Epic Utah & Wyoming Adventure: TETON Camping Secrets Revealed!
Today, I’m taking you to Grand Teton National
Park to show you the most rugged mountains in the United States. You’ll learn five ways to get
a campsite when everything is full and you show up without a reservation. We’ll do on-road
and off-road adventure in Teton. The scenery there is going to blow you away. Welcome to the
Gunner Stone channel. Thanks for joining me on this adventure. In the last video, I crashed twice
in less than 10 minutes, then set up camp at the crash site. We’re continuing this solo journey to
the Arctic from that crash site in the northeast corner of Utah. We’ll ride through the high alpine
terrain of the Ashley National Forest, drop down into the flaming gorge, cross southwest Wyoming
to get into the Bridger Teton National Forest, and explore the National Park before finding
a place to camp. As we cruise along US Highway 191 through northeast Utah, the first part of
the route today follows a scenic byway. And the landscape isn’t just hot and dry. It’s actually a
time machine. These wild rock formations are like nature’s version of a history book with pages
made of stone. Picture this. Eons ago, the area had a ton of dinosaurs, a warm shallow sea, and
Sahara like sand dunes. This is like motorcycling through a prehistoric beach, just minus the ocean.
As we ride, keep your eyes peeled for the dramatic shapes carved in stone by the relentless forces of
the wind and water. The next time you’re in this area, take a few minutes and stop at the Dinosaur
National Monument. You do not have to be a kid to appreciate this place. This is the only spot
on the planet where you’ll find 1,500 dinosaur bones exposed on one rock spot. It really is
impressive to see. And there’s also a lot of other spots along our scenic byway where you’ll
learn about the geology and fossils in this area. We’ll follow the byway from Vernal through
Ashley National Forest, which is 1.4 4 million acres of high wilderness in northeastern
Utah and southwestern Wyoming. 70% of this forest falls within the Utah mountains which are
characterized by the highest peaks in Utah, hundreds of picturesque lakes and a
unique alpine ecosystem. The Utah’s range is also the largest east west trending
mountain range in the lower 48 states. I’ve been on this road probably a dozen
times and it is fun every single time. I’ve come here during different seasons like
in the fall, springtime, summer. It’s just pretty. The temperature is awesome right now.
57 Fahrenheit. I love how there’s like the sage, which is like kind of high desert. Plus,
you get the aspens and evergreen trees all in the same area. A ton of areas to
camp. Good hiking through here. Love it. This forest we’re riding through
is home to beautiful spruce, subalpine fur, and lodged pole pine
blanketing the land. In some areas, the forests are interrupted by
park-like meadows and aspen groves. This is Utah Highway 191 North headed towards the Flaming Gorge and up into Wyoming.
I love this forest that we’re in. Just incredible. Out in the distance
at the base of that hill, you can see uh some campers right on the edge of the
meadow. That’s incredible. What a great spot. All right, so I was wrong earlier. It’s
not Utah 191. It’s US Highway 191 and evidently at times it can be impassible due
to snow. So, Flaming Gorge Dam 6 miles ahead. The scenic byway ends at the flaming gorge, named
for its blazing red cliffs that look like they’re on fire when the sun hits just right. This
breathtaking canyon was carved by the powerful Green River, which winds its way through rugged
landscapes, cutting deep into the earth. The Green River meanders for over 700 miles through dramatic
canyons and lush valleys and plays a vital role in the ecosystem in this part of the country. As
the river flows into the Flaming Gorge, it is harnessed by the Flaming Gorge Dam, an impressive
structure completed in 1964. It’s 502 ft tall and the dam not only generates electricity but also
creates the 91 mile long Flaming Gorge Reservoir. This is a popular destination for boating,
fishing, and other water activities. So the next time you roll through US 191, remember you’re
riding on top of millions of years of adventure shaped by the relentless forces of nature and
human ingenuity alike. And if you’re looking to set a record on your next trip, the Green
River has produced lake trout that weigh 50 lbs. We’re approaching the Wyoming border and we will
be passing through the cut up ahead in the terrain called Minnie’s Gap. It may not be easy to
see from this perspective, but if you study a topographic map of the area, you’ll quickly
notice this gap was formed by a massive amount of water passing through the same terrain we’ll
be riding on today, a very, very long time ago. Welcome to Wyoming. Home to less than 600,000
people, it is the least populated state and the 10th largest in size. It has the lowest
population density of anywhere in the lower 48 states. And with 1.3 million cattle,
there are more than twice as many cattle here as there are people. If you want to
get away, this is a great place to do it. This is a place where anyone can find
freedom. Just pull off the road, stop, and enjoy the quiet stillness anywhere. Finding Freedom Turning traction control off (enduro pro mode) riding a motorcycle through the vast
empty expanse of southwest Wyoming is like stepping into a whole new world. The open
road stretches out endlessly with rolling sage brush plains that hardly move in the wind.
