Idyllic mountains, rising abruptly in front of you, somewhere remote in the American west. This place actually exists, in a place called Grand Teton National Park.

Whether you know it or not, the Teton Range is the iconic mountain range in America, present in all of our minds when we imagine the mountains of The United States.  From the high peaks of the Teton Range, to the dry, wide open plains that lie in their shadow, Grand Teton National Park is a must see park in our national park system.  

Named for the soaring Grand Teton, the highest peak in the park, Grand Teton National Park is an amazing outdoor destination bordering on the must see level.  If you haven’t been, you need to add it to your list.  In this article, you can find all the information you need to start planning your vacation to Grand Teton National Park.

If you’re planning a national parks trip, consider purchasing an America the Beautiful Pass.

What Grand Teton National Park is Known For

Grand Teton National Park is best known for its namesake, Grand Teton, the 13,776 foot high peak that dominates the skyline.  The Grand, as it is colloquially known, is the high point of the jagged Teton Range, stretching along the west edge of the park. 

Beneath the high peaks of the Tetons, the Snake River roars through the meadows and forests on the valley floor, thrilling rafters and kayakers year after year.

If you’re lucky, you may also see some of the large wildlife of the broader Yellowstone ecosystem.  Bordering Yellowstone’s southern boundary, Grand Teton National Park enjoys the diversity of wildlife found in Yellowstone itself. 

Black and brown bears, bison, elk, moose, and wolves can all be found in the park.  While you would be lucky to see moose, or especially wolves, visitors frequently see bears, bison, and elk while hiking, or even from the side of the road.

Why You Should Go

If you want an outdoorsy vacation in the American West with sweeping mountain views, amazing hiking and other outdoor activities, and amazing wildlife, Grand Teton is a fantastic choice. 

Further, Grand Teton borders Yellowstone, and the two make a fantastic pairing.  If you are driving, you can stop at parks in surrounding states such as The Badlands, Glacier, or Rocky Mountain national park.  

For those who are looking for an outdoor destination that also provides a bit of luxury, the town of Jackson provides all of the comforts of civilization just outside the park borders.  With shops, restaurants, hotels, and pretty much any luxury you could need, Jackson is one of the premier mountain towns in the United States. 

All in all, if you are looking for a beautiful, fun, accessible, destination somewhere in the mountains that ideally can be combined with other destinations, Grand Teton National Park could be the choice for you.

The Good

• The views.  Before I talk about anything else, I need to mention the views.  Even from the side of the road, the views of the Teton Range are some of the best in the entire country.  The Tetons are just about the most severe and jagged mountain range in North America, and they are visible from essentially anywhere in the park.  There’s a lot to love, but the views are seriously amazing.
• The wildlife.  While Yellowstone is probably the best known environment for wildlife viewing in the United States, all of the same animals can also be seen in Grand Teton.  In a single week long visit, I personally saw elk, moose, black bear, grizzly bear, and bison.  While the density of bison especially is much higher in Yellowstone, the wildlife viewing in Grand Teton is also exceptional.
• Jackson.  The mountain town lies just minutes outside the entry point of the park, and makes a fantastic base camp for exploring the area.  Stay in a hotel, lodge, condo, or campground, and have access to shopping and any level of dining you could want, and if you are a person who doesn’t enjoy roadtrips (crazy), the Jackson Airport has frequent commercial flights.
• Recreational Activities.  Hike in the park.  Raft the Snake River.  Rock climb.  Summit The Grand.  Ride horses.  All of these are available options in and around Grand Teton, and all are world class.  
• Yellowstone.  Yes this is an article about Grand Teton, but it would be incomplete without some mentions of Yellowstone.  Undeniably, one of the benefits of Grand Teton is its proximity to Yellowstone.  Literally, they border each other.  If you have never been, I highly recommend at least a day trip to Grand Teton’s northern neighbor.

