Grand Teton National Park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. With its towering mountains, clear lakes, and diverse wildlife, the park offers stunning views and unforgettable adventures. For me, it stands out as one of the most breathtaking national parks I’ve ever visited. Throughout our ten days there, I found myself drawn back to its awe-inspiring beauty repeatedly. This post will take you through some of the best trails and sights in this incredible national park.
Lodging
Just like other national parks, the Grand Tetons have multiple lodges for visitors to stay at. I walked through some of them and they are very impressive and a majority have stunning views of the mountains. If you’re interested in staying at a lodge or a hotel in the surrounding area, I would recommend looking at some local options. I camped during my visit, but there are plenty of comfortable accommodations nearby for those who prefer a bit more luxury.
There are many campsites near or in the national park, and they’re quite spacious. They have campsites for both tent camping and RV camping. We did tent camping, using a large 8-person tent and a smaller 2-person tent. Camping was one of the highlights of our trip. It was incredibly refreshing to relax and connect with nature, making our time there even more memorable.
There are many campsites near or in the national park, but be aware that they book up pretty fast. It’s best to schedule your trip well in advance. I recommend aiming for the six-month mark, as that’s when reservations typically open up. If you are wanting to camp and everything is all booked up there is an option that not many people are aware of. If you are willing to risk it, you do have the option to get a reservation two weeks before your trip.
The national park system holds back a few campsites for those last-minute campers, it is a rolling two-week cycle. Exactly two weeks before your first night you can get onto their website, it would be best as soon as it drops, I would research or call for the exact time, and you are then able to book last-minute campsites. For our trip in June, we were lucky enough to snag last-minute, two-week campsites at Colter Bay Campground. The experience was fantastic! The campsite was well-maintained and offered all the amenities we needed, making our stay comfortable and enjoyable.
Weather
The weather in Wyoming can often be unpredictable, so it’s smart to pack for both warmth and cold. Being prepared for varying conditions will ensure a more comfortable and enjoyable experience. Despite going in the summer months, the end of June into July, it did get pretty cold once the sun had set in the evenings and in the mornings. Bringing a coat is definitely something I recommend, especially when the sun goes down. When the sun is out during the day it does get pretty warm, especially if hiking or swimming. I would bring clothes that are accommodating for the differing weather.
Some other things that I would pack would be an umbrella and a raincoat. It rained almost every day, whether a little bit or a lot, that we were there. And some days it poured rain, especially more towards the evening hours. If you are staying in a hotel, RV, or lodge, these things might just be extra items but for those who plan on camping definitely pack an umbrella, raincoat, and even a few tarps.
Hiking
The national park features so many hiking trails, each designed for different skill levels, ensuring everyone can find a suitable option. The best way to discover the perfect hike for your group is to visit the visitor center and talk to a park ranger. They have the expertise to recommend the best trails that match your preferences and abilities. Here I will share a handful of my favorite trails.
Jenny Lake
One hike that we did, that is suitable for all different experience levels, is Jenny Lake. This hike is also one of the most popular places in the entire park because it is at the centerpiece, and gives an amazing view of the mountain range. There are multiple different ways to hike the trailhead at Jenny Lake. You have the option to hike the 2.5-mile trail from the parking lot around the lake to the beautiful Hidden Falls. If you’d prefer a shorter walk, you can take a shuttle across the lake, reducing the hike to just a half mile from the drop-off point to the falls. If you are planning on using the shuttle, check the hours and price beforehand.
No matter how you choose to reach Hidden Falls, whether by hiking or taking the shuttle (which does have a fee), you’ll be treated to gorgeous scenery along the way. While hiking around the lake, we spotted a moose and her baby drinking from the water. The moderate hike treated us to stunning scenery and delightful wildlife sightings, creating an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
Once you reach Hidden Falls, you have the option to continue hiking another half mile to Inspiration Point, which offers a beautiful overlook of Jenny Lake. While the hike to Inspiration Point from the falls isn’t very far, it does involve a pretty steep incline. Alternatively, you can continue further into Cascade Canyon, which leads into the Teton Range. I only explored a short distance into the canyon, but from what I saw, it promises to be an incredible hike. I definitely plan to explore more of this canyon on my next visit.
