Grand Teton National Park, located in Wyoming, is a breathtaking destination known for its towering peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and abundant wildlife. Dominated by the jagged Teton Range, the park offers visitors a stunning mix of rugged mountain landscapes, lush forests, and serene valleys. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy endless activities, from hiking and boating to wildlife spotting and photography, with the iconic Jackson Hole valley as a backdrop. Whether you’re seeking adventure or simply want to soak in the park’s natural beauty, the Tetons and all the top highlights are a must-visit for anyone exploring the American West.
The staggering Teton peaks are nothing short of awe-inspiring, and a full day in Grand Teton National Park provides the perfect amount of time to experience its most iconic highlights. If you really enjoy hiking, you could easily spend a few days here; however, a single day affords you the time to capture the essence of the Tetons without feeling rushed.
Fast Facts About GrAND TETON National Park
Size: 310,000 acres
Visitors: 3,417,106 visitors (data from 2023)
Closest Airport: Jackson Hole Airport — this is the only commercial airport located entirely within a National Park (in the US)
Became a National Park: in 1929 by an Act of Congress
Highest point: 13,770 feet at the peak of Grand Teton mountain
Fun Fact: the coldest temperature recorded in the park was a whopping -63°F! Brrrrrr!
We recently moved from Wisconsin to Oregon, and instead of driving straight through, we decided to make a road trip out of it! We stopped at the Badlands, Custer State Park, and Yellowstone, but the views of the Tetons might have just been the most astounding. Xavier kept us humble by sleeping through all of the breathtaking views.
‘Twas the Night Before
There are loads of accommodation options when you’re visiting the Tetons because Jackson is close enough that it makes for a convenient base camp. The only thing more convenient? Staying in the park! In-park accommodations tend to either be very economical (camping) or a little on the spendy side (lodge living). Either way you have lots of options to choose from— you can explore them all below. It’s worth noting, both camping and the lodges will fill up quickly. If you know this is where you want to stay, book sooner rather than later!
Camping
- Jenny Lake Campground
- Signal Mountain Campground
- Colter Bay Campground
- Gros Ventre Campground
- Lizard Creek Campground
Lodges
- Jenny Lake Lodge
- Jackson Lake Lodge
- American Alpine Club Grand Teton Climbers’ Ranch
- Colter Bay Cabins
- Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch
- Signal Mountain Lodge
- Triangle X Ranch
THE DAY
Get ready for an action packed day! The below order of stops is loosely organized around starting your day in Jackson; however, the stops can be re-organized however it makes sense for your diving plan! Get ready for a couple of gorgeous hikes, a handful of postcard-worthy viewpoints, and a dreamy relaxation spot to end the day!
Driving the loop as detailed below takes right around two hours total. This really flies by when you’re popping out for different stops along the way! You can see the stops from a bird’s eye view below.
Mormon Row
Mormon Row is a fantastic sunrise spot due to its iconic views of the Teton Range, with the historic barns of Mormon Row in the foreground. As the sun rises, it bathes the mountains in soft, golden light, creating a breathtaking contrast between the rugged peaks and the pastoral setting. The weathered barns are remnants of early Mormon settlers, and they add a unique and photogenic element to the scene. The calm morning air, wildlife activity, and serene atmosphere make sunrise at Mormon Row a magical experience. Just be aware, this is by no means an “underrated” sunrise spot…. you will be one of many photographers, so if you’re committed to the shot, you’ll want to arrive early!
Jenny Lake
Nestled at the base of the Teton Range, the crystal-clear waters of Jenny Lake reflect the towering peaks, creating picture-perfect views. This is arguably the most popular spot in the park, so even if you aren’t up to catch the sunrise, you should plan to head here first! The lake itself is serene and beautiful, but it also serves as a gateway to some of the park’s most-hiked trails: Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Its accessibility and breathtaking surroundings make it a must-visit spot in the Tetons.
Spending a full day in the Tetons means you have time for a couple hikes. While you can hike around Jenny Lake to get to the Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls trailhead, the boat ride there is rather scenic. It’s also helpful for the economy of time on an action-packed day. Clocking in around 2 miles, this is a perfect way to start the day, without feeling too overwhelming. Hidden Falls is certainly worth stopping at, but the views from Inspiration Point are the crown jewel of this boating and hiking extravaganza.
