Jenny Lake

Summary

Jenny Lake Campground is situated on the Eastern shore of Jenny Lake in the Teton Mountain Range and offers a range of activities including boating, hiking, and cycling. Visitors can explore interpretive panels and the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, or take a self-guided tour of Grand Teton. With 51 individual campsites, three ADA-compliant sites, and 10 hiker-bicycler sites, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Overview

Tucked away at the base of the Teton Mountain Range, Jenny Lake Campground is situated within walking distance of the eastern shore of Jenny Lake, with views of Teewinot Mountain, Mount St. John, and into Cascade Canyon. This tent-only campground has two loops with 51 individual campsites, three of which are ADA-compliant sites, and 10 hiker-bicycler sites. The Jenny Lake Store is a five-minute walk from the campground and offers firewood, ice, clothing, souvenirs, and snacks. 

Offering a wide array of activities including boating, hiking, and cycling, the Jenny Lake area is one of the most-visited sections of the park, making this campground a great location for exploration. The campground is open from earl-May to late-September, and is extremely popular. Those looking to camp at Jenny Lake are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and book early.

Recreation

Several popular trails begin at Jenny Lake. Hikers can loop the lake, visit Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, or travel into the backcountry via Cascade Canyon. Longer and more challenging trails like Lake Solitude and Hurricane Pass are also accessible from this area.

Visitors of all abilities have a multitude of options for exploring the Jenny Lake area. Take a boat ride, set up a picnic on the lakeshore, go for a wildlife-spotting walk, or cycle along Teton Park Road using the multi-use pathway that extends from South Jenny Lake all the way to the town of Jackson.

The Jenny Lake Visitor Center makes its home inside the historic Harrison Crandall Studio. The original building was built in the 1920's, and recent renovations were completed in 2019. Stop in to chat with a ranger, visit the Grand Teton Association store, or learn about the history of art in conservation and the National Park Service.

Follow the Discovery Trail to Jenny Lake. Along the way, stop to explore interpretive panels highlighting area wildlife, history, and the creation of the landscape. Take an easy stroll to see the lakeshore, or use the path to access the boat dock and area trails. The Discovery Trail is a paved, 0.35m/0.56km trail, with wheelchair access to Jenny Lake.

Facilities

Jenny Lake Campground is a tent-only campground. Trailers, campers, and pop-up roof tents are not permitted. Each campsite includes a compact gravel parking space for one vehicle no larger than eight feet high and 14 feet long, a tent pad, a picnic table, a fire pit with metal fire grate, bear-proof food storage lockers, and access to nearby water spigots, flush toilets, and two coin-operated showers. Only two tents are permitted per site.

ADA Access: Three campsites are ADA compliant, and feature accessible picnic tables, leveled sites, and leveled pathways to accessible restrooms and payphone. One coin-operated shower is also ADA accessible. Routes to the amphitheater are not wheelchair accessible. 

There is no WiFi/internet service at Jenny Lake Campground. The closest public wireless internet access is at the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center in Moose. Cellular coverage varies, and may be available depending on location within the campground and service provider. There is a campground host on-site, and a house phone located at the kiosk. Firewood, ice, and supplies can be purchased at the nearby Jenny Lake Store and not in the campground. 

Natural Features

Jenny Lake Campground is situated within short walking distance of Jenny Lake and right along the Grand Teton National Park bike path. The campground straddles a glacial moraine covered with an open forest of lodgepole pine, subalpine fir and Douglas fir. Across the lake, Teewinot Mountain, Cascade Canyon and Mount St. John dominate the landscape. 

The Jenny Lake area is home to black and grizzly bears, moose, deer, and other large animals. Bears are often seen on trails and in the developed areas. Being prepared for an animal encounter can help ensure the safety of you and the wildlife.

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Nearby Attractions

Visitors can take a self-guided tour of Grand Teton via the 43-mile Scenic Loop Drive, offering an opportunity to photograph the famous landscape and local wildlife. Make sure you stop at the historic Jackson Lake Lodge for its famous huckleberry milkshakes and spectacular Teton views through 60-foot tall wall-to-wall windows. While you’re there, book a scenic raft trip, park bus tour, or horseback ride. Then head a few miles north to Colter Bay Village where you can rent a kayak or canoe, take a guided boat ride to the majestic base of the Teton Range, or just enjoy lunch and the stunning lake view from the marina. A short drive from Jenny Lake is the town of Jackson, where you can visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art just north of town, walk under the famous giant elk antler archway in town center, attend the Jackson Hole Rodeo, browse local shops, or dine at one of the many restaurants. In the opposite direction, Yellowstone National Park is within easy reach by car, and has a great diversity of activities for everyone to enjoy.

Charges & Cancellations

Changing Reservations:

• There is no change fee if a visitor extends or shortens a reservation, as long as the change includes dates from the original reservation. Additionally, there is no change fee if the visitor wants to switch sites that are the same price with the same reservation dates in the same facility.
• If a visitor wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee.
• If a reservation is made that includes dates beyond the maximum booking window, that reservation cannot be changed until 18 days have passed from the original booking date.
• Once a reservation date has begun, visitors cannot change a reservation using the online system or through the Call Center. Onsite staff will assist with changes or cancellations.

Cancellations:

• Visitors may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation.
• A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's approved rate including tax and applicable add-on. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
• Visitors who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days prior to arrival date will pay a $10 service fee AND forfeit the first night’s rate.

No-Shows:

• A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.
• No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite.

Early Departures:

• Visitors are requested to notify staff at the facility if they depart early to allow others to use the site.
• If the visitor chooses to depart early, they may forfeit the approved rate and applicable tax and applicable add-on for the day of departure. If a visitor departs prior to the scheduled check-out date, they may be eligible for a partial refund. Visitors may notify the Recreation.gov call center to request a refund of remaining unused nights. If a visitor requests a refund for an early departure after the facility check-out time (11 am) has passed, the visitor will not be refunded for that night and is eligible for a refund on any additional nights that will not be used.

Refunds:

• Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Visitors may also initiate a refund request through the call center at any time after their reservation has ended.
• Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay.
• For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive.
• In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.