Last Updated on: 9th November 2024, 08:26 pm
As its name suggests, Grand Teton National Park is most known for its stunning 40-mile-long Teton Range. From all throughout the park, one can enjoy unobstructed views of the mountains, whether it’s from the other side of a lake, valley or historical structure. The following Grand Teton guide will take you to all the best vantage points in the park’s central area.
According to legend, the Grand Tetons were named by French Canadian trappers in the 1800s. The name actually means ‘breasts’ due to the shape of the three main peaks. In any case, the range as we see it today was largely shaped by glaciers – a process which lasted from 2 million to 14,000 years ago.
The top highlights of Grand Teton can be seen in a single day. But if you’re hoping to include any longer hikes into your itinerary, you’ll need some extra time.
To see everything in the following guide to Grand Teton, you’ll need at least 1.5 days. While not an exhaustive list of every attraction and hike in the park, this guide will help you plan the best order in which to see the highlights.
Given the crowds in summer peak season, there’s a chance you won’t be able to find parking at every landmark. As such, it’s best to be fairly flexible and have a backup plan ready if you can’t visit all your top picks.
For more information on where to stay in the area and current park entrance fees, be sure to check the end of the article.
Mormon Row
It would be wise to start your day at Mormon Row for two main reasons: first, you’ll want to beat the crowds, and second, the historic buildings look best in the morning light. You can get there by turning off of Highway 89 & 26 and onto Antelope Flats Rd.
When people think of Mormons, they generally think of Utah, but Mormon settlers also came as far north as Wyoming from the 1890s, establishing a community that was originally known as Grovont.
While the weather may have been harsh at times, the area had fertile soil. And the settlers built everything required for a local community to thrive, such as a church, school and post office. They even dug numerous ditches for irrigation.
And as you walk along the road, you can enjoy stunning viewpoints of the various structures with the Tetons in the background.
Despite how photogenic the structures are, many of them fell into disrepair over the years, prompting a restoration project to be launched in 2021. It’s still ongoing at the time of writing.
Unsurprisingly, Mormon Row is very popular with photographers. But to my relief, these were largely photographers behind the camera as opposed to selfie-takers, and I had no issues getting clear shots of the different structures.
Schwabacher Landing
If you’ve started your day at Mormon Row, it would be wise to continue north along Highway 89 & 26, stopping at various viewpoints along the way. The next main stop you’ll pass is Schwabacher Landing.
From here you can walk along the Snake River and admire the Tetons’ reflection in the water from various angles.
At a park like Grand Teton, it would be hard to choose a single most scenic part of the park, but Schwabacher Landing is certainly a contender.
Snake River Overlook
Further north along the highway is where Ansel Adams took an iconic photo in 1942 of the mountains and the meandering Snake River. At the time, the National Park Service was trying to promote this area in hopes of including the wider Jackson Hole Valley as part of the park’s boundaries.
Note that today, one can no longer replicate Ansel Adams’ photo, as the river is now largely obscured by trees.
Wildlife
Grand Teton National Park is teeming with wildlife. While you’ll likely have to trek into the backcountry to spot things like bears or moose, there’s a good chance you’ll spot bison even while driving along the park’s main roads.
Early on in the day, I encountered a large herd of bison walking along the grass, not to mention on the road itself. I even spotted a mother bison accompanying her baby calf!
Remember that animals always have the right of way at National Parks. If you encounter a herd of bison crossing the road, you’ll simply have to stop and wait for them to pass.
‘Bison jams’ are common occurrences at Grand Teton and Yellowstone, and will probably end up being some of your most memorable experiences at the parks.
Remember not to get too close to wild bison. They’re usually pretty relaxed when you’re just admiring them from a distance. But later at Yellowstone, I personally witnessed a bison charging at a thoughtless visitor who wouldn’t respect its space!
If experiencing wildlife is one of your main goals when visiting the park, consider this 4-hour wildlife adventure or this winter wildlife tour.
Oxbow Bend
Continuing along, at the next intersection, turn left onto Highway 191. The next major viewpoint here is Oxbow Bend. Yes, it’s yet another view of the mountains and their reflection in the Snake River, but it’s hard to get tired of these scenes!
Signal Mountain
The next destination in this Grand Teton guide is Signal Mountain. But frankly speaking, you’ll be fine omitting it from your itinerary if you’re short on time.
But if you do choose to go, past Oxbow Bend, turn left onto Teton Park Rd and later turn left onto Signal Mountain Rd. This will take you back up north via a rather windy uphill drive, but at least it’s paved.
Reaching the top, you can enjoy a clear view of the Jackson Hole Valley and the Snake River below. Despite the effort to get here, it’s far from the most impressive vantage point in this Grand Teton guide.
There is, however, another overlook nearby called Jackson Point Overlook from which you can see the Tetons. But trees largely obscure the view.
Leigh Lake?
