Overview
Grand Teton National Park is Wyoming's sharpest landscape — 13,775-foot peaks that rise without preamble from a valley floor at 6,800 feet. There are no foothills. You drive across the sage-flat of Jackson Hole and the wall is just there, filling the windshield. Jenny Lake sits at the base of the range; the boat shuttle across it is the key fork in every hiking plan.
Map
Current conditions
Active alerts and closures for Grand Teton, updated daily.
Headline Hikes
19.3 mi 4,133 ft gain
The park's epic loop: 19.3 miles and 4,133 ft of gain traversing both Paintbrush Canyon and Cascade Canyon in a full circuit over Paintbrush Divide (10,700 ft). Most fit hikers treat this as a 2-day backpacker loop, but it's done in a single very long day by experienced hikers starting at the Jenny Lake boat dock. Holly Lake and Lake Solitude are both on route — two of the park's best alpine lakes in one loop.
9.4 mi 1,125 ft gain 3.9 hr
The park's premier valley-to-mountain hike: 9.4 miles into Cascade Canyon with 1,125 ft of gain, passing Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point before entering the deep glacial canyon below the Grand Teton summit. Most hikers take the Jenny Lake boat shuttle ($18 RT) to cut 2 miles off the start — decide before you go because the shuttle dock fills early in summer.
7.6 mi 2,296 ft gain
The park's most photogenic hard hike: 7.6 miles and 2,296 ft of gain to a glacial lake sitting directly below the Grand Teton's east face, with the turquoise reflection shot that defines the park's visual identity. The last 0.5 miles involves scrambling — poles help, and you need to be comfortable on loose talus.
Trail descriptions are field-tested summaries; verify current conditions and closures with NPS before hiking.
Permits & Reservations
Grand Teton's backcountry permit system handles overnight wilderness camping. Day hiking needs no permit. Advance reservations open January 3 on Recreation.gov; walk-up permits are available at Jenny Lake and Moose visitor centers the day before or day of your trip.
Reservation
Data Source: Recreation.gov
Reservation
Data Source: Recreation.gov
Permit listings sourced from the Recreation Information Database (RIDB). Confirm current dates, fees, and how to apply on Recreation.gov or at the park before you go — some permits are first-come or issued in person.
Inside the Park
The lodges actually inside Grand Teton — you wake up at the trailheads, skip the morning drive in, and stay after the day-trippers leave. They are concessioner-run, seasonal, and book months ahead; you are paying for where you sleep, not always for the room itself, so check each one's real rating below.
In-park lodge
Inside the park, above Jackson Lake
Season Seasonal — roughly mid-May to early October.
The big mid-century lodge whose two-story lounge window frames the Teton range across Willow Flats — the classic Grand Teton base, with pool, dining, and ranger talks. Most rooms are in detached motor-lodge blocks rather than the main building; book a Teton-view room or you're paying lodge rates for a parking-lot view.
Booked direct through the park concessioner (Grand Teton Lodge Company). Not an affiliate link.
In-park lodge
Inside the park, near Jenny Lake
Season Seasonal — roughly early June to early October; very small, books out far ahead.
A dozen-odd cabins tucked under the Tetons near Jenny Lake — the splurge, with breakfast, dinner, horseback riding, and bikes included in the rate. The most highly rated stay in the park; quiet, intimate, and priced accordingly.
Booked direct through the park concessioner (Grand Teton Lodge Company). Not an affiliate link.
In-park lodge
Inside the park, on Jackson Lake
Season Seasonal — roughly early May to mid-October.
Lakeshore cabins and rooms right on Jackson Lake with a marina, two restaurants, and the only in-park fuel — more relaxed and a notch friendlier on price than the grand lodges, and just as well rated. The lakefront retreats are the rooms to ask for.
Booked direct through the park concessioner (Forever Resorts). Not an affiliate link.
In-park lodge
Inside the park, near Colter Bay marina
Season Seasonal — roughly late May to late September.
Log cabins and canvas tent cabins clustered near the Colter Bay marina and swimming beach — the family and value base inside the park, with a store, laundry, and trails from the door. The cabins range from snug to roomy; it's practical rather than plush.
