Grand Teton National Park part I - Headwaters Campground

If you love nature - being outside surrounded by mountains, lakes, trees, wildflowers, and wildlife, then there are a lot of worse places you could be than Grand Teton National Park. For the past week we got to have the majestic Teton mountain range and the Snake River as our backyard. Regardless of sun (like the first half of our visit) or rain (like the second half), I felt like we were living in a postcard. absolutely breathtaking and peaceful. Of course, that peacefulness also means that we were without cell or internet service, but that actually just lent itself to getting lost in the beauty of the park.  

Grand Teton North Entrance

Last year we went to Yellowstone (you can read about it here, here, and here), but we did not go to the adjacent Grand Teton N.P.  When we left, we made a sort of circuitous route through Idaho and around the mountains.  The view was staggering even from the outside loop we made, so we knew that we really needed to visit this national park.

The kitties LOVED this campsite!!!

So, we centered our entire summer trip around this park - filling in other places to see before and after - and after staying 7 nights I can definitely say that we made the right decision to come here. It would have been very easy to stay the two full weeks you are allowed to stay.  

Full on Jr. Ranger mode! Even got a nifty shirt to complete the look in Canyonlands! 

Once we made the decision to come here this summer, we started our search for the perfect place to camp.  There are only 2 campgrounds that take reservations (the rest of are first come first serve), and out of those two, we picked Headwaters campground at Flagg Ranch because this park seemed more private, but also because it is only 2 miles south of the Yellowstone south entrance - and I REALLY wanted to see Yellowstone one more time. 

This campground is sorta a cross between an RV park and an actual out in nature campground. We had full hook ups and access to 24 hour laundry and a nice (free) shower house.  But we were also surrounded by trees and we had an AMAZING view out the back of our camp. 

Our campsite. You can see the screen shelter and the mountains in the distance. 

There were no campsites behind us so we got a nice view of a large meadow next to the Snake river and of course beautiful snow capped mountains in the distance. 

The lush mountain view

Our spot was pretty big. We were able to easily put up our screened shelter tent (we put it toward the back of our site to take advantage of the gorgeous views) which was really necessary due to the crazy amount of mosquitoes - and rain later in the week.  Several other campers commented on how jealous they were that we had it - one lady even "offered" $1,000 for it!

Looking back towards our campsite. 

A little tapas before dinner

On our first night we tried to find the amphitheater, but accidentally found ourselves on a short path that led down to the snake river. It was a little overcast so we waited to the next day to head down to try and capture sunset over the river.(We did later discover the amphitheater and watched a presentation on wolves).

Nearly sunset on the Snake river

We came close to sunset, but the mosquitoes were out in force that night, so we had to retreat before too long. Got some nice "almost" sunset pictures and got to see the wildflowers all bathed in a warm orange. 

Wildflowers all aglow in the evening setting sun 

Besides the campground, Flagg Ranch is also a Lodge with a restaurant, a bar, a visitor's center/gift shop, and a convenience store. On our first night, we were so excited to be there that we decided to go out for a "fancy" dinner at our local restaurant. We got there 5 minutes after opening for dinner, so we got a nice seat right next to the windows.

Cheers to Headwaters Lodge!

Best damn onion rings on the planet!

We both felt that the food was overpriced for the quality (although it may have been what we ordered?).  However.....we got onion rings for an appetizer and I am telling you that they were by FAR the best onion rings either one of us have ever had. 

All in all, we are putting this on a short list of places that we MUST come back to soon. I would highly recommend the Headwaters campground for tents or RVs (they have both spaces).   

Sunset view of the mountains on our last night in camp