An RVer’s Guide to Bridger-Teton National Forest

A river flows through a valley between towering mountains in Bridger-Teton National Forest.

If you're looking for a spot that combines rugged scenery, awesome camping, and top-tier dining, Bridger-Teton National Forest is where you need to be. Tucked away in Wyoming, this place is an outdoor lover’s dream, with everything from stunning hikes to lazy floats down the river. In this guide, I’ll share my favorite campsites, hikes, and cool spots so you can make the most of your time here.

Camp #1: Green River Lakes Area 

Sherise Gumbs' KZ Durango Gold half-ton fifth wheel at a campsite in Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Campsite

Green River Lakes Dispersed Camping Area

The Green River Lakes Road offers dispersed camping for up to 14 days for FREE. The exact coordinates to this campsite are (43.3238781, -109.8668700). I camped there in my 37-foot-long 2021 KZ Durango 291BHT. 

The road to the campsite is an hour-long, bumpy dirt road. If you take it slow, you'll manage just fine—I did, even on a rainy day without needing four-wheel drive. If this specific site is taken, there are plenty of other campsites along the road that can accommodate large RVs. Enjoy the stunning riverside views along the way and take your time to savor the drive. 

What to do Near Green River Lakes

Hike or Kayak the Green River Lakes

Squaretop Mountain was the main reason I chose to visit this campsite. From the campsite itself, I enjoyed breathtaking views of Squaretop Mountain, without the need for a hike. For those interested in hiking, numerous trails begin right from the campsite. I followed a route similar to the Green River Lakes Loop trail.   

First, I hiked along the Highline Trail, which allows you to hike on the famous Continental Divide Trail. This portion was scenic and offered amazing views of the Lower Green River Lake. I deviated slightly from this trail to view Clear Creek Falls along the Clear Creek Trail

On the way back, I opted to hike the Lower Green River Lakeside Trail, which was more densely wooded and buggy compared to the Highline Trail. At times, I regretted not returning via the Highline Trail. However, the lush, rainforest-like atmosphere of the Lower Green River Lakeside Trail offered a refreshing change of scenery. The trail had several creek crossings that required a bit of balance, which is important to keep in mind if you are hiking with young kids. 

 The Lakeside Trail is better for days when there is a lot of sun. Due to the lack of tree cover on the Highline Trail, I imagine that a very hot day may be quite a lot on that trail. Whereas, the Lower Green River Lakeside Trail does offer quite a lot of tree cover from the sun. 

If hiking is not your speed, you can also canoe or kayak the Green River Lakes. There is a small boat ramp available that is the perfect size for launching your kayak. 

Float on the Green River

I decided to grab my life vest and float along the river. Right across the street from my campsite, I was able to start drifting down the river. In this section, the water came up to about my knees (I’m 5 feet 6 inches tall) and moved slowly, making it perfect for a relaxing soak. 

Sherise Gumbs posing in front of the Green River in Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Camp #2: Granite Creek Area

Sherise Gumbs' KZ Durango Gold parked in a lush valley in Granite Creek Dispersed Camping Area.
Campsite

Granite Creek Dispersed Camping Area

The exact coordinates for my campsite are (43.3049286, -110.5117871). If this spot is taken, don’t worry—there are plenty of other excellent creekside campsites along this road. Maneuvering a large RV into this specific site can be tricky; my 37-foot RV required some white-knuckle driving down the driveway. However, many other campsites on this road are easier to access. This campsite is 37 minutes from Jackson, Wyoming, and 44 minutes from Grand Teton National Park. 

Durango Half-Ton

Get to Know the KZ Durango Half-Ton Fifth Wheel

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What to do Near Granite Creek

Visit the Granite Falls Hot Springs

Just 21 minutes from the campsite, further down the mountain road, is the beautiful Granite Falls Hot Springs. Getting there means crossing Granite Falls, and once you’re in the hot spring, you’ll have a gorgeous view of the falls. Be careful crossing the river—the current is strong and the water is really cold, so it’s not great for small kids. But if you’re up for a little adventure, it’s a perfect getaway spot and is completely free to enter. There are two unique pools here.  

A view of Granite Falls Hot Springs in Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Visit Granite Hot Springs Pool

If you have small children or prefer a swimming pool, I recommend visiting the Granite Hot Springs Pool. It’s just half a mile from Granite Falls Hot Spring and much easier to access. The entrance fee is $12 per adult and $7 per child.

Happy Hour Above the Clouds in a National Forest

After hiking, camping, and floating down the river, I was ready to unwind, and for that, I highly recommend visiting the Deck/ Off-Piste. 

How about taking a gondola ride to enjoy happy hour and watching the sunset from over 9,095 feet in elevation, all within a national forest? 

I snagged an Evening Bridger Gondola ticket for $15 on the Jackson Hole website. The Gondola ride was 12 minutes long and headed up to Off-Piste. When I visited, there was live music, which made the experience even more enjoyable. If you’re into live tunes, check out their website for the full schedule of performances on The Deck. The music begins at 5:30 PM. Just a heads up— it is closed every Friday and Saturday. 

If you would like to save some money, you can hike to the top and take the gondola down for free.  

Off-Piste serves ice cream, mimosas, pizza, beer, coffee, and more – making it the perfect spot to end your day. 

Visit Snow King Mountain

Although I didn’t get to experience it myself, I highly recommend Snow King Mountain if you’re in the area. Located on the edge of the Bridger-Teton National Forest, it offers a variety of summer activities, including a zipline, mountain roller coaster, treetop adventure, mini golf, and more. It’s a fantastic stop for families with kids, and it’s just a 39-minute drive from our free campsite in Granite Creek. 

What to do in

Bridger-Teton National Forest

POINTS OF INTEREST
1
Green River Lake Campground
Located near the shores of Lower Green River Lake, at 8,000 feet elevation, Green River Lake Campground offers stunning views in every direction.
2
Lower Green River Lakeside Trail
Located near Green River Lake Campground, the Lakeside Trail will delve you into the woodlands of Bridger-Teton.
3
Granite Falls Hot Springs
The Granite Hot Springs Pool is a developed, concrete hot spring pool nestled alongside Granite Creek and stately spruce, fir and pine trees.
4
The Deck
Considered to have the best views of Jackson Hole, The Deck is a restaurant and bar accessible by a gondola ride up the mountain.
5
Snow King Mountain Resort
This resort offers a variety of summer activities, including zipline, a mountain roller coaster, treetop adventures, mini golf and more.

Bridger-Teton National Forest offers so many ways to soak in the natural beauty of Wyoming, whether you're hiking through the woods, floating on its rivers, or unwinding in a hot spring with a view. The free dispersed camping options make it easy to stay deep in nature, and with a little effort, you can find some truly unforgettable spots. This forest has something special for every outdoor lover and we hope that you enjoy your stay there in your RV.

Sherish Gumbs

Fifth Wheels

Popular among extended travel RVers, fifth wheels are designed for easier, more stable towing. Living space is maximized with additional over-cab space. This camping trailer—affectionately nicknamed a "fiver"—is a favorite of many, especially those taking extended trips or traveling full time in their RV. The prominent overhang resting above the tow truck bed is frequently employed as a bedroom suite, a living room, even a kitchen.

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