Grand Teton National Park Guide
Just south of Yellowstone within the Jackson Hole Valley, Grand Teton National Park is simply put, stunning: the iconic Teton range of the Rocky Mountains runs it's entirety, while countless rivers meander through the valley itself, glacial lakes await hikers in the high country, and abundant wildlife from grizzly bears to moose roam free. The views are jaw-dropping and the adventure is endless, so what are you waiting for?
When to Visit
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Late spring through early fall is the best time to visit, when warmer temperatures melts the snow that winter has left on the valley floor. Also more importantly, the main road through the park is closed from November until the end of April, so unless extensive snow-shoeing is your thing, the warmer months are really your only choice. Summers are hot and bring crowds, while spring and fall can be just about any kind of weather imaginable. Winter, if you haven't guessed, brings snow and cold temperatures.
How to Get There
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Tucked into the northwest corner of Wyoming just below Yellowstone and just above the city of Jackson, Grand Teton National Park might be the easiest park to access if money isn't a problem for you: a major airport sits directly in the park itself, United, American, and Delta Airlines all servicing it. Flights to this airport can be pricey though, so your next best options are Bozeman to the north (4.5 hours) or Salt Lake City to the south (5 hours).
Grand Teton National Park Things to Do
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Mormon Row
Time: 30 minutes-1 hour.
Distance: N/A.
Let’s get this one out of the way first–I kid of course, but in all seriousness, this is the view in Grand Teton National Park: the one you’ve seen in countless pictures all over the city of Jackson, in the airport, on the internet, in the game Red Dead Redemption II, and so on. Mormon Row has had it’s picture taken countless times–there’s a reason why the Moulton Barns are called “the most photographed barns in America.”
John Moulton Barn from Mormon Row.
Turn onto Antelope Flats road, found near the south end of the park, and drive for approximately a mile until you come to a crossroads: to your left is a small parking lot and the John Moulton Barn, and to the right is a dirt road, where after about another half mile you’ll find the T.A Moulton Barn. Both photograph best in the morning at sunrise, when first light hits the mountains in the background. Expect plenty of other people to join you should you decide to arrive at sunrise. It’s also noteworthy that while these are the two most popular barns, there are a handful of others that also make for great pictures.
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Hi there, I'm Dan: videographer, travel-addict, and beer-lover. I left corporate life behind to start my own video business and travel the world. Want to know more about me and Dan Treks?
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T.A. Moulton Barn from Mormon Row.
Schwabacher Landing
Time: 30-45 minutes.
Distance: .5 miles.
There’s a number of pull offs along the two main highways through Grand Teton, most offering spectacular views of the mountains; but Schwabacher Landing just might be the most famous. Beaver dams turn the Snake River into a sheet of glass, creating a perfect reflection of the peaks. Wildlife frequents the area, including elk and moose: the pictures take themselves here.
Beaver pond at Schwabacher Landing.
Take Highway 191/John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway to about it’s midpoint that runs along park boundaries, where you’ll see a sign marking Schwabacher Landing. Turn onto it, and follow the road to the bottom–a road the begins as paved, but then turns into dirt, which can be a bit bumpy, especially if it’s rained recently. You’ll find a parking lot with a pit toilet at the bottom, and you’re immediately greeted with a spectacular view of the river and mountains.
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The trail is short–even shorter now that the park service has blocked a section of it off indefinitely–it might be about half a mile round trip total now. You’re still able to access the beaver ponds though–simply follow the trail along the water’s edge. Arrive at dawn/dusk for best chances of seeing wildlife.
Bull moose in the river at Schwabacher Landing.
Ansel Adams' photograph from the Snake River Overlook.
The area has grown quite a bit since then, so those hoping to replicate the photograph are out of luck–though it’s still a spectacular view, especially for sunrise. With the right combination of clouds behind the Tetons though, it can also be a great spot for sunset too.
The Snake River Overlook today.
Jenny Lake
Time: Varies.
Distance: Varies.
