The southern entrance to Yellowstone National Park is not a simple road to take in expectation of what we’ll see in Wyoming’s famed park: those expecting such an itinerary have not reckoned with the prodigious beauty of Grand Teton National Park‘s vistas.
Yes, because not many people know that to get to Yellowstone from the south you have to cross another beautiful national park, Grand Teton. Usually it is interpreted exclusively as a kind of wonderful scenic drive on the approach to Yellowstone, but it is not uncommon that, enraptured by the landscape, you stop along the way to do some walking (there are 200 miles of trails!), to watch elk and bison watering on the lake or to reach exceptional viewpoints on the various lakes of the area, framed to the west by the soaring 12 granite peaks of the Teton Range.
So, those who enter Yellowstone coming from Salt Lake City, after having passed the lovely Jackson, will have to face the big question: how can we visit Grand Teton in a short time? Or… why not take a little time and stay a night in the area to visit Grand Teton attractions at a more leisurely pace? In the meantime, let’s discover together what to do in Grand Teton National Park, one of the most fascinating attractions in Wyoming.
Contents
Grand Teton National Park Map
Useful info
Here is some info on how to get to the famous Jackson Hole Valley Park, when to visit it and the entrance fees. The main routes that are traveled to cross and visit this enchanting park are from Denver to Yellowstone and from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone.
How to get to Grand Teton National Park
In Jackson, in the central gardens in Jackson Town Square, follow the brown signs indicating Grand Teton-Yellowstone National Parks. From this crucial point, as soon as you get out of the traffic coming out of Jackson, the US-191 starts (the road we also talked about in our Jackson to Cody itinerary), which will take you straight to the Grand Teton entrance, passing by the National Elk Refuge.
After a few minutes’ drive you will enter the park (you will find the sign you see in the picture on your right). From here, on the left you can start to admire the Teton Range, the mountain range that includes the famous peaks of the Grand Teton, Moran, Owen, etc. …, also known as the Cathedral Group. An endless series of rest stops will allow you to photograph these beautiful peaks in a variety of ways (but keep in mind that further along the Teton Park Road, you can enjoy a much closer view).
At a certain point you’ll have to be careful, as there are two entrances to the park, and 13 miles past Jackson, at Moose, you will have to make a choice right away.
- Moose Entrance: if you want to take a more scenic route to get to the heart of Grand Teton, you’ll have to turn left towards Moose: after a few yards, you’ll come to the ranger station to pay the entrance fee. Teton Park Road, a wonderful scenic drive (closed from November to May) starts here, that we will talk about shortly.
- Moran Entrance: this option is for those who plan to pass Grand Teton by a shorter and less scenic route. In this case, just ignore the detour to Moose and stay on US-191, following the Snake River, the main tributary of Jackson Lake. This road has its advantages: on the edge of the river it is not uncommon to see moose and other animals, and here too there are very pretty panoramic points. 30 miles after Jackson, you will find the entrance to the park in Moran.
Best Time to Visit Grand Teton National Park
Warning! The southern entrance to Yellowstone is only open from May through November. So visiting Grand Teton in the remaining months cannot be a part of visiting Yellowstone. Remember also that the Grand Teton Road is closed in the same period, so the attractions to visit are significantly reduced: unless you are interested in the ski season, think about whether it is worth going to Grand Teton in the months from November to May.
If you are looking for the “perfect photo”, probably the best time to go is in autumn, when the contrast between the colors of the leaves and the granite mountains of the park creates a magnificent landscape, worthy of a painting. Typically at Grand Teton, fall runs from early September through mid-October, with the third week of September historically marking the peak of fall colors.
Grand Teton National Park Entrance Fee
The entrance to Grand Teton National Park is valid for 7 days and costs 35$ per car, unfortunately it is no longer possible to buy a combined ticket with Yellowstone (which allowed you to enter both parks for 50$). The entrance to Grand Teton is however included in the national park pass.
2 things to think about:
- part of the park, including the famous Mormon Row area, is actually passable without paying the toll, which is required only at the Moose Entrance or at the Moran Entrance.
- if you are coming from Yellowstone from the north you can easily drive through the park along US 191 without paying a toll (follow the signs to Moran Entrance at Jackson Lake Junction)
Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park
Here are some pointers on what to do and what to see in Grand Teton National Park:
Mormon Row: the iconic photo of Wyoming
Were you wondering where the famous barn framed by mountains that has become a symbol of Wyoming road trips is located? To find it and unleash your photographic talents, you’ll have to go to Mormon Row, an old abandoned Mormon village for which the Teton Range offers a wonderful backdrop.
Getting there is easy: from US 191 (if you’re coming from Jackson well before you reach the toll station), turn onto Antelope Flats Road and drive to this idyllic, timeless village.
Toward Moose Entrance: Teton Park Road Trails and Attractions
Along the scenic Teton Park Road – open only from May to November – there are numerous points of interest, trails and beautiful views of alpine lakes and mountains. We recommend that you walk along it with your eyes wide open, favoring, of course, the left side of the view, where the peaks of the Teton Range stand out.