Booked direct through the park concessioner (Grand Teton Lodge Company). Not an affiliate link.
In-park lodge
Between Grand Teton and Yellowstone (Rockefeller Parkway)
Season Seasonal — roughly early June to late September.
Cabins on the parkway between Grand Teton and Yellowstone — the spot to book if you're splitting a trip across both parks and want to wake up between them. It's a remote roadside base; rooms are simple cabins and reviewers rate it solid-but-basic, not a destination in itself.
Booked direct through the park concessioner (Grand Teton Lodge Company). Not an affiliate link.
In-park lodges book direct through the park concessioner unless a booking partner carries real availability. Rooms are limited and release on a fixed window — reserve early.
Where to Stay
Jackson is both the commercial hub and the cultural destination — restaurants, nightlife, the airport, and the ski mountain. Teton Valley on the Idaho side is quieter and lower-priced but requires crossing Teton Pass (8,431 ft). The 7 current Teton Valley entries are being re-sourced via LiteAPI for correct property details.
Hotel / inn
Jackson
Season
A highly-rated inn a block off the Town Square on North Cache — free parking, a free airport shuttle, and a walkable downtown location for under the boutique price tier. The strongest balance of location, rating, and price among Jackson's in-town stays.
Top pick for jackson town access
Booking.com via CJ Affiliate. Property data: LiteAPI + Booking.com. Prices indicative; vary by date.
Hotel / inn
Jackson
Season
A 4-star boutique hotel right on the Town Square in downtown Jackson — leather-and-timber rooms, a courtyard, and a strong on-site restaurant. The most polished stay in the walkable core, steps from dining and galleries, and a ~30–40 minute drive up to the Moose entrance.
Top pick for comfort-first travelers
Booking.com via CJ Affiliate. Property data: LiteAPI + Booking.com. Prices indicative; vary by date.
Hotel / inn
Jackson
Season
An 8.5-rated inn two blocks off the Town Square with an indoor pool, sauna, free parking, and free breakfast — an antiques-furnished, quietly comfortable base downtown without the boutique price. Walkable to dining and a short drive to the park.
Top pick for value road-trippers
Booking.com via CJ Affiliate. Property data: LiteAPI + Booking.com. Prices indicative; vary by date.
Hotel / inn
Jackson
Season
A reliable Marriott all-suites property a few blocks south of the Town Square — year-round outdoor pool, hot tub, and the predictable chain quality some travelers want, with downtown still walkable. A no-surprises comfort base on the south side of Jackson, close to the park road.
Booking.com via CJ Affiliate. Property data: LiteAPI + Booking.com. Prices indicative; vary by date.
In-park lodges book direct through the concessioner; gateway-town stays surface through partner search.
Where to Base
Most visitors base in Jackson and drive north into the park. Teton Valley is the quieter, Idaho-side alternative for visitors who don't mind the mountain pass — good when Jackson is booked or priced out.
West slope approach
Jackson Hole base camp
Multi-day routes
The multi-day and big-commitment routes that take real planning — sequenced stop by stop, with the logistics and the bail plan answered before you go.
Camping
Grand Teton has several campgrounds inside the park, all booking through Recreation.gov. Colter Bay and Signal Mountain fill fast in summer — book as early as your window allows.
In-park · Frontcountry
A big, full-service base near Jackson Lake with showers and laundry — best for families wanting amenities and lake access; reserve up to six months out.
Data Source: Recreation.gov
You'll be redirected to Recreation.gov
In-park · Frontcountry
Overnight boat moorage at the Colter Bay marina on Jackson Lake — for boaters, not a drive-in campsite; reserve through the lodge company.
Data Source: Recreation.gov
You'll be redirected to Recreation.gov
In-park · RV Camp
The park's only full-hookup RV park — pull-through sites for RVers who need hookups, not a dry tent campground; reserve up to six months out.
Data Source: Recreation.gov
You'll be redirected to Recreation.gov
In-park · Frontcountry
Colter Bay's canvas tent cabins — a roofed step up from a tent, by the marina, store, and showers; books on the six-month window.
