Hey there! Are you ready to experience the soaring mountain peaks, abundant wildlife, and gorgeous vistas of Grand Teton National Park?!
This park is a hiker’s paradise — it offers up some of the best alpine scenery in the world accessible by a series of phenomenal trails. And at nearly 14,000 feet, the jagged peak of the Grand Teton watches over the valley in great majesty, ushering in a feeling of reverence and awe.
There is so much to do. You may have already looked at a map and felt a little overwhelmed — and eager — to make sure you don’t miss the best sights.
I’m a former park ranger, and I’ll help you plan your vacation down to the details. I’ve extensively explored Grand Teton and am here to help….in fact, I actually lived and worked as a ranger in this park!
Whether this is your first time to the Tetons, or if you are returning after many years and would like to be reintroduced to the park, this list of 12 things is for you.
What You Need to Know About Grand Teton National Park
- Don’t miss out on anything during your trip! For the best experience, get an early start to your day and have a solid plan — like this detailed itinerary.
- You’ll find numerous lodging options within the park, as well as in the nearby resort town of Jackson. The park also has six front-country campgrounds that you can learn more about here.
- The Teton Park Road is closed from Nov. 1 – Apr. 30 and many park amenities follow the same schedule. Check the official NPS site for information on seasonal opening and closing dates.
- Along those same lines, hiking trails in the higher elevations are often snow-covered until mid-late June. If you are planning on hiking into the canyons, it is prudent to first check the trail conditions to see if an ice ax or other safety equipment is necessary for safe passage.
- Numerous hiking trails converge and overlap in this park, so you don’t want to be caught hiking without a map. This is the map I use and recommend for Grand Teton National Park.
Traffic and crowding in Grand Teton can be terrible.
Did you know that it’s common to get stuck in traffic for an hour or more just trying to enter the park or get parking at trailheads?
Are you hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people?
Stay ahead of the crowds with this Grand Teton Itinerary. You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
I’ll make sure that you don’t miss the sights that make this park so famous, but I also want to provide a few treasures that are off-the-beaten-path as well. Let the adventure begin!
Click NEXT to see my list of 12 things you can’t miss on your first visit to Grand Teton.
This post may contain affiliate links. Dirt In My Shoes gets paid a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you purchase from these links. Thanks for your support!
Hi Ash,
We are taking a family road trip to Idaho at Thanksgiving. I am thinking of making a stop in Grand Teton NP, but not sure it will be worth it at the end of November. It is probably too early to take advantage of any snow sports (snowshoeing, cross country skiing, etc.) and is obviously too late to enjoy the fall activities. Is there anything we can do in the park at the end of November? Any open hiking trails or scenic drives, etc.?
Thanks
Monica
Hey Monica! I never turn down a chance to visit Grand Teton :) The valley trails will likely be accessible (Taggart Lake, Jenny Lake, Leigh Lake, etc.) And the outer park highway is open year-round, so you can see viewpoints like the Snake River Overlook and Oxbow Bend. And Jackson is fun year-round too!
Thanks Ash!
The last time I was there was in early Spring, so I am hoping to get there one of these days during the climbing season or at least when I can get in some more advanced hiking, but I agree, we shouldn’t turn down a chance to see those amazing mountains. Hopefully I can extend our road trip and get a day in at Grand Teton and Jackson Hole.
Monica
I hope you’re able to swing it! We usually go once during the winter, once during the summer, and once during the fall each year haha!
Hi Ash!
Your articles are all super helpful. Thanks you so much!! Quick questions — Do we need to carry bear spray when hiking in YS and GT? Can bear spray be purchased in the park?
Yes, I would! You can rent or purchase in the towns around those parks. Or they do have a rental kiosk at Canyon Village in Yellowstone.
Ash,
First time visitors in August, working on detailed plans now. We only have 1-1/2 days in GTNP and 2 days in Yellowstone, and are staying in AirBnBs outside the parks each day. Is it worth purchasing your 3 or 4 day itineraries so I can get the most detailed ideas on what places are MUST SEE for us? Or should I just pick from the list of Top 12 places you list here on your site? We recognize the crowds will be huge and we want to minimize our waiting as much as possible.