Boats depart every 10-15 minutes, running continuously throughout the day. They don’t take reservations, you simply pay upon arrival and hop on the boat. Pricing can be found here.
Be Bear Aware: If you already own bear spray don’t forget to pack it, and if you don’t own some, STRONGLY consider either renting or purchasing some. Bear sightings are not uncommon in Grand Teton National Park— especially when out hiking. The hikes included in this itinerary are well trafficked enough by other people, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Taggart Lake
Now, the Inspiration Point trail is a really beautiful and amazing experience, but you end up with an awesome view of the lake… you don’t really have a view of the Tetons. For that reason, we feel you need to do at least one other hike to fully take in the Tetons.
We LOVED the Taggart Lake hike! Since we’d already trekked a bit at Jenny Lake, the sub-500 feet of elevation and just-over-3.5 mile length was welcome. Plus the views of the lake were absolutely gorgeous— pictures don’t quite do it justice. This is the kind of spot where you wouldn’t be sad to pack a snack and a sparkling water, and just hang out for a bit, taking it in before you head back! We felt this was a perfect compliment to the Inspiration Point hike– different enough that you get two unique hiking experiences in the park.
To save a little time/distance, you could treat this trail as an out and back instead of a loop… it might shave off half a mile or so. If you have a bit extra time, you can keep stepping to Bradley Lake and hit both! As an alternate option, the trailhead for Delta Lake isn’t far; however, this trail, while beautiful, might be a bit much (~8 miles + >2,ooo ft elevation) for a one-day itinerary.
Schwabacher Landing
Schwabacher Landing provides the most picturesque views of the Teton Range, reflected in the calm waters of the Snake River. This requires a short walk from the parking lot, making it fun to stop at different points along the path, to find your perfect shot.
Snake River Overlook
This overlook provides panoramic views of the Snake River winding through the valley with the Teton Range as a majestic backdrop, perfect for scenic photos and iconic landscapes. The juxtaposition of the river against the mountains makes this a must-stop!
Colter Bay Lakeshore
Located along Jackson Lake, Colter Bay offers serene views of the Tetons. There’s no bad viewpoints in the Tetons, but I think this one just might be the best. There’s also recreational opportunities like boating and kayaking, and easy access to nature trails, making it as picturesque as it is family friendly.
While the fun activities might not make the agenda with only one day in the park, it’s worth grabbing a beer at Leek’s Marina & Pizzeria. While the views here are truly incredible, the pizza….. was not. Perhaps we came on an off day, but alas, can’t say we recommend the pizza– the beer was good though!
A bit farther south, the Trapper Grill sits on Lake Jackson. We didn’t stop here, but the menu seems solid, and the views look sublime! Even if you don’t grab lunch or dinner at the Trapper Grill, the Signal Mountain Lodge General Store is right next door, which makes for a convenient spot to grab some lakeshore relaxation snacks.
String Lake & Leigh Lake
To round out the loop around the park, head back down to String Lake and Leigh Lake. This area is a bit of an underrated gem, and it’s the perfect place to wind down. This is by no means a secret spot, but we were so enchanted with how cozy this area was. There are loads of little alcove ‘nooks’ along the lake, with a bench and small sandy beach area. There’s also a scenic walking path between String Lake and Leigh Lake if you are looking for one final stroll to end the day.
Grand Teton National Park is amazing because you can appreciate the staggering beauty of the park by just driving through it. The more you have time to explore the more immersive the experience becomes, but you truly can spend a full day in the park and leave feeling satisfied with the sights, sounds, and experiences. This is a park we are already excited to come back to!
While we just have the one little peanut, our friends over at Plan More Adventures tackled a Yellowstone and Tetons trip with three kiddos. You can check it out here. We hope you have a lovely adventure— happy travels!
written by Hannah
Hannah traded the warm beaches of southwest FL for the outdoor adventure locale that is Bend, OR. Despite the distance, Hannah maintains her bossy big sister role with regular phone calls to keep up with all the little sister shenanigans. Notoriously chatty with her patients as well, Hannah stays busy as a physical therapist, but loves making time to explore newfound hikes. These days she has some extra pack weight; however, Xavier is notorious for being unimpressed by sweeping vistas.