Arguably the most popular area of Grand Teton National Park, Jenny Lake is, as you’ve probably already guessed, a large and picturesque lake situated at the base of the Tetons. You’ll find a visitors center, gift shop, campground, lodge, and multiple trailheads here. The 7.9 mile loop around Jenny Lake itself gives you spectacular views of the mountains and a great chance to see wildlife. At the end of the lake opposite the visitor center and against the base of the mountains you’ll find even more trailheads to some of Grand Teton’s most amazing views, like Cascade Canyon and Hidden Falls–but more on those below. If you want to cut your hiking time/distance down a bit, a ferry service operates from the visitor center to the opposite side of the lake, costing $20.00 roundtrip (or half that if you catch the first ferry of the day!). The ferry runs every 15 minutes from the posted opening/closing times, and cuts two miles off each way of hiking.
Jenny Lake with the departing ferry.
Grand Teton Video Guide
Explore the amazing Grand Teton National Park in this video guide! From the shores of Jenny Lake, to the views from Schwabacher Landing, the summit of Delta Lake, grizzly bears, moose, Mormon Row, and more!
Hidden Falls
Time: 1 hour/3 hours.
Distance: .9 miles/4.9 miles.
.9 miles with a roundtrip ride on the Jenny Lake Ferry, or 4.9 miles without , this amazing waterfall is found just on the other side of the lake. With minimal elevation gain and a good chance of spotting wildlife like mule deer and moose, this is a must-see and one of the best waterfalls in the entire park. The falls flow year round, but especially strong in the late spring and early summer.
Hidden Falls.
Cascade Canyon
Time: 4-5 hours.
Distance: 9 miles/13.9 miles.
Also found at the opposite end of Jenny Lake, Cascade Canyon takes you between the Teton Range, with amazing views of the mountains on either side of you. Bisected by Cascade Creek, the out-and-back trail through the canyon is nine miles long, starting with an amazing view of Jenny Lake from Inspiration Point, and ending in the Teton backcountry. Add four miles if you don’t take the ferry. For a more detailed guide to Cascade Canyon, click here.
Cascade Canyon.
Elk Ranch Flats
Time: N/A.
Distance: N/A.
Another turnout, this time near the Moran Turnout along Highway 191, Elk Ranch Flats is wide-open prairie land found on either side of the road where you’re most likely to find the bison herds that call Grand Teton National Park home. At any time of day they can be found on either side of the road–but the side closer to the mountains is the preferred area for photographers, as you’re able to get a classic Tetons shot of bison with the high peaks in the background. It’s also possible to spot elk and pronghorn antelope here as well. It shouldn’t have to be said, but just in case, make sure you give the bison or any herbivore animal at least 25 yards of space.
Elk Ranch Flats with bison herd (above) & bison with calf (below).
Oxbow Bend
Time: N/A.
Distance: N/A.
Yet another turnout just up the road heading north from Elk Ranch Flats, Oxbow Bend is an amazing meander of the Snake River, featuring Mount Moran prominently in the background. While there’s no hiking to be found here, there is plenty of wildlife: elk, moose, osprey, bald eagles, beavers, and heron frequent the area. Even grizzly bears are known to stop by, taking advantage of the numerous berry bushes found on the hillside opposite Oxbow Bend, before crossing the road to take a dip in the river. In the summer of 2020, grizzlies 399 and 610, along with their cubs, called Oxbow Bend home. If you do spot a grizzly, give them at least 100 yards of space, especially if they have cubs.
Oxbow Bend.
Pilgrim Creek Road
Time: N/A.
Distance: N/A.
I probably got your attention by mentioning grizzly bears, right? Quite a few call the Tetons home, and everyone is dying to see them. Grizzlies prefer open meadows, while black bears generally prefer forested areas. In my experience, you have the best luck of catching sight of a grizzly in the area between the Morgan Junction and the entrance to Pilgrim Creek Road, with Pilgrim Creek Road being your best bet–there’s a reason the road is frequently closed, and that reason is grizzly bears.
Pilgrim Creek area with bear warning sign.
Grizzly bear from Pilgrim Creek area.
Delta Lake
Time: 4-6 hours.
Distance: 7.5-9 miles roundtrip.
