2026 Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone Camping Guide: Key Dates & Tips

John Willett
15 minutes ago
4 min read

February is halfway over. Generally, this is the time when we start dreaming of summer adventures and for some of us (some of us included) it’s when panic sets in. We realize we missed the advanced reservation window that opened a month ago and

begin scrambling for whatever sites are left.

With that in mind, we have pulled together the essential dates and tips for the upcoming season. Whether you’re planning a family outing to Jackson Lake or a trek along the Teton Crest Trail, you still have plenty of options:

To make things a little easier this is split into 2 sections: Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park: Let's start With Grand Teton National Park.

GTNP Front Country Campgrounds

Campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park open bookings on a rolling six-month window. This means early summer is already booking up, and August dates are opening daily. Visit recreation.gov to check availability.

If your preferred dates are full, keep checking back for cancellations. Also, don't get too attached to one specific spot. For example, if Jenny Lake is booked, consider Colter Bay Campground. It is the largest campground in the park, meaning you have a much better chance of finding a spot or one opening up at a later time.

GTNP Backcountry Permits

While the advanced lottery for GTNP opened on January 7th, don’t worry if you missed it. About two-thirds of the park's backcountry sites are held for walk-up permits and you can still book sites online depending on availability. To get a walk up permit, visit a ranger station the day before you plan to hike. Flexibility is key here. Being willing to adjust your mileage or pick a different zone increases your success rate.

REMINDER: until late June or July, high-elevation areas (like Paintbrush Divide or Garnet Canyon) may still require over-snow travel and specialized equipment. To further your chances be sure to look at a few backup options before you head to the ranger station. Visit the park webpage for more information and visit recreation.gov to look at current site availability.

Important Dates for the 2026 High Season:

March 1: Booking opens for September 1st arrivals. (September is arguably the best month to visit—cooler days, no bugs, and active wildlife).
April 1: Winter wildlife closures generally lift in lower-elevation valley areas.
April 1–30: Teton Park Road is usually open for bicycles and pedestrians (depending on snow removal).
April 27: Gros Ventre Campground opens.
May 1: Teton Park Road (Inner Park Road) opens to motor vehicles. Signal Mountain Road usually opens around this time.
May 4: Colter Bay RV Park opens.
May 8: Jenny Lake and Signal Mountain Campgrounds open.
Mid-to-Late May: Moose Wilson Road opens.
May 21: Colter Bay Campground opens.
June 7: Headwaters Lodge, Cabins, and Campground at Flagg Ranch open.
June 12: Lizard Creek Campground opens.

Looking for some important dates for Yellowstone National Park?

Operations really get into full swing to open up Yellowstone during April. During this time expect plenty of remaining snow and a great opportunity to see Grizzly bears as the emerge from hibernation. Keep in mind all dates are dependent on several factors such as snow removal. Yellowstone campground are handled through two different booking platforms, recreation.gov and Yellowstone National Park Lodges depending on the campground.

Open Year Round: Mammoth Campground. Campground booked through recreation.gov
April 17: The West Entrance opens, providing access to Madison, Old Faithful, and Canyon.
May 1: The East Entrance opens connecting Cody Wyoming to the park interior. Madison Campground also opens. Campground booked through Yellowstone National Park Lodges.
May 8: The South Entrance opens, allowing travel from the Jackson and Grand Teton National Park areas. Fishing Bridge RV Park opens. Campground booked through Yellowstone National Park Lodges.
May 15: Bridge Bay Campground opens. Campground booked through Yellowstone National Park Lodges.
May 22: Dunraven Pass opens, completing the "Grand Loop" and connecting the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to Tower Roosevelt. Tower Falls Campground opens. Campground booked through recreation.gov
May 29: Canyon Campground opens. Campground booked through Yellowstone National Park Lodges.
Late May: The Beartooth Highway (US-212) typically opens just in time for Memorial Day weekend, though this is always weather-dependent.
June 12: Indian Creek Campground opens. Campground booked through recreation.gov
June 15: Lewis Lake Campground opens. Slough Creek Campground Opens. Campgrounds booked through recreation.gov
June 26: Grant Village Campground opens. Campground booked through Yellowstone National Park Lodges.

Backcountry Permits:

Yellowstone National Park Backcountry Permits are handled differently than Grand Teton National Park. Around 2/3rds of the sites are available for booking online and the remaining 1/3 are reserved for walk up permits. Campers can book one reservation during the early access period. Additional reservations can be made during general access.

Early Access:

Lottery application period: March 1–20
Lottery winners receive a randomized access time between April 1–24.

For General Access:

Note that online reservations must be made at least three days before the trip start date.

Peak Season: May 15–October 31, Access begins April 26.
Non-Peak Season: November 1–May 14, Access begins on October 6.

To put it simply, apply for the lottery during early March. If you win you get a random time to book during April. Everyone else can begin booking the remaining sites available on line starting two days after the lottery closes.

Feel free to reach out to the shop at 307-733-3270 or come see us at 160 W Broadway Ave. with any questions or advice on planning a trip!