The Bad

• The crowds.  Grand Teton and Yellowstone combine for one of the busier outdoor destinations, so the crowds can be quite obnoxious.  On a busy summer afternoon, especially around the 4th of July, the crowds in the park and around Jackson can be a little extreme.
• The remoteness.  While there is an airport just minutes outside the park boundaries, Grand Teton is still a quite remote destination.  There are no close major airports or cities nearby, so you will either need to roadtrip or fly into the small Jackson Hole Airport.  
• The winter.  Good for you if you enjoy winter weather, but I personally want nothing to do with a Wyoming winter.  Spring comes late and winter comes early, so timing your visit is an important consideration.

How Much Time to Spend in Grand Teton National Park

The reality is that you really couldn’t go wrong staying in Grand Teton for too long.  You could easily spend a summer (or a winter for those who like the cold) and not do and see everything.  However, I actually think Grand Teton is a park that lends itself well to different length visits. 

For those just passing through, you can see the best views right from the highway that goes through the park.  For those who want to hit all the highlights, staying for a few days will allow you to feel like you did a ton!  And for the people who want to see every view and hike every trail, one could easily spend a week, or a month, or a year.

What Time of Year to Visit

Like most high altitude, northern, mountainous destinations, the time of year you visit will drastically change your experience.  June through September will provide the best weather, with highs topping out in July around an average of 77 degrees. 

The shoulder season includes April, May, and October where you may get nice weather, or it may be cold and snowing. 

If you enjoy winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling, winter is a great time to visit Grand Teton.  Jackson Hole, the valley much of the park lies in, is one of the premier ski destinations in the nation, so Grand Teton and the surrounding area is a premier four season destination.

The best months for warm weather are June through September.  If you are a hiker like me, you will want to go once the snowpack has melted enough to open trails.  Also consider that it can get quite hot in midsummer, high temperatures can easily get into the 80’s. 

Crowds will also be a factor when planning your trip.  During the summer months, peak crowds will be when the weather is warmest, generally July and August.  If you are visiting during winter, expect peak crowds when schools are closed, likely around Christmas and New Years.

For me personally, the best time to visit is either August or September.  I have no interest in a sub zero visit, so that rules out the cold winter months.  I also personally would not visit in June. 

Many of the best trails at high elevation will still be snow covered.  July, in my opinion, is a little too busy, so I prefer August as a summer month.  September is a fantastic option as the afternoons will be warm and bright, though the nights will be colder.  The crowds will also be much more limited than the true summer months.

In all, it really depends on you and what you want to do, and the reality is you should always enjoy your visit to such an amazing place.  For the combination of best weather, light crowds, and available hiking trails, I recommend September as the best month to visit Grand Teton.

Planning a road trip?  Check out our in depth road trip planning guide.

Top Things to Do

Go for a hike.  With over 200 miles of trails, there are plenty of hikes to keep you busy.  Ranging from easy walks around mountain lakes, to alpine ascents of prominent peaks, there is a hike for everyone at any difficulty level.

Raft some whitewater.  The Snake River is one of America’s great western rivers, and provides extensive rafting opportunities.  Beyond the Snake, there are many mountain rivers and streams to provide enjoyable recreational opportunities.  Whitewater sound too extreme?  Go for a gentle float and enjoy the scenery!

Visit other parks.  Bordering Grand Teton to the north is Yellowstone.  Take at least a day to visit Yellowstone if you’ve never visited before, it really is a unique spot.  Beyond Yellowstone, Grand Teton is surrounded by multiple national forests that each provide their own opportunities for adventure.  Visit Bridger-Teton National Forest just to the east of the park, go further and take an expedition to Shoshone National Forest, or see the Wind River Range.  

Enjoy Jackson.  Jackson is one of America’s great mountain towns, and has all sorts of things to do.  Take a day away from the mountains and spend a day shopping, eating, and relaxing in a city with all the amenities you could need.  Read more about visiting Jackson here.

Always be sure to follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles when in the outdoors.

Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park

As always when on the trail, follow basic hiker etiquette.  Be aware that you are in grizzly country, and as such you need to follow bear safety guidelines.

