In Wyoming? Looking for some free camping in the Grand Teton Mountains? One of the best things about the western states is the sheer amount of boondocking available. Whether you’re coming or going from Yellowstone National Park, planning on hiking or fishing the Tetons, or just passing through on your way somewhere else, there is a whole lot of land available for dispersed overnight stays. Here is the spot I snagged and a light review of it.
Did I get to check this National Park off my list? Yes.
Did I get to really enjoy it? No.
This was at the tail end of my Wyoming trip and I was incredibly short on time for being able to really enjoy the park itself. I didn’t do one single hike in the National Park!
That said, I did “accidentally” stumble across Mormon Row. That conversation went like this.
Me: “alright. Turn here. Jeez. I hope tomorrow morning one of us can get enough cell signal to be able to find Mormon Row before we’re fully out of the area.”
Stephen: “What’s Mormon Row?”
Me: “That famous photo of the barn with the mountain backdrop.”
Stephen: “uh, that barn?” **he points out his window**
… well shiiiit. Yep. That one.
FREE CAMPING IN THE GRAND TETON MOUNTAINS
The Details:
Name: Shadow Mountain dispersed camping
Location: Bridger-Teton National Forest. Antelope Flats Road.
GPS: 43.7000419, -110.6261626 ish. This is approximate.
Elevation: 6794′. This varies though because it is climbing up a mountain.
Cost: Free
# of Campsites: There are quite a few. I didn’t go far enough up the road to see them all, and online counts put it “between 15 and 60”.
Hookups: None. This is fully dry camping.
Amenities: Some spots had fire rings, but it looks like there are no fires allowed there at the time I’m writing this, so keep a look out for current National Forest updates on that for when you go. No amenities. Pack in pack ouuut. (I’m reading a review now that says there is a bathroom somewhere, but I didn’t see anything)
Drive/parking: This is a dirt road. In GOOD conditions, the bottom is passable by vehicles easily. The higher you climb, the more you’ll need 4×4 though. Don’t attempt to get to the top spots without it.
Cell Signal: I did not have service with Verizon at the time. It looks like now some people get service.
Scenery: Some spots are in open fields or on the ridgeline with a direct view of the Tetons. Others have less of a view without a bit of walking to see it.
Other: THIS IS GRIZZLEY TERRITORY.
Popularity
When I was here, I guess I just got lucky. I did not climb the mountain to camp. We got to this spot pretty close to dark, so we took one of the first spots we could, right at the very bottom, against a tree line.
We had one “neighbor” who was parked across the way. We could barely see one anothers vehicles.
THAT SAID…
Every single thing I have read since then says that this place has exploded in popularity, much like a lot of easy to access places since 2020 have exploded.
Most people are saying that you need to get here early to get a spot, and you will have a lot of neighbors. Have a backup plan ready. Everyone wants to find camping near the national parks, and this is close and accessible.
Warnings
Do not try to go down this road too early in the season when it is still wet, or if it has rained.
Especially don’t try to go too far up if you don’t have 4×4 in any wet conditions.
Wildlife
Grizzly bears are your neighbors while free camping in the grand teton mountains. Be smart about it. Do not leave a single thing that may smell outside, or in a tent. Keep it all in a closed hard sided vehicle. Any cooking do away from where you sleep. The same rules that apply everywhere in this area.
I didn’t see any bears.
I did see mosquitoes.
Mosquito net went up the second we were pulled over and had the doors open.
I saw deer too! That was about the end of it though.
Mormon Row
One of the most famous spots in the Tetons is Mormon Row.
You’ve seen it even if you don’t know it.
A gorgeous old shack of a barn or two, in front of the jagged peaks of the mountain range.
You’ve seen it on postcards. Online. Or even on a canvas sold at some mass produced art store like Hobby Lobby or At Home.
Or you’ve bought one of those giant canvas art prints for your house without knowing what it was.
Me: “oh hey, did you go there too?!”
Him: “go where?”
Me: “What do you mean where? Do you seriously have a 5 foot wide canvas in your dining room as the focal point for a place you don’t know exists?!”
Him: “eh yeah i figured it was a painting someone did or something. I didn’t know it was a real place.”
Yes. ^^I had that conversation with someone.
Mormon Row sits about a mile and a half down Antelope Flats road.
It’s a historic district with some very early 1900’s homesteads on it.
The famous barns you’ve seen photos of are the T.A. Moulton and John Moulton barns.
This place is definitely worth a pit stop. It’s a Wyoming gem.
If you’re camping here, you’ll have an easier ability to see the sun set behind the mountains. Just be aware you’ll be surrounded by photographers with fairly snazzy equipment so you uh, may feel a little inadequate if you’re like me and just start taking a million photos with your phone while trying to stay out of anyone else’s way.
Uhhh what’s the name of the forest?
This section is here for a good laugh.
I’m using a little plug in that tells me important keywords I should include in my post. This was one of them. bridgerteton national forest.
Uh.
This is a forest that does not exist.
It’s Bridger-Teton National Forest.
I’m still including these key words though so y’all are aware that not everything you see pushed towards you on the internet is real.
Like really…. wtf?
Story Time
I know there are quite a few people, who when out camping, want to be completely alone. They don’t want anything to do with anyone else around them. They don’t want neighbors. Get mad if someone parks too close, etc.
This is just a good interaction I had.
There was only one other camper in eyesight the entire time we were parked here.
An older man in a truck. He had a little setup in the back of it to sleep in. Looked like he was loaded down with fishing supplies.
The next morning he came over holding his big ol thing of coffee.
He smelled the bacon we were making. Asked if he could exchange some coffee for some bacon.
Of course the answer was yes! I invited him to sit and eat with us.
He declined, just wanted to do a little bartering.
He got bacon. We each got a cup of perfectly percolated coffee.
Other things or places in the area
Obviously north of this area is Grand Tetons National Park and north of there is Yellowstone National Park.
Make sure you don’t miss just south of here though.
The town of Jackson Hole is freakin adorable.
Be aware that it isn’t cheap. It’s considered a “billionaire hideout”. People Like Harrison Ford live in the area. It’s a pricey premier ski town set on the perfect mountain backdrop. I want to go back! I loved the little town.
Persephone is the name of the place we stopped at in the morning for breakfast.
Everything there was absolutely delicous and the place was PACKED.
You can stop by the National Museum of Wildlife Art, or if you’re there the right time of year, check out a rodeo.
If you’re up for adventure, Jackson Hole has an Aerial Tram, Via Feratta, Paragliding, and more. There are hot springs, a dinner theater, and more.
Going north to Yellowstone? There is dispersed camping on the side of a mountain with a great view just on the other side of the Montana border.
Other things to do in Wyoming if you’re hitting the entire state?
This is my favorite place to camp in the very very farrrrr south eastern corner of the state.
Annnnnd if you are in the farrrr north east corner, take a detour over to South Dakota.
The van was tucked into a lil corner, and you can see the mountains from about 10 feet away from where we were parked.
