I’ll come right out and say it: Grand Teton National Park is my favorite national park. It’s home to dramatic mountain peaks, pristine alpine terrain, and serene glacial lakes. The imposing peaks just 7,000 feet into the sky from the canyon floor and the mountain range is littered with active glaciers. Grand Teton itself sits above the rest at an elevation just shy of 14,000 feet. Snake River compliments the mountain range as it winds through the park creating a rich environment for the abundance of wildlife. This Grand Teton National Park Travel Guide will help guide you in planning an incredible trip to the region!
Located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park is a tight 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 without having to drive hours between attractions.
The Tetons’ staggering peaks face east, which make for unforgettable sunrises along the main park loop. Waking up early to watch the sky fill with pinks, yellows, reds and oranges as the sun lights up the mountain peaks is well worth it. So, don’t hit the snooze button! Roll out of bed, wiggle into some sweatpants, grab a coffee, and prepare for one of the most beautiful spectacles on earth.
This Grand Teton National Park Travel Guide covers the following topics. Click each link to jump to the corresponding section.
Grand Teton National Park Overview
Grand Teton National Park Overview – Know Before You Go
Established in 1929, Grand Teton National Park initially only included the major peaks of the Teton Mountain range. Over the following decades, more land was purchased and added to make the park the size it is today. The Teton Mountain Range, which runs 40-miles long, is the youngest in the Rocky Mountains, meaning its peaks are much more prominent than some of its older neighbors. As the Teton Mountains dominate much of the park’s territory, some of the best sightseeing is only accessible by foot. If you plan on doing any hiking–no mater how long or short–make sure you have bear spray!
Visitor Centers for the park can be found at Jenny Lake, Craig Thomas Discovery Center, and Colter Bay. Park passes can be purchased by the week or annually. If you’re planning on visiting multiple national parks in a year, I recommend the American the Beautiful pass! Prices are broken down as follows.
- Weekly passes: private, non-commercial vehicle for $35.00 or individual by foot or bike for $20.00.
- Annual passes: Grand Teton Park Annual Pass for $70.00 or America the Beautiful Pass for $80.00 (covers entrance fees to national parks and national wildlife refuges across the United States).
When to Visit
Mid-May through September is generally regarded as the best time to visit Grand Teton National Park. Within that time frame I recommend June and September. By the middle of June, most of the snow has melted off the trails and some of the lakes are warm enough for a dip. Come September, a lot of the summer crowds have cleared out and you’re left with vibrant fall colors. July and August are the busiest months as they coincide with summer vacation and the warmest weather. As late October comes around, winter begins to shut down most of the facilities and roads. If you’re looking for a snowy paradise, visit in March as there is plenty of snow and the temperatures starts to ever so slightly warm up.
How Long to Stay
Park highlights can be seen in one to two days. Even if that is all the time you have, it is definitely worth it. But if you plan to see the heart of the park—that is, hike within the mountain range—you’ll need at least four to five days. With a longer stay, you can immerse yourself in over two hundred miles of trails and really explore the impressive backcountry of the mountain range.
How to Get There
Grand Teton National Park is the only national park with a commercial airport within in. Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), Wyoming’s busiest airport, is located a couple miles north of Jackson, WY and just inside the park. The next closest airport, Idaho Falls Regional Airport, is two hours west of the park. If you’re looking to fly into a bigger airport, consider Salt Lake City International Airport in Utah, which is a four-and-a-half-hour drive from the park. If you’re flying in, plan on renting a car to explore the area!
Where to Stay
Jackson Hole not only serves Grand Teton National Park, but also several mountain ski resorts including, Jackson Hole and Snow King. Because of the popularity of both major attractions you have plenty of lodging options when visiting Grand Teton National Park. The town of Jackson, WY is closest to the park, just minutes away, with plenty of restaurants and shopping. Teton Village is about 25 minutes outside of the park. Stay in a hotel/resort or rent a mountain cabin with a group of friends! Jackson Hole has a rustic vibe—the famous arches of Jackson hole are formed entirely from elk horns while the interior of hotels and restaurants resemble cozy log cabins. Many of the 4-star hotels in the area feel more like 3-star properties. Below are a few of the region’s best lodging options at a variety of price points.
- Four Seasons Jackson Hole (5-star; Teton Village) – Situated in Teton Village at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, this luxurious Western style resort and spa maintains the attention to detail and high-quality service that Four Seasons properties are known for.
- Amangani (5-star; Jackson) – One of only two Aman resorts in the U.S., this private luxury resort and spa is tucked away 15 minutes outside of Jackson and focuses on wellness and experiences. Guests can book an onsite suite or one of its nearby homes.
