Grand Teton National Park
It’s time to meet one of Wyoming’s most stunning destinations—Grand Teton National Park. Located south of Yellowstone National Park and north of the town of Jackson, Grand Teton’s 310,000 acres includes lush valley floors, mountain meadows, alpine lakes and the rising peaks of the Teton Range. While iconic locations like Mormon Row and the Moulton Barns may be the most photographed destinations in the park, Grand Teton’s celestial peaks also provide the perfect setting for nature lovers, outdoor adventurers and road trippers who are looking to explore the park’s incredible landscapes.
Lodging and Accommodations
In the warm season, Grand Teton National Park offers eight lodging locations within park boundaries, including Grand Teton Climbers’ Ranch, Colter Bay Cabins, Dornans Spur Ranch Cabins, Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch, Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge, Signal Mountain Lodge and Triangle X Ranch. Each of the park’s accommodations offers travelers a distinct lodging experience that include log cabins, mountain-inspired lodging units and guest rooms.
For visitors who want to camp, Grand Teton National Park has six campgrounds that offer a variety of tent and trailer camping sites. Backcountry sites are also available; please note that permits are required.
Exploring Four Seasons in Grand Teton National Park
No visit to northwest Wyoming is complete without Grand Teton National Park. Open year-round, the park has four distinct seasons that provide visitors with a variety of outdoor recreation options that include wildlife watching, photography, kayaking, fishing, hiking and biking. To help you plan your trip to Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park, check out the four-season overview below.
Summer: Grand Teton’s Most Vibrant Season
Summer brings the most travelers to Grand Teton National Park and for good reason. This time of year gives travelers the opportunity to watch wildlife—including bison, elk, moose, bears and bighorn sheep—explore 230 miles of hiking trails, cast a fishing line on the Snake River and climb impressive mountain peaks. In addition, Jenny Lake Scenic Drive and Signal Mountain Summit Road are two not-to-be-missed scenic drives.
Fall: A Colorful Season in Grand Teton
Fall is one of the most scenic times of year to visit Grand Teton National Park. Autumn brings stunning hues to the park’s landscapes and provides ample opportunities for photography, wildlife-watching expeditions, fly-fishing, horseback riding and biking along the multi-use path that connects nearby Jackson to South Jenny Lake.
Winter: Grand Teton’s Snowy Oasis
While winter lodging inside Grand Teton is limited, primitive winter camping is available at Colter Bay and for travelers looking to lay their heads inside, winter accommodations are offered at Triangle X Ranch and Dornans Spur Ranch Cabins. Travelers to the park can round out their winter stay with cross-country skiing, taking a ranger-led snowshoe walk or setting out to explore snow-covered roads and trails. U.S. Highway 89/191 and U.S. Highway 26/287 are plowed during the winter season (from Jackson to Flagg Ranch near Yellowstone National Park), with both giving travelers stunning views of the mountain landscapes.
Spring: Grand Teton’s Wildlife Migration Season
Spring is a beautiful and quiet time of year to visit Grand Teton National Park and the most notable activity is the annual wildlife migration that occurs in the park when temperatures begin to rise. Elk herds will move from the National Elk Refuge to the park, while bison, deer and moose will start transitioning to summer ranges. If you’re planning a visit to watch wildlife, spring is an ideal time to come. Visitors should note that they will likely see wildlife along roadways and to use caution when biking or driving on the park’s roads.
For year-round views of Grand Teton, visit the park’s webcams.
Getting to Grand Teton National Park by Car
Travelers coming to Grand Teton National Park can access the park via U.S. Highway 89/191 and U.S. Highway 287/26, with those routes being plowed and open year-round. Note that some roads inside the park are not accessible during winter. A map of road closures during the winter can be found here.
Getting to Grand Teton National Park by Plane
Year-round air service is available at Jackson Hole Airport, located inside Grand Teton National Park.
Immerse Yourself in a Fall Colors Road Trip Experience
The park's mountain range is very popular among climbers, hikers and photographers. Grand Teton National Park offers hiking, camping, climbing, boating, kayaking and numerous photography opportunities. A road winds through the park, but the best way to experience the park is to take one of its shorter trails.
12 miles north of Jackson, Wyoming on Highway 26/89/191. Turn left at Moose Junction to reach the park's year-round visitor center and drive the scenic Teton Park Road after passing through the Moose Entrance Station.
Modern-day Grand Teton National Park has a diverse and long-standing history that includes evidence of human use from more than 11,000 years ago. The nomadic Indians who summered in this valley left behind physical evidence that includes tipi rings, firepits and stone tools. Following use by American Indian tribes, early American explorers came to the area and included John Colter, as well as fur trappers and mountain men, followed by permanent settlers in 1884. Additional historical highlights include the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, the Chapel of Transfiguration and Cunningham Cabin Historic Site.
Today, the park's extensive history and culture can be seen through ranger-led interpretive programs and visitors centers, as well as numerous historic points of interest.
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