Top Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park

Top 5 things to do in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming

Whether you are planning to check out Grand Teton National Park when you are in western Wyoming or are wondering if you should even add it to your itinerary, this post might come in handy. If you are a mountain person, or you like vast open landscapes, or are a National Park enthusiast, you are going to want to make sure to visit this park south of Yellowstone National Park. From iconic sights to scenic drives and great stops-along-the-way, here are the top five things to do in Grand Teton National Park, especially if you are a first-time visitor.

1. Literally ‘look around’ Jackson Hole

You have to take a good look at the topography that gives Jackson Hole its name!
(If you’re coming here from the Grand Teton travelogue/photo tour previously published on TftT, you know I’ve mentioned this earlier — let me reiterate — one of the most magical things to do here is to make a stop along the ‘outer road’ of the park, and take in that 360-degree view! You will see that you are in a valley that’s walled in by chains of mountains; you’ll see that you are in Jackson Hole!

The Tetons, Gros Ventre Range and the Absaroka Range are the main features that surround Jackson Hole. Note: This valley — a haven created by Mother Nature herself — holds the city of Jackson, a number of smaller communities, as well as Grand Teton National Park.

There are several pullouts on Hwy 26/ Hwy 89/ Hwy 191 where you can stop, step out and take in the scenery. Better still, look out the sunroof if you have one; it’s one of the best things you can do here!

2. Make a trip to historic Mormon Row

Before you leave Hwy 191, you might want to drive eastward so as to not miss Mormon Row, its historic structures, and the grand view from the area.

This quiet area with a row of houses and barns was once a thriving one known for its homesteads. Mormons from Utah arrived here in the 1890s, settled here, and built farms and farm houses, barns and an irrigation network. You can revisit a good part of that era if you make a stop here.

Another reason you are not going to want to miss this area is the photo opportunities it offers. 😉

3. Spend some time by the Glacial Lakes in the area

Jenny Lake is one of the most popular of the string of lakes at the foot of the Teton Range. You can park your car at the Jenny Lake visitor center and hit one of the trails around there to take in more of this gorgeous landscape, and the very lovely Jenny Lake that sits pretty in the forefront of the Teton Range.

Beside Jenny Lake is String Lake, and next to it, Leigh Lake. And if you’d like to take in the views from a vantage point, there’s Inspiration Point.

To get to the largest lake in the park, you’re going to have to drive a few miles north and catch sight of Jackson Lake. And while you’re there, also look out for Mt. Moran.

Important: If you are going to get onto the trails in the park, keep an eye out for the wildlife* of the area. And stay safe!

*Be extra-cautious if you’re there in spring, as there might be protective mama-bears looking out for their newly born cubs in the park’s wilderness. The week before we were there, there was an untoward incident involving a hiker and a grizzly bear, and the area was blocked off.

You might want to read up on ‘bear safety’ — https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/bearsafety.htm

4. Keep an eye on Grand Teton 

While you’re at Jenny Lake, don’t forget to look for Grand Teton, the tallest peak of the range. It also lends its name to this national park in Wyoming. Also, have fun looking for and identifying Middle and South Teton.

And if that’s not enough, look for New Perce, Mt. Owen, Teewinot Mountain, and Mount Moran. Then there’s Teton Glacier, …

And as you drive around or walk around the area, keep checking on these peaks at the heart of the range and see how they look from different angles. 

5. Hit the Grand Teton Pathway

Another great way to experience the glorious landscape of Jackson Hole and its crowning jewel, the Teton mountains, is to walk the length or part of the Grand Teton Pathway.

As you drive through the inner road/ Teton Park Road, you’ll notice a path that seems to run alongside it for miles together! This is the Grand Teton Pathway, a multi-use trail you can walk or bike on. It starts at the Moose area in the south and goes on to the Jenny Lake area, and it’s surely safer than being on the trails further inside the park, especially if you’d like to be wary of the wildlife of the area. 

Other POIs to consider stopping at:

• Snake River – You can see it from the turnouts on the outer road.
• Lupine Meadows — to catch some wildflowers in late spring/summer, and wildlife in the evenings
• Elk Ranch Flats — if you’re around here during dusk, you might be able to sight a big herd of elk here.
  
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• National Elk Refuge — This Elk Refuge is just outside the park, and you could add it to your travel plans if you would like to do a quiet, scenic drive. Note: The Elk are seasonal in the area. The refuge is also home to mountain goats.

5 Things to Know Before You Go to Grand Teton National Park

1. Grand Teton Road (the park’s inner road) is closed from November to May. (So you won’t be able to drive to this part but there might be some snow activities you could take to, if you were to visit in winter.)
2. If you are planning to take a flight into the area, you can fly into Jackson Hole Airport. The next closest airport would be the one in Bozeman, MT.
3. As for accommodation, you could stay in Jackson, the town just south of the area, or if you’d like to be closer to the park, book a vacation rental in Teton Village.
4. If you’re there in spring and you’d like to cross into Yellowstone National Park, make sure that Yellowstone’s South Entrance is open. [Or you will have to drive through Teton Pass and visit via the West Entrance (Yellowstone West, MT), which is a longer route.]
5. Be bear-safe!
   
   

Have you been to Grand Teton National Park? Do you have a favorite spot in the area that ‘we’ could visit the next time we are there? Let me know in the comments. Thank you. 🙂

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