- Hotel Jackson (4-star; Jackson) – Mountain-meets-modern at this newer (2015) luxury boutique hotel in the middle of downtown Jackson. The hotel incorporates the perfect amount of wild and western vibes into its upscale design. Plus, you can easily walk to the town’s dining and shopping from here. The property is locally-owned by the Darwiche family, who have lived in the area for decades.
- The Wort Hotel (4-star; Jackson) – Located in Jackson’s main square, The Wort Hotel first opened in 1941 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel’s central location is hard to beat and its warm hospitably landed it a spot in Preferred Hotels & Resorts collection. A good option at a better price point.
What to Pack
Knowing what to pack is tricky when the daily temperate ranges from 40° F to 75° F all summer long. Bring clothes that you can layer! And if you’re not planning on going back to your hotel during the day, make sure those layers make it into the car or your backpack for the day. The mornings are quite chilly, but by the afternoon, the sun really heats up the valley—especially if you’re hiking. I primarily wore leggings for driving around and opted to hike in cropped leggings, but you could also hike in full leggings, shorts or hiking pants—whatever you’re most comfortable in! Odd items that I wouldn’t normally pack include a backpack, hiking shoes—more stability and protection than tennis shoes—and bear spray!
- Layering tops – Vest, long-sleeve layers and t-shirts or athletic tanks.
- Sweaters and Jacket – Heaviness depending on season.
- Leggings and shorts – For both hiking and driving around, you want to be comfortable.
- Swimsuit – Keep it in your backpack because you never know when you’re going to want to jump in the lake!
- Backpack – To hold you items in the car and while exploring.
- Tennis shoes – For driving around and getting in and out of the car to explore the area.
- Hiking shoes – You can probably get away with a pair of sturdy tennis shoes on an easy or short moderate hike, but anything longer I recommend hiking shoes for better stability.
- Sunscreen
- Bear spray – An absolute must for any hike!
What to Do
The drive along the main park loop is an absolute must-do in Grand Teton National Park. We did it several times, exploring many of the pullouts under various lighting conditions. Hiking is a great way to see more of the park as much of the landscape is only accessible on foot. Hike back into the canyons for more stunning views. Popular hikes include Inspiration Point, Jenny Lake, and Cascade Canyon (the top-rated hike in the park). The Teton Range is full of pristine glacial lakes–make sure you set aside a little time to enjoy their beauty. If you’re in the park on a shorter visit, I recommend hiking to or around one of the lakes as this will make the most of your time. If you’re visiting during warmer months, you can even venture a dip in the water!
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.
Drive the Main Park Loop
The main park loop is a 42-mile loop that parallels the Tetons to the east. The scenic loop is full of magnificent views, hidden pullouts an abundance of wildlife. Follow US-191 north out of Jackson and loop back south on Teton Park Road. Make sure to get up early and watch the sun light up the mountain peaks as it rises. Conversely, venture out at night and take in the beauty of the starry sky and Milky Way against the backdrop of the mountains.
Here are the best places to stop along the route. All of the spots listed below can be found on the Google Map shown above along with an overview of the drive!
- Glacier View Turnout – The best spot in the park to take in the splendor of the Teton Mountains! It’s located right off the main road.
- Snake River Overlook – This overlook of the Snake River and Teton Mountains was made famous by Ansel Adams. His iconic photo of the Tetons was taken here!
- Schwabacher Landing – Follow the dirt road to Snake River and walk down the trail along the river. The trail continues for about three-quarters a mile. This is a popular spot for photographers at both sunrise and sunset.
- Oxbow Bend Overlook – Oxbow Bend is situated on a crescent shaped section of Snake River and offers a spectacular view of Mount Moran across Jackson Lake. This is one of the most photographed spots in the park. On calm days, Mount Moran is visible in the reflection of the water.
- Blacktail Ponds Overlook – While this overlook doesn’t look like much when you drive back, it is full of diverse habitats—forest, meadows, wetlands, sagebrush vegetation can all be viewed from here. Come here for a picturesque view and to see wildlife!
- Mormon Row – Just down Antelope Flats Road is this historic district established by Mormon settlers in the 1890s. The Moulton Barns with the Tetons as a backdrop are highly photographed features of the park.
- Signal Mountain Road – Drive five miles back to the top of Signal Mountain for an unmatched 360° view of the park!
Hike
Grab your hiking boots and enjoy hiking around the immaculate glacial mountains and lakes while coexisting with the thriving wildlife. With over 200 miles of trails, there are no shortage of beautiful hikes. Here are some of the best ones, including some shorter hikes that can be done during a 1-2-day visit. Make sure to always bring bear spray on any hike!