Menors Ferry
After Moose, just past the rangers’ station, turn right and reach the Menors Ferry docking point. From here, after a tour of a historic farm in the area, you can take a boat ride on the Snake River.
Taggart Lake Trail
About 3 miles from the Moose station, you’ll see a parking area on the left at the trailhead leading to two lakes: Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake. The trail varies in length depending on which lake you want to reach: however, calculate a minimum of 2 hours (3 miles of easy trail) to reach Taggart Lake and return to the car. It takes at least 3.30 h round trip to reach Bradley Lake.
Jenny Lake
You’ll encounter the crystal clear waters of Jenny Lake after another 4 miles of driving and a stop here is a must. If you have some time, you can decide to take a boat (for a fee) and reach the other side of the lake: some of the most famous trails of the park start from the West Shore Boat Dock.
If you don’t want to pay for a boat, you can drive to the other side of the lake on Jenny Lake Road, but the West Shore Boat Dock is a long way from the parking lot and you’ll have to walk the Jenny Lake Trail (2 miles) to get there. From the Boat Dock, trails depart for:
- Inspiration Point, an elevated point of view (about 1 mile uphill) that offers beautiful views of the lake;
- the Hidden Falls, waterfalls hidden in the woods, reached by the same trail that takes you to Inspiration Point, called Cascade Canyon Trail. Beware of bears!
Signal Mountain Scenic Drive
Leaving Jenny Lake behind, keep going in the direction of Colter Bay-Yellowstone. After about 5 miles, you will see a sign that says Signal Mountain Summit: take it if you want to drive the 4 miles of road that climbs into the Signal Mountain woods. It will take you close to the Jackson Lake Overlook, a point from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Jackson Lake valley.
Toward the Moran Entrance: Grand Teton Attractions along US-191
If you’ve opted for the Moran Entrance, stop on US-191, 14 miles past the interchange for Moose. On the left, you’ll find a short road that takes you to the entrance to the Cunningham Cabin Loop, a very short trail leading to what’s left of an old farmhouse. Photograph it while looking for the best angle to also frame the beautiful peaks behind it.
2.5 miles past the rangers’ station, stop for a moment at the Oxbow Bend spot on the river: stunning views aside, here – if you’re lucky – you’ll have a chance to see some majestic elk watering or grazing on the grass. Afterwards, you can stop your car in the parking area at Jackson Lake Lodge, where some short trails start: one of them leads to the top of Lunch Tree Hill, located just high enough to offer a nice view of Jackson Lake from afar.
The trails of Colter Bay, on the shores of Jackson Lake
Colter Bay Village is Grand Teton’s largest tourist reception area, and also one of the best places to stay if you want to stay overnight in the park. It is located on the shore of the majestic Jackson Lake, which you will pass along the road leading to Yellowstone: we suggest you to study the map you will be given at the entrance of the park. To reach the entrance of the Colter Bay Lakeshore Trail, there is a beautiful and very agile path that borders a stretch of the bay offering some beautiful views of the lake and the mountains.
Grand Teton Tours: close encounters with bears!
On this page you will find some guided tours around Grand Teton National Park. We recommend these tours to those who want to come in contact (at a safe distance!) with the varied wildlife of the park, including bears: the guides know the habitats of the animals, and will save you a lot of time and risks. What we report here also includes two meals, park admission and pick-up and drop-off service from some hotels in Jackson and Teton Village.
The sunset tours of Grand Teton are particularly beautiful: great for those who can’t wait to capture a photo of a moose kissed by the faint light of the setting sun, grazing on grass or resting near the Snake River.
Grand Teton sunset tour during winter
Places to Stay in Grand Teton National Park
Finding a place to stay at Grand Teton National Park can be a strategic choice if you want to visit it in depth and if you consider the park as a stop-off point to Yellowstone: it is no coincidence that we have mentioned this solution in the article where to stay in Yellowstone National Park and surroundings. Planning well in advance, it is possible to book a room in some wonderful (and usually expensive) structures inside the park:
- Jenny Lake Lodge : gorgeous log cabin on the shores of Jenny Lake. The bungalows decorated with colorful quilts and pillows sell out, so get moving early!
- Jackson Lake Lodge : another classy location, on the road that leads to Colter Bay in a few minutes by car.
- Colter Bay Village : in the heart of the bay, a stone’s throw from Jackson Lake. You can choose between wooden bungalows and fully equipped tents.
However, if you want to find some slightly cheaper options, you can try booking a spartan bunk bed at the Climber’s Ranch (a shelter for climbers and hikers); otherwise you’ll have to look for lodgings in Teton Village (a ski resort) or in Jackson, at the southern end of the park. It must be said that, if you don’t plan in time, you will miss out on any particularly advantageous offers: Grand Teton National Park is not an area where it’s easy to save money on accommodation.
