Yellowstone’s smaller neighbor to the south, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming encompasses both the Jackson Hole valley and the majestic Teton Range, together forming one of America’s most scenic national parks. Although relatively small in size, there are many fun things to do in Grand Teton National Park for every visitor.
In this Grand Teton blog post, I’ll tell you all about the top Grand Teton National Park attractions and activities, including a couple of amazing hikes, as well as where to stay at Grand Teton and some other useful info.
Contents
- Grand Teton National Park Attractions and Activities
- Grand Teton Facts and Numbers
- More About Grand Teton National Park
- Fun Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park
- 1. Drive the Teton Park Scenic Loop
- 2. See the Chapel of the Transfiguration
- 3. Float/Raft the Snake River
- 4. Backpack the Teton Range
- 5. Enjoy the Sunset on Signal Mountain
- 6. Go Kayaking or Canoeing
- 7. Stay at Signal Mountain Lodge
- 8. Hike to String and Leigh Lakes
- 9. Walk Across the Jackson Lake Dam
- 10. Admire Mount Moran’s Reflection at Oxbow Bend
- 11. See a Grizzly Bear (From a Distance)
- 12. Bike From Jackson to Jenny Lake
- 13. Explore Historic Mormon Row
- 14. Try to Spot a Moose
- 15. Watch the Sunrise from Blacktail Ponds Overlook
- 16. Hike Around Jenny Lake
- 17. Visit Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point
- Recommended Grand Teton National Park Books
- Wildlife Safety When Visiting Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park Attractions and Activities
A series of pristine glacial lakes runs along the foot of the Grand Teton mountains, while historic homesteads, ranches and overlooks dot the Jackson Hole valley. Grand Teton National Park is everything you might imagine Wyoming to be.
Bison grazing on expansive plains, large-hatted cowboys on horseback, saloons, charming wooden buildings and cabins, towering mountains, rivers and bears. It’s all part of what makes Grand Teton so special.
Often combined with neighboring and world-famous Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton is a park for everyone, from road trippers to adventurers and photographers.
Even foodies will get their fill in this gorgeous national park, with local restaurants and diners serving everything from venison steaks to huckleberry pies.
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Grand Teton Facts and Numbers
Before we dive into the best things to do in Grand Teton National Park, let’s take a glance at some numbers and facts. This may give you a better idea of what to expect when visiting Grand Teton National Park.
- Established: 1929
- Opening dates: all year long, but certain roads, trails and other facilities are closed during the winter
- Area: 484 square miles (1,255 km2)
- Nearest town: Jackson, Wyoming
- Nearest Grand Teton National Park airport: Jackson Hole Airport – the only public airport within a national park!
- Suggested stay: 2-3 days
- Native American ancestral lands: Shoshone, Bannock, Blackfeet, Crow, Flathead, Gros Ventre and Nez Perce
- Features: Wide river valley dotted with viewpoints and historic sites, pristine glacial lakes, majestic mountain peaks, sagebrush plains and abundant wildlife
- Wildlife: Black and grizzly bears, moose, bighorn sheep, bison, elk, pronghorn, bald eagles
- Popular activities in Grand Teton National Park: Hiking and backpacking, camping, photography, boating and rafting, fishing, horseback riding, cycling, wildlife watching
More About Grand Teton National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Grand Teton Hikes
- Top Things To Do in Grand Teton National Park
- Where to See Wildlife in Grand Teton National Park
- Best Views of the Tetons
- Names of Major Teton Range Peaks (With Photos)
- Accommodation
Fun Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park
Let’s now continue with the main topic of this Grand Teton National Park blog post: what to do in Grand Teton National Park.
I’ve already touched on this in the bullet points above, but I’ll tell you more about them below. Plus, a bunch of photos, of course!
1. Drive the Teton Park Scenic Loop
A 42-mile circuit through Grand Teton National Park in northern Wyoming, the Teton Park Scenic Loop Drive is a combination of the Teton Park Road and Route 191.
There are countless Grand Teton attractions along the way, including the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, numerous turnouts and overlooks, and a number of hiking trails.
If you’re looking for those iconic Grand Teton views, you’ll find them all along this amazing loop drive.
From beautiful lakes to glorious Grand Teton mountain views, from magnificent sunrises and sunsets to plenty of Grand Teton wildlife, including American bison, elk, pronghorn, moose and grizzly bears, this is easily one of the greatest national park drives in the entire country.