Every national park has at least one hike that’s been beaten to death by social media–and usually for good reason, likely an amazing view at it’s end. Delta Lake is that hike, with a stunning turquoise-blue glacial lake featuring the Grand Teton right behind it, it’s no wonder why people embrace the 9~ mile round trip hike to see it.
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It’s important to note that Delta Lake is not reached by an official trail–it requires stepping off-path, crossing several steep, rocky boulder fields, and being very well prepared on how to reach the lake itself–following others footsteps and/or using an app with the ability to download a map ahead of time that can be used without having cell service, like AllTrails.
Delta Lake.
Begin the hike from the Lupine Meadows area, found just before the turnoff for Jenny Lake if you’re coming from the south. Take the trail for Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes. When you reach a fork in the trail, continue towards Surprise and Amphitheater: this is considered the first switchback. At the end of the sixth switchback, exit the main trail and follow what is, at best, a poorly-maintained trail towards Delta Lake–you’ll want to use AllTrails starting here. The trail continues through the forest, crossing those boulder fields I mentioned earlier, and up some very steep hills before popping you out at Delta Lake. If visiting in the late spring, there might still be some snow/ice up there. Also, the water is extremely cold year-round: it’s all glacial melt. For a more detailed guide to Delta Lake, click here.
More Delta Lake.
Grand Teton Cinematic Video
See some of the Teton's best sights, hikes, wildlife, and more in this short, cinematic video!
Jackson, Wyoming
Time: N/A.
Distance: N/A.
No trip to the Tetons would be complete without a stop in the nearby, wild west city of Jackson! Only about ten minutes from the park's southern border, this city nestled within the valley has just about every comfort you might need: lodges, hostels, restaurants, breweries, and even a town square with elk antler arches and frequent wild west shows.
Downtown Jackson in the middle of a wild west show.
Where to Stay in Grand Teton National Park
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Hotels and Lodges
Despite being a relatively small national park, Grand Teton has quite a few lodges to choose from, including the Jenny Lake Lodge, Signal Mountain Lodge, and Jackson Lake Lodge. Rooms will be expensive at each, and fill very quickly--book well in advance here.
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Additionally, the city of Jackson is not far from the park, and has countless lodging options, including luxury resorts, chain hotels, and hostels. Most, if not all of these will also be extremely expensive, and will fill quickly. If hotels in Jackson are full, nearby Teton Village also has some expensive offerings. There's quite a few Airbnb's in the city too, which are, as you've probably already guessed, very expensive--which brings me to the cheaper option below.
Camping
Staying in a hotel in/around Grand Teton National Park is not cheap, so if you're trying to keep costs low, camping is your best bet. Gros Ventre and Jenny Lake Campgrounds can be found near the park's southern area, while Signal Mountain Campground is near the center. Coulter Bay and Lizard Creek Campgrounds are closer to the park's northern area. Campsites cost $40.00/night and must be booked online at Recreation.gov as early as six months in advance. If you plan on reserving a campsite, you'll want to be online and ready to reserve at that six month mark--sites go fast.
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Another option is the Bridger-Teton National Forest just east of Grand Teton National Park, which has a handful of first-come, first-served campgrounds--more information available here. Free, dispersed camping is also available in Bridger-Teton on a limited basis--rules and regulations are often posted within the forest itself, and are ever-changing due to over-use.
Moose and calf paying our campsite a visit in Gros Ventre Campground.
Snake River Overlook
Time: 15-30 minutes.
Distance: N/A.
Another easy pull off along Highway 191, it’s another of Grand Teton’s most popular, being the spot that Ansel Adams took his famous photograph of the park from in 1942. With the Tetons prevalent in the background, the Snake River meanders through the valley below--it's no wonder Ansel picked this place.
Taking Highway 191 to Pilgrim Creek Road, you’ll come upon open meadows on either side, a number of orange traffic cones limiting parking, Pilgrim Creek Road itself being blocked off, and a number of signs warning of bear activity. If you’re dead-set on seeing a grizzly, this is the place to hang out for the day–there’s a good chance you’ll catch a glimpse, if you’re willing to wait. If a grizzly does pop out, expect a crowd to form, a number of rangers to show up, and for the entire place to turn into a zoo. And again, 100 yards of distance, okay?