Grand Teton National Park
Jagged mountain peaks, lush meadows, scenic lakes, the winding Snake River, wildlife, historical sites, and miles and miles of hiking trails…this is Grand Teton National Park.
There is something here for everyone. Families will love the short, easy, scenic hiking trails, a boat ride across Jenny Lake, plus the possibility to see elk, moose, and bison. Photographers will have a blast capturing the reflections of the mountain range in the lakes and rivers. Active, adventurous travelers can take their pick from hundreds of miles of hiking trails that journey into the Teton range. If you enjoy fishing, this park is world-renowned for its trout fishing.
We have visited Grand Teton National Park multiple times in recent years. The hiking is incredible, the landscapes are extremely photogenic, and this park is a pure joy to explore.
Grand Teton National Park Stats
Founded: February 26, 1929
Annual Visitors: 3.4 million in 2023, making it the 8th most visited US national park that year.
Size: 310,000 acres
Location: Wyoming
Entrance Fee: $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
Top Experiences in Grand Teton
15 Best Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park
Here is a detailed guide to the best things to do in Grand Teton National Park, from scenic drives to outdoor adventures.
Drive the 42-mile Scenic Drive. On this 42-mile loop, you will drive down the length of the Teton Range, along Jenny and Jackson Lakes, and past numerous scenic overlooks. Along the way, you have the option to detour to Jenny Lake Scenic Drive, Signal Mountain, or numerous hiking trails in the park.
Jenny Lake Scenic Drive. This is a one-way road that follows the eastern edge of Jenny Lake. On this drive, you have magnificent views of the Teton Range.
Go Hiking. Hike through picturesque canyons, around glacier-fed lakes, and up to the highest peaks. Elk, bear, and moose frequently make appearances. Grand Teton National Park is one of the best hiking destinations in the US National Parks and you have a lot of trails to choose from.
Inspiration Point & Hidden Falls. This is one of the most popular things to do in Grand Teton National Park. One on hike, you can view Grand Teton National Park from Inspiration Point and visit a beautiful waterfall. The easiest way to get to this trail is by taking the scenic boat shuttle across Jenny Lake.
Mormon Row Historic District. The iconic shot of these historic barns with the Tetons in the background make this one of the best photography locations and sunrise spots in Grand Teton National Park.
Schwabacher Landing. For one of the most scenic views of the Teton mountain range, don’t miss Schwabacher Landing. This is a great place to capture the reflection of the mountain range in the Snake River.
Oxbow Bend. This is the place to get the iconic view of Mt. Moran’s reflection in the Snake River. At sunrise, it is also a great place to photograph wildlife.
Snake River Overlook. This view of the Teton Range was made famous when Ansel Adams snapped a photograph here in 1942, while working for the United States government.
Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve. This reserve is an 1,100 acre refuge located within Grand Teton National Park and was donated by the Rockefeller family in 2001. Spend some time in the visitor center and hike the quieter trails in the reserve.
Signal Mountain. From the summit of Signal Mountain, you get panoramic views over the park, the Teton range, and Jackson Lake. It’s a great detour to add to the 42-mile loop through Grand Teton National Park.
ULTIMATE ADVENTURE
For the ultimate adventure in Grand Teton National Park, hike the Teton Crest Trail. This is a 35 to 45-mile (depending on your route) point-to-point trail that traverses the Teton Range. For most of the hike, you will be at or above 8,000 feet with spectacular mountain views. This is done as a multi-day backpacking trip.
Did You Know?
Grand Teton National Park is named for Grand Teton. At 13,775 feet (4,199 meters), this is the highest point in the Teton Range. It’s also the second highest peak in Wyoming (Gannett Peak, at 13,810 feet, is located in the Wind River Range).
The Teton Range gets its name from early 19th-century French trappers. They called the mountain range les trois tetons, which means “the three teats.”
There are numerous lakes that sit at the base of the Teton range. Jenny Lake is the most famous and most commonly visited, but other notable lakes include Jackson, Phelps, Taggart, Bradley, and Leigh Lakes.
Best Hikes in Grand Teton
15 Best Day Hikes in Grand Teton National Park
Hike through picturesque canyons, around glacier-fed lakes, and up to the highest peaks. Wildlife sightings from the hiking trails are frequent, with elk, moose, and bear making regular appearances. If you want to add some adventure to your visit to Grand Teton, strap on your hiking shoes and take your pick from this list of unforgettable trails.
Inspiration Point & Hidden Falls. This is an essential hike for first-timers to Grand Teton National Park. Ride the shuttle across Jenny Lake and hike to Inspiration Point for a great view of the park.
Cascade Canyon. This hike starts with Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point and then continues into Cascade Canyon. The views are awesome and you have a good chance of seeing moose and other wildlife from this trail.
Lake Solitude. For those with lots of energy, extend the Cascade Canyon hike, going farther to Lake Solitude. This lake is tucked back in the Teton Range and despite the distance to get here (it’s 15 miles out-and-back), this is a popular hike.
String and Leigh Lakes. This lovely lake stroll is flat, easy, and great for all ages and ability levels.
Jenny Lake Loop. This 8 mile trail makes one big loop around Jenny Lake. This is the perfect hike if you want views of the Teton Range without a lot of effort.
Taggart & Bradley Lakes. Not only do you get to visit two beautiful lakes, you also get great views of Grand Teton, Middle Teton, and Teewinot Mountain.