The sky today is a deep blue canvas dotted with clouds that cast shadows across the dry
landscape. The air smells earthy and sunbaked, and I feel a cool breeze as we climb these
gentle hills. With each mile, I feel more alone, but it’s a good feeling. Calm, peaceful, quiet. No
towns, just the sound of the engine and the wind. As we look north, we can see the distant
silhouette of jagged peaks that show us that Grand Teton National Park is getting
close. This is beautiful, remote area, and it will stay with me forever. It’s a quiet
reminder of an amazing place that’s just ahead. Teton National Forest Hot Springs – Turn Right Jackson Hole is a really cool mountain town with
a lot to offer. It’s a fun place to visit any time of the year, and I’ve done that many times.
But it doesn’t have what we’re looking for right now. We want to be in the mountains,
not in the crowds. So, we’re not stopping. Grand Teton National Park in northwestern
Wyoming is a breathtaking expanse defined by its rugged mountains, pristine lakes, and
rich geological history. The Teton Range with jagged peaks rising dramatically from the
valley floor were formed by a combination of tectonic activity and glacial sculpting.
Unlike many mountain ranges, the Tetons lack significant foothills, offering a stark, awe
inspiring ascent that is visually captivating. Since Teton is so close to Yellowstone, it’s
easy to simply drive through the park on US Highway 191 and not take time to stop
and explore. It is definitely worth the time to explore Teton. For example, this
42-mile scenic loop will take you from Moose, Wyoming to Jackson Lake and back. It
includes many of the lookout points that give you the best views of the Tetons.
However, this route doesn’t just highlight the mountains. You can expect to see glaciers,
dams, historical structures, and so much more. You may even catch a glimpse of bison, elk, or bears in their natural habitat. The
other really cool fact is that you’ll be driving along the Teton fault line
that created these dramatic mountains. All right, that last spot was Jenny Lake Scenic Drive and uh I’m really glad
I had a chance to go see that. If you’re interested in driving off-road,
the adjacent national forest is your best option. But if you want to stay in the
park, you can take this trail that leads down to the lake with two fairly secluded
primitive campsites. If you really want to get remote and don’t have your climbing
gear, you can rent a boat on Jackson Lake and camp on one of the islands. These
island campsites are the coolest spots in the national park to set up a tent, but
you will need a backcountry camping permit. Leave a comment with your thoughts about camping
on one of these islands. Approximately 2/3 of all backcountry camping permits are available via walk
up through Grand Teton’s permit offices located at the Coulter Bay Visitor Center and the Jenny Lake
Ranger Station. Walk up permits are available on a first come first- serve basis and can be obtained
1 day before your start date. During peak season, which is May through October, walk up permits
cannot be issued over the phone or online through recreation.gov. The permit will cost you $20
and the nightly fee is $7 per person per night. If I was a bird watcher, I would uh change
my lenses and then uh go take a look at that hawk that just landed. But I want to
get down to this water, Spalding Bay. Should I pass him? Maybe. That was nice. Gave him the wave. Told him thanks. Yeah, this is cool. Definitely need your bear
spray back here. Oh, slow down. The park’s shimmering lakes such as Jenny
Lake and Jackson Lake were carved by ancient glaciers that retracted during the last
ice age, leaving behind deep basins filled with crystal clear water. Pretty good little
downhill. Um, I might just camp right here. After buying a back country permit All right, it’s 16:30. I definitely
want to take some more pictures, want to explore the park some more. Here is
an awesome campsite. Super remote, way off the beaten path. And I may come back here, but
definitely an option. All right, let’s go. looks like a grouse in the
road. Come on, grouse. Go. Go. Wow. Uh, that’s nice. Backcountry camping is for people who are more
adventurous or are looking for solitude while in Teton. But if that’s not your thing, there are
some great drive up campground options in the park that are available by advanced reservation
only on recreation.gov. If you plan ahead, you can reserve your night under the stars up to
6 months in advance. The maximum length of stay is 7 days at Jenny Lake and 14 days at all of
the other campgrounds here. If you’re like me, you don’t mind finding out where you’re going
to stay on the fly. And if that’s your style, it’s always nice to have a few tricks up your
sleeve. So, here are five ways to find a campsite without a reservation. Number one, just ask.