- Hidden Falls Trail (1 mile*; easy) – An imposing 200 ft waterfall at the beginning of Cascade Canyon Trail. Take the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle to the west side of the lake to start this hike.
- Inspiration Point (2 miles*; moderate) – Continue hiking past Hidden Falls to reach this lofty perch with a unique view of Jackson Hole Valley over Jenny Lake. Again, take the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle to the west side of the lake to start this hike.
- Taggart Lake Loop (4 miles; easy) – Loop trail that takes you through the forest and up to the beautiful Taggart Lake.
- String Lake Trail (4 miles; easy) – Popular trail that loops around String Lake and passes the south tip of Leigh Lake. You’ll encounter great views of the Cathedral Group (Teewinot, Grand Teton and Mt. Owen mountains). String Lake is a popular spot for recreational boat use and swimming.
- Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake Loop (6 miles; moderate) – Continue along Taggart Lake trail to reach Bradley Lake before looping back down. Bradley Lake is another stunning glacial lake at the base of the Tetons.
- Jenny Lake Trail (7 miles; moderate) – This trail loops around Jenny Lake staying relatively close to the shoreline while providing views of the surrounding mountains. It also passes by the west boat dock (where the shuttle departs) so if you get tired and want to cut your hike short, you can take the shuttle back across the lake.
- Delta Lake via Amphitheater Lake Trail (9 miles; hard) – Delta Lake is an unofficial trail and thus is not maintained by the park; however, the rangers do not discourage its use. The hike is relatively moderate until the last bit, where it becomes quite steep. The end views of Delta Lake are worth it at the end! Start at Lupine Meadows Trailhead and follow Amphitheater Lake Trail. Just past the 3-mile mark you’ll veer off the trail to hike to Delta Lake.
- Cascade Canyon Trail (10 miles*; moderate) – This is the top-rated trail in the park. Cascade Canyon Trail follows the glacially carved canyon and has incredible views all along the way! Again, take the Jenny Lake shuttle to the west side of the lake and hike past Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. At this point the trial becomes less crowded.
- Solitude Lake 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! At the end of Cascade Canyon Trail, take the fork to the right and continue for another 2.5 miles to reach Solitude Lake.
*Mileage listed for starred trails includes a starting point of the west dock of Jenny Lake—accessed by taking the shuttle boat across the lake. These trails can also be started at the South Jenny Lake trailhead by the east boat dock. If you opt to start at the South Jenny Lake trailhead rather than taking the shuttle boat across, add 2.5 miles each way.
Explore the Glacial Lakes and Snake River
Grand Teton National Park is full of beautiful glacial lakes. Some are right off the road while others are only accessible by hiking. The deep blue and turquoise lakes make for the perfect place to cool off on a hot day or after a long hike, while Snake River offers scenic rafting and top-notch fishing.
If you only have time to visit one, visit Jenny Lake and make sure to take the shuttle boat to lake’s west side. Some of the best lake trails to hike include Taggart Lake, Bradley Lake, Delta Lake and Solitude Lake—read more about each of these in the hiking section.
Several of the lakes allow for boat recreation, but make sure to obtain a boat permit ($40 for motorized; $12 for non-motorized) prior to launching on the park’s waters. Here are a few of the lakes you’ll want to consider driving to.
Jenny Lake
A beautiful glacial lake at the base of the Teton Mountains and Cascade Canyon. It is the second largest lake in the park. Take Jenny Lake Loop Road, a four-mile, one-way road off of Teton Park Road, and you’ll end at Jenny Lake Visitor Center on the south end of the lake.
Take the shuttle boat across the lake. It’ll drop you off on the west side of the lake at the base of Cascade Canyon. From here you can hike back Hidden Falls and continue onto Inspiration Point—the perfect hike to do during a short visit. Or continue your hike deep into the Cascade Canyon and head to Solitude Lake. Keep your eyes peeled for moose as they love to hangout around Jenny Lake!
String Lake
The shallowest, and therefore warmest of the lakes in the park, String Lake is where visitors come to swim, kayak, sunbathe and relax! There is also an easy trail you can take to hike around the lake. Water equipment rentals are not located at String Lake. Look to rent any equipment from a local business in town.
Jackson Lake
The largest and deepest in the park, this iconic lake is perfect for fishing and boating! Jackson is the only lake where sailboats, water skiers and windsurfers are allowed.
Snake Rive
Snake River features world-class fishing with views to match. Rafting or kayaking down Snake River is a memorable experience. There are plenty of outfits that offer whitewater rafting and scenic tours down Snake River. Whether you’re fishing or rafting, you’re bound to see some of the park’s wildlife along the river!
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