Upper Teton View - Toppings Lake Dispersed Campsites #8 - 16

Finishing up a 3 week Southern Utah NP trip (10/1-10/22) we opted to head through The Tetons & Yellowstone for our final leg back home. We started up the road to this area with the TT hooked up but having had snow the week prior the road was not in great shape. We got to the fork in the road and there was lots of ice covering the road. Husband walked up it a way and with the narrowness of the road (about 1 1/2 car widths), trees very close to road and ice/snow in all the shady sections we opted to go further up the Rockefeller Pwy to another off-grid location. The road up to these sites is VERY narrow should you meet someone heading in the opposite direction.

We drove up the following day, w/out TT and looked it over. There were only two campers up there, an Airstream & a big Class A. The best sites are in one big group style parking area, all had own fire rings. A few other sites had guy-wires cutting the view for taking photos, but still had great views of The Tetons.

I fully understand everyone raving about this location and doing all they can to camp there as most people are doing a once-in-a-lifetime trip to this area and it does have spectacular views. But for us, living just outside the East entrance to Yellowstone we made the decision that we would most likely not camp up there, even in the "off season". If we were to camp over in this area again we would opt for where we stayed and leave this one for those of you who only get to see this beauty once in a lifetime =) No Grand Teton views where we stayed, but smaller mtn views and right on the river! We were the only ones (aside from an outfitters camp in use, not near enough to hear/see) out where we ended up staying for 4 nights! Had planned on 2 or 3 nights max but couldn't make ourselves leave until we absolutely had to make the drive through YNP to get home.

Reason for not caring about the "big" mtns views is that we have a 260º view of Absaroka mtns from our property everyday ;)

Stayed in Sept. Sign at entry said no more than 30'. Glad we saw some big rigs coming out which reassured us fine to go in.
We first tried to park at the lower spot (across from bathroom) but it was too unlevel. Glad we went up. Plenty of big rigs - some 40 + made it up. Go slow, take the second left turn once you get up as it is more generous. Fairly flat. If you are not sure of your driving, worth it to unhitch and check it out first.
Not all have the million dollar view - depends on when you arrive and what you get. But it def beats the lower spot (unlevel + too dusty from everyone kicking up dust as they drive up or down). Most folks are friendly and respectful; there was a class B campers blasting VERY loud music late into the night.

Definitely a gem to explore the Tetons from. Some folks also make day trips to yellowstone. We tried that for a day - too long a drive! So, we picked up and move to West YS for the base to explore YS.

Directions were easy for us to follow during the day. We drove past the lower spots and crept up and to the left to the upper spots. If someone’s coming down when you’re going up I could see some challenges getting by on this narrow dirt road. Take it slow and most rigs even large fish wheels make it up. The views are some of the best we’ve ever seen. People were very respectful even though at times it was packed. Very close to the park and Jackson. Hands down one of our favorite spots ever.

Super popular, almost too popular. Definitely exceeding the site limitations. Expect generators and possibly loud groups. Folks will roll up late and park wherever; although overall friendly atmosphere. We’re all just looking for free camping with a view. Clean privy w/ donation box. 2 bars occasionally at top site, 3 at bottom privy section.

After reading the reviews, I made sure to arrive before noon to secure a spot. Most were taken, but I managed to find an empty one pretty far along. Had a fire pit (though burn ban in place) and was pretty secluded. Lots of gorgeous wildflowers around! Flies were terrible all day and mosquitoes got bad at night. Despite the many reviews saying to arrive early AND rigs parked in the lot at the bottom, people came down each individual campsite at ALL HOURS shining their headlights looking for an open spot—made for very little sleep. Would come back during a calmer season. Saw deer and a (pet?) fox.

We arrived in our truck and camper and managed to find a pretty nice spot about halfway up. Most lower spots were occupied by bigger rigs, and that area got even more full during our stay. Farther up, it gets harder to access, and there were some really nice remote spots we didn’t feel comfortable driving to, but we got a sweet spot in the middle that was quiet, accessible and not too crowded. We did have a few neighbors throughout but never felt crowded or cramped. The site was level and gorgeous, we were a 2-second walk to views of the Tetons. There was a bathroom at the base of the campground, but bring your own TP just in case. Forest ranger was driving around when we arrived and welcomed us while sharing some important info. Simply put, we drove down a hill each morning and we’re in the park, but for free. That level of easy access was such a gift.