The Grand Tetons will always be my favorite national park. There’s something about those jagged, dramatic peaks that just pulls me in. I could honestly stay there forever, just sitting and watching the sun rise and set on those mountains every single day. The way the light changes across the rock faces is absolutely magical.

In May of 2023, I was lucky enough to spend a full week right inside the park at Colter Bay RV Park. The location was perfect — full hookups, easy access to everything, and less than a mile from one of the best spots to watch the sunrise and sunset on the Tetons. Every morning and every evening we’d walk down and just stand there in awe as the light painted those massive rocky peaks. It never got old.

The park is definitely busy, especially in the warmer months, but staying at Colter Bay made it feel manageable. If you’re looking for a full-hookup campground inside the park, it’s absolutely worth it.

During our week there we spent a lot of time “hunting” for wildlife with our cameras. We were fortunate enough to spot both bears and moose. We didn’t manage to get any trophy photos, but we got some really good looks through the spotting scope. There’s nothing quite like seeing a grizzly or a big bull moose in the wild.

I’ll be honest — living in Stehekin now has changed the way I look at national parks. I used to visit them with pure joy and zero baggage. Now I can’t help but wonder about the decisions being made behind the scenes and how the National Park Service treats the people who actually live and work around these places. It’s a bittersweet feeling I wish I didn’t have.

Still… the Tetons remain my happy place. I hope I get to go back again soon.