Grand Teton National Park: Two-Day Itinerary

Grand Teton National Park is home to the staggering peaks of the Teton Mountain Range and pristine glacial terrain. With eight mountains rising over 12,000 feet in the sky, active glaciers scattered throughout, and Snake River winding through the valley floor, the area makes for an alluring destination. Here is the perfect Grand Teton National Park Itinerary for any trip!

Located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park is 484 square miles with an impressive 200 miles of hiking trails. The main road runs through the park connecting the town of Jackson to Yellowstone. The compact layout of the park allows for easy exploration and makes it a great weekend destination!

This Grand Teton National Park itinerary is geared towards a two-or-three night stay. Make it a weekend adventure with your friends or bring your significant other for a romantic getaway in the mountains. Arrive Friday evening, catch a drink at sunset, and spend all day Saturday and Sunday exploring the beautiful park. Say your goodbyes Sunday evening or Monday morning. Leave with fond and fun memories of this incredible park!

For more information about Grand Teton National Park, with details on when to visit, how to get there, where to stay, what to pack and much more, read the Ultimate Grand Teton National Park Travel Guide!

How to Use this Map: Red markers indicate highlights along the loop. Yellow markers indicate recommended glacial lakes. Click the markers for more information on each place. The blue path represents the main park loop. To zoom in or out, click the plus and minus buttons in the bottom left corner of the map (on your computer) or pinch the screen (on your phone). Click the arrow in the top left corner to view the map index. To save this map to your Google Maps, click the star next to the map title.

Day One: Drive the Scenic Loop and Enjoy Jenny Lake

Drive the 42-mile Scenic Park Loop

Wake up early and start your day with driving the 42-mile scenic park loop! This scenic drive is a can’t miss on any Grand Teton National Park itinerary. I highly recommend getting up early enough to watch the sunrise. The Teton Mountains face east, which means the sunrise lights up the peaks and fills the sky with stunning red, pink, and orange hues. Good locations to watch the sunrise include Blacktail Ponds Overlook, Glacier View Turnout Snake River Overlook, and Signal Mountain Road (although this spot is further from Jackson than the others). It’s day one so you’re eager to start exploring. Take advantage of that extra-motivation. Here’s a list of all the stops along the loop–they are all shown in the map above as well!

• Blacktail Ponds Overlook
• Mormon Row Historic District
• Glacier View Turnout
• Schwabacher Landing (1 mile off the main road)
• Snake River Overlook
• Oxbow Bend Turnout
• Signal Mountain Road (5 miles off the main road)
• Jenny Lake Scenic Drive

After getting up early and spending a couple hours driving around the park, indulge in a hearty breakfast/brunch and coffee–either back at your hotel or in Jackson!

Enjoy Jenny Lake and Hike to Inspiration Point

Spend the second half of the day taking in the beauty of the park’s glacial lakes! I recommend heading to Jenny Lake as there is a lot to do around the park’s second largest lake. There are several beaches where, if you’re brave, you can dip into the water. Take the shuttle across the lake ($5 roundtrip) to the west dock and hike up to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point (2 miles total). You could also hike all the way around the lake, which is a 7-mile trail, or hike part-way around the lake and take the shuttle back. Other glacial lakes you could explore are listed below.

• Jenny Lake: Take the shuttle across, hike up to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, or hike around the lake!
• String Lake: The warmest lake in the park and a popular spot for boat recreation (paddle boards, kayaks, and other water crafts can be rented from outfitters in town). Hike around the lake on an easy 4-mile trail!
• Jackson Lake: The largest lake in the park and a popular spot for fishing. You can also rent a boat at Signal Mountain Lodge for Jackson Lake!

Day Two: Hiking and/or Special Activities

Day two. You’re now familiar with the park and you have options. So much of Grand Teton National Park is only accessible by foot. You can either undertake a more intense hike, split the day into multiple activities, or have a leisurely day and fill it with a single activity.

Of the more intense hikes, Cascade Canyon has the highest rating in the park. I recommend taking this trail and then continuing onto Solitude Lake. Other activities in and around the park include whitewater rafting on Snake River, horseback riding through the park, and riding the Aerial Tram to the top of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. You choose the activities that appeal most to you!

Go for a long hike

• Cascade Canyon (10 miles; moderate) – The top-rated trail in the park! Start at the west dock of Jenny Lake and hike deep into Cascade Canyon for incredible canyon views.
• Solitude Lake via Cascade Canyon Trail (14 miles; hard) – A moderate hike until the last two miles, where it becomes quite steep. The climb is worth it once you reach the glacial oasis that is Lake Solitude! 
• Delta Lake via Amphitheater Trail (9 miles; hard) – An unofficial trail and thus not maintained by the park; however, the rangers do not discourage its use. The views at the end are well worth the steep hike!

-OR-

pair any of two of the activities listed below together

Remember to carry bear spray with you on all hikes!