Even when a sign at a campground says it’s full, it’s been my experience that there is often
a spot that can accommodate a small two person tent and your motorcycle. Being super kind
is really what sells this one, and it has worked half a dozen times in some of the most
popular places in North America. Number two, the area between Teton and Yellowstone is called
the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. Follow your map and turn on Grassy Lake Road where
you’ll find 14 designated campsites in eight areas along the road. They’re free. First come, first
serve sites are accessible once the road opens in mid June. The sites are primitive with no water,
but do include shared toilets, bear boxes, and trash facilities. Number three, go remote. There
is national forest land adjacent to Teton National Park. If you’re good with a map, you can find
some nice spots in the national forest. Camp for free and avoid the crowds, too. This option has
never failed me in Teton because the majority of people who want to camp in the park either don’t
know about it, are unwilling to take their cars up some pretty steep and rugged twotrack roads,
or just aren’t prepared to solo camp in grizzly territory. Another favorite is number four, the I
Overlander app. This platform has provided dozens of great locations with fun memories and new
friendships both in the US and Canada. It’s a great resource. I have the app loaded on both my
phone and also saved on my GPS on my motorcycle. So pretty. Number five, the Hail Mary Campground
pass. This is definitely not a strategy, but it is something I’ve successfully employed a
few times. Basically, when you’re out of options, it’s already dark and things are really starting
to suck. Take that six-pack of good beer you’re carrying that you’d hope to share with your
friends at camp that night. Find a guy or a group who already have a campsite who are also
already sitting at their campfire drinking beer. Then send over the Hail Mary Pass. If
you complete the pass, before you know it, you’ll have an invitation to set up your tent
there for the night and share stories with the new friends around the campfire. If the pass
is fumbled, you will still have a great story to add to your motorcycle adventure, and you’ll
have plenty of time to rethink what you should have said differently on the drive back to Jackson
Hole to find a hotel or an Airbnb for the night. The last time I used the Hail Mary pass, I was
in Telleluride, Colorado, and it worked so well, I ended up walking down the street to buy
more refreshments because people from other campsites saw where the party was at and
they wanted to join us. I hope these Teton camping hacks give you ideas for your next
adventure here. Enjoy sleeping in the dirt. The Teton Range does not conjure
visions of vast ancient seas. However, Grand Teton National Park has exposures
of sedimentary rocks over a thousand ft thick. Many of these formations have
fossilized remains of marine organisms. These fossils indicate where the Teton range
now stands was once the floor of an ancient sea inhabited by coral brachopods or clamlike
shells and trilobyes. The nightmare-causing fossil that leads children not to want to get
in the ocean. So I hear I literally slid the front tire into a stop right here and it dug a
little hole. So I’m going to climb out of this There we go. Yeah, that’s fun. If you’re enjoying this video as much
as I am enjoying creating it for you, give it a thumbs up so more
people will be able to find it. If you really want to help the
channel, leave a comment and share the video with a friend. Thank you.
I appreciate you helping get the word out. All right, my battery is about to die. I
made it to Teton National Park today and uh I’m staying here at Coulter Bay Campground in
the hiker biker area because the whole rest of the joint is sold out and uh they were able to give
me a uh a hike biker spot which is pretty awesome. All right, I uh just got back. Had
to run to the store and grab a few essentials. And fortunately, they uh don’t
disappoint. got the uh mosquito repellent, some stuff for building the fire tonight, and of
course, because we’re in uh Teton National Park, we’re going with the Grand Teton Teton Range
Juicy IPA. So, definitely excited about that. And uh mosquito repellent, top-notch. So, going
to get a fire started and just kick back and relax. Thanks for riding with me today.
I’ll see you in the next one. Coming up, a quick trip through Yellowstone National
Park and then on to one of my top five favorite roads in the lower 48, the famous
Beartooth Highway. See you in Yellowstone.
We’re continuing this motovlog solo journey to the Arctic and motorcycling to Grand Teton National Park to explore some of the most rugged mountains in the U.S. I’ll show you 5 ways to find a campsite when everything is full—and you don’t have a reservation! Plus, we’ll hit both on-road and off-road adventures with incredible scenery in Utah and Wyoming. Today we’re riding through Ashley National Forest, crossing Flaming Gorge in Utah, and heading into Bridger-Teton National Forest before exploring and photographing Teton National Park then finding a campsite.