Next on my itinerary for my first day at Grand Teton National Park was Leigh Lake, at which I planned to do a lakeside hike. But unfortunately, despite there being three fairly large parking lots nearby, they were all completely full!
And despite driving around the area for around fifteen minutes, I had no luck finding a spot. So I decided to save it for my next day at the park. Unfortunately, I’d encounter the exact same problem the following day.
As mentioned above, if you’re visiting in peak season, anticipate something like this happening and have a backup plan ready.
Jenny Lake Overlook
Leigh Lake is accessed via Jenny Lake Rd. As mentioned, I didn’t make it to Leigh Lake, but I continued along the road to stop at the Jenny Lake overlook.
The parking area was much smaller here and it didn’t seem like there’d be a chance to stop, but I managed to find a spot through sheer luck.
Jenny Lake is arguably Grand Teton National Park’s most beautiful lake. And if you manage to find a spot at the overlook, be sure to stop to enjoy the views.
Even if you can’t, you’ll have another shot at viewing the lake by parking at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. But even though there might be more parking there, there’s a good chance you’ll find it completely full if you’re arriving in the afternoon.
As we’ll cover below, it’s from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center that you can hop on a boat shuttle that takes you to the other side of the lake. From there, you can hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point (in addition to Cascade Canyon).
If you only have one full day in the park, these are well worth including in your Grand Teton itinerary. But if you find the parking lot full at this point in the day, you might want to return later in the afternoon.
In my case, I visited the Jenny Lake Visitor Center first thing in the morning on the following day.
Taggart Lake
I next headed to Taggart Lake for a loop hike. Unsurprisingly, the parking lot here was also full, but it was at least possible to find street parking.
The full loop trail is 3.9 miles (6.1 km) and could be considered an easy hike. Most people, however, shorten it slightly by turning back at the lake, making it an out-and-back hike.
It would be wise to carry bear spray for this hike. Though I did intend to bring some, it was my first time opening the can of bear spray I’d previously purchased in Salt Lake City.
It was only after taking it out of the box that I noticed that the safety pin and trigger were tied together with a plastic tie. It could only be removed with scissors, and I didn’t have a pair in the car.
Fortunately, given Taggart Lake’s popularity, bears are likely to stay away from all the noisy hikers. In any case, it’s still a good habit to have bear spray on you at all times when out in bear country. Learn from my mistake and be sure to unbox your spray in advance!
After a scenic yet relatively uneventful hike, I reached Taggart Lake, which looked like something out of a postcard or Microsoft Windows background.
But there weren’t too many flat surfaces from which to appreciate the views, while the most accessible portion was crowded with swimmers.
I then proceeded to finish the loop, ultimately making it back to the parking lot in a little under two hours. While not the most thrilling hike, Taggart Lake itself is beautiful and the hike is well worth doing.
When it comes to hiking in general at Grant Teton, the park largely seems to be comprised of short and easy hikes like this one, or long and strenuous hikes that take you deep into the backcountry. If you’re looking for something in between, your best option is Cascade Canyon (more below).
Menor's Ferry Historic District
Continuing south along Teton Park Rd and turning left onto Headquarters Rd, you’ll reach Menor’s Ferry Historic District.
This area is on par with Mormon Row, but don’t feel like you have to get here early in the morning. The lighting is great in the afternoon, while it wasn’t nearly as crowded as I was expecting.
Situated alongside the Snake River, it was the original homestead of Bill Menor who constructed it in 1892. A loop trail takes you to various structures, with one of the most notable being the Maud Noble Cabin.
It was in this cabin in 1923 that a meeting took place that launched the plan to establish Grand Teton as a National Park (Yellowstone had been established five decades earlier in 1872).
Moving along, you’ll pass by the location of the original ferry crossing which transported people across the river. The system involved pulleys and ropes while relying on the strength of the river current. You’ll even find a replica of one of the original ferries.
Other structures include the Transportation Barn and the General Store, which was managed by Bill Menor himself. But the most remarkable structure of all in the district is the Chapel of the Transfiguration.
The church is an Episcopal chapel that was constructed in 1925. Previously, worshippers had to make the journey out to Jackson each week which was no simple feat in the days before roads.
But not only did this structure save worshippers time, but this is arguably the most scenic setting in which one could possibly build a church! Be sure to step inside to enjoy the breathaking view through the window behind the altar.
Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve
As mentioned, I was unable to visit Leigh Lake on my first day in the park, so I decided at the last moment to add something else to my itinerary. And so I headed to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve without knowing much about what there is to do there.
In the 1920s, John D. Rockefeller Jr. was so impressed by his visit to Jackson Hole that he purchased numerous ranches. His intention was to eventually donate them to the National Park Service.
John D. Rockefeller Jr., however, did retain one ranch, and it was later inherited by his son, Laurance S. Rockefeller, in 1939. It then ultimately became part of the park in 2007.