While the Teton Park Road offers access to the park’s stunning lakes, most notably Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake, Route 191 arguably has the best wildlife viewing spots.
Most of the highlights of Grand Teton National Park below are along, or just off of, the Teton Park Scenic Loop.
2. See the Chapel of the Transfiguration
Part of Grand Teton’s Menor’s Ferry Historic District, the picturesque Chapel of the Transfiguration was built in the 1920s so that settlers, ranchers and visitors of Jackson Hole dude ranches wouldn’t have to go all the way to Jackson to attend church.
Today, the chapel still is a house of worship with regular public religious services. It is also open to visitors and one of the most remarkable places to visit in Grand Teton National Park.
Walk inside to admire the church’s beautiful woodwork and, especially, the famous window behind the altar, which frames the spectacular Cathedral Group of the Teton Range perfectly.
3. Float/Raft the Snake River
Floating or rafting the Snake River is without question one of the main Grand Teton National Park highlights. Many park concessioners, from lodges to ranches, organize float trips in the Snake River. You can find an overview here on the park’s website.
Meandering its way across Jackson Hole, the Snake River doesn’t offer whitewater rafting, though. Instead, you can enjoy a gentle and peaceful journey on one of the West’s most iconic rivers.
On the 10-or-so-mile trip, watch for wildlife, such as river otters and beavers in the water, moose, pronghorn and elk on the riverbanks, and osprey and eagles in the sky.
4. Backpack the Teton Range
Offering some of the greatest wilderness experiences in the national parks, Grand Teton National Park is a backpacker’s paradise. While its roads and parking lots are almost perpetually full in summer, the park’s sprawling mountainous backcountry remains uncrowded and unspoiled.
Most backpacking trips in Grand Teton National Park take place in the Teton Mountains themselves. Various spectacular canyons lead from shimmering lakes like Jenny Lake, Leigh Lake and Phelps Lake to spectacular high country.
Two popular backpacking loops in the park are the remote Granite Canyon-Death Canyon Loop and the phenomenal Cascade Canyon-Paintbrush Canyon Loop.
5. Enjoy the Sunset on Signal Mountain
Accessible both on foot and by car, the summit of Signal Mountain offers panoramic views of Jackson Hole and the Teton Range.
Although much smaller than the Tetons themselves, Signal Mountain does have a commanding presence in the northern Jackson Hole valley.
You can hike to the summit from the Signal Mountain Parking Lot, a 6.8-mile there-and-back hike, or drive the Signal Mountain Road. The road to the summit starts just south of Signal Mountain Lodge on the Teton Park Road. Both summit routes are mainly forested until you get to the summit overlooks.
For the best sunset views, head to the Jackson Point Overlook, which is just below the actual summit. On the way up and near the summit, watch for grouse, which are common sights here.
6. Go Kayaking or Canoeing
In addition to floating or rafting on the Snake River, kayaking and canoeing, as well as stand-up paddle boarding and swimming, are some other popular water-based Grand Teton National Park activities.
The park’s numerous lakes are ideal for exploration with your own personal watercraft—I love our inflatable two-person kayak!
So, spend an afternoon kayaking or canoeing on gorgeous Jenny Lake, tiny String Lake, scenic Leigh Lake or massive Jackson Lake.
7. Stay at Signal Mountain Lodge
There’s no lack of Grand Teton National Park lodging. From Jenny Lake Lodge and Jackson Lake Lodge to the renowned Triangle X Ranch, Colter Bay Cabins and numerous campgrounds, Grand Teton has all kinds of places to stay.
However, personally, I’d recommend staying at Signal Mountain Lodge for a few reasons.
The first one is the lodge’s many different accommodation options, from motel-style units and log cabins to lakefront apartments with kitchenettes. There’s also a large campground if you’d like to pitch a tent.
Second, Signal Mountain Lodge has lots of amazing amenities, including a well-stocked general store, gift shop, gas station, boat rentals and Snake River floating trips.
The Trapper Grill offers plenty of dinner options, while Deadman’s Bar serves cocktails, craft beer and other beverages. Leek’s Pizzeria, on the other hand, has some of the best pizza within a national park.
Yet another reason why I recommend basing yourself at this historic lodge during your Grand Teton National Park visit is its awesome location.
Situated on the southeast shore of sprawling Jackson Lake, it’s close to many of the best sunrise spots in the park, while the popular Jenny Lake area is only fifteen minutes away, too.