________
00:00 Intro
00:53 Utah Scenic Byway
02:04 Ashley National Forest
04:52 Green River
05:26 Flaming Gorge
07:02 Welcome to Wyoming
07:29 Wyoming Motorcycle Route
10:45 Teton Forest & Hoback River
12:07 Jackson, Wyoming
12:38 Teton National Park – Exploring
14:55 Camping in Teton National Park
19:16 5 Ways to find a campsite at Teton (without a reservation)
23:30 Photography in Teton National Park
24:30 At the campsite
________
UTAH Scenic Byway:
Cruising along US-191 through northeast Utah feels like riding through a prehistoric landscape where dinosaurs roamed, seas once covered the land, and ancient dunes stood tall. The wild rock formations are nature’s history book, carved by wind and water.
We’ll pass through Ashley National Forest’s 1.4 million acres filled with spruce, fir, and pine, with meadows and aspen groves scattered throughout. The Unita Mountains, the largest east-west range in the lower 48, dominate this landscape.
FLAMING GORGE:
Ending the byway at Flaming Gorge, the red cliffs blaze under the sun. Carved by the Green River, which stretches 700 miles, it supports vibrant ecosystems. The Flaming Gorge Dam, standing 502 feet tall, creates a 91-mile reservoir perfect for water activities. Fun fact: the Green River holds lake trout up to 50 pounds!
WELCOME TO WYOMING:
Crossing Minnie’s Gap into Wyoming, the least populated state with more than twice as many cattle as people. The vast, empty expanse of southwest Wyoming offers peaceful solitude—just you, the road, and endless skies.
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK:
Skipping the crowds in Jackson to dive straight into Grand Teton’s rugged beauty. The Tetons rise dramatically without foothills, shaped by tectonic shifts and glaciers. Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake sparkle, carved by ice ages past. Don’t just drive through—explore the 42-Mile Scenic Loop for epic views, wildlife sightings, and historical landmarks.
CAMPING OPTIONS IN TETON NATIONAL PARK:
* Drive-Up Campgrounds: Reserve up to six months ahead via Recreation.gov. Jenny Lake allows 7-day stays; other campgrounds permit up to 14 days.
* Backcountry Campsites: Rent a boat on Jackson Lake to camp on secluded islands—highly recommended for a unique experience.
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING (in the park):
Offers solitude but requires a permit from Colter Bay, Craig Thomas Visitor Center, or Jenny Lake Ranger Station. Permits cost $20 plus $7 per person, per night. Walk-up permits are first-come, first-served, available the day before your trip during peak season (May–October).
***5 WAYS TO FIND A CAMPSITE WITHOUT A RESERVATION***
1. Just Ask: Even when signs say “full,” kindly asking often reveals space for a small tent and motorcycle. Kindness works!
2. John D. Rockefeller Parkway (Grassy Lake Road): Between Teton and Yellowstone, find 14 free, first-come, first-served primitive sites with bear boxes and toilets.
3. Go Remote: Adjacent national forest lands offer free, secluded spots. Embrace rugged roads and grizzly country for total solitude.
4. iOverlander App: A reliable resource for off-the-beaten-path campsites. Save it on your phone and GPS for easy access.
5. The Hail Mary Pass: Out of options? Share a six-pack with fellow campers. It’s led to spontaneous campfire stories and new friends more than once!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
I hope these Teton camping hacks inspire your next adventure. If you enjoyed this video, give it a thumbs up, leave a comment, and share with a friend. Thanks for riding with me!
UP NEXT:
We’ll take a quick trip through Yellowstone, then ride one of my top 5 favorite roads in the lower 48—the famous Beartooth Highway. See you in the next adventure!
👉 Watch Next:
📹 5 Lessons from my Colorado High to Utah Crash → [https://youtu.be/-uPoA9wL5_Y?si=5OOxkuvl6fMQyQ2x]
📹 The Origin of a 6 month, 27,500 mile Trip → [https://youtu.be/Ekj_r9jDM6U?si=434WfV3BH6wQe6kN]
@bmwmotorrad @RideBDR @MoskoMoto @GrandTetonNPS @KLIMMotorcycle @LONERIDERMoto @SW-MOTECH
1 Comment
Another great video! Thank you