Top Easy Hikes

Taggart Lake Loop: 4.1 miles, 400 ft

Walk this loop trail around Taggart Lake and be rewarded with sweeping views of the Teton Range.

Jenny Lake Trail: 7.9 miles, 600 ft

A longer hike for the easy category, this one is very flat, so it is pretty easy.  A longer option than Taggart Lake that still gets you awesome views.

Hidden Falls Trail: 4.9 miles, 600 ft

Take the ferry across Jenny Lake, or add on some miles and walk around the side of Jenny Lake for awesome views of Hidden Falls.  Continue onto Inspiration Point for more great views.

Top Moderate Hikes

 Cascade Canyon Trail: 9.7 Miles, 1100 ft

The mileage might look long, but the entire hike is pretty gentle in terms of elevation.  Hike through Cascade Canyon as it cuts deep into the Teton Range.  Shorten it by turning around at Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, or taking the Jenny Lake ferry.

 Signal Mountain Trail: 8.3 miles, 1200 ft

Want to go home and say you climbed a mountain?  Here’s a relatively easy way to do that.  You can actually drive to summit, but if you’re looking for a nice hike through woods and meadows, with increasingly great views, this is a nice hike.  Be aware that this is bear country (I actually saw a black bear hiking this trail!).

Top Difficult Hikes

Delta Lake: 8.8 miles, 2300 ft

In my opinion, this is the best hike in the park.  Starting at Lupine Meadows, you will climb the seemingly vertical face of the Tetons.  Leaving the main trail, the final approach to Delta Lake is steep, slippery, and a bit treacherous.  Be prepared for an adventure.

Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes: 8.9 miles, 2900 ft

Starting at the same trailhead and following the same trail as the Delta Lake hike, ascend the face of the Teton Range for alpine views of The Grand.  If you can only do one, I personally recommend Delta Lake.

 Lake Solitude Trail: 16 miles, 2600 ft

One of the longest hikes on this list, hike this in a long day or turn it into an overnight backpack trip.  There are multiple ways to access Lake Solitude, one of which goes up Cascade Canyon.

Hanging Canyon to Lake of the Crags: 8.8 miles, 3100 ft

This isn’t officially a trail, but its one of the most epic hikes in the park.  Hike around Jenny Lake and turn off onto an unmarked, unmaintained path.  Climb over 3000 feet in 2.5 miles up loose rock, and over boulders.  Only attempt this hike if you are confident in steep, rough terrain, and if you are in extremely good shape.  Wear pants, its quite overgrown!

Don’t be rude; always following basic etiquette when on trail!

Accessibility

Grand Teton strives to be an accessible destination for those with disabilities.  While it is a wilderness destination with many older facilities, the park is making an effort to be accessible for all visitors.  You will find that there are some trails and paths that are paved and smoothly graded.  The park also provides access for those with vision and hearing difficulties, cognitive and learning disabilities, and physical and mobility issues.  Learn more from the National Park Service website.

Top Tips

• Visit Yellowstone.  I love Grand Teton, but Yellowstone is seriously worth your time if you’re going to be there for multiple days.  If you’ve been to Yellowstone before, you can ignore this advice, but if you’ve never been, definitely visit. Check out our full guide to Yellowstone National Park here!
• Get out early, especially on weekends.  In summer, it can get hot.  80 degrees might not seem hot, but if you’re exposed in full sunshine hiking up a mountain, its not a fun time.  This is especially important on busy weekends.  I tried to park at Jenny Lake, one of the more popular spots in the park, and people were parked on the side of the road half a mile each way.  Get out early!
• Visit different areas of the park.  It would be very easy to stay in the main areas of the park close to Jackson and have a great time.  I would encourage you to go beyond that though.  Take a trip to the northern end of the park near Yellowstone for totally different views.  Drive to the backside of the Teton Range in Idaho and hike up the backside of the mountains (bring an SUV or Truck).  Drive the main roads, but don’t just drive the main roads.
• Get in shape before you go.  Remember you are going to elevation; everything will be harder.  Hiking in Grand Teton is funny, either your hike is a totally flat trail in the valley, or you’ll be climbing strait up the side of a mountain range.  No matter what, you should try to be in shape, but if you plan on doing some real hiking, be aware that many of the trails are very steep.

