Grand Teton National Park Guide, From Experts

There are few national parks as recognizable, or as photogenic, as Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. The steep, craggy, and commonly snow-capped peaks of the northern portion of the Teton Range tower over the park’s glorious alpine lakes, rivers, and impressive wildlife population that includes moose, grizzly bears, bison, and wolves. 

The park didn’t take its current expanded form until 1950, following its official establishment in 1929, but this part of the country has been drawing visitors for thousands of years. If you spend even a couple of hours taking in the majestic scenery — whether you’re taking an ice-cold dip in Jenny Lake or experiencing an unforgettable sunrise at Schwabacher Landing — you’ll quickly understand why. 

Thanks to continued conversation efforts, Grand Teton National Park has maintained a natural, rugged beauty that captivates more than 3 million visitors every year. It’s also one of the top attractions for travelers coming to Jackson Hole (the town of Jackson is just a 10-minute drive from the Moose Entrance Station). Given the park’s popularity and proximity to hundreds of square miles of sheer wilderness, it’s critical for visitors to enter the park prepared. That means not only knowing where to go and how to keep themselves safe, but also understanding the importance of respecting both the ecosystem and fellow travelers. “Ultimately, we are all stewards of the natural world,” explains Cathy Shill, founder of The Hole Hiking Experience. “We need to be visitors to the landscape.”

To develop a comprehensive guide explaining what that entails, we tapped Shill, as well as Monica Robinson, a naturalist guide with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris, to give us the lowdown on everything you need to know before visiting Grand Teton National Park.

How to Get There

Jackson Hole Airport is located within Grand Teton National Park (it’s the only commercial airport inside a national park in the county), so there’s a good chance you’ll get your first glimpse of the Wyoming wilderness before landing. To actually explore the park, though, you’ll likely enter through one of the three main road entrances. Most travelers head north from the town of Jackson on Highway 89 and enter via the Moose Entrance Station, which sits on the eastern side of the park. This is where you’ll find the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center. The Moran Entrance Station is also off Highway 89, but it’s located further north and is often used to get to Jackson Lake. The Granite Canyon Entrance is just 1.5 miles north of Teton Village, and the route into the park is typically the slowest (but the most scenic). 

From each entrance, you’ll be able to access Grand Teton National Park’s popular 42-mile Scenic Drive. The circular route brings you along Highway 89 and Teton Park Road, also known as the park’s “Outer Road” and “Inner Road,” and hits top tourist spots like Schwabacher Landing, Oxbow Bend, Jackson Lake Dam, Jenny Lake, Moulton Barns on Mormon Row, Elk Ranch Flats Overlook, Signal Mountain Lodge, and the Chapel of Transfiguration.

It’s important to note that while Grand Teton National Park is open all 12 months, several sections of Teton Park Road and Moose-Wilson Road are closed to vehicles during the winter; construction and maintenance often cause closures and delays, as well. Always be sure to check the National Park Service website or app before planning your route. 

Know Before You Go

Aside from a few select national holidays when park entry is free, visitors are required to have an entrance pass. One-time standard entrance fees range from $20 for cyclists and pedestrians to $35 per vehicle, but you can also enter with the $70 annual pass or the $80 America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, which covers one private vehicle entering the park (or four individuals on foot or bike) for an entire year. 

If you’re planning on hopping aboard a morning flight to Jackson Hole, leaving you the entire afternoon to hike in the national park, think again. The elevation within Grand Teton National Park ranges from 6,320 feet on the valley floor to 13,770 feet at the top of Grand Teton, and travelers who aren’t used to this elevation may experience headaches, nausea, and shortness of breath. “It’s better to start gently,” says Shill, who suggests saving any strenuous hikes for the second or third day you’re in the area. To better acclimate to the elevation, she advises following the adage “climb high, sleep low,” drinking lots of water, eating well, and avoiding alcohol. 

Weather is also one of the most important factors to be aware of when heading into the park, as it may impact what you bring with you and where you go. “Expect sudden weather changes,” says Shill. “The weather can come in fast here. With the way the Tetons are positioned, north to south in Jackson Hole, the weather usually comes from the west and up and over them.” With that in mind, she says the best protocol is to “hope for the best but prepare for the worst,” meaning you should always bring a raincoat, extra layers, a light hat, gloves, and proper footwear. Other essentials to have on hand include plenty of drinking water and bear spray (no matter the season). 

Knowing what to bring is important, but so is knowing what not to bring. “Drones are illegal in national parks. While it might seem like the perfect place to take your drone for a spin, they can stress out the wildlife, get lost in irretrievable locations, become litter, and negatively impact other visitors’ experiences,” says Robinson. You may also want to consider leaving your dog at home. “Dogs are welcome in the park, but with limitations,” she explains. “They’re also not allowed on trails or boardwalks and must stay within 30 feet from the roadside. Think of it this way: Dogs can only go where cars can go.”

