The Grand Teton National Park is gorgeous. We camped in our RV at the Spread Creek Meadow dispersed camping area just outside of the Grand Teton National Park. It was perfect.
We’d read about many different options in the area, but decided on a dispersed camping spot in what’s known as the Spread Creek meadow dispersed camping area in the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
This dispersed camping location is adjacent (literally across the road) from the Grand Teton National Park.
It’s very easy to get in and out of for most RVs and cars so is a good fit for RV camping or tent camping.
Spread Creek Meadow Dispersed Camping in the Bridger-Teton National Forest
The Spread Creek meadow camping area that we found for our Airstream had fantastic views of the Teton mountains.
We were up on a hill just enough to get a great view of the mountains, while also being easily accessible for any RV as it’s a relatively smooth dirt road the whole way in to the camping spot.
We were also fortunate in having good AT&T mobile phone access at this location.
We had at least three bars throughout our camping stay at this location.
Location of the Spread Creek Meadow Dispersed Camping Area
To access the Spread Creek Meadow dispersed camping area, head north on US Highway 191 from Jackson, Wyoming.
You do not need to go through the Grand Teton National Park entrance to access this location, so you can wait to pay to access the park until you’re settled in your camping spot.
(Did you know that all fourth graders get a free National Park Pass each year, no strings attached?)
The location of the Spring Creek meadow dispersed camping is just north of the Triangle X Ranch on US Highway 191.
The Triangle X Ranch is listed on most maps of the Grand Teton National Park area.
The exact location of our camping spot in the Spread Creek meadow area is listed on the Google Map below.
You can zoom in and out of the map in order to get specific directions, which are also listed below.
Once you turn off US Highway 191 to Forest Road 30290, you will see a set of gates.
You will drive down a relatively smooth large gravel road for about a mile.
On the left you’ll see the Spread Creek and grassy areas.
If you were to turn around, you’ll see a great view of the Grand Tetons behind you.
Keep driving up Forest Road 30290.
The road will continue to be a smooth gravel road that most RVs should be able to handle with no problem.
The area will change to a somewhat forested area.
You will soon see a construction area that appears to be related to gravel mining.
This is a quiet operation so don’t let it worry you about the beauty (and quietness) of this as a camping area.
Welcome to Bridger-Teton National Forest
You’ll see a sign welcoming you to the Bridger-Teton National Forest as well as an information booth with additional details about this area.
This sign details that bears have been seen in the area and that special food storage is required.
If you’re in a hard-sided camper, like an Airstream or other travel trailer, you’ll be fine.
There were several tent campers staying in the area when we were there, and they appeared to be fine.
However, I’m not sure if I’d be willing to take that risk given that there are grizzly bears in the Bridger-Teton Forest. (In fact, a hunter was killed by a grizzly bear several miles from here during our camping stay.)
Campers are allowed to stay up to 16 days in this dispersed camping location, as indicated by the sign.
A sign indicates that overnight camping is allowed only in designated spots for the next 4 miles in the Spread Creek meadow dispersed camping area.
This means that you cannot just pull over off the road somewhere.
You must be in a designated campsite, which are indicated by signs for each campsite throughout the area.
It is not possible to reserve campsites in advance as this is an open camping area that is first-come, first-served.
We went through the area and identified several of the available campsites, which are profiled below.
Each campsite is indicated by a wooden sign and each also has an existing campfire ring where campfires are permitted.
In our opinion, campsite #10 has the best views and privacy.
Skip ahead to campsite #10 if you’d like the details on this specific site.
It is also the exact GPS location identified in the Google Maps above.
Campsites in the Spread Creek Meadow Dispersed Camping Area
Campsite #1
Campsite #1 is the first campsite you’ll come to as you enter the Spread Creek meadow area of the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
It’s located near the construction area and by the Bridger-Teton forest signs.
It is basically a pull-out off the gravel road.
When we stayed in the meadow, it was taken by a horse trailer.
This campsite has the closest views of the Tetons from any campsites in the area, but it is also closest to the entrance and the construction area and all other campers had to drive past it to leave the dispersed camping area.
Campsite #2
The next campsite, #2 is just slightly further up the gravel road (FR 30290) and still near the construction zone.
It is indicated by a campsite #2 sign and is again a pull-out type camping location just slightly off the gravel road.
