Set against the majestic backdrop of the Teton Mountains, Colter Bay Village is a must-visit.

The Colter Bay Marina is closed for the 2026 season.

Recreation

Colter Bay and the surrounding area offers a wide variety of activities for all ages, including marina rentals, horseback riding, world-class guided fishing, and lake cruises. Stop by our activities desk to find the perfect excursion for everyone in your group!

Jackson Lake is a popular area for boating. Several islands float just off Colter Bay’s shores, and are home to fish, birds, river otters, beavers and other wildlife. Bring your own boat or rent a canoe, kayak, or motor boat from the Colter Bay Marina.

Lake cruises are the perfect excursion for the entire family. Cruise around Jackson Lake and learn about the history, geology, flora and fauna of the area while getting up-close views of the spectacular Tetons, which rise majestically from the water. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner meal cruises offer a delicious opportunity to dine at our private meal site on Elk Island, and a truly unique vantage point for experiencing the park.

Jackson Hole has world class fly and lake fishing that you won’t want to miss! Whether you’re learning to cast a fly for the first time, or are an experienced angler looking for the inside scoop on the best secret spots, our expert guides will provide a fishing experience you will not soon forget.

No trip to the Old West is complete without a horseback ride. We offer one- and two-hour rides suitable for all experience levels. Take in beautiful Teton vistas while riding among wildflower meadows.

Several easy to moderate hiking trails leave from Colter Bay. Hikers can take a leisurely stroll along the lakeshore, make their way to Swan Lake and Heron Pond for incredible birdwatching and wildlife sightings, or head out to Hermitage Point for a more challenging outing.

The Colter Bay Visitor Center is home to the David T. Vernon Indian artifacts collection. The exhibit celebrates Indian artwork and educates on the long history of human habitation in Jackson Hole and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Stop by the visitor center to check-out daily Ranger-led programs including a hike to Swan Lake, a lakeshore stroll, a tipi demonstration, Indian arts and culture, wildlife watches, short presentations on park highlights, and a variety of evening programs.

Facilities

Colter Bay Campground offers camping for tents and dry camping for RVs. (For full hookup RV sites, check out the Colter Bay RV Park.) Each tent site has a gravel parking space for up to two vehicles and space for one tent. For parties with extra-large tents or multiple tents, please see individual site specifications before booking. Multiple tents are only permitted in sites designated for multiple tents. Only one RV/Camper/Caravan is allowed per site.

Each RV site has a back-in or pull-through gravel parking space for one RV . RV sites are of various sizes, and guests should look at individual site specifications prior to booking to ensure max length availability. When factoring site length, tow vehicles should be included in total length. There is a complimentary RV dump station and potable water filling station available to guests, and propane is available for purchase at the nearby RV Park. Please note, generators are only permitted in loops H, J, K, M, O, and Group Sites between the hours of 6am and 10pm.

All sites include a picnic table, a fire pit with metal fire grate, bear-proof food storage lockers, and access to nearby water spigots, flush toilets, and laundry and showers available for an additional fee.

Please note the Colter Bay Marina is closed for the 2026 season.

ADA Access: There are 13 ADA-compliant campsites with electric-only hook-ups, accessible picnic tables, and paved sites. The campground loop roads are paved and mostly level, with some sloping incline and decline. Restroom facilities are partially accessible, with accessible showers available at the launderette. Routes to the amphitheater are paved but on a sloping incline/decline.

Complimentary WiFi/internet service is available at the restaurants, activities desk, launderette, and stores. Cellular coverage varies, and may be available depending location within the campground and service provider. A courtesy phone is located at the Campground Kiosk near the campground entrance. Firewood, food, ice, camping supplies and more can be purchased at the grocery store and adjacent gift shop.

Natural Features

The Colter Bay Campground is situated in a lodgepole pine forest within walking distance of Jackson Lake and numerous trails. From the lakeshore, visitors will have views across Jackson Lake to Mount Moran and the northern end of the Teton Range.

Colter Bay is home to black and grizzly bears, moose, deer, elk and other large animals, as well as marmots, foxes, bald eagles, and more. Bears are often seen on trails and in the developed areas. Being prepared for an animal encounter can help ensure your safety as well as that of the wildlife that call this special place home.

Nearby Attractions

Visitors can take a self-guided tour of Grand Teton via the 43-mile Scenic Loop Drive, offering an opportunity to photograph the famous landscape and local wildlife. Make sure you stop at the historic Jackson Lake Lodge for its famous huckleberry milkshakes and spectacular Teton views through 60-foot tall wall-to-wall windows. While you’re there, book a scenic raft trip, park bus tour, or horseback ride. A short drive from Jenny Lake is the town of Jackson, where you can visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art just north of town, walk under the famous giant elk antler archway in town center, attend the Jackson Hole Rodeo, browse local shops, or dine at one of the many restaurants. In the opposite direction, Yellowstone National Park is within easy reach by car, and has a great diversity of activities for everyone to enjoy.

The description, directions and fees are the National Park Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • amphitheater
  • birding
  • camping
  • environmental education
  • hiking
  • horseback riding
  • interpretive programs
  • picnicking
  • star gazing
  • swimming
  • visitor center
  • water access
  • wilderness
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Colter Bay Campground

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated September 17, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.