Schwabacher Landing
The Tetons are truly magnificent, but this particular view of the towering mountains was my absolute favorite. This particular trail isn’t much of a hike, it is more of an easy walk. Less than 500 yards from the parking lot, you’ll reach a beaver dam where you can enjoy excellent views of the mountains. This trail is also a popular place to see wildlife, especially in the morning hours. We went before 10 am and spotted a moose feeding in the river, which came quite close to the trail. The moose stayed around for about 15-30 minutes. The combination of wildlife and the awesome views of the mountain made this one of my favorite spots in the national park.
Two Ocean Lake
This particular hike is off the beaten path, requiring a drive on a dirt road to reach it. However, like almost everything else in this national park, it’s worth the effort. The trailhead offers multiple hikes, each having a different difficulty level, pick the best one for your group.
The hike we chose was a 6.4-mile loop around the lake. We only completed about two miles before turning back for a couple of reasons. The bugs, especially mosquitoes, were relentless, and we hadn’t brought any bug spray since we weren’t aware of the situation beforehand. Additionally, it started raining. If we had been prepared with bug spray and better weather gear, we would have completed the full loop around the lake to fully enjoy the scenic hike.
This trailhead is in bear territory, so it’s important to be watchful and bring bear spray. We saw lots of signs of bears on the hike, like tracks and tree bark scraped by what looked like a bear or another big animal. We also spotted wolf tracks, showing there’s plenty of wildlife around on this trail. Despite the abundance of wildlife, this trail had many wildflowers which added to the beauty of the hike.
Paddle Boarding
One of the highlights was bringing our paddle boards along—I got to experience and appreciate nature in a whole new way. Our campground was near Jackson Lake, so we carried our boards down and enjoyed some time on the crystal-clear water. The view of the Tetons from the lake was absolutely stunning!
We had an absolute blast paddleboarding on the Snake River. They provide maps showing the best places to enter based on your skill level. We opted for the beginner course, floating from Jackson Lake Dam to Pacific Creek, covering a relaxing five-mile stretch. Bringing two cars allowed us to park one at each end, which was convenient but not necessary.
While the beginner course was enjoyable, it felt a bit too slow-paced for us, given our years of paddle-boarding experience. Although we considered trying the intermediate route, it was challenging to decide which option was best. Don’t forget sunscreen, as the hot sun can easily lead to sunburn. If you’re at an intermediate or advanced skill level, there are several routes to choose from—pick the one that suits your comfort level best.
I had so much fun and can’t wait to do it again next time!
Driving
This national park covers a vast area, offering plenty of sights and wildlife to explore. One of my favorite ways to experience the park was by driving, especially on rainy days or in the evenings when hiking wasn’t ideal. During rainy spells while camping, sitting around the campsite wasn’t much fun, so we often took drives. The park’s numerous side roads led to different viewpoints, making each drive an adventure.
While driving, we kept watch for wildlife and were lucky to spot bears, moose, and elk. We were particularly eager to see Grizzly 399, the famous queen of the Tetons, but unfortunately missed her ourselves—though some in our group did catch a glimpse during their drives.
Driving became my preferred way to cover a lot of ground in the park while still enjoying its beauty and wildlife. When searching for animals, we learned to drive slower than usual and to slow down when we saw other cars pulled over, often indicating animal sightings.
Exploring the Grand Tetons was amazing, with its wide-open landscapes, diverse wildlife, and scenic drives offering endless adventures. Whether hiking, floating, or just taking in the views from the road, every moment was full of awe and wonder. It’s a place where nature’s beauty and tranquility leave a lasting impression.
Stay Safe and Happy Exploring!