Hey Chris! The itineraries will definitely help with the crowding in the parks no matter how long you are visiting. But I would get the itinerary that best matches the number of days you’ll be in the park for the best results. Have fun!
Thank you for the great advice and pictures. My girlfriends and I are doing a 5-day backpacking trip this July. Any recommendations on transportation between trailheads? We are looking to get from String Lake trailhead back to Teton village where our car will be located.
Fun! Take a look at Teton Mountain Taxi if you won’t have 2 vehicles or someone to pick you up.
Do you give itineraries on a 4 full day stay in Yellowstone and. 4 day stay in the Tetons. We will be staying at the Snake River RV and cabins 10 min from Jackson and in Yellowstone will be staying at Grizzly RV Park on the West entrance. Coming into the park from the south entrance. We have one day planned for white water rafting on the snake River. We will be coming July 1-5 in Jackson and 5-9 in Yellowstone
I have a 4-day itinerary for Yellowstone and a 3-day itinerary for Grand Teton. That will cover all of the can’t-miss areas of the parks so that you don’t miss anything! The itineraries will work really well with your lodging choices as well. Enjoy!
We climbed the mtn. up inspiration point years ago. Would love to see a picture of that mountain in a distance! Thanks!
Of course. I’m glad you enjoyed your time in the Tetons!
I didn’t see any mention of Ox Bow Bend – gorgeous at sunrise and great for wildlife.
It’s in there — #11!
When is the best time to get mirror image of the Tetons on the lake?
Usually early mornings before the winds kick up!
We are planning a 7 day trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton followed by 4 day trip to Badlands. Do you have any discounts if you purchase multiple itineraries?
Thanks, Sally Palmer
Hey Sally! Please email me at ash(at)dirtinmyshoes(dot)com to discuss!
Are all of these hikes well travelled? I am hoping to solo travel this summer and read that the GTNP does not recommend any solo hiking. I have done hiking in Zion, Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, Grand Canyon, and Bryce Canyon. I feel that my hikes in Arches and Grand Escalante were the hardest because the trails were not well marked. Are the ones your recommend well marked? Will carry bear spray. Any advice appreciated!
These main trails in Grand Teton are well-marked…nothing like the cairn-following that is required in the red rock parks :)
Hi there!
Thank you for all the amazing information and I was wondering if I could pick your brain about something. My boyfriend and I will be going to the Grand Tetons in August and we don’t have any permits. We are really interested in doing the 48-mile (almost) loop from Taggart Lake Trial Head to Jenny Lake Visitor Center . We have read that you can get permits from the rangers if you go early in the morning first come/first serve. What I don’t quite understand though is will the rangers issue us permits so that we could do the loop —like issue permits for nights 1-4, at the incremental sites, at one time? Or what would be our best approach for making the loop hike possible on the first come/first basis?
Thank you so much for your help!
Aloha,
Caitlin
They’ll issue you permits for your whole backpacking trip. Be sure to have a good idea of where you want to camp each night before you stand in line for permits. Good luck!
Thank you SO MUCH for the info!
Aloha,
Caitlin
Ash
We purchased an itinerary several hours ago. We were charged immediately but no itinerary…can you fix that?
Hey Lisa,
It looks like your email address has a small typo and so the email with your itinerary didn’t go through. Please message me at ash(at)dirtinmyshoes(dot)com and let me know what the correct email address is and I’ll resend it!
Ash
Hi Ash,
First time traveler to Yellow Stone. I and my family have a YS trip coming up next month in July. We will be traveling from 12th-17th. 4 full days of stay in Jackson Hole, WY. There’s 3 toddlers between the age of 1-6 going with us, so hikes are definitely out of the question. Our goal is to hit the scenic spots. Any recommendations for absolute must see spots? And among those spots, which one we should hit first?
We will be staying 5 miles from Teton National Park.
Thank you,
Hey Drew,
I have itineraries for both Grand Teton and Yellowstone here: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-park-trip-itineraries/ They contain my suggestions for things not to miss/tips and tricks/timing to miss the crowds, etc. Have a great trip!
