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Colter Bay RV Park: A Rocky Mountain Retreat
When you’re looking for a camping destination near the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone usually steals the spotlight. But there are so many gorgeous places to explore along this mountain range, including the stunning ridges of Grand Teton National Park. And if you’re thinking about camping here, you have to check out Colter Bay RV Park.
This mountain getaway boasts some of the best scenery in the country. You’ll be able to look across a huge lake to the pine forests on the other side. And rising above it all is the Teton mountain range, catching the rays of the setting sun. Photos hardly do it justice, but rest assured that it’s well-worth a visit.
In addition, when you stay at Colter Bay RV Park, you’ll be able to camp in comfort. You don’t have to sacrifice life’s little pleasures just because you’re 7,000 feet above sea level. This campground is equipped with all the amenities you need for a comfortable and fun experience.
Overview
Wyoming is a beautiful state, but it can also be a chilly one! Combined with the high altitude, this area gets plenty of snow during the colder seasons of the year. That’s why this park is only open on a seasonal basis. It opens on May 1 and closes on October 1, so you’ll want to make sure your travel plans fall within that window. Keep an eye on the travel conditions as well because you don’t want to drive your RV into the mountains on icy roads!
Colter Bay RV Park is located at 100 Colter Bay Village Road, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. It’s nestled against the shore of massive Jackson Lake and several campsites have premium waterfront views. In addition, this RV park is part of a sprawling complex that includes a marina, an outdoor amphitheater, a convenience store, and several offshoot loops for RVs and cabins.
There are 114 RV sites in total at Colter Bay RV Park. Most of them are pull-through, but there are 12 back-in sites as well. All come with full hookups for water, sewage, and electricity (20/30/50 amp) so you don’t have to worry about missing out on a full-service site here.
There are other campgrounds in this complex as well, including Colter Bay Campground and Colter Bay Tent Village. These expand the park’s capacity by the hundreds, ensuring that there’s plenty of room for everyone who wants to visit. But today, we mainly want to focus on the RV Park!
Rates
Now let’s talk prices. Because this park has such a scenic location and a host of amenities, it costs a pretty penny to camp here. RV sites generally cost between $100–$150 per night depending on what type of site you stay at and if you use any discounts.
It’s certainly not the cheapest option out there, but it’s hard to find a campground of this quality for less than $100. The value is undeniable, especially when you look at everything that is offered in the surrounding area. If you’re looking for a campground that’s a destination and not just a stop along the way, then this is the place for you!
A collection of lodges and rental cabins are also available here if you want a different camping experience. Options include:
- Jackson Lake Lodge: A full-service facility, similar to a ski lodge or hotel. Enjoy stunning mountain views from your room.
- Jenny Lake Lodge: Romantic private cabins with elegant dining packages and complimentary activities.
- Colter Bay Village: Rustic log cabins for a classic campground feeling. Perfect for nature-lovers!
Each of these lodges come with their own prices, rules, and amenities. So be sure to research them in advance before you book your stay.
Speaking of booking, Colter Bay RV Park is a reservation-only park. No walk-ins are allowed here, and you would be hard-pressed to find an available site if you booked at the last minute! You’ll want to book your spot well before you arrive, especially if you want to stay at one of the cabins. Reservations can be made up to a year in advance.
To view site availability and additional lodging details, visit the campground website at gtlc.com
Amenities
Now that the basics are out of the way, let’s explore some of the various comforts and activities you can access within this RV park.
First up: the essentials. As we mentioned earlier, all RV sites have full hookups. They also come with picnic tables and access to fresh-water spigots.
Like most modern RV parks, this one also offers restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities. Your own RV bathroom might suffice when you’re on the road, but chances are high that you’ll want to use something with more elbow room when you have the chance.
The laundry facilities are spacious and modern. It’s about the size of a full laundromat, so plenty of people can wash their clothes at the same time. It’s also open 24/7 so you don’t have to worry about missing out on a chance to do some laundry. Just make note that the showers and laundry services are not free to use. Showers are $5 per person and it costs $7.50 to use a washer and dryer. Detergent, bleach, dryer sheets, and towel rentals are also available for an additional cost.
Additional campground essentials are available at the convenience store and gift shop. Here, guests can purchase groceries, firewood, ice, propane, and much more. It’s an easy way to restock the essentials for your RV without driving miles out of your way.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is offered throughout the park, but service will be best if you go to one of the facilities like the camp store or the laundromat.
Nearby Activities/Attractions
Now it’s time to cover the fun stuff! There is so much to enjoy about this area, whether you stay within the campground or explore the Grand Teton National Park.
If you want to stick close to camp, take a visit to the outdoor heated pool! This is located at the Jackson Lake Lodge, but it’s available for all guests to use. There’s a toddler pool, a main swimming area, a nearby playground, and a walk-up window to order drinks.
You can also take advantage of the complimentary activities hosted by the park. There are wildlife shows, art and history tours, guided hikes, ranger demonstrations, and more. The offerings change all the time, so be sure to check out the bulletin when you arrive.
A free shuttle runs between several park hubs, including the Jackson Lake Lodge, the South Jenny Lake Visitor Center, and the town of Jackson. It’s a great way to get around if you’re tired of hauling your RV all over the place.
Looking for outdoor fun? Well you’re in the perfect spot for it! Grand Teton National Park is right at your doorstep and there are so many ways to enjoy it. Some of the opportunities in this area include:
- Boating, fishing, and swimming in Jackson Lake
- Playing games at Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club
- Hiking and biking through the forests
- Looking for local species of birds, mammals, and plants
- Enjoying the scenery on horseback
- Taking a guided/narraated tour through the National Park
- Booking a scenic cruise on Jackson Lake, including a stop at Elk Island.
- Rafting on the Snake River
- Taking photos of the gorgeous landscapes and wildflowers
- And much more!
The nearby town of Jackson also offers plenty of activities if you’re craving something a little less outdoorsy. For instance, you could catch a live performance at the Jackson Hole Playhouse, get a photo at one of the famous antler arches, and explore all the fun shops and art galleries. And don’t miss the Yippy-I-O Candy Co for a sweet treat!
Speaking of food, there’s no shortage of options here. If you want to dine close to your campsite, try one of the on-site restaurants including:
And if you go into Jackson again, you’ll find even more dining choices. Every type of cuisine you could want is on the menu here, so be sure to add a little extra to your budget for eating out!
Reviews
Finally, let’s bring it home with some reviews. As you might expect, a lot of people have stayed here over the years, and many of them left feedback. With more than 400 reviews, the Colter Bay RV Park has scored an 8.9/10. That’s an impressive rating, especially for such an expensive park. Usually when the price is high, so are people’s expectations.
But visitors were generally very happy with their experience here. Everybody loved the scenic views of the lake, forests, and mountains so no complaints about the location. Guests also reported that they loved all the activities and outdoor experiences in the area. The camp hosts also got some positive shout-outs!
There aren’t a lot of downsides to staying here, aside from the price. It certainly is on the expensive side, but in an area like Jackson, that’s par for the course. Some guests also felt that the park was a bit crowded and the sites were close together. But it makes sense when you see how many people they need to fit in a limited amount of space.
Overall, these issues were fairly minor, with the good aspects more than making up the difference. It’s a great place to stay, whether you’re s first-time visitor or a lifetime fan. Feel free to share your own experiences about Colter Bay RV Park on RV LIFE Campgrounds. It’s a one-stop-shop for campground tips, photos of the park, and detailed feedback from real visitors.
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