Data Source: Recreation.gov
You'll be redirected to Recreation.gov
In-park · Frontcountry
The park's biggest campground and longest season, on the quieter southeast side away from the lakes — best for large rigs, groups, and shoulder-season trips.
Data Source: Recreation.gov
You'll be redirected to Recreation.gov
In-park · Frontcountry
On the parkway between Grand Teton and Yellowstone, with full-hookup sites and cabins — the base for splitting a trip between both parks.
Data Source: Recreation.gov
You'll be redirected to Recreation.gov
In-park · Frontcountry
The most coveted spot in the park — small and tents-only, right at the foot of the Tetons; it books out the instant the six-month window opens.
Data Source: Recreation.gov
You'll be redirected to Recreation.gov
In-park · Frontcountry
The most remote, least developed campground at the far north end of Jackson Lake — for solitude over amenities, and the shortest, latest season.
Data Source: Recreation.gov
You'll be redirected to Recreation.gov
In-park · Frontcountry
On Jackson Lake near the Signal Mountain marina with showers and laundry, but a tighter 30-foot length limit — best for lake access in rigs under 30 feet.
Data Source: Recreation.gov
You'll be redirected to Recreation.gov
Campground listings sourced from the Recreation Information Database (RIDB). Recreation.gov is the only authorized booking site — confirm fees, dates, and site counts there before reserving.
Experiences
The Snake River float is the park's signature guided experience — a calm-water drift through the cottonwoods with the Tetons as backdrop. Wildlife safaris (bison, moose, bears) fill the morning prime time. 9 Viator-sourced experiences below.
half-day-tours
The park's signature guided experience: a 4-hour, 13-mile scenic float on the Snake River through Grand Teton National Park — the highest-rated experience in the dataset (4.97, 274 reviews) and the one activity locals recommend to every visitor. The river corridor gives you unobstructed Teton views, bald eagle sightings, and a pace that's impossible to replicate from the road.
Good for
Experience powered by Viator.
River rafting
A 2.5-hour scenic float through the park on the Snake River — calm water, Teton Range backdrop, and wildlife (osprey, bald eagles, river otters) at water level. Not whitewater; this is a wildlife-and-scenery drift that shows you a side of the park inaccessible from trails. 4.95 rating on early reviews.
Good for
Experience powered by Viator.
private-sightseeing-tours
A private 4-hour tour for up to 9 guests — the guide sets the itinerary around your interests, whether that's photography, wildlife, or hitting specific viewpoints at your own pace. At $863+ it's priced for groups, where the per-head cost comes close to the group shared-van tours but without any strangers.
Experience powered by Viator.
Getting There
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is the only commercial airport inside a national park — 10 minutes from the south entrance. Salt Lake City is the main drive option; Idaho Falls comes in over Teton Pass from the west.
Jackson, WY 30m
via US-26/89/191 N
Main southern approach. South entrance at Moose is the primary gateway to Jenny Lake and most trails.
Salt Lake City, UT 4h 30m
via I-15 N + US-26 + US-89
Long freeway run into Jackson, then north to the park. Allow time for Jackson traffic in peak season.
Idaho Falls, ID 1h 45m
via US-26 E over Teton Pass
West slope approach via Teton Valley (Driggs/Victor). Teton Pass is 8,431 ft — check road conditions in spring and fall.
Yellowstone South Entrance 10m
via US-89/191/287 S
Yellowstone is the park immediately to the north — the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway connects both parks. Combined visits are common.
South Entrance (Moose)
The main entrance on US-26/89/191 near Moose Visitor Center. Reaches Jenny Lake, the scenic loop road, and most trailheads. Drive-in only; no shuttle.
Best for Jenny Lake, Cascade Canyon, Hidden Falls, Snake River float put-ins
Moran Entrance (US-26/287)
The northeast entrance near Moran Junction, five miles south of Yellowstone's connecting road. Used for Jackson Lake Lodge, Colter Bay, and Oxbow Bend; the northern approach skips Jackson traffic.