But what do visitors actually do here? One of the highlights is the Preserve Center itself. While it has a beautiful interior, it only takes a few moments to see.
Other than that, the main activity here is hiking out to Phelps Lake, a 6.3-mile (10 km) loop trail.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time at this point in the day, and so I decided to return to the parking lot after a short walk around the Preserve Center’s surroundings.
Looking back, I wish I would’ve at least walked to the lake shore as a shorter out-and-back hike.
Before you visit, keep in mind that the parking lot is deliberately kept small to restrict the number of visitors at a time. Somehow, I was lucky enough to find a spot. But if you’re not planning to hike out to the lake, a visit here simply isn’t worth the effort and potential stress.
Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point
As mentioned above, Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point are situated along Jenny Lake. If you only have one day in the park, it’s worth trying to fit them into your itinerary, even if you first encounter the Jenny Lake Visitor Center parking lot full.
But better yet, if you’re able to spend more than one full day at the park, it’s best to visit this area first thing in the morning on your second day.
After taking the boat shuttle across the lake (learn more in our detailed guide), it’s about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) of uphill climbing to reach Hidden Falls, and then another 0.5 miles to reach Inspiration Point. It’s then from behind Inspiration Point that you can start hiking Cascade Canyon if you so desire.
Cascade Canyon
As mentioned, it’s from behind Inspiration Point that you can begin the Cascade Canyon hike. This is a good hike for those looking for something a bit more adventurous than the flat lake hikes in the center of the park, but also something not too terribly strenuous or time-consuming.
Cascade Canyon is especially popular for wildlife sightings, but be sure to carry bear spray!
The full Cascade Canyon hike is a 9.1-mile (14.7 km) out-and-back hike (including both Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point). In total, the full Cascade Canyon hike took me about 3.5 hours. But all the waiting to get on the boat added about 1.5 hours to the full excursion!
You can either shorten the hike by simply turning back whenever you feel like it, or extend it by adding an additional stop such as Lake Solitude. Be sure to check our detailed guide for more info.
Jackson, Wyoming
While not part of the park, Grand Teton is situated just a short drive away from the town of Jackson. While many people use Jackson as their base for exploring the region, it’s still worth a quick visit even if you’re basing yourself elsewhere (more below).
Jackson is known for its cowboy and Old West heritage, and there are no shortage of restaurants and souvenir shops to choose from, not to mention a few museums.
But arguably the most notable landmarks in town are the impressive elk antler arches which surround the town square.
In winter, of course, Jackson is well-known for skiing and even dog sledding, among other snowy activities.
Additional Info
If you’d rather avoid the hassle of driving yourself and dealing with the stressful parking situation throughout the park, consider this extensive full-day tour from Jackson. It takes you to many of the top highlights featured in the Grand Teton guide above.
As mentioned, if your main interest is wildlife, consider this 4-hour wildlife adventure or this winter wildlife tour.
When it comes to choosing a base for Grand Teton National Park, you have a few different options.
Grand Teton National Park sits just next to the town of Jackson, Wyoming. Jackson is a charming town but it’s also incredibly touristy. As such, hotel fees can be exorbitant.
If budget isn’t a major issue, the top-rated hotels in Jackson include the Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole, The Lexington and Elk Refuge Inn.
A cheaper alternative to Jackson would be to use the town of Victor, Idaho (or neighboring towns). The Teton Valley Motel is a great value, and so is the Super 8 in nearby Driggs. You can also find plenty of vacation rentals in the area.
Of course, camping within Grand Teton is another option, which you can learn more about here.
But what if you’re also visiting Yellowstone National Park? While it’s possible to visit Yellowstone via the South Entrance as a day trip from Jackson, Yellowstone is one of the biggest parks in the United States.
As such, staying in the park is the best option if you want to see as much as possible over the course of several days. I spent a couple of nights each at Grant Village Campground and Canyon Campground, which ended up working out very well. Check our detailed Yellowstone guides to learn more.
At the time of writing, Grand Teton National Park costs $35 per vehicle to enter (learn more here).
If you’re visiting from abroad, note that in contrast to many other countries, US parks typically charge per vehicle rather than per person. However, if you’re traveling by bicycle instead, they’ll charge you for an individual pass which costs $20, while those on motorcycles will be charged $30.
Considering how many National Parks and National Monuments there are to see in the Southwest alone, the best option for most will be to buy an ‘America the Beautiful’ Annual National Parks Pass.
These cost $80 for the year. In most cases, you’re already saving money by just visiting four National Parks/Monuments anywhere in the country within a full year.
What’s more, is that only one person in your vehicle needs to have the pass. Additionally, seniors can buy the pass for just $20. So if you have someone over 62 in your party, just have them get the annual pass and everyone else will be set.
As for where to get the pass, you can purchase it in person at most National Parks or Monuments. But you can also order it in advance online.