Wyoming is a big old expanse of wilderness reminiscent of the wild west. This state is wild and beautiful. And one of the most beautiful places to visit in Wyoming is Grand Teton National Park. This park is so picture perfect. It’s filled with beautiful landscapes, amazing hikes and healthy wildlife. We spent two days exploring Grand Teton National Park and we had an amazing time. We’re sharing with you some of the best things to do in Grand Teton so that you can plan your own adventure to this Wyoming wilderness.
Drive the Scenic Route
Highway 191 cuts straight through Grand Teton National Park and is top of the list for things to do in the park. This is such an easy thing to do that we think everyone who visits the park should drive it. This is great for people trying to see the park in only a few hours. Drive the road, stop at the scenic turnouts and enjoy views of the Teton range on your right (or left) for the entire drive.
Stop at Overlooks
Photographers love Grand Teton National Park because it seems like every viewpoint has something great to see. A majority of the viewpoints have the mountains in the background but there are also some spectacular views of lakes and rivers. Our favorite viewpoints are Jackson Lake Overlook, Oxbow Bend Turnout, Jenny Lake Overlook (requires and extra drive) and Snake River Overlook.
Explore Mormon Row
One of the most popular things to do in Grand Teton is taking a picture of the iconic T.A. Moulton Barn along Mormon Row. This barn, with the Teton range in the background, makes for a great picture. You can also check out other buildings from the old Mormon settlement. If you are interested in history or are a budding photographer, you’ll like this area. These buildings are especially popular to visit during sunrise or sunset.
Drive to the Top of Signal Mountain
Driving to the top of Signal Mountain will give you panoramic views of the park. That is why taking this short drive is one of the top things to do in Grand Teton. From the top of the mountain, ohh and ahh at the views in all directions. Make sure to pack your binoculars so that you can try to spot some wildlife from your perch.
Take a Gondola Ride
One of the best things to do in the Grand Teton area is ski. It’s a popular resort area in the winter. However, if you’re visiting in the summer, you still have access to the gondola for a scenic ride. The gondola costs $37/person during the day. However, if you wait until 5 PM, you can take a ride to the top for free. A quick ride to the top will give you the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful views.
Camp in the Backcountry
Backcountry hiking is one of the most amazing things to do in Grand Teton. Have you ever wanted to try an overnight hike? Well this would be a great place to try it. There are so many campsites set up in beautiful locations along well marked trails. This park is perfect for the backcountry beginner. Consider adding an overnight trip to your Grand Teton itinerary.
If you plan on doing this, you’ll need a permit and you’ll need to carry an approved bear canister (if you don’t have one the park loans them out). Some campsites allow you to reserve them online ahead of time. However, these spots fill up fast. If you don’t get a reservable campsite, you can get a first-come, first-served permit when you arrive in the park. There are tons of backcountry sites for you to choose from. We think Leigh Lake is absolutely beautiful and we wish we would have stayed there.
Drive Moose-Wilson Road
Driving this gravel road is considered by many to be the best chance for spotting wildlife in the park. This narrow gravel roads winds along underbrush. It is common for moose and black bear to be spotted here throughout the day. You’ll often find this road backed up with traffic because of people animal watching so be prepared to drive slow. If you do come across wildlife, have your passenger snap a photo and then drive on slowly on so the rest of the drivers can spot it too. There are no viewing turnoffs on this road and stopping along it is prohibited.
Hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point
From the Jenny Lake Boat dock, hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. This is one of the most popular hikes in the park. You can hike around Jenny Lake to get to the trailhead as we did in our 2-day itinerary. Or you can take the boat across the lake. From the trailhead, you’ll follow steep elevation gain as you hike first to Hidden Falls and then on to Inspiration Point. This trail is 2 miles, roundtrip, from the boat dock.
While this hike is along well marked and well groomed trails, this hike is challenging because of the elevation gain that you experience. It also may be terrifying for people with a fear of heights. However, we still recommend it.
Take the Boat Across Jenny Lake
Jenny Lake is the most visited place in Grand Teton National Park. This beautiful lake reflects Grand Teton (the mountain, not the park) so it’s no wonder so many people come here. However, don’t just limit yourself to the viewpoints. Take a hike around the lake (3-5 hours) or a leisurely boat ride across the lake. Most people hike around a portion of the lake and then take the one-way boat ride ($10) back to the parking area.
Hike Around a Lake
Grand Teton National Park is filled with beautiful blue lakes of all shapes, sizes and blues. So take a little extra time in your day and hike around one of these beautiful mountain lakes. Taggart Lake, Phelps Lakes and String Lake are some of the most popular hikes. We loved hiking around String Lake and Leigh Lake the most.
Visit Jackson Lake
Some people who explore Grand Teton stay in the more popular southern half of the park. While there is definitely more to do in the south, the northern part of the park has some serious beauty to explore. Jackson Lake is one of those beautiful things. Explore this 15 mile long lake via a combination of boat, kayak, paddle board, hiking trails or viewpoints.
Spot Wildlife
Wildlife spotting is one of our favorite things to do in Grand Teton. Some of the favorite animals to spot are moose, elk, bison, and bears. You’ll also find some of the most beautiful, healthy animals in the country like dear, antelope and foxes.
If you’re heading out to spot some wildlife, the first thing to know is they are wild. Therefore, you should always keep your distance. The park recommends 25 yards from everything and 100 yards from wolves and bears. You’ll also want to be aware of your surroundings. Never sneak up on wildlife and never get between two animals.
All that being said, you’re going to want to see some wildlife. The best times to do this are at dawn and dusk. So if you want the best chance of seeing wildlife, you’ll have to wake up early or stay up late. If you’re driving around be sure to watch the road in front of you as there are lots of animals killed by vehicles each year. However, if you aren’t an alert person in the morning/evening, you still have a pretty good chance of seeing something wild during the day. Keep you eyes peeled for movement and keep an eye out for full parking areas and traffic jams. Chances are if you see these things, an animal is near.
We had our best animal sighting on Moose-Wilson Road and in the Oxbow bend area.
White Water Raft Snake River
If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, check out white water rafting. We love rafting! And bonus, you get the beautiful views of the mountains as you float down the river (when you actually get to float). There are plenty of rafting companies operating out of Jackson.
Explore Jackson Hole
While the city of Jackson is outside of Grand Teton National park, you’ll want to set some time aside to explore this mountain town. It’s totally touristy and expensive, but it’s still neat and themed and fun to explore.
As you can see there are so many things to do in Grand Teton National Park. We hope that this list has sparked your planning. Please feel free to leave questions or comments below and we’ll be happy to connect.
