Colter Bay Cabins Review – Grand Teton National Park

The Colter Bay Cabins located within Grand Teton National Park, offer a rustic and cozy stay within the park. There are 166 of these original homestead log cabins available for rent within Colter Bay Village, each being a little bit unique!

The Colter Bay cabins are an important part of the park’s history — they’re the oldest structures in the Jackson Hole area and were originally were built in 1890 by homesteader Frank Lovell. In 1955, these homestead cabins were moved to the Colter Bay area from nearby land formerly owned by John D. Rockefeller Jr. and created what we refer to now as Colter Bay Village.

Staying in the Colter Bay Cabins

The Colter Bay cabins are available for reservations from May to September every season. For your best choice of dates, make sure to reserve several months – or even a year – in advance. I’ve had good luck snagging someone’s cancellation – in fact, I booked our two-night stay here only a few weeks in advance. To check available dates and book a stay, make your reservation here.

Our stay here was wonderful – in fact, this was our favorite place we stayed during our 3-week road trip – and we’ve already got a cabin booked for summer 2022!

There are several types of cabin floorplans that can accommodate 2 to 10 people. We booked a 1 room cabin, with two beds (it would sleep 3), but there are larger cabins that can sleep up to ten people. Additionally, some of the cabins do not have bathrooms, and instead, use a shared bathroom.

The cabins are rustic and have very few amenities, in that there is no air conditioning, TV, wifi, mini fridge or coffee makers. They are heated and have modern-looking bathrooms, a small desk, an ice bucket (there’s an ice machine at the office) and a dresser for storage. The beds are comfortable and the cabin is cute and cozy! We stayed here in mid-August and didn’t need a/c, as it cooled down enough at night, but we did bring a fan just in case. I also felt that the cabin was spacious – we had plenty of room for the two of us and our dog!

All of the Colter Bay log cabins are pet-friendly. The cabins are nestled in a wooded area and you can take your dog out for a walk around the cabin compound.

I’ve also stayed in the Colter Bay Village TENT cabins, which is a completely different experience. Check out my review here.

You are not allowed to cook inside the cabins or outside the cabins – and yes, this means no cooking on your vehicle’s tailgate. This rule is in place to protect the historic cabins from possible fire danger. If you want to prepare your own food, you will need to go to a designated picnic site (you’ll find them in Colter Bay Village).

Nearby attractions

Colter Bay Village

The National Park service describes Colter Bay as “summer camp for the entire family” and I’d have to agree. From Colter Bay, you can arrange all kinds of activities – horseback riding, kayaking, swimming, hiking, boating or just relaxing on the beach. Colter Bay Village also has a selection of restaurants, gift shops, a laundromat, and a visitor center. The actual village is a short, 10 minute walk from the cabins – we always chose to drive to the area instead of walking because we are lazy SOBs!

Jackson Lake

Just like Colter Bay Village, you can walk to Jackson Lake from your cabin – or you can chose to drive. At Jackson Lake, you’ll find some picnic areas (this is a great spot if you want to cook your meals while staying in the cabins), hiking trails, and of course, swimming (though I wouldn’t swim in Jackson Lake – far too cold for me!).

Grand Teton National Park’s other attractions:

You’re just a short drive away from seeing the other attractions inside Grand Teton National Park, like taking a boat ride across Jenny Lake, hiking any of the beautiful trails in the park, Mormon Row Historic District and more.

Check out Jackson, Wyoming

Jackson, Wyoming is one of my favorite tourist towns in the USA! No matter how many time I go there, I always want to go back. Getting your photo under the iconic antler arch is a must, plus you’ll find all kinds of restaurants, coffee shops, and gift shops (of course!).

Colter Bay Cabins in Grand Teton National Park – Summary:

I really enjoyed my stay at the Colter Bay cabins. They are expensive (but do any research of the area and you’ll find that all lodging in this area (whether you stay inside of Grand Teton National Park or in Jackson) is very expensive. The location can’t be beat and the cabins were fun and perfect if you’re traveling with a dog.

Pros:

• Cabins are fairly large, squeaky clean and adorable!
• Excellent location within Grand Teton National Park. Colter Bay Village has all the amenities you’ll need and Grand Teton’s major hiking trails are only a short drive away.
• Pet friendly – and you are welcome to leave your well-behaved pet unattended in the cabin.

Cons:

• Not exactly budget-friendly (if you’re on a budget and don’t mind roughing it, check out the Colter Bay Tent Cabins. I’ve stayed there too!) – for the cabins you’re looking at nearly $300/night, but the tent cabins are $79/night (2024 prices).
• Most cabins have shared walls with another cabin. I only heard noise from the other group when I was in the bathroom.
• No cooking allowed inside or outside the cabins. No campfires allowed.
• A small handful of these cabins that do not have bathrooms inside of the cabin. They share a bathhouse with other neighbors. I imagine these cabins are cheaper than the ones with bathrooms. Just make sure to read exactly what you’re booking!
• Internet service (both WiFi and 5/4G) is very spotty. You can get WiFi by the cabin check-in office. Your 5/4G service (Verizon) will work at off-hours (it worked great at midnight!), but not during ‘normal’ hours as *everyone* is trying to use the signal.

Have you stayed at the Colter Bay cabins in Grand Teton National Park? Or do you have any questions for me? Leave me a note below!