Plan your visit to Grand Teton National Park
This Grand Teton National Park travel guide helps you plan a first visit without spending hours figuring out what is actually worth your vacation time. The Tetons seem to rise straight out of the valley, which means you can watch the sunrise behind an old barn, look for moose along a quiet road, hike beside a mountain lake, and photograph those jagged peaks reflected in the water all in the same day.
You will find what not to miss, where to stay, when to visit, and the practical details you need before you arrive. I’ve also included the experiences that make Grand Teton memorable, from photographing Mormon Row and watching for wildlife at Oxbow Bend to crossing Jenny Lake by boat, hiking to Hidden Falls, and ending the day in Jackson.
Grand Teton National Park at a Glance
Location: Northwestern Wyoming, just north of Jackson
How much time: 2–3 days for a first visit
Best time to visit: June through September for hiking and the greatest access to park roads and services
Don’t miss: Jenny Lake, Mormon Row, Oxbow Bend, Schwabacher Landing, and Snake River Overlook
Best scenic drive: Teton Park Road and US 89/191
Best first hike: Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point
Best sunrise: Mormon Row or Schwabacher Landing
Best wildlife viewing: Oxbow Bend, Willow Flats, Elk Ranch Flats, and Moose-Wilson Road
Best mountain views: Snake River Overlook, Schwabacher Landing, and Oxbow Bend
Where to stay: Inside the park or in Jackson, Teton Village, or nearby communities
Good to know: Wildlife frequently creates traffic jams, so don’t plan your day too tightly
Before you go: Check current road, trail, construction, and wildlife closures
Grand Teton National Park Travel Guide
Top 10 Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park
1. Photograph the T.A. Moulton Barn at Mormon Row
2. Take the boat across Jenny Lake and hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point
3. Watch for wildlife at Oxbow Bend
4. Photograph the Tetons from Schwabacher Landing
5. Stop at the Snake River Overlook
6. Look for moose along Moose-Wilson Road
7. Kayak or canoe on Jenny Lake or String Lake
8. Look for bison around Elk Ranch Flats
9. Stop at the Chapel of the Transfiguration
10. Take a scenic float trip on the Snake River
Where is Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is 310,000 acres near Jackson Hole in western Wyoming. The park is 3 hours north of Interstate 80 (which runs east-west through Wyoming) and 2 hours and 15 minutes from Interstate 15 (which runs north-south through Idaho). The southern entrance to Grand Teton National Park is about a 30-minute drive from Jackson Wyoming. Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park are 31 miles apart and linked by the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway.
How to Get to Grand Teton National Park
The closest airport to Grand Teton National Park is the Jackson Hole Airport. United, American Airlines, and Delta offer flights to Jackson Hole. A less expensive option is to fly into Bozeman, Montana. Although a 4-hour drive to the Grand Tetons, Bozeman is close to Yellowstone.
Idaho Falls is another possible entry point to the area and opens the possibility of a stop at Shoshone Falls Park and Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve on the way to the park. The least expensive option is to fly into Salt Lake City and drive 5 hours to Grand Teton National Park.
Grand Teton National Park does not offer a shuttle service, you will need a car to navigate this park. Three roads in Grand Teton National Park form one loop: Highway 191, Teton Park Road, and Jenny Lake Road. Together they are called Scenic Loop Drive.
Grand Teton National Park Entrance Fees and Park Hours
Grand Teton National Park is open 24 hours every day, year-round. A standard park pass is $35 for 7 days. If you are visiting several parks over a year, consider purchasing the America the Beautiful Pass for unlimited access to all of the U.S. National Parks.
How Many Days Do I Need at Grand Teton National Park
1-2 days is enough time to experience Grand Teton National Park. If you are a hiker, you will want to stay at least 5 days to experience all the lake hikes available.
Where to Camp at Grand Teton National Park
Campgrounds are open from mid-May to the end of September and typical site costs between $50-60. There are six campgrounds and one RV park within the park. All campsites require reservations. The Jenny Lake and Signal Mountain campgrounds are both centrally located and accessible to both major park roads. Colter Bay RV Park and the Headwaters Campground & RV Sites at Flagg Ranch take reservations.
There are also campgrounds located outside the park’s boundaries. Boondocking is available in the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Accommodation near Grand Teton National Park
There are 5 lodges located in Grand Teton National Park. Check the National Park reservations site to book one of the lodges or nearby hotels.
I stayed at the Antler Inn in Jackson. The hotel was only a few blocks from the town square and offered a free continental breakfast.
Facts About Grand Teton National Park
- Grand Teton National Park was established in 1929.
- Over 3 million people visit this park each year, it is the eighth most visited park.
- The Tetons are one of the youngest mountain ranges in the United States, they are 10 million years old.
- The highest peak in the Teton Mountain Range is Grand Teton, at 13,770 feet above sea level.
- There are 12 small glaciers in the park’s peaks.
- Hidden Falls is the only accessible waterfall in Grand Teton National Park, it is a 230-foot waterfall fed by snowmelt.
- Wildlife found within Grand Teton include grizzly bears, black bears, gray wolves, coyotes, cougars, river otters, martens, elk, bison, pronghorn, and moose.
- Jackson Hole Airport is the only airport in the US that is located inside a National Park.
