Grand Teton National Park encompasses both the Jackson Hole valley and the majestic Teton Range, together forming one of America’s most scenic national parks. A series of pristine glacial lakes runs along the foot of the mountains, while the valley is dotted with historic ranches, homesteads and overlooks.
Yellowstone’s smaller southern neighbor, Grand Teton National Park is home to the amazing Teton Park Road, but it’s much more than a drive-thru national park.
Although you’ll find numerous turnouts and viewpoints along the park’s main roads, such as Willow Flats, Oxbow Bend and Blacktail Ponds, this is a superb park to explore on foot, in a kayak or canoe, or on horseback.
A network of hiking trails runs along scenic lakeshores, across sagebrush meadows, through conifer forests and deep into the wildernesses of the Grand Teton canyons. Wildlife encounters are quite common here, the park being home to everything from American bison, pronghorn, moose and elk to black and grizzly bears.
The first Europeans who explored what is now Grand Teton National Park were lonely French fur trappers. These hardy wilderness wanderers clearly missed female attention, naming the mountains’ three main peaks “les trois tétons”—the three breasts.
Later on, settlers established ranches and homesteads in Jackson Hole, the most famous of which are found along Mormon Row. The historic Chapel of the Transfiguration near Moose is renowned for the window behind its altar, which beautifully frames the Grand Teton peaks in the background.
Exceptionally accessible and easy to explore, Grand Teton National Park allows you to hike in mountains, kayak on a lake, see bison and bears, and indulge in bison steak or game chili, all in the same day.
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Highlights of Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park consists of two main areas, the Jackson Hole valley and the towering Teton Range. Both parts have a number of points of interest, whether it’s viewpoints, historic sites or hiking trails. The following are the things you really shouldn’t miss (on your first visit to Grand Teton).
- Drive the Teton Park Loop (combination of Teton Park Road and Route 26/89/191)
- Admire spectacular views from Oxbow Bend Turnout, Willow Flats Overlook, Snake River Overlook and Blacktail Ponds Overlook
- Hike the Jenny Lake Trail and take the boat back
- See Hidden Falls
- Walk along Mormon Row at sunrise
- Visit the historic Chapel of the Transfiguration
- Explore Colter Bay
- Stay at Signal Mountain Lodge
- Watch wildlife such as bison, elk, moose, pronghorn and grizzly bears
- Spend an afternoon exploring Jackson Lake in a kayak or canoe
Accommodation Near Grand Teton National Park
In addition to more than half a dozen campgrounds, Grand Teton National Park has its fair share of lodging options.
Visitors can stay at Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge or Signal Mountain Lodge, while Colter Bay has log cabins and tent-cabins. For a unique lodging experience, the Triangle X Ranch offers accommodation at an actual dude ranch.
Around the park, you’ll find the most accommodation options in Jackson, just beyond Grand Teton’s southern boundary. This vibrant and fun western town has hotels and motels, as well as breweries, restaurants and a variety of shops.
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Useful Info
Location: Western Wyoming
Nearest Town: Jackson
Area: 485 square miles (310,000 acres)
Annual Visitors (2022): 2,806,223
Features: Expansive river plain dotted with overlooks, ranches and historic sites, majestic mountain peaks, pristine glacial lakes, spectacular views, abundant wildlife such as bison, elk, bears and moose
Top Attractions: Jenny Lake, Hidden Falls, Jackson Lake and Dam, Colter Bay, Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, Mormon Row, Snake River
Popular Activities: Hiking, wildlife watching, scenic drives, cycling, boating and rafting, horseback riding and fishing
Suggested Stay: 2-3 days
Campgrounds:
- Gros Ventre Campground (279 sites)
- Jenny Lake Campground (61 sites)
- Signal Mountain Campground (81 sites)
- Colter Bay Campground (324 sites)
- Colter Bay RV Park (112 sites)
- Colter Bay Tent Village (66 sites)
- Lizard Creek Campground (60 sites)
- Headwaters Campground (171 sites)
More Information: National Park Service
Nearby National Parks:
- Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana & Idaho
- Glacier National Park, Montana
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
- Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
- Badlands National Park, South Dakota
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