Where to Stay When Visiting Grand Teton National Park

In a Town

You have a number of different lodging options when travelling to Grand Teton National Park.  Most people will stay somewhere around Jackson.  In and around Jackson, you will have all sorts of choices, lodges, hotels, campgrounds, etc. 

I think staying in or outside of Jackson is the best option.  It’s closest to the restaurants and shops in town, and Jackson is just outside the park entrance; however, Jackson is very expensive.  Be prepared to spend significantly more than you are used to on lodging.  Even budget options like motels are more expensive than pretty much anywhere I’ve seen.

If you want to stay in a town, but do not want to spend the money to stay in Jackson, your options are pretty limited.  Besides the small towns outside Jackson, there are not many towns or cities close to the park.  To the east is the town of Dubois, containing about 1,000 people.  It has a few hotels and campgrounds, but it is about an hour from the entrance of the park. 

Beyond Jackson to the west and south there are a few more towns, including Alpine in Wyoming and Victor in Idaho.  Having driven through both, I can say they are located in pretty spots, but again you are looking at a long drive to get into the park.

Camping

Many people will hope to camp on a trip to the mountains.  This is a great option, but there are a few things to know beforehand.  First, if you want to be close to Jackson, there are not very many campgrounds in the close vicinity of the town. 

There are only 2 campgrounds I have found within about 10 miles of the town, and they will fill up very quickly, so be sure to plan ahead.

If you are willing to be a little farther from Jackson, your options open up dramatically.  To the south, there is a small KOA located along the Snake River.  I actually stayed here during my last trip. 

There are also numerous campgrounds within the park.  Many campgrounds inside Grand Teton National Park are first come first serve.  They do not take reservations.  If you arrive at a campground by 10 am the first day you hope to camp, you will usually be able to get a spot, but it is not a guarantee. 

Colter Bay RV Park and Headwaters Campground both do take reservations.

Beyond the limits of the park, there are great camping opportunities for the adventurous.  National forests surround the park, and contain numerous campgrounds.  Specifically, Bridger-Teton National Forest to the east of the park contains numerous campgrounds, some developed, some not so much.  For a full overview of camping in Bridger-Teton, check their website here.

Must See Spots

• Drive the Rockefeller Parkway and Teton Park Road.  These are the main roads through the park, many if not all visitors will drive at least one of them.  If possible, try to combine the two to drive from the northern boundary of the park to the southern.  The views at the north and south ends are totally different, and you will find all sorts of trails and viewpoints along the way.
• Do at least one challenging hike.  It is easy to go to Grand Teton and have an easy trip.  You can see a ton from the road.  There are lots of easy, flat hikes.  Try to do at least one tougher hike.  You get a totally different vantage point when you climb into the mountains, and if you’ve never climbed into the mountains, it’s a great experience.
• Climb The Grand.  This is a pretty extreme recommendation, but it’s one of my dream adventures.  The Grand Teton is a technical rock climb to reach the summit, but there are guiding companies that will take you to the top if you want to make the climb.  If you’ve been considering a rock climb or have wanted to climb a big mountain, this could be a good choice.
• See some wildlife.  There’s never a guarantee that you will see wildlife, but at least try to see bison.  I have seen bison in the park while driving north towards Yellowstone, and elk, moose, and bears are frequently sighted on the many trails in the park.  

When people pictures mountains in their heads, I think the Tetons are the mountains that many people visualize.  Jagged granite spires soaring thousands of feet above Jackson Hole, covered in snow and ice. 

Grand Teton National Park truly is an American landscape, and if you were only going to see mountains in one place, these mountains would be high on the list.  Beyond the views, the activities and adventure opportunities in and around the park are world class, and it lies in a truly unique ecosystem.

Hopefully this guide at least inspired you and gave you a starting point for planning your visit.  For more information on visiting Grand Teton, check out these other sites to continue planning your Grand Teton vacation.