Forum Discussion

calberry's avatar
calberry
Explorer
Jan 11, 2018

Grand Teton, Gros Ventre RV Park: May 2018

We will be doing a 3 week road trip with our 5th wheel this April/May, and Grand Teton is our last main stop (May 8th-11th).

According to this LINK, the GV Campground opens on May 4, 2018.

Not having ever been there before, and knowing that they do not take reservations, my question is whether we should be able to get a camp site (hookups preferred, but dry is OK) that time of the year or whether we should make reservations at one of the other more expensive RV parks.

Thanks,

Steve
  • calberry's avatar
    calberry
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2018
    TenOC wrote:
    Notice the date on the photos below

    One of the best time of year to visit. There are no bad times. The elk (1,000s) should be moving to "high country" and there will be snow on the Tetons.


    Click For Full-Size Image.


    Click For Full-Size Image.


    Great pics! Now I'm really psyched ;-)

    Thanks for sharing.

    I would have preferred to be going on this trip 2-3 weeks later, but my mother-in-law just turned 94 so we need to make sure we are back home for Mother's Day (it may be her last :( )

    Steve
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Jan 12, 2018
    bukhrn wrote:
    There are great neighbors throughout the park,

    Looks like the same neighbor we had in the CG. We were able to get one of the 36 electric sites (out of the 400 total sites) the week before Labor Day even arriving after lunch. You will not have any problems in May...you will be lonely.
  • calberry's avatar
    calberry
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2018
    TenOC wrote:
    One of the best time of year to visit. There are no bad times. The elk (1,000s) should be moving to "high country" and there will be snow on the Tetons.


    Yay!
  • calberry's avatar
    calberry
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2018
    Two Hands wrote:
    According to the national park website Colter Bay RV Park opens May 10. Great campground with full hookups and in the Park.


    OK, I do see now that the RV park at CB opens on the 10th. I was looking at the campground opening date. Still, we arrive on the 8th and leave on the 11th, so that wouldn't do me much good for one night.

    Steve
  • ohhell10339's avatar
    ohhell10339
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2018
    That early in the season (and in general, prior to Memorial Day), you should have no problem. The weather may be a factor--if it's unseasonably warm/nice, the campgrounds are busy on weekends even in May. Which brings me to another observation--don't be surprised if you get rained on--or snowed on. It ain't summer yet up there, and barely spring, in May.

    But you should definitely seize the opportunity to camp in Big Belly Campground in Big Tits National Park.
  • bukhrn's avatar
    bukhrn
    Explorer III
    Jan 11, 2018
    In Gros Ventre, only D loop has elec. hookup, no water or sewer at site, but there is a potable water fill at the dump station.
    We were there in July (2015), we got there about 9AM, had to wait till someone checked out about 11 am great site.
  • Two_Hands's avatar
    Two_Hands
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2018
    According to the national park website Colter Bay RV Park opens May 10. Great campground with full hookups and in the Park.
  • calberry's avatar
    calberry
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2018
    jalichty wrote:
    You shouldn't have any problem getting a spot at Gros Ventre during that time of year. They do not have any full hook-ups, just some spaces with electricity. Your choice to spend the extra money for a more expensive site, but, if you don't mind dry camping, Gros Ventre would be good for you. I prefer Colter Bay, in the Park, as we fish when we camp there and Gros Ventre is quite a ways further from Jackson Lake than is Colter Bay, 45 minutes compared to 5. Colter Bay does have an RV park. Don't know when Colter Bay opens as we usually don't go up there until the end of May, early June. Make sure your batteries and propane are full as it will probably be a bit cool that time of year. We took our boat up there one time for Memorial Day and got six inches of snow on the boat on May 31. Whatever you do, have a great time and enjoy one of the prettiest spots in our country.


    Thanks. Unfortunately Colter Bay does not open until May 24 (the day we check into Plumas-Eureka State Park in NorCal ;) ). It is reassuring though to feel comfortable that we should be able to get a site, and an electric one would be good just to save on propane.

    Thx

    Steve

    Steve

About Campground 101

Recommendations, reviews, and the inside scoop from fellow travelers.14,717 PostsLatest Activity: Feb 20, 2025