In the late 1800s, a community of Mormons arrived in Wyoming from the neighboring state of Idaho to settle in the southeast region of what is now Grand Teton National Park. They built farms, houses, irrigation systems, and everything else required to make this rural area habitable. The settlement, which encompassed as many as 27 properties, was called Grovont, but today it is known by another name: Mormon Row Historic District.
The perfectly preserved barns and the Teton Range in the background make this pastoral village one of the most evocative views of Grand Teton Park; it is no coincidence that many amateur and professional photographers from all over the world come here intent on capturing one of the most representative corners of the American West. In this article, we will show you how to reach Mormon Row and what to see during a visit.
Contents
Where is and how to get to Mormon Row
Below there are directions both for those coming from the South (Jackson), and for those passing by Mormon Row after visiting Yellowstone:
- Coming from Jackson: drive on 191 past Moose Junction and turn right onto Antelope Flats Road. Follow the road for a little over a mile until you find a small dirt parking lot and a cluster of houses on your left.
- Coming from Yellowstone: Keep driving on 191, cross Moran Entrance and turn left onto Antelope Flats Road after passing the Glacier View Turnout (a little over 2 miles away).
As already mentioned, Mormon Row is located inside Grand Teton, but if you don’t have enough time to see the rest of the park you can visit this place without paying the entrance fee (just follow the directions we gave here). If, on the other hand, you have a National parks card, there is no problem anyway.
Best time to visit Mormon Row in Grand Teton
The Antelope Flats Road is usually closed to traffic from November to May, but Mormon Row can also be reached from Gros Ventre Road, which you can pick up at Gros Ventre Junction (turning right for those coming from Jackson and left for those coming from Yellowstone), but I’ve never driven along it.
The site is beautiful all year round, but I think it is at its best in the springtime, between late May and early June, for 2 reasons:
- There is usually still snow on the Teton Range, which adds to the magnificence of the setting here
- The grass of the fields is still a bright green, making a more effective contrast of colors
What to see
The settlement is quite small and it doesn’t take long to visit it, it’s more the time you spend looking for the right angle to take that great photo memory home with you than the time spent exploring, however, to make sure you don’t miss the 2 interesting areas to see, just follow these simple directions:
- As soon as you arrive at the site, don’t stop at the parking lot on the left, turn right until you reach 1 of the 2 farms that made this historic settlement famous, Mormon Barn (T.A. Moulton Barn). Nearby, in addition to a porta-potty, you will notice several other historic buildings.
- Once you have taken your photographs, return to the parking lot, stop and explore the small village on foot, where you will find the other barn that is particularly popular with photographers and tourists.
Best time to photograph Mormon Row
The best time to take those unforgettable photos of Mormon Row is shortly after sunrise, when the mountains in the background glow red for a few minutes and the Mormon Barn consequently acquires a glow that makes the view even more fascinating.
Mormon Row Barn photos
Where to stay nearby
The same directions apply to visiting Mormon Row as the ones we gave for the park that houses it, so please read our tips on where to sleep in Grand Teton.