Best Time of Year to Visit Grand Teton National Park
The most popular months to visit are May through September. Hikers will enjoy a visit in the Summer and Fall when all park roads are open and trails are clear of snow. Wildfire season is from June through September and may create a smokey haze over the mountains. In October the aspen trees turn gold and wildlife is active as they prepare for winter. November through April, some roads, all campgrounds, and most visitor facilities are closed or have reduced hours. Skiing and snowboarding are popular winter activities. Trails are muddy and much of the park remains closed in the spring. Early Spring (May- June) and late fall and winter (mid Sept-Feb) are the best times of year to view wildlife. Wildflowers bloom on the valley floor in June.
Where to Eat at Grand Teton National Park
There are several restaurants located within Grand Teton National Park. Jenny Lake Lodge has a restaurant. Trapper Grill and Deadman’s Bar are located at Signal Mountain Lodge. The Mural Room, Pioneer Grill, and Blue Heron Lounge are located at Jackson Lake Lodge. The Ranch House and Cafe Court are at Colter Bay. Leeks Pizzeria in Leeks Marina and Headwaters Lodge at Flagg Ranch are also food options in the park.
Grand Teton National Park Highlights
Jenny Lake |Hidden Falls | Mormon Row Historic District | Schwabacher Landing | Moose Wilson Road
Best Viewpoints of the Teton Mountains
The best viewpoints of the Teton Mountains are Snake River Overlook, Schwabacher Landing, Glacier View Turnout, Moulton Barns, Blacktail Ponds area, Togwotee Pass, Oxbow Bend.
Things to Do at Grand Teton National Park
- Cunningham Cabin and the interchange to Hwy 26. There’s a huge open area here where bison and pronghorns like to hang out
- Spot moose along Moose Wilson Road
- Willow Flats Overlook. It’s over near the Jackson Lake Lodge, and a well-known spot to see grizzly bears
- Photograph the T.A. Moulton barn in Mormon Row
- Book a rafting excursion on the Snake River
- Rent a kayak at Jenny Lake or String Lake
- Dude Ranch activities and horseback riding
- Go water-skiing or tubing on Jackson Lake
- Give fly fishing a try
- Book a scenic flight or hot air balloon ride
- Ride the Jackson Hole aerial tram at Teton Village
Popular Trails and Hikes at Grand Teton National Park
- Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point: 2-mile RT
- Lakeshore Trail (Jackson Lake): 2-mile loop
- String Lake – Leigh Lake: 1.8 miles
- Taggart Lake: 3 miles RT
- Taggart Lake-Bradley Lake: 5.5 miles
- Phelps Lake: 7-mile loop
- Jenny Lake: 7.6-mile loop
- Death Canyon: 8 miles
- Delta Lake: 9 miles
- Cascade Canyon: 10 miles
- Leigh Lake: 11.5 mile loop
How to Spend the Perfect Day at Grand Teton National Park
Morning: Wildlife Spotting and Scenic Drive
Begin the day with a drive down Moose Wilson Road looking for wildlife. If you do not see any, backtrack and try a few of the side streets.
Stop by the Chapel of Transfiguration and check out the view from the picture window.
Take a walk along Mormon Row and photograph the T.A. Moulton Barn.
Begin the scenic drive stopping at the viewpoints, do not miss:
- Schwabacher Landing
- Snake River Overlook
- Look for bison around J.P. Cunningham Cabin and Elk Ranch Turnout
- Photograph the Tetons from Oxbow Bend and Jackson Lake Dam
- Take a panoramic photo at the Mountain View Turnout
Afternoon: Jenny Lake and Hidden Falls
Drive Jenny Lake Road to the Visitor Center. Take the boat shuttle across Jenny Lake and hike the 2-mile loop to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. The ferry shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes from 7am to 7 pm and costs $20 RT at the time of this writing. Check current Jenny Lake shuttle information here. The hike to Hidden Falls from the shuttle stop is uphill .5 miles and uphill 1 mile to Inspiration Point. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and bear spray!
Head to Jackson Hole for dinner and souvenir shopping. Do some line dancing at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar or relax with a craft cocktail at The Rose Speakeasy.
Things to Do Near Grand Teton National Park
- National Elk Refuge
- Bridger-Teton National Forest
- Yellowstone National Park
- Glacier National Park
Tips for Visiting Grand Teton National Park
- Download the NPS app for road closures, trail status, and services throughout the park.
- Scenic Highway 191 has many pullouts on the west side of the road to photograph the Tetons, drive this route south.
- Arrive at Jenny Lake early, it is a popular spot with limited parking.
- Bring water shoes to wade in the crystal clear lakes.
- The best times for wildlife sightings are at dawn and dusk.
- A large bison herd is usually hanging out just before the southern entrance to the park on Highway 89/121/26 in Elk Ranch Flats.
- Don’t rely on cell phone service, download the park maps from the National Park Service app in advance.
- Pack sunscreen, a hat, reusable water bottle and bug spray for this trip.
- This is bear country; buy bear spray, learn how to use it and always carry it with you.
- For safety, stay close to others when hiking alone, hiking in groups of 3+ is best.
- Wildlife is wild; by law you must stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from all other animals (bison, elk, pronghorns, and moose).
- Practice Leave No Trace Principles
- Purchase an America the Beautiful Pass and keep exploring National Parks
- Check with the National Park Service for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
- Dogs are not allowed on trails, pathways, beaches, inside visitor centers, or in park waters.
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