Grand Tetons, Sept.28-Oct 4th, too late?

I'm planning on traveling to the tetons the last week of September into October.

For those out in the area, do you think fall colors will still be displaying?

Also, will truck camping be a problem during this time, not exactly sure how cold the temps will be. Looking online I see some of the campsites close for the season around this time.

thanks for any advice,
Kevin

Perfect timing if you ask me. My trip last year (22nd-29th) seemed too early for prime color - although there was still plenty to shoot.

I remember 20's and 30's at night. If you want some advice on more primitive forest road camping along the park's boundary, drop me a note.

If all goes as planned, I will be out there that same week.

Hi Kevin. I visited the Tetons on the last weekend of September a few years ago and the fall color was not yet at peak. Here is an image from Oxbow Bend to demonstrate: http://www.brettdeacon.com/photo.php?id=17&gallery=LargeFormat. I think your time frame should be about right, but you never know from year to year exactly when the best time will be. I'm heading out there the first weekend in October and am expecting (or at least hoping) that this will be OK. I like to check out the dates of photography workshops to gauge the best time to catch fall color. I've seen Tetons fall color workshop this year that begin as early as Semtember 25th and go as late as October 9th.

I'd expect low temps to be in the 30s with a decent chance of 20s. It should warm up quickly after sunrise.

Kevin. Keep in mind that worst case scenario, you can actually run your car overnight with the heat on. Not the best option I know, but it actually uses very little gas. I found out the hard way when I got stuck in a blizzard once and had to sleep in my Xterra for 2 nights. It only uses about 1/8 of a tank to run the heat. =)

Hope it's not too late!! I'll be there from the 9/23 until 10/3.

I've been there a number of times during this same time frame and it's just about perfect, especially closer to the 1st of October. Like was already mentioned, it can change from one year to the next - a couple of years ago, a wicked wind storm came through and all trees were stripped bare before the end of Sept.

Have fun.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Looks like that week is as good a plan as any, just have to hope for the best.

Any of you guys meeting up out there to shoot during this week??

Kevin, Hopefully I'll be making my 25th fall trip to the Tetons around the 28th also. Gros Ventre campground (dry camping) is usually open at that time. Its located about 8 miles out of Jackson and its a National park campgound. There are a lot of state etc camping areas also on the Northern end close to the park. When I work out of my Van I use a catalytic heater which helps a lot. Usually there's ice on your windshield in the morning and you need to dress for the cold weather while waiting for first light. Its a great time of year to see the Tetons I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Sounds like a few of us will be up there around the same time frame. Maybe we could get together for a Sunrise or Sunset?
I was supposed to be making the trip this year with my folks. But they can't make it so I'm going solo. I might push my trip back to the first week in Oct and do the last week of Sept in Southwest Colorado. Last few years I've car camped as well. Back of my truck under a topper, temps vary a lot depending on the Altitude, few places I camped at in YNP it got into the teens on a couple nites. This year I'm bringing a Mr. Buddy heater to help with the cold temps.