Surprise, Amphitheater & Delta Lakes. This challenging trail takes you to three alpine lakes.
Phelps Lake Loop. This hike is in the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, so the limited parking helps keep crowds low.
Death Canyon. Death Canyon is similar to Cascade Canyon and Paintbrush Canyon, with its scenic views and chance to see moose and bear. However, with fewer visitors, this trail feels much quieter.
Static Peak Divide. This long, challenging hike continues past Death Canyon and takes you to Static Peak. From here, at 10,790 feet, you will have spectacular views of the park, Jackson Hole, and the Wind River Range.
Paintbrush Canyon & Cascade Canyon Loop. At 20 miles, this is the longest hike on the list. It’s also our favorite. This hike is massive but it combines Paintbrush Canyon, Lake Solitude, Cascade Canyon, and Inspiration Point into one amazing experience.
Detailed Hiking Guides
How to Hike Death Canyon to the Static Peak Divide | Grand Teton National Park
There are several reasons to hike to the Static Peak Divide. Early on in the hike, you have beautiful views over Phelps Lake. The walk through Death Canyon is gorgeous and this is a great place to spot wildlife. Bear and moose are frequently seen here. We didn’t see bear when we did this hike, […]
Paintbrush Canyon Cascade Canyon Loop Trail | Grand Teton National Park
The Paintbrush Canyon – Cascade Canyon Loop is one of the best hikes to do in Grand Teton National Park. In just one hike, you can visit a handful of the park’s top spots: Jenny Lake, Inspiration Point, Lake Solitude, Cascade Canyon, and Paintbrush Canyon. Throw in panoramic views across the Teton mountain range and […]
Ultimate Guide to the Delta Lake Hike | Map, Stats & Photos
The hike to Amphitheater and Surprise Lakes is one of the more popular hikes to do in Grand Teton National Park. It’s a tough hike but your reward is a visit to two stunning alpine lakes. On this hike, you have the option to add on a third lake, Delta Lake. Once a hidden gem […]
How Many Days Should You Spend in Grand Teton National Park?
One Perfect Day in Grand Teton National Park
Only have one day in Grand Teton? Here’s how to see the highlights in one busy, memorable day.
Ultimate Grand Teton Itinerary: 1 Day to 1 Week in the Grand Teton
In this guide, get an overview on the best things to do in the park, when to visit, and get a sample Grand Teton itinerary, depending on your interests and available time.
Best Time to Visit Grand Teton National Park
The best time to visit Grand Teton National Park is from mid-May through October, when all of the roads and visitor centers are open.
June, July and August are the busiest months in the park. Expect big crowds on the hiking trails, difficulty finding a parking space midday, and sold out lodges inside of the park.
If you want to see the park ablaze in fall colors, the end of September into very early October is best time to visit.
From November through mid-May, Teton Park Road is closed, along with several other scenic roads, such as Moose Wilson Road and the road to the summit of Signal Mountain. It’s still possible to visit Grand Teton National Park in the winter and early spring, but with the road closures and snow on the trails, it will be a much different experience than a visit in the summer.
Grand Teton National Park appears in our Best US National Parks Month-By-Month series as a great park to visit in June, August, and September.
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The list of US national parks to visit in June is wonderfully long and diverse. Visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, go hiking in the Rocky Mountains, spend some time in the tranquil forests in Olympic and Sequoia National Parks, and explore one of the most underrated US national parks, Wrangell-St. Elias. About […]
15 Best National Parks to Visit in August 2024 (USA)
Planning a trip to the US national parks in August and don’t know which ones to visit? August is a busy time to visit the national parks, but crowd levels aren’t quite at their peak (that typically happens in July for many parks). In this guide, we list some popular summertime parks to visit plus […]
12 Best National Parks to Visit in September 2024 (USA)
September is one of the best months of the year to visit the national parks. The weather is fantastic across much of the USA, the busy summer season is coming to an end, and, in some parks, you can see the first of the fall colors. In this guide, we list 12 of the best […]
Road Trip Ideas
If you are planning a trip to Grand Teton, we have three road trip ideas to share with you. Grand Teton can easily be combined on a trip with Yellowstone National Park and other nearby US destinations.
Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore: 10 Day Road Trip Itinerary
This is one of the best road trips in the USA. With 10 days, you can visit Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore, but that’s not all. You also have enough time to visit the highlights of Grand Teton, day trip out to Badlands National Park, spend some time at Wind Cave National Park, and cruise the scenic drives and spot wildlife at Custer State Park.
Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks: 10 Day Road Trip Itinerary
Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks are three of the top parks to visit in the United States. With 10 days, you can visit all of them on an epic road trip.
Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary: Best Routes, Maps, & Photos
In this guide, we cover how to plan a trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton, followed by several itineraries, depending on your travel style and the amount of time you have.
The Perfect Yellowstone Day Trip
The Perfect Yellowstone Day Trip from Grand Teton National Park
If you are in Grand Teton National Park and have an extra day to spare, why not day trip to Yellowstone National Park? With one day, you have just enough time to hit the highlights…Old Faithful, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Grand Prismatic Spring, and the wildlife in Hayden Valley.
Grand Teton National Park Map
Grand Teton National Park Photos
US National Parks List
In our US National Parks List, get information on all of the US national parks, including interesting facts, the most and least visited national parks, and a FREE printable national parks checklist with map.
Ultimate US National Parks List for 2024 (+ Printable Checklist)
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