Place to stay in Jackson WY

[jimlund]

Where is a bike friendly place to stay in Jackson WY? It seems the only close campground no longer allows tents. Any experience staying in churches etc there?

[hikerjer]

Camping with a tent in Jackson is a bit of a challenge alright. I can tell you right now, don't try the city park. The JPD will be all over you. We managed to stealth camp in a secluded area  just  below the Snow King Ski area but it wasn't legal. There is the Gros Ventre campground in Grand Teton National Park about seven miles north of Jackson. It's an easy ride into town and they should have hiker/biker sites for pretty cheap.  That might be your best bet unless you want to take your chances stealth camping in or on the outskirts of town.  Jackson is very upscale and not  particularly friendly to bicycle transients unless your willing to spend lots of cash. While I love the Tetons, I'm not much enamored with the town.  Just too many of the beautiful people plus tons of tourists. The traffic in town is crazy although there is a pretty good system of bike paths through and around town.

[John Nettles]

Maybe try WarmShowers as there seem to be few in the area.  John

[jamawani]

I have lived and ridden in Wyoming for nearly 30 years.
I spend my first years in Jackson and was in Grand Teton riding last summer.

The police in Jackson do not look kindly upon stealth campers.
Fines can be substantial - including a night or two in jail.
Jackson has to deal with a deluge of tourists, drunks, and motley sorts.
(BTW - I worked for Snow King back then - and they do have security.)
Nearly all of the national forest land bordering Jackson is closed to dispersed camping.

The best place to camp is at Jenny Lake where there is a dedicated hiker/biker area.
Not only is it cheap - I think $8 per person - but stunningly beautiful and close to the camp store.
It's 12 miles from Jackson to the park entrance and another 7 to Jenny Lake.
There are about 12 hiker/biker campsites - but don't get in too late just in case.

[hikerjer]

"Nearly all of the national forest land bordering Jackson is closed to dispersed camping." -Well, of course.  We don't want the common folk to defile our pretty world, do we?  Jackson is for the elite and the super wealthy and they are determined to keep it that way.  The only lower social/economic class they will tolerate are their servants. Pretty much a feudal society, IMO.

[jamawani]

No, hikerjet - -

Even 25 years ago when I lived there, summer workers who didn't want to pay rent would camp all over.
And they would totally trash the place - beer cans, trash, human waste. The USFS made the right call.

[hikerjer]

Maybe. Maybe not. It is a high use area. I realize that but it certainly limits options to those who have money.  I guess when you don't like poverty you can just outlaw it.  The good citizens of Jackson seem to have that down pat. 

That's all I'm going to say as I really don't want to turn this into a political discussion.  Thanks for your perspective.

[jamawani]

"That's all I'm going to say as I really don't want to turn this into a political discussion."

>> You already have.

[hikerjer]

"You already have" ---  Maybe. But I would agree Jenny Lake is a great place to camp. The hiker/biker sites are pretty convenient. Cheap and you never have to worry about a reservation or getting a spot.  As for getting in late, I've never been turned away from a hiker/biker site in a national park except for Yosemite. Even when they were full, which was seldom the case, the authorities always found a place for me.  And in most national park hiker/biker campgrounds you don't have any of those pesky bourgeoisie RVs to worry about either.   The bike trail from Jenny Lake into Jackson has got to be one of the most spectacular rides in the county.

[BikeliciousBabe]

Jenny Lake rocks. If you stay there, use the bear lockers. Cyclist left garbage out knowing an apparently orphaned young bear had been seen around camp for a few days. He left his cite to try to get a cell signal and furry guy came a callin'. A couple of women finally chased him off by banging pots and pans.