8. Hike to String and Leigh Lakes
Take a hike along the eastern shore of pretty String Lake to Leigh Lake, which is only accessible on foot or by non-motorized boat.
Its trailhead located on the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive, this short and easy trail is great for a less-crowded and quieter lake hike in Grand Teton National Park.
The hike is 1.8 miles roundtrip, but you can also continue along the eastern shore of Leigh Lake for a longer hike and better beach access.
9. Walk Across the Jackson Lake Dam
Although Jackson Lake is a natural glacial lake, the Jackson Lake Dam greatly enlarged and deepened it.
It is now the largest lake in Grand Teton National Park by far, a main hub for all kinds of activities, from boating and shoreline hiking to wildlife watching and sunset and sunrise viewing.
You can walk across the Jackson Lake Dam for unobstructed views of nearly the entire Teton Range. It’s one of the best views in Grand Teton National Park at any time, but it’s especially beautiful during the first minutes of the day.
Additionally, the Snake River re-emerges from the dam. The river’s first few hundred yards from Jackson Lake Dam are one of the most popular places in Grand Teton National Park for fishing.
10. Admire Mount Moran’s Reflection at Oxbow Bend
If you’re trying to figure out what to see in Grand Teton National Park, let me tell you that Oxbow Bend will be one of the highlights of your visit.
Oxbow Bend is located between Jackson Lake Junction and Moran Junction, along the northern part of the Teton Park Scenic Loop Drive. It’s no more than ten minutes from either Signal Mountain Lodge or Jackson Lake Lodge—you can literally be there right after you get up.
The Oxbow Bend Turnout is easily one of the best places to watch the sunrise in Grand Teton. Named for the huge curve in the Snake River, this viewpoint is nothing short of gorgeous at dawn.
The still water often reflects the Tetons, particular striking Mount Moran, while the shrieks, tweets, chirps and songs of many waterfowl and other birds penetrate the silent morning air.
Additionally, this is also a fantastic spot to see Grand Teton wildlife. Moose can be seen foraging among willow thickets. Beavers, muskrats and river otters live in and along the river, while osprey and bald eagles hunt fish.
11. See a Grizzly Bear (From a Distance)
Seeing a grizzly bear in the wild is unquestionably one of the most memorable things to do in Grand Teton National Park.
The park’s towering mountains, wide and fertile valleys, patches of woodland, sagebrush flats and shimmering lakes are prime bear habitat. And many popular hiking trails in Grand Teton National Park run right through it. This means that your chances of seeing a grizzly bear at Grand Teton are pretty good.
I saw grizzlies several times on the Teton Park Road, each time on the section between Jenny Lake and Signal Mountain.
Other places in the park where you might see a grizzly are Two Ocean and Emma Mathilda Lakes, Willow Flats, Cascade and Death Canyons, and the Moose-Wilson Road. They frequent the popular Jenny Lake area as well.
12. Bike From Jackson to Jenny Lake
One of the best national parks for cycling, Grand Teton National Park boasts a wonderful multi-use pathway that runs between Jackson and Jenny Lake. This wonderful path can be used by people walking, roller blading or cycling.
From Moose Junction to Jenny Lake, it parallels the scenic Teton Park Road, occasionally crossing it. Note, however, that the section of the multi-use pathway along the National Elk Refuge, from Jackson to the Gros Ventre Road, is closed each year from November 1 to April 30 because of elk migration.
While biking in Grand Teton National Park, always watch out for wildlife, which may turn up on the pathway or roads at any given moment. This includes moose, bison and bears.
13. Explore Historic Mormon Row
One of the top attractions in Grand Teton National Park, Mormon Row is along the Antelope Flats Road in the park’s southeastern corner. Originally a late-19th-century settlement established by Mormon ranchers, the site now encompasses six groups of buildings and homesteads.
This is where you’ll find the iconic Moulton Barn, which adorns many photos and postcards of the park.
Beautiful at any time of day, Mormon Row is especially scenic in the morning, when the low-angled sunrays paint the barn and Teton Range background in a warm morning glow. Additionally, it’s also quite beautiful at sunset.
Definitely take some photos—it’s one of the most iconic places in Grand Teton National Park—but don’t forget to read the information signs and explore the area some more. There’s some fascinating pioneer history to discover here.
14. Try to Spot a Moose
Grand Teton National Park is one of America’s best national parks to see moose. Dotted with lakes and beaver ponds, bisected by willow-lined rivers and streams, the park is prime moose habitat.