Ash
Hi Drew! I’m looking to do a trip with a 4 and 2 year old this summer. Do you have any suggestions or advice? I’m having trouble nailing down which parks make the most sense to visit as these ages. Thanks.
You’ll like this article about my favorite parks for toddlers and young kids!
We did the hike down the Death Canyon trail down to Phelps Lake. There is a big rock about a mile from where the trail meets the lake that is good for jumping off of (maybe not for kids). Great hike, saw deer, black and brown bears!
Yeah that jumping rock is a lot of fun…glad you found it and had a great time!
We are doing 6 nights in Yellowstone (late May). We would like to do a bit of Grand Tetons before or after trip. We don’t know if we want to give the Tetons one day or two. Which itinerary should we get – do we need both one-day and two-day itineraries? Thanks!
Hey Diana,
The schedule changes based on the amount of time you have, so if you’re thinking you’ll be there for 1.5-2 days I’d go with the 2-day itinerary. But if you’re pretty sure you’ll just have one day, then the 1-day will be the most useful for you. Please let me know if I can answer any questions for you if you need help deciding on the timeline. Have a great day!
Ash
My husband and I are planning our first trip to the area in early October! Is that a good time to visit? Less crowded?
Yeah, and definitely less crowded! The crisp air and bugling elk….so awesome. Just plan for a snow storm or two :)
We always take our trip out there in September because it’s way less crowded. In fact we will be there in 2 weeks. Can’t wait!
Have fun!
We are planning a family vacation with our 2 sons (25 and 27) and daughter in law and 8 month old grand baby. We will be driving a motorhome.
Can you provide me with info on where there is parking access for RVs and places we definitely wouldn’t be able to go? There are several places I’m considering in the Tetons and want to make sure we can access them.
Thanks!
How long is your motorhome?
Love this, especially your section on getting there, We have very limited time in GTNP and will enter from Moose. Other than Antelope Flats and Mormon row should we do the east side of the loop.
If you want really good Teton views, I think that Schwabacher’s Landing and the Snake River Overlook are must-do’s. Of course, it depends on what else is on your list and how much time you have…but the views from those stops are just AWESOME!
Hi! I love your page, such helpful info! We are about to go on our very first trip to visit the national parks and I’ve been trying to figure out where exactly I can buy an America the Beautiful Pass. GTNP is our first stop. The website say I can buy this pass in GTNP, but where do I go? Do they sell them at Moran entrance? Or at the Jenny Lake visitor center? We are going to be driving into the park around around 6:30am to try to get a campsite at Jenny Lake. Will the place to buy the pass be open that early? Thank you so much for your help!
You’ll get the pass at any entrance station in Grand Teton! If you get into the park before the entrance stations open up, then you can just drive on in to get your campsite and then the next time you go through an entrance you can buy your pass. They don’t sell them at the Visitor Centers so it’s just whenever the entrance stations are staffed.
Have fun!!
Thanks for the great article!! I’m trying to chose between either hiking paintbrush canyon to Holly Lake or Cascade Canyon to Lake solitude. We don’t want to do the whole loop, but don’t have time to do both. Which one is your favorite?
That’s a hard one! But generally I suggest Cascade to Lake Solitude first if you can only do one. Both are amazing, but you can’t beat the Grand Teton views on the North Fork Cascade Trail and at the lake. It’s a fabulous way to enjoy the Tetons!
This is great info- thanks for providing this! We’ll be vising Grand Teton in early May… do you have any input re: what on this is list is still available, or not, that early in the season?
Many of the hikes will probably still have snow on them, although it depends on the year for sure. None of the ones listed take you too far into the canyons so the snow may not be too bad in May, but I’d plan on at least some. The Jenny Lake Shuttle probably won’t be running while you’re there….that usually starts up mid-May. A hike around the lake will be required to see Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. It’s a beautiful time to be in the park, just come prepared for cold weather and some lingering snow!
