Colter Bay

Summary

Colter Bay Village is a stunning location on the shores of Jackson Lake, offering family activities such as marina rentals, horseback riding, fishing, lake cruises, and more. The campground includes 338 individual campsites and 12 large group sites, all with picnic tables, fire pits, and bear-proof food storage lockers. This location is home to incredible wildlife and majestic mountain views, ideal for hikers, anglers, and nature lovers.

Overview

Think of Colter Bay Village as summer camp for the entire family. This lovely area is set on the shores of Jackson Lake, and offers practical amenities like laundry facilities, showers, restaurants and a grocery store, as well as purely-for-fun diversions like a marina, gift shop, visitor center, and horse corrals. Colter Bay has an activity for everyone in the family. Visitors can enjoy hiking, kayaking and canoeing, horseback riding, fishing, swimming and beach-going, lake cruises, and ranger-led programs. Set against the majestic backdrop of the Teton Mountains, Colter Bay Village is a must-visit. 

The vast Colter Bay Campground at Colter Bay Village is set amidst towering lodgepole pines just a short, picturesque stroll away from Jackson Lake. The campground offers camping for tents and dry camping for RVs. (For full hookup RV sites, check out the Colter Bay RV Park.) Campsites include 338 individual campsites, 12 large group sites, 10 hiker-bicycler sites, and 13 electric-only ADA-accessible sites. The campground is open from mid-May to late-September. As with all campgrounds in the park, the Colter Bay Campground is very popular and tends to fill up quickly. Visitors are strongly encouraged to plan and book early. 

Recreation

Colter Bay and the surrounding area offers a wide variety of activities for all ages, including marina rentals, horseback riding, world-class guided fishing, and lake cruises. Stop by our activities desk to find the perfect excursion for everyone in your group!

Jackson Lake is a popular area for boating. Several islands float just off Colter Bay’s shores, and are home to fish, birds, river otters, beavers and other wildlife. Bring your own boat or rent a canoe, kayak, or motor boat from the Colter Bay Marina. 

Lake cruises are the perfect excursion for the entire family. Cruise around Jackson Lake and learn about the history, geology, flora and fauna of the area while getting up-close views of the spectacular Tetons, which rise majestically from the water. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner meal cruises offer a delicious opportunity to dine at our private meal site on Elk Island, and a truly unique vantage point for experiencing the park. 

Jackson Hole has world class fly and lake fishing that you won’t want to miss! Whether you’re learning to cast a fly for the first time, or are an experienced angler looking for the inside scoop on the best secret spots, our expert guides will provide a fishing experience you will not soon forget.

No trip to the Old West is complete without a horseback ride. We offer one- and two-hour rides suitable for all experience levels. Take in beautiful Teton vistas while riding among wildflower meadows.

Several easy to moderate hiking trails leave from Colter Bay. Hikers can take a leisurely stroll along the lakeshore, make their way to Swan Lake and Heron Pond for incredible birdwatching and wildlife sightings, or head out to Hermitage Point for a more challenging outing.

The Colter Bay Visitor Center is home to the David T. Vernon Indian artifacts collection. The exhibit celebrates Indian artwork and educates on the long history of human habitation in Jackson Hole and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Stop by the visitor center to check-out daily Ranger-led programs including a hike to Swan Lake, a lakeshore stroll, a tipi demonstration, Indian arts and culture, wildlife watches, short presentations on park highlights, and a variety of evening programs.

Facilities

Colter Bay Campground offers camping for tents and dry camping for RVs. (For full hookup RV sites, check out the Colter Bay RV Park.) Each tent site has a gravel parking space for up to two vehicles and space for one tent. For parties with extra-large tents or multiple tents, please see individual site specifications before booking. Multiple tents are only permitted in sites designated for multiple tents. 

Each RV site has a back-in or pull-through gravel parking space for one RV . RV sites are of various sizes, and guests should look at individual site specifications prior to booking to ensure max length availability. When factoring site length, tow vehicles should be included in total length. The maximum length permitted is 45 feet. There is a complimentary RV dump station and potable water filling station available to guests, and propane is available for purchase at the nearby RV Park. Please note, generators are only permitted in loops H, J, K, M, O, and Group Sites between the hours of 6am and 10pm. 

All sites include a picnic table, a fire pit with metal fire grate, bear-proof food storage lockers, and access to nearby water spigots, flush toilets, and laundry and showers available for an additional fee.

ADA Access: There are 13 ADA-compliant campsites with electric-only hook-ups, accessible picnic tables, and paved sites. The campground loop roads are paved and mostly level, with some sloping incline and decline. Restroom facilities are partially accessible, with accessible showers available at the launderette. Routes to the amphitheater are paved but on a sloping incline/decline. 

Complimentary WiFi/internet service is available at the restaurants, activities desk, launderette, and stores. Cellular coverage varies, and may be available depending location within the campground and service provider. A courtesy phone is located at the Campground Kiosk near the campground entrance. Firewood, food, ice, camping supplies and more can be purchased at the grocery store and adjacent gift shop. 

Natural Features

The Colter Bay Campground is situated in a lodgepole pine forest within walking distance of Jackson Lake and numerous trails. From the lakeshore, visitors will have views across Jackson Lake to Mount Moran and the northern end of the Teton Range.

Colter Bay is home to black and grizzly bears, moose, deer, elk and other large animals, as well as marmots, foxes, bald eagles, and more. Bears are often seen on trails and in the developed areas. Being prepared for an animal encounter can help ensure your safety as well as that of the wildlife that call this special place home. 

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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. 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.