Signal Mountain Campground

The Signal Mountain Campground is centrally located inside Grand Teton National Park and provides a convenient basecamp for the whole park. This 80-site campground sits on the southeast shore of Jackson Lake, adjacent to Signal Mountain Lodge, and offers easy access to the lake waters and short walks to unparalleled views of the Teton Range. The area is frequented by various park wildlife, large and small, as well as a variety of bird species. Signal Mountain is normally one of the first campgrounds to open and last to close in the park, and can have lingering snowpack during the opening weeks after heavy winters and early wintery weather at the end of the season. Due to the variability of weather in the Tetons, visitors should come prepared, especially during May and October. The campground provides direct access to two of the park's shorter trails: the lakeshore trail, a 3-mile out-and-back following the lakeshore bluff to a popular backcountry campsite, and the Signal Mountain Summit trail, a 6-mile loop. Both provide breathtaking views and wildlife viewing. Many of the park's classic hikes are within 15-20-minute drives, including the Jenny Lake area, Lupine Meadows, Cascade Canyon, String Lake, Taggart Lake and Paintbrush Canyon. Jackson Lake stretches nearly 7 miles wide and 15 miles long with a maximum depth over 400 feet. Water temperatures generally vary from 50-70 degrees during the campground's season, and the lake is popular for trout fishing, power boats, kayaks and paddle boards. Signal Mountain Marina offers kayak, canoe and motor boat rentals for those traveling without their own gear, and Signal Mountain Lodge offers guided fishing trips on Jackson Lake and scenic float trips on the Snake River. Popular spots for swimming are at the boat ramp and picnic areas at the north and south sides of the campground. Photography and sightseeing are other popular focuses — the area offers numerous great opportunities for landscape and nightscape photography, often with the bonus of some wildlife shots, and it is a great spot to spend a rest day during a busy vacation without getting back in the car. The campground offers tent camping and pull-in/back-in sites for RVs or trailers up to 30 feet, including 24 sites with 30- and 50-amp hookups that are popular during the early and late season. It is organized in three loops: the first with both electric and non-electric generator sites, the second with non-electric generator sites, and the third non-electric and generator free. Tent pads are available at select sites, and all sites have picnic tables, fire rings and bear-proof food storage boxes. Parking pads and tent areas vary greatly in size, so care should be given when selecting a site. There is a dump station, trash collection and recycling receptacles, and four conveniently located comfort stations with potable water, flush toilets, camper sinks and hot water. As part of the Signal Mountain Lodge facility, the campground also has token-operated showers and a laundromat, internet access and on-site cell service, a general store (groceries, gas, camping supplies, coffee bar and grab-and-go food), a restaurant and bar, a gift shop, guided float trips, guided fishing trips, boat rentals and cabin rentals. The campground sits slightly elevated from Jackson Lake in a predominantly lodgepole pine forest, which continues up Signal Mountain to the east. Signal Mountain itself is an isolated glacial moraine which rises over 800 ft and offers sweeping views of the Jackson Hole valley. The campground is located directly across the lake from Mt. Moran, the park's second tallest peak, and the dramatic Teton Range is visible from the lake shore and a few select sites. Red fox, coyotes, bears, bats and mule deer frequent the area, and eagles and osprey are often perched amongst the lake shore trees; proper food storage is enforced and regularly monitored. Yellowstone's South Entrance is 25 miles north, the Jackson Hole Airport is 29 miles south, Teton Village is 30 miles south with dining, shopping, gondola and aerial tram rides, and the town of Jackson is 38 miles south with hundreds of dining and shopping options, galleries, museums, movie theaters, medical facilities and auto repair.