With more than 60 species of mammals that call it home, Grand Teton National Park is known for its spectacular wildlife sightings. “Wildlife is wild,” says Robinson. “Understand wildlife etiquette and follow wildlife viewing guidelines for your safety and for the wildlife, keeping the required distance from the animals.” Those required distances are as follows: Always stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and at least 25 yards from any other wildlife. Oftentimes, especially on your first visit to the park, it’s better to go with a guide; local companies like Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris offer a range of half-day and full-day tours through the park. Not only will their expert naturalists ensure your safety, but they also know the best spots and times to see elk, moose, pronghorn, and even bears. 

Best Time to Visit 

Grand Teton National Park is a year-round destination, with each season offering something completely different. If you’re in town to observe the wildlife, the shoulder seasons will be your best bet. “Ask any wildlife guide, and they’ll tell you that both spring and fall are the best times for animal sightings,” says Robinson. No matter when you’re visiting, though, Shill says it’s best to “go early,” and try to “stay away from weekends” if you want to beat the crowds. 

Spring in Grand Teton National Park

As the snow starts to melt, out comes the park’s bear population. “Spring is one of the most common times to spot grizzly bears and black bears… They are just waking up from hibernation and are hungrily searching for food. Additionally, unlike most other animals, spring is their breeding season, so they will be covering more ground actively searching for mates,” says Robinson. This is also the season when elk, moose, and bison get ready to birth their calves. “If you’re lucky, you might spot them,” she adds. 

Summer in Grand Teton National Park

Calving season continues into June, so there’s a chance you’ll see bison, elk, and moose with their newborns. As the temperatures rise, wildlife, apart from bison and pronghorn, may be more elusive. “Some animals move up higher into the mountains to escape the heat and find better forage,” says Robinson, who notes there’s a greater chance of summertime sightings “during the early morning hours around sunrise and later evening hours before sunset.”

Summer is the most crowded season in the park; in 2023, around 18,000 visitors came through the park each day. If you’re prepared to navigate the traffic, you’ll be rewarded with pleasant weather and miles of beautiful wildflowers. “Summer is fairly consistent with warm days and cool nights. When rainstorms do occur, they typically don’t last very long,” says Robinson. These pleasant temperatures give way to wildflowers blooming in the park’s different growing zones: the sagebrush valley, the forest floor, and the alpine zone. “Mid to late July is when you’re going to have that mixed meadow beauty,” says Shill. Depending on which zone you’re in, you may see plants like yellow balsamroot, blue lupine, red gilia, sunflowers, and mountain bluebells.

Fall in Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park really shows off in the autumn, when fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, bright yellow fall foliage, and breeding season converge. “Elk take center stage during their rut as bulls with stunning antlers round up large harems of females. Hearing their bugle is one of the most exciting elements of fall in the Tetons,” says Robinson. Not to be outdone, bull moose come out later in the fall to show off their size and search for female moose. This is also a season where bear sightings are not uncommon: “Bears are feverishly packing on the pounds during this time (a process known as hyperphagia), and can be seen gorging themselves on berries along some roadsides,” she explains. 

Winter in Grand Teton National Park

Thick snow covers the ground in Jackson Hole in the winter, and Grand Teton National Park becomes a haven for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Several services in town, like Teton Backcountry Rentals and Skinny Skis, offer equipment rentals if you don’t have your own. 

While bears may be hibernating during the colder months, other wildlife viewing is ongoing. “Coyotes and foxes are a treat to watch as they hunt for rodents under the snow, and bald eagles do well on the winter landscape,” says Robinson. “[But] probably the most exciting species that thrives in the winter months is the gray wolf. It takes good timing, a sharp eye, and some luck, but winter is the best season to wolf-watch.”

Best Things to Do

Go on a wildlife tour.

Knowing where and when to look for wildlife is a specialty for locally-owned Jackson Hole tour companies. With a guide’s expert knowledge and network of other guides in the area, your chances to spot a grizzly, an elk, or a great gray owl go up exponentially. It’s best to book tours as far in advance as possible, and always check with your hotel concierge to see if the property partners with any local companies. For instance, the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole works directly with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris, and The Cloudveil books its tours with Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures.

Float the Snake River.

“There are a couple different stretches [of the Snake River] to do scenic floats in Jackson Hole – and one of them is in the park,” says Shill. If you’d rather float with a guide — who will help navigate the river and advise on the history and geology of the area — be sure you book with a company that has a specific permit to float within the park. Shill suggests Barker-Ewing Scenic Float Trips or Solitude Float Trips.

Catch the sunrise.

Grand Teton National Park is a photographer’s dream setting, particularly in the early hours of the morning. “I often let people know that sunrise in Grand Teton is typically far better than sunset,” says Robinson. “Every second of the sunrise changes the light in unique ways, and the mountains are the perfect canvas for it. You’ll see incredible alpenglow on the peaks of the Tetons, ideal for breathtaking pictures.”