In fact, the park is home to one of the densest moose populations in the U.S. national parks. There’s even a place that’s literally called ‘Moose’ within the park!
You have excellent opportunities to see a moose at several different places in Grand Teton. At sunrise, look for them at locations like Oxbow Bend, Willow Flats and Blacktail Ponds.
You can also find them around Jenny Lake. I saw one standing in the bushes just off the trail while hiking the Jenny Lake Trail (see below).
15. Watch the Sunrise from Blacktail Ponds Overlook
While there are several excellent sunrise spots in Grand Teton, including the aforementioned Oxbow Bend Turnout and Jackson Lake Dam, I have to also mention the Blacktail Ponds Overlook. This often-underrated viewpoint is absolutely beautiful in the morning.
This amazing overlook is about a mile north of Moose Junction on Route 191. It’s also just north of Antelope Flats Road, which leads to Mormon Row (see above), allowing you to easily combine these two top things to see in Grand Teton National Park.
The Blacktail Ponds are old beaver ponds, which are almost filled with sediment and surrounded by lush meadows.
This grassy and marshy environment attracts both elk and moose, while beavers continue to build dams, keeping the area wet and watery. It’s a superb place to see wildlife at Grand Teton, while you’ll also hear a cacophony of bird sounds here early in the morning.
16. Hike Around Jenny Lake
The Jenny Lake Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in Grand Teton National Park. It loops around Jenny Lake and offers spectacular up-close views of the Tetons, including Cascade Canyon and the Cathedral Group.
Possible side trips along the way are Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point (see below) and Moose Ponds.
The entire loop hike around Jenny Lake is 7.6 miles, which takes 3 to 5 hours. It’s a fantastic option if you’re looking for a longer hike in the park, but without significant elevation gain.
Alternatively, you can also cut this hike short by taking the shuttle boat back, which runs between the Jenny Lake Visitor Center and the Inspiration Point trailhead on the other side of the lake.
Note that moose and both black bears and grizzly bears frequent this area. Be prepared, make noise while hiking, carry bear spray and know how to use it. As I mentioned above, I saw a moose only about 50 feet off the trail.
17. Visit Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point
Accessible either via the Jenny Lake Trail or by shuttle boat, the Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point trail is at the opposite side of Jenny Lake from the Visitor Center.
This extremely popular hike is no longer than 1 mile roundtrip (with the shuttle boat) or 4.8 miles roundtrip (via the Jenny Lake Trail). If you plan to use to shuttle boat, make sure to check times and prices in advance here.
Hidden Falls is the only accessible waterfall in Grand Teton, a beautiful 100-foot cascade fed by snowmelt. A short 0.5-mile climb beyond Hidden Falls lead to Inspiration Point, which offers a great view of Jenny Lake and Jackson Hole.
Recommended Grand Teton National Park Books
- Best of Yellowstone and Grand Teton: Make the Most of One to Three Days in the Parks – Moon (Becky Lomax)
- Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks Travel Guide – Fodor’s Compass American Guides
- Hiking Grand Teton National Park: A Guide to the Park’s Greatest Hiking Adventures – Falcon Guides (Bill Schneider)
- Best Easy Day Hikes Grand Teton National Park – Falcon Guides (Bill Schneider)
See this blog post for many more guides and books about America’s national parks!
Wildlife Safety When Visiting Grand Teton National Park
Just like its northern neighbor Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton is home to many large animals. From moose and elk to bison, black bears and grizzly bears, all of them are potentially very dangerous.
To keep both yourself and the animals safe when visiting Grand Teton National Park, it is critical that you follow the park’s guidelines and regulations.
These really aren’t difficult to understand, yet people ignore them every year and get seriously hurt or even die from wildlife encounters. For example, did you know that moose hurt more people than bears every year? And there are a lot of moose in this national park!
- Stay at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves, and minimum 25 yards from all other wildlife.
- Never approach a wild animal.
- Use binoculars, a spotting scope or telephoto lens to observe and/or photograph animals.
- Always carry bear spray! Learn how to use bear spray correctly here.
- If your presence causes an animal to move or react, you’re too close. Move away.
- Park in roadside pullouts to watch wildlife. Always make sure all wheels are completely off the road.
Remember these guidelines when you’re exploring and enjoying Grand Teton National Park. As I said above, even busy areas like Jenny Lake are home to potentially dangerous wildlife.
Refer to the safety guides below for more information about observing and recreating among wildlife in Grand Teton.