Campsite #3
The next campsite is #3. Campsite #3 is again just slightly up the gravel road from campsite #2.
It is also a pull-off from the main gravel road.
Campsite #4
Campsite #4 is up the road from #3.
It has a little more privacy than campsites #1-3.
Campsite #4 has the second best view from the campsites in the Spread Creek dispersed camping area. (We think campsite #10 has the best view!)
It is a popular spot, as it was taken each night of the four nights we stayed in the Spread Creek dispersed camping area.
This campsite has a great view of the Tetons directly out of the camper window.
However, it’s also in viewing range of the construction area, so that brings it down to our second favorite camping spot in this location.
Campsite #5
Once you drive past campsite #4, you’ll enter a pretty wooded area with Aspen trees.
Spread Creek is also closer to these campsites, with several being right on the river.
Campsite #5 has a pull-through area with parking available for several cars.
There’s a little stream next to this campsite, before opening up to the wide Spread Creek.
When we visited in September, Spread Creek was small, but it was obvious to tell just how raging the creek could become in spring when the snow melts as there were large tree limbs everywhere that must have been carried down the river during the spring thaw.
(This is unfortunately very close to the location of where Gabby Petito’s body was found across the river.)
Campsite #6
Further up the pretty tree-lined dirt road is campsite #6.
It’s a pull-out site to the right of the road as you’re heading further into the forest.
Campsite #7
Next up is #7. Campsite #7 is across from campsite #6.
It is located next to Spread Creek.
Campsite #9
Once you pass campsite #6 and #7, there is a turn off to FR 30290A to the left, while FR 30290 continues straight ahead.
Turn left to head toward campsite #9.
You’ll head up to a more private area for campsite #9 that is located on the Spread Creek.
FR 30290A dead-ends into campsite #9.
There’s plenty of parking for several cars at this campsite.
It is located alongside Spread Creek with a campfire ring right on the river with a view of the Teton mountain range.
Campsite #10
In our opinion, campsite #10 is the best campsite in the Spread Creek dispersed camping area.
Check out this view in the evening with our campfire!
To access campsite #10, once you pass campsite #6, instead of turning left to go to campsite #9, continue straight on FR 30290.
You’ll continue on a pretty dirt road with Aspen trees on both sides.
As you’re heading up this road, you’ll see that it will fork to the left or you can go straight.
Either way will lead you to campsite #10.
Campsite #10 is large enough to include several RVs so it would make a great group camping location.
To show just how large campsite #10 is, you can see this location on Google Maps.
The exact GPS coordinates are 43.771716,-110.487620 for campsite #10.
The most recent Google Maps / Google Earth image shows many vehicles parked at this location the last time a satellite image was obtained. It’s possible that this a hunter’s camp setup.
However, when we camped, there was no sign of any other campers having even camped in this location.
The autumn view from this camping location was gorgeous.
The leaves had all changed a golden color through the meadow.
We were lucky enough to have a mother and baby pair of mule deer visit our campsite one morning.
They were very calm and hung out grazing while we were inside our Airstream.
Unfortunate for them, we’d found a skull earlier in the meadow.
We’re not sure if this was a mule deer or not and whether it died from a predator or from natural causes, but the circle of life was evident while camping in the Dispersed Creek meadow area.
Because we were boondocking, we had not connections and used our solar panel and generator to generate power while camping.
Campsite #11
Campsite #11 is next to campsite #10.
It is straight ahead where FR 30290 ends. (You turn left at this location to go to campsite #10.)
Campsite #11 is also a fairly large area that could accommodate a group of campers together.
However, it does not appear to have as good a view of the Tetons as campsite #11.
Final Thoughts on Spread Creek Meadow Dispersed Camping
Spread Creek Meadow dispersed camping area is a fabulous option for boondocking near the Grand Teton National Park. We also boondocked on the other side of the Tetons at a really nice Targhee National Forest dispersed camping spot. We list our three favorite spots for dispersed camping by national parks, of which Spread Creek Meadow is one. We keep finding more to enjoy.
If it is full, or you’d prefer another location, we developed a guide on how to find dispersed camping sites in the National Forest. Check it out to find some other beautiful dispersed camping options!
We really enjoyed our stay here. It is easy to get to, close to everything, and has fabulous views. What else could you ask for?