We are planning to visit the last week of September. Do you know id the shuttle boat will be running and the hours? Trying to plan out the itinerary and it looks like the boat will be running but I can’t seem to find information on when the last boat for the day runs. Thanks!
It should be running until 4 that week. It doesn’t hurt to call them and ask though!
We are going to Yellowstone, glacier, Banff and jasper after leaving the tetons. Do you have a similar itinerary for any of these? We will be in Yellowstone for 8 days.
Hey Margie,
I do have itineraries for Yellowstone and Glacier as well. You can find them here: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-park-trip-itineraries/
Have fun!!
We are trying to plan a late September trip to Grand Tetons/Yellowstone with our 24 & 26-yr old kids. With everyone’s schedules, it looks like we would arrive Thursday by mid- day and have to fly out on Wednesday mid-day. We are thinking of flying into Bozeman, driving down and spending 1-2 days in Yellowstone and then driving to Jackson and spending 3-4 days in the Tetons and flying out of Jackson. We would like to get a rafting trip in on Snake River and possibly horseback riding trip. Everyone in group likes to hike. Does this seem doable in 6 days? Any advice?
Hi Jane,
6 days between the two parks is definitely doable! I’d spend at least 2 full days in each park for actually sightseeing within the park, then add on additional days in the areas you plan on rafting/horseback riding etc. I think you’ll find that you’ll want more time to explore no matter what :) But you can get a lot done in that amount of time!
Great list! We loved the Tetons. Wish we had more time there to see everything on this list.
You’ll have to go back!!
My family will be visiting the Grand Tetons this September and we very much appreciate your thorough information. We are planning our trip with it. Is there a central place to stay that you would suggest? Or an inconvenient area to not stay? I have no idea how long the different drives are going to take. It seems like Jackson area is one of the few options. Any advice will help .
I usually stay in Jackson or in the park…not going any further north than Colter Bay. There are surrounding communities that are further out (Alpine, Driggs, Victor) but I personally don’t like to drive that far to get into the park. Hope that helps!
I loved your post. In fact my husband and I are going to base our trip off of your guide. We were looking at doing a day hike to Amphitheater Lake, but our friends our concerned at the difficulty level of the trail. Do you think it’s a trail intermediate hikers could do?
The trail is uphill the whole way and can be quite exhausting if you’re not much of a hiker. If you do like to hike and are in pretty decent shape, you should be fine….just bring plenty of water, start early in the day, and don’t be afraid to rest if you need it!
Hi there!
I am so glad I found your website! I have yet to see the Grand Tetons but am hoping to make it there this coming summer. I’m super interested in your story however! I am just about to be starting college and am thinking about studying to become a ranger or some other wildlife recreational position. If you get a few moments I would love if you could email me!
I’ll send you an email as soon as I can. Thanks for your comment!
Thanks so much for all your useful and helpful information..
This was our first time in Jackson Hole and Yellowstone and following your “Must see list” made our trip a lot easier..
What A privilege to visit your beautiful state !
Thanks Carol — so glad you got to explore the area and have a fantastic time!! Let me know when you’re planning your next trip to a national park!
I hiked Hidden Falls last week with my family. While there was certainly some work being done, the trail was open & we made it to both the lower & upper views of the falls. I love that this hike is so family friendly; we did it with an age range from my senior citizen in-laws down to my 2 year old son. So beautiful!!!
Kathryn, that’s awesome that you were able to do hike that trail! It is a great place to go for families!
You need to get to Ortenburger Lake. It is a special place! Or even the Glacier Lake drainage below Glacier peak.
Sounds amazing! That’s a section of the park that I definitely need to explore more thoroughly — thanks for the suggestion!
We are planning a trip to the Bridger Tetons National Forest and will be leaving in a few weeks. We have never camped/hiked there before, however we have been to the National Park. We chose to stay and hike the Bridger Tetons because we will be bringing our dog. Do you have any tips for us on trails to hike?