Best for Jackson Lake, Colter Bay, Oxbow Bend wildlife, northbound Yellowstone day trips
Granite Canyon Entrance (Teton Park Road)
The southern entrance to the inner Teton Park Road, the scenic loop that runs between the highway and the base of the range. Direct trailhead access south of Jenny Lake.
Best for Death Canyon trailhead, Phelps Lake, the southern Teton Park Road without Jackson traffic
John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway (→ Yellowstone)
The federal corridor that links Grand Teton's north end to Yellowstone's South Entrance, running past Flagg Ranch and the Snake River headwaters. This is how you drive the two parks as one trip — no separate gate, but the road north of Flagg Ranch closes in winter.
Season Open to cars roughly May–early November; closed in winter (groomed for oversnow travel)
Best for Pairing Grand Teton with Yellowstone in a single drive
Sightseeing
The Tetons' best views range from roadside pullouts (Schwabacher Landing at dawn, Oxbow Bend for reflections) to lake-level lookouts and high ridge panoramas. Each entry below includes best light and how far you need to walk.
Roadside Pullout
Roadside pullout facing the southern Teton Range — Buck Mountain, Static Peak, and Albright Peak — with Death Canyon visible cutting deep into the range to the south.
Best at sunrise
Overlook
Site of one of Jackson Hole's first dude ranches (1912); preserved historic cabins and corrals on the Snake River's west bank, accessed by boat across Jenny Lake or a 2-mile hike.
Overlook
Roadside pull with a layered landscape — ponds and wetlands, sagebrush flats, conifer moraines, and the Teton Range — particularly vivid at sunrise.
Best at sunrise
Overlook
Historic Manges homestead cabin set against golden aspens and the Grand Teton in the background — one of the best fall color foreground shots in the park.
Roadside Pullout
Open valley pullout where the Teton Range rises abruptly with the Middle Teton and Teton glaciers visible on the northeast flanks; best at sunrise.
Best at sunrise
Overlook
Rocky ledge 420 feet above Jenny Lake reached by hiking through Hidden Falls; panoramic views stretch to the Yellowstone Plateau, the Absaroka Range, and the Snake River Range to the south.
Overlook
View of the 1916 concrete dam that raised Jackson Lake 39 feet; the drowned forest snags along the shoreline are a visible record of the flooding.
Overlook
Roadside pull on US-89/191/287 where the highway hugs the eastern shore of Jackson Lake, with Mt. Moran and a patchwork of burned forest across the water.
Overlook
Short walk to the top of Signal Mountain, 1,000 feet above the valley — the park's highest drivable point, with views spanning the Teton, Gros Ventre, Absaroka, and Yellowstone Plateau ranges.
Overlook
Classic Teton reflection shot across Jenny Lake toward Cascade Canyon; the most photographed view in the park, best at sunrise before the crowds arrive.
Best at sunrise
Overlook
Clear mountain stream flowing south from Phelps Lake through a valley accessible to visitors of all abilities; shockingly cold even in summer.
Overlook
Roadside pull with a sweeping view — elk meadows, beaver ponds, Jackson Lake, and the Teton Range — one of the park's best wildlife overlooks; grizzlies and sandhill cranes are regulars.
Roadside Pullout
A row of weathered homestead barns and cabins on Antelope Flats, settled by Mormon pioneers in the early 1900s, and the foreground for one of the most photographed views in the park — the T.A. Moulton Barn with the Teton Range rising behind it. Dirt pullouts along Antelope Flats and Mormon Row roads put you right at the barns. Come at sunrise for warm light on the peaks; the dirt roads turn to mud after rain or snow.
Best at sunrise
Roadside Pullout
Roadside pullout where the central Teton Range fills the skyline; close-up views of the Cathedral Group explain why this fault-block uplift is one of the steepest in the Rockies.
Best at sunrise
Overlook
Viewpoint at the south end of Jenny Lake where the outlet stream begins; Teton Range reflections and indigenous history interpretation panels.
Roadside Pullout
A wide bend in the Snake River below Mount Moran, and one of the park's best wildlife-and-reflection stops — a roadside turnout on US-89/191 just east of Jackson Lake Junction. On a still morning Mount Moran mirrors in the slow water; moose, otters, beavers, and pelicans work the channel, and in fall the cottonwoods turn gold. Bring a long lens and come early.
