People often ask us to name our favorite places to camp. One of the first we always mention is Grand Teton National Park (which sits in Wyoming just south of its big brother Yellowstone). We’ve enjoyed some special experiences here. It’s a part of North America that still feels a bit raw, in all the right ways.
Our favorite campground in our favorite place is called Gros Ventre (that’s French for “Big Belly”). This campground is an older one, designed many decades ago before the era of big rig RVs. Amenities are scarce. Forget about swimming pools, water slides, and mini-golf. Campground store? Nope. In fact, there are no RV hookups whatsoever – no water, power, or sewer. There is one dump station with a fresh water spigot. There are also a few simple bathrooms scattered throughout the premises, but they lack showers (not to mention heating, no minor consideration as the weather turns cool!).
VIDEO: SNOW VENTRE
We love camping in Gros Ventre for several reasons…
First of all, it’s really camping. The campsites are staggered a reasonable distance apart from one another. Each contains a picnic table and a fire pit.
Jerry can! Gotta have one when you are dry camping. (Click the pic to get your own.)
The surrounding countryside is beautiful, peppered with trees and low bushes. Views of the Grand Teton mountain range are possible from some campsites. There’s also the Gros Ventre river running along the backside of the campground.
During late summer in Gros Ventre, moose enter the campground on a daily basis.
The nearby river brings much wildlife into the campground. If you want to see a moose, camp here and look out your window. They are everywhere, especially during late summer and early fall. We’ve also seen the occasional bison wander through. One day, a beautiful hawk landed right on our picnic table. And by the way, despite posted warnings, we’ve never seen a bear inside the campground.
About 10 miles up the road lies this spot, Schwabacher’s Landing.
In fact, there’s so much wildlife in the Gros Ventre campground that local “safari excursions” have started driving their tour vans through it (which is frankly an annoying practice to those of us actually camping – but I digress). It’s also a favorite of professional photographers, who flock to Gros Ventre every morning before sunrise.
Okay, so SEEMORE got a little dirty in Gros Ventre. He was having fun!
If you want a little civilization, the charming town of Jackson is but 15-minutes away. Jackson is an upscale Western town blessed with more than its fair share of excellent restaurants, bars, and cultural activities. It seems there’s always something happening in Jackson.
The world’s most famous old barn is located about a mile from the Gros Ventre campground.
So in Gros Ventre, you get both worlds. You are nestled in the breathtaking beauty of Grand Teton National Park. Yet you’re also in the suburbs of one of America’s finest small towns. We have spent many weeks Airstream camping in Gros Ventre over the years, and I’m sure the future holds many more.
You really do see more stars at night when camping in Gros Ventre.
ABOUT THE VIDEO
One of our most memorable stays at Gros Ventre is documented in this video. We’ve stayed there in the heat of summer (and it can get pretty hot during the day in July) and during the first snow of autumn. Camping in the snow was a special experience.
In this video, there’s an extended sequence in which we back our Airstream into its campsite. I want you newbies to pay attention to this part. You’ll see exactly how and why we use walkie-talkies when performing this maneuver. (Click here to get your own.)
At Gros Ventre, cell signals are weak and unreliable (and often nonexistent). Walkie-talkies give us the communication we need, instant and reliable.
You’ll also hear Kristy making reference to the trailer’s direction in terms of “passenger side” and “driver’s side.” We use these terms when backing our Airstream – instead of “left” and “right.” This eliminates any confusion concerning direction (there’s never any question whether it’s my left/right or her left/right, comprende?)
I like this sequence because it documents how we typically handle ‘back in’ campsites. If you are camping with a partner, you’ve got to work together as a team.
With regard to the snowy camping, here we take a look at the amenities that make winter temperatures bearable. Our propane heat furnace does a fine job of keeping the interior warm. We use a combination of our generator and our on board batteries for electricity. And we load up on fresh water (which is distributed with extreme frugality).
Overall, our Airstream handled the cold spell like a champ.
In downtown Jackson is a central park. By law, everyone must stop to pose for a photo under an elk antler arch.