Hey Lorrie,
To be honest, I really haven’t spent much time hiking in the national forest. I have camped there numerous times, but that was when I lived in the area and wanted to get away from the crowds. Most of my hiking was done in the park though. I have done the hike to the top of Sheep Mountain in the national forest (aka the Sleeping Indian) and highly recommend it :)
We are planning a road trip next year and will be doing the some of South Dakota, 5 nights at Yellowstone at Lake Lodge area( I bought your guide- best I’ve seen so far) and then heading to Grand Tetons for 3 nights. I was thinking that I would like to stay in the Coulter’s Bay area. Is that a good centralized location. I do know I want to do a float trip and not sure where I would get that.
Thanks Kathy! I’m glad that you are planning some time in Grand Teton….it’s an amazing place. Personally I love Colter Bay and I usually choose to stay there when I visit the Tetons, but it’s not as central as other places in the park. Staying up there means adding 15 minutes or so to your drive time than if you chose to stay somewhere more central (such as at Signal Mountain).
Many companies offer scenic float trips through the park….you can find a list here (https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/boat.htm). If you are staying in Colter Bay, you might want to find one that starts at the Jackson Lake Lodge, like this one (http://www.gtlc.com/activities/rafting-the-snake-river). That’s only about 5 minutes from Colter Bay. If you are looking for a whitewater rafting trip, you’ll have to into the town of Jackson for that :)
Thank you so much for this wonderful and thorough article! Very helpful and informative with great tips! We are planning our first trip to the Tetons this coming June. We will be there 3 days with kids (10 & 12). We are going rafting and to the Bar J cookout. However, we are trying to decide which hikes will be best – ones we surely don’t want to miss. Since Hidden Falls will be closed this summer, what hikes would you recommend with limited time?
Thanks so much!!
Hey Tonya,
3 days is plenty of time to make it through most of my 12 things list! Many of the things on that list are viewpoints, and the hikes that are listed are definitely great for first-timers and families. If you would like to try a longer hike you could hike to Surprise and Amphitheater Lake, Lake Solitude, or up Death Canyon {although in June you will likely still hit deep snow the further you travel into the canyons}. Another option is to hike to Inspiration Point. If you take the Jenny Lake Boat across the lake to the trailhead, you can still access Inspiration Point even though Hidden Falls is closed. That’s a nice short hike with some great views. Have an amazing time!!
Loved the article. I really like the pictures I’m seeing of Schwabacher’s Landing, Moulton Barn and Oxbow Bend. I’m planning a trip to Jackson to propose to my girlfriend in late September. Can you make a recommendation of which one of the 3 aforementioned locations might give me the best chance for some privacy and best scenery (sunset)? I know that sometimes a scenery can look a little different in person than in picture. Any suggestion would be appreciated!
Congratulations! My husband proposed to me in the Tetons too, so I’m sure she will be very pleased with your decision :) In late September, probably any of those areas would provide some solitude, but Schwabacher’s has always been my favorite place to enjoy some peace with a gorgeous view! A friend of mine got married there in the middle of the summer and still had privacy. The road down to the Landing is a little rough, so hopefully she likes a little adventure!
Oxbow Bend would be my second choice but you might have to walk along the shore for a little while to find some privacy. It is easier to access than Schwabacher’s. The Moulton Barn is nice but won’t provide much privacy unless there is nobody else there, because it is just a big open field next to the barn. Sunsets in the Tetons are stunning because the sun goes right behind the peaks.
I hope that helps! I would love an update on my Facebook page when you guys get back from your trip!
Great article! I will be in the area next July with my wife and kids (ages 11 and 9) – the kids can hike, but it’s got to involve swimming and you’ve offered some great ideas. Thanks!
I think the best hiking is accompanied by a nice lake to cool off in! You guys should definitely check out String Lake…it is a great area! If you are looking for a little more adventure, Jenny Lake and Signal Mountain both rent out canoes and kayaks as well :) Thanks for stopping by!
