How Many Days Should I Spend in Grand Teton National Park?

If you’re wondering how many days to spend in Grand Teton National Park, you’ve come to the right spot. I’m here to help you determine the perfect amount of time to budget for this national park, taking into account the adventures you’re hoping to have during your time in Grand Teton.

How many days should you spend in Grand Teton? I recommend 3 full days to see the highlights of Grand Teton National Park without feeling like you missed out on anything! This park has so many spectacular hiking trails and viewpoints that you’ll want to have time to complete.

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My name is Ash, and I worked as a park ranger in Wyoming. I’ve spent a lot of time in Grand Teton, and I can’t wait to help you plan your trip to this magical national park.

Let’s get deeper into the things you’ll want to consider when deciding how many days you should spend in Grand Teton.

Can I See Grand Teton in One Day?

Yes! You can see a lot in Grand Teton in one day, especially if you don’t have plans for a long hike. Grand Teton isn’t a huge national park (you can drive the length of it in about 1.5 hours), so it’s possible to hit most of the main highlights and one short hike if you’re on a limited schedule.

If you only have one day, I suggest picking a pretty easy hike (Hidden Falls, Taggart Lake, Lake Creek, Lakeshore, etc.) and driving the Teton Park Road to see the most famous viewpoints.

With only one day in Grand Teton, you probably won’t have time to hike deep into the mountains to experience some of the most spectacular views in the Tetons, like Inspiration Point or Cascade Canyon. You also won’t have time to see the smaller and off-the-beaten-path stops, which will also limit your wildlife sightings. You’ll be traveling to the most popular areas of the park during some of the busiest times of the day, so expect a lot of crowding and traffic, especially if you are visiting in the summer months.

Grand Teton in Two Days

Spending two full days in Grand Teton is when things really start getting good! With two days in the park, you’ll have time to drive all of the park roads. You can easily get to every section of Grand Teton in that amount of time.

With two days, you’ll be able to add in some off-the-beaten-path activities in the park that will get you away from the crowds. You’ll also have some flexibility to photograph some of the best views, like the Teton Range, Snake River Overlook, or Mormon Row, in the best lighting, and look for wildlife (like bald eagles or grizzly bears!) during the optimal hours.

If you’re hoping to participate in a special activity like horseback riding, rafting, fishing, or hiking a longer trail, then I would plan at least two full sightseeing days in Grand Teton.

Grand Teton in Three Days

You can explore a good portion of Grand Teton in two days, but it’s amazing the difference an extra day can make. If you can spend three full days in Grand Teton, you will have time to see some of the most spectacular parts of the park that many people never see.

With three full days, you’ll have time to swim in lakes, hike a longer trail, enjoy a boat ride across Jenny Lake, see all the best viewpoints, enjoy wildlife viewing, and find solitude. You can see the very best places in the park without the fear of missing out on anything!

A three-day visit will open up more options for capturing stunning photographs in the park in various lighting and weather conditions. It’s nice to have multiple evenings for enjoying a few nice dinners, joining in on ranger programs, or returning to your favorite spots after the crowds have gone.

One other fabulous thing about giving yourself three full days in the park is that it will be much easier to get to the busy spots when the crowds are the smallest. That will save you a lot of time and provide opportunities for solitude!

Do you need help with your daily schedule for Grand Teton?
Get the inside scoop for your upcoming vacation —> this itinerary is the most detailed, epic, and easy-to-follow guide to the park!

Other Things to Consider

Before you solidify your travel dates or book your lodging for Grand Teton, you’ll want to think about a few things, such as:

How much time will it take to travel to and from Grand Teton (not including your sightseeing days)?

Many people forget to factor in the time it will take for them to drive to the park, which can cut into your sightseeing and leave you wishing for more time. For example, if you plan on spending one day in Grand Teton but don’t get an early start, you’ll severely limit the things you’ll have time to see. This is especially true if you visit during the summer — almost every parking lot will be completely full by then.

Are there any major holidays/fee-free days/festivals you’d like to be in the park for or avoid?

If you’re visiting over a holiday or fee-free day, the crowds will be higher, and parking lots will be packed. You may have a harder time getting around to all the can’t-miss spots, so some extra time could be beneficial.

Are there other national parks and points of interest you’re hoping to see on the same trip?

Grand Teton is close to several other national parks, including Yellowstone and Glacier National Park. If you are hoping to visit other parks while you’re in the area, you’ll want to adjust the amount of time in this park to have enough time to spend in those larger and more complex parks. That being said, people usually wish they budgeted more time for Grand Teton than just a day or two!

Should I Spend More Time in Grand Teton or Yellowstone?

Chances are, if you’re heading to Grand Teton, you’re probably also wanting to visit Yellowstone National Park during the same trip. These parks are only separated by 8 miles via the John D. Rockefeller Parkway, making it easy to see both parks in one epic road trip!

Yellowstone typically needs more time than Grand Teton. It is a larger park with more ground to cover, but it’s also more heavily visited and harder to navigate than Grand Teton. (Don’t forget a Yellowstone Itinerary, too!)

That being said, if you’re looking for some truly epic hiking trails in the mountains, you may want some extra time in Grand Teton!

The ideal number of days for each park is at least 3 full days in Grand Teton and 4 full days in Yellowstone.

Grand Teton Itinerary Options

I’m here to help you determine how many days to spend in Grand Teton, so here are a few sample trip itineraries for the area that can help you decide how to split your time between parks!

After you decide how to split your time, these detailed itineraries will provide you with a ton of extra information on things to do, driving directions, lodging and dining options, and insider tips for your trip.

If you have:

A Weekend in Wyoming

I recommend spending one day in Yellowstone and one day in Grand Teton. If it’s a long weekend, add another day to Yellowstone.

One Week in Wyoming

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

Day 1 — Fly into Bozeman and drive to West Yellowstone (2 hours)
Day 2 — Yellowstone
Day 3 — Yellowstone
Day 4 — Yellowstone all day, then drive to Grand Teton (2 hours)
Day 5 — Grand Teton
Day 6 — Grand Teton
Day 7 — Drive back to Bozeman to catch your flight (5 hours)

10 Days in Wyoming

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

Day 1 — Fly into Bozeman and drive to West Yellowstone (2 hours)
Day 2 — Yellowstone
Day 3 — Yellowstone
Day 4 — Yellowstone
Day 5 — Yellowstone
Day 6 — Drive to Jackson and spend some time in town (2 hours)
Day 7 — Grand Teton
Day 8 — Grand Teton
Day 9 — Grand Teton
Day 10 — Drive back to Bozeman to catch your flight (5 hours)

2 Weeks in Wyoming

Do you love to have a plan?
Get the inside scoop for your upcoming vacation —> this itinerary is the most detailed, epic, and easy-to-follow guide to the park!

Enjoy your trip to Grand Teton National Park. Happy trails!

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