Alternatives to Colter Bay (GTNP) for 2 nights

We stayed at HeadWaters Campground at Flagg Ranch the summer of 2015, it was fine for our couple days stay. The campground itself was generally clean, with the exception of the restrooms, the restrooms definitely needed a cleaning and updating. This campground is close to Yellowstone, but an hour or so to Jackson. It had a store nearby which was handy. We enjoyed our stay, but probably would not stay again.

Next trip I hope to have a generator and we would probably try out Gros Ventre Campground, for it's wild life, site spacing, and central location, no full hookups though :(

Dean

Flagg Ranch campground.

We camped at Gros Ventre Last year last 2 weeks in august and stayed 10 days. Beautiful campground and away from crowds. We loved going into Jackson. Just 7or 8 miles from campground. We arrived early on a sunday and didn't have a problem getting a site for our 36ft. 5th wheel. We didn't want hook ups but they were available. Have a great trip! Tara

If you drop down to the Colter Bay campground fairly early, 9:30 to 10:30 in the morning, you will generally have your pick of good spots. They have water at two places as you pull into the campground and do have some sites with electricity, though mostly for folks who are disadvantaged and need electricity. Some of those spots are available for non-disadvantaged folks as well. We come up to Colter Bay from our home three hours away and have, with one exception, always gotten a spot. Sometimes, we are assigned a spot but drive around and find something we like better. If you are willing to camp dry, the Colter Bay campground is a great place, we usually stay there for a week at a time, three times during the summer so we can fish Jackson Lake. Great place to eat is Leeks Pizza at the Leeks Marina. Great pizza, beer and views to die for. If you can't get into Colter Bay, Gros Ventre is about 45 minutes away, much closer to Jackson and very easy to find a spot. On to of that, since you would be close to Jackson, drop in to Jackson one evening and take in the Bar J Wranglers dinner and show. It's worth the trip every time. You would need to call them to reserve tickets, but not a big deal. Very fair price for a decent dinner and a two-hour show of music and comedy.

We were at Gros Ventre over the July 4th holiday a few years ago. The only full night was the 3rd. The place emptied on the 4th.

The easiest would be to stay either in Colter Bay campground (next to the RV park) or at Gros Ventre campground (closer to Jackson). Both are in the park, each has 300 non-reservable dry camping sites and rarely fill - even on the holidays. This is especially true if you can leave your Yellowstone stay early morning and arrive in the Tetons in the morning. We love Gros Ventre and never had an issue not getting a site many times even with our 40' motorhome.

Since you're coming from Yellowstone I assume you'll be driving through the park to get to the Teton. Stop at Colter Bay first (you might even try the RV park as there can be cancellations). If Colter Bay campground is full (which I sincerely doubt it will be) then continue south to Gros Ventre.