Hey! I love the post! I’ve camped / hiked in black bear territory by myself before with no problems, but this will be my first time alone in grizzly territory. (I’ve given up on friends joining me) Any recommendations? I did read about ranger led hikes but sometimes that’s just not enough…
Thanks,
Angela
Angela! I get it…sometimes you just don’t want to wait around for people! Luckily, there really aren’t many grizzlies in the Tetons. I rarely see them…usually its just black bears…but that doesn’t mean they aren’t out there :)
As for hiking, I probably wouldn’t hike Death Canyon just because that one usually doesn’t see as much traffic. Cascade Canyon would be traveled enough that you probably wouldn’t have to worry about startling a bear. The hike to Lake Solitude is amazing! Paintbrush Canyon tends to be pretty busy as well so you would likely be just fine on that one. I also think you should be okay hiking to Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes (one of my favorites).
I didn’t even see a bear during the 4 days I was backpacking in the backcountry, but I have seen many bears near the more busy areas like String Lake and Colter Bay. It’s just so hard to know. Be sure to make some noise (bear bells might be a good idea) and carry some bear spray. Let me know if you would like any additional information or if you have any other questions!
Thank you so much!
Of course! Hope you have a great trip!
Thank you for the great information! We are headed to the Tetons and Yellowstone this August so this is a great place to start.
The Tetons will be new to us so I’m happy to know about the places to stay away from! :)
Thanks, also, for the information on the rafting companies as that is something we plan to do as well.
I am happy to help! I love the Tetons and Yellowstone so if you have any additional questions let me know. If you have time, I also highly recommend the Bar J Wranglers…you and your family will talk about that show for years to come!
Such a helpful list! We are going to Grand Tetons/Yellowstone in August and will definitely be using your suggestions!
I am so happy to hear that Lori! The Grand Teton/Yellowstone area is one of my favorite places in the world…there are so many hidden treasures! I would love to hear about your trip.
Thank you so much! This is a great guide for our first trip to the Tetons!
I’m glad you stopped by Emily and hope that you have an amazing vacation. The Tetons truly are one of my favorite places and I just can’t seem to stay away! Let me know if you have any specific questions!
I have never been to the Grand Teton but this post has inspired me to plan a trip soon! I live in So Cal so it isn’t that far! I am definitely pinning this so I can reference back once I get plans started! Thanks!
Thanks for the pin Brittany. I hope you make it out to visit!
Last summer we hiked in Estes Park and loved it, I’d love to plan a trip to the Grand Tetons to hike with my husband and kids. It looks and sounds so beautiful.
Rocky Mountain is still on my to-do list. Your family would love the Tetons! Thanks for stopping by :)
Ashli, you are such a talented writer! You guys have gone there forever and now your article makes me want to go sometime, what a beautiful place! I love your blog, it is SO informative.
Sheree, you are the best! I would love to take you guys out to the Tetons sometime, and Brian would love the skiing in the winter :)
Such an informative guide and breathtaking views. I’m curious to know if you by chance had any experience with hikes in Texas?
Iris, sadly I do not :( I have a friend who works for the Park Service in Big Bend though so if you ever plan a trip there let me know and I will find some things out for you!
So nice area and hope to experience someday ! Last year our family stopped by Grand Teton area by car during return from the family vacation at Yellow Stone. Can’t forget the snow covered mountain and deep blue lake in that area. So great nature and creation !
Thanks for sharing
Wilson from New Jersey
That sounds like the perfect vacation. Glad you were able to make it to Grand Teton and Yellowstone!
This is so beautiful..thanks for sharing! I hope to make it there someday! I’ve been to Yosemite, that is a place of totally beauty also! Happy wknd to you!
Valerie
Yes Yosemite is definitely up there on the list of beautiful places too. I’m glad we have so many wonderful areas to visit in this country :)
Great list! I haven’t been to the Tetons since I was a little kid, but now I think I really need to go again.
You should definitely go back!
What an awesome post! We’re talking about taking a road trip out west next year, and I am SO excited about that. I’m pinning this post to help me with the planning. I wanted to see a buffalo!! :)
Natalie, let me know where you are thinking of going. By next year I should have a lot more information on here for places you can go on your road trip! I need to make it out to your neck of the woods and get some ideas from you :)
Again – great pictures. All of them incredible! I need to go to all of these places :)
You just need to come out here for an extended vacation and visit everything!