Best at sunrise
Overlook
Former 1923 sawmill site now rewilded as a beaver and moose wetland near Moose; dawn and dusk bring the most wildlife activity against the Teton backdrop.
Overlook
Ansel Adams shot the definitive image of the American West from roughly here — the Snake River sweeping across sagebrush flats below the full Teton Range; come at sunrise.
Best at sunrise
Overlook
Jenny Lake shoreline overlook with Teewinot Mountain (12,325 ft) dominating the foreground — one of the most glacially dramatic close-up views in the park.
Best at sunrise
Roadside Pullout
Roadside pullout on Teton Park Road with close-up views of the Cathedral Group — Grand, Middle, and South Teton — rising abruptly from the glacially carved valley floor.
Best at sunrise
Overlook
Slightly elevated version of the willow flats view — Jackson Lake, the Teton Range, and wildlife-rich wetlands below; best in early morning light.
Roadside Pullout
First major Teton view climbing out of the Moose Entrance, with parking for multi-use pathway users; bull elk bugle here at dusk in fall.
Best at sunrise
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Summer & early fall. Wildflowers peak in early summer and elk rut draws fall visitors; high trails hold snow late.
Plan Your Trip
Sweet spot
Late June – mid-September
High trails clear of snow, wildflowers at peak in early July, temperatures mild at elevation. Jenny Lake boat shuttle runs; all visitor services open.
Fall color + elk rut
Late September – mid-October
Aspens turn gold, elk bugle in the valleys, and crowds thin after Labor Day. Nights get cold; some high trails may reclose if early snow hits.
Shoulder (spring)
May – early June
Wildlife very active (bears emerging, bison calves). High trails still snow-covered; Jenny Lake shuttle not yet running. Valley access open but plan around trail conditions.
Backcountry permit
Required for all overnight backcountry camping in Grand Teton. Half of backcountry sites can be reserved via Recreation.gov beginning January 3; the remaining half are available walk-up at the Jenny Lake or Moose visitor centers.
Application window Jan 3 reservations open (Recreation.gov) + walk-up day-of
Recreation.gov handles advance backcountry reservations. Day hiking in Grand Teton requires no permit — the permit system applies to overnight wilderness camping only.
What to Pack
The short list for a Grand Teton day on trail — bear spray is non-negotiable, layers are the other constant.
Packs
Whether you're bagging peaks or on a bikepacking adventure, the men's Osprey Talon 22 pack is the ideal solution for toting all the gear you need while keeping you comfortable for the long haul.
Why it matters Carries water, snacks, and layers for a full day on trail with a comfortable hipbelt.
Footwear
Take on urban landscapes in the Merrell Moab 3 Lux shoes. These hiking shoes use full-grain leather for a traditional look that doesn't lack support.
Why it matters Grippy, broken-in-comfortable boots with a wide toe box for mixed park terrain.
Footwear
Keep confidence underfoot. With excellent grip and the same reassuring comfort as the original, the men's Salomon Speedcross 6 trail-running shoes offer a powerful connection to the trails.
Why it matters Lighter than boots for fast, dry-trail days; many hikers prefer them.
Safety
Balancing comfort and reliability, the 3-piece-adjustable Black Diamond Trail trekking poles have updated EVA foam grips and plush straps for added security and improved handling on the trail.
Why it matters Save your knees on descents and steady you across stream crossings like the Narrows.
Water
With high-flow hydration and an on/off lever at the bite valve that makes it easy to prevent leaks, there's a lot to like about like the CamelBak Crux Crux 2-liter reservoir.
Why it matters Drink hands-free on the move so you actually stay hydrated in the heat.
Water
Stay refreshed and hydrated wherever you wander with a 32 fl. oz. Hydro Flask Wide-Mouth insulated water bottle equipped with a leakproof Flex Straw cap and 24-hour insulation.
Why it matters Keeps water cold all day; the most-used item in any park daypack.
Prices and stock change often — confirm the current price with the retailer before buying.
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