Grand Teton National Park Travel Guide - Trip Planning Info
Plan Your Trip Common Questions
Attractions
Is Grand Teton worth visiting?
Yes. About 88.1 percent of travelers rate Grand Teton National Park at five of five stars. By comparison, the more frequently bucket-listed Yellowstone just up the road garners just over 88 percent five-star reviews.
What is Grand Teton National Park known for?
Grand Teton National Park is known for the iconic Teton Mountain Range, spectacular scenery, wildlife, and backcountry recreation.
What should I see in Grand Teton National Park?
You should see Grand Tetons, the mountain peaks for which the park is named. They'll be hard to miss. Other notable attractions include Jenny Lake, String Lake, Jackson Lake, the 42-mile scenic loop drive, Colter Bay Village, Hidden Falls, the Chapel of the Transfiguration, and hundred of miles of hiking trails to magnificent destinations.
Where is the best view of the Grand Tetons?
You'll find excellent and constantly varying views of the Tetons all along the 42-mile scenic loop drive, but perhaps the most iconic viewpoints include the Snake River Overlook made famous by landscape photographer Ansel Adams and Schwabacher Landing, which includes a reflective beaver pond.
Itineraries
Can you drive through Grand Tetons?
Yes. While only trails pierce the jagged core of the Tetons, Teton Pass allows drivers to ascend to 8,432 feet while passing over the range between Wyoming and Idaho.
How far apart are Yellowstone and Grand Teton?
Yellowstone's south entrance is less than 7 miles from the northern edge of Grand Teton National Park. Only the short, scenic John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway separates the two national Parks.
How far is Grand Tetons from Yellowstone?
From the northern edge of Grand Teton National Park, it's less than a 7-mile drive to the south entrance of Yellowstone. Only the short, scenic John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway separates the two national Parks.
How long does it take to drive through the Grand Tetons?
It takes less than an hour without stops to drive the inner park road of Grand Teton National Park that passes over Jackson Lake Dam, winds through some of the most scenic views in the country, and continues to the northern edge of Grand Teton National Park just north of the inlet of Jackson Lake.
How many days do you need at Grand Teton National Park?
While you can drive the entire length of Grand Teton National Park in about an hour, the richest experiences are reserved for people who make time for hiking and getting off the beaten path. For a superficial experience with good views, a few day hikes and other experiences, plan for one to three days.
What city is closest to Grand Teton National Park?
Jackson, WY is 3.41 miles outside the southern boundary of Grand Teton National Park.
Transportation
How far apart are Yellowstone and Grand Teton?
Yellowstone's south entrance is less than 7 miles from the northern edge of Grand Teton National Park. Only the short, scenic John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway separates the two national Parks.
Lodging
Where should I stay when visiting Grand Teton National Park?
Within the park, you can stay at campgrounds or a few concessionaire hotels. The town of Jackson is 3.4 miles from the park and offers many other lodging options ranging from luxury hotels to short-term rentals as well as RV and tent campgrounds.
Nature
Are there grizzly bears in Grand Teton?
Yes. Perhaps the world's most famous grizzly, a prolific mother known as 399, can often be seen in tourist hotspots around Grand Teton National Park with as many as four cubs. Others also live in the park.
Are there wolves in the Grand Tetons?
Yes. Since their 1995 reintroduction to Yellowstone, wolves have begun to inhabit more areas in the region, including Grand Teton National Park.
Do you need bear spray in Grand Teton?
Park rangers recommend bear spray for hiking in Grand Teton National Park. The park has an active black bear and grizzly population, but most bears will avoid hikers they see, hear or smell on the trail.
What animals live in Grand Teton National Park?
Iconic western mammals fill Grand Teton National Park. Bison, gray wolves, black bears, grizzly bears, moose, pronghorn, big horn sheep, elk, mule deer and white-tail deer are among major species native to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, of which Grand Teton is a part.
Parks
Is Grand Teton part of Yellowstone?
No. The parks are separated only by the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway , a roughly 7-mile drive. However, the two parks are distinct entities within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and each have their own geologic flavor.
Is Yellowstone or Grand Teton better?
Grand Teton receives slightly higher reviews on travel sites than its more famous neighboring park. Both parks share the same ecosystem, but they contain different sight-seeing opportunities and geologic features. Grand Teton is a fraction of the size of Yellowstone and is visited by nearly as many tourists per year as Yellowstone.
Is there cell service in Grand Teton National Park?
Yes. You can expect cell service in the Jackson Hole Valley and in the developed areas around Jenny Lake and Flagg Ranch. However, reception is more spotty in the backcountry although often still decent.
Weather
What is the best time to visit Grand Teton National Park?
The best time to visit the park is between May and October as it's the only time the entire park is easily accessible by car.
What should I bring to Grand Teton National Park?
You’ll want to bring activewear, a camera, sturdy shoes, and a day pack with: food and water for hiking adventures, wind or rain shell, insect repellant, first aid kit, sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, and possibly binoculars or a spotting scope for wildlife viewing.