Swim in an alpine lake. 

If you’re not averse to the cold, a dip in the icy waters of Jenny Lake, String Lake, Leigh Lake, or any of the backcountry alpine lakes will be a refreshing, memorable experience in the summer. Wear water shoes — they’re helpful when navigating the rocky bottom — pack a set of dry clothes, and avoid staying in the cold water for too long. The NPS also recommends wearing a life jacket for an additional layer of safety. 

Best Hikes

Preparation is paramount before attempting any hike in Grand Teton National Park. According to Shill, the first thing you need to do before starting your trek is “let somebody know where you’re going.” Take the time to check in (and check out) with a loved one at the beginning and end of your hike. She also recommends downloading the app BackcountrySOS  — which can send your status and location information to emergency services if needed — before arriving to the trailhead. With bear spray, water, and all other backpacking essentials, as noted by the NPS, in hand, you can start hiking. 

Hidden Falls via Jenny Lake Trail 

You could complete the entire 7.2-mile Jenny Lake Trail encircling the alpine body of water, or you could shorten the trip with the moderate 4.9-mile round-trip hike to Hidden Falls, a 100-foot cascade. “This can be drastically truncated by taking the ferry from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, and this is an excellent option for children. From the ferry’s drop-off, it is only a one-mile easy round-trip hike with 300 feet elevation gain to Hidden Falls,” says Robinson. She also warns travelers to start their hike before 9 a.m. if they want to “beat the crowds, secure a parking spot, and get the best part of the day on the trail.”

Phelps Lake

For what Robinson calls a “fun and fairly easy outdoor excursion” that’s “flat, easily accessible, and full of interesting things to discover,” hike from the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve to Phelps Lake. The route is about 1.3 miles one way, and it’s accompanied by creeks, wildlife, and wildflowers. Like many hikes within the park, you can choose how long you’d like to be on the trail: “After admiring the beautiful views of this glacial lake and the surrounding mountainous landscape, you have the option of turning back the way you came, or you can continue on the trail to loop around the lake for a more challenging hike, totaling 6.4 miles round-trip with 1,060 feet of elevation gain,” she explains.

Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes

Hikers who really want to test their physical capabilities can take on the strenuous, 10-mile round-trip hike from Lupin Meadows Trailhead to Surprise Lake and Amphitheater Lake. “This trailhead is the beginning of many different hikes in the trail system that winds through the mountains,” says Robinson, who adds that once you get through the challenging switchbacks, you’ll be rewarded by both lakes “offering stunning views of the surrounding peaks. “

Note: Grand Teton National Park doesn’t allow commercially guided day hiking.

Places to Stay

Hotels and Lodges

There is no shortage of places to stay in the park or in the greater Jackson Hole area. For a rustic, summer camp-esque setting, book a stay at Colter Bay Cabins, Jackson Lake Lodge, Dornan’s Spur Ranch Cabins, or Signal Mountain Lodge — all located within the park itself. If you prefer more luxurious lodging, you can’t go wrong with the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole in Teton Village; it’s right at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, where you can take the Aerial Tram up to the top of Rendezvous Mountain and hike into the national park via the Granite Canyon Loop. Travelers who want the convenience of staying in the town of Jackson, as well as access to a 9,000-square-foot spa that’s perfect for post-hike recovery, can explore the accommodation options at Snow King Resort. 

Campgrounds

Camping is a popular pastime in Grand Teton National Park, which has over 1,000 campsites across its seven campgrounds: Jenny Lake Campground, Gros Ventre Campground, Signal Mountain Campground, Colter Bay Campground, Colter Bay RV Park, Colter Bay Tent Village, Lizard Creek Campground, and Headwaters Campground. There is a maximum stay length of seven days at Jenny Lake, but all others allow camping for up to 14 days (but no more than 30 days in the park per year). Reservations are required and can be made up to six months in advance; they tend to book up quickly during peak season. 

Places to Eat

Both Robinson and Shill recommend bringing a picnic along for your national park adventure. For Shill, local favorite Creekside Market is perfect for picking up picnic supplies (the sandwiches are legendary) on your way out of town. If you’re already in Wilson or Teton Village, stop by the Aspens Market to stock up on grab-and-go items or high-end grocery goods. 

There are also a few sit-down restaurants to enjoy in Grand Teton National Park. At Dornans, a family-owned-and-operated resort within the bounds of the park, you can dine at the Chuckwagon, open from June through September, or Pizza & Pasta Company, a year-round destination that Robinson says comes with “unbelievably stunning views of the Teton Mountains from their bar and upper deck.” Incredible scenery is also on the menu at Signal Mountain Lodge’s Trapper Grill and Jackson Lake Lodge’s Mural Room. At the latter, notes Robinson,  “Every table has a view of the mountains. You might even spot some wildlife while you dine.”