Welcome to Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is located in Northwestern Wyoming, just north of the town of Jackson. The park is approximately 310,000 acres and encompasses 40 peaks from the Teton Range. Another famous park, Yellowstone, is connected by the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway and 10 miles north of Grand Teton. In 1929 Grand Teton National Park protected the Teton Range’s significant peaks. Around that same time, Rockefeller (Jr.) started buying up land and planned to donate it to the U.S. Federal government to add to the park. Mr. Rockefeller fell in love with the area and wanted to preserve it as much as possible.
Today, Grand Teton National Park is one of the country’s ten most visited National Parks. I can see why. The beauty in this park is second to none, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time here.
Over the next few weeks, I will share our trip and provide insights, tips, tricks, and more. I hope you come along for the ride.
What if I only have one day in Grand Teton National Park?
No problem! Unlike its sister park to the North, Yellowstone, it is possible to hit a good portion of the park in one day. It takes getting up early and staying out late, but believe me; it is worth it! This can be done in one of two ways. You can go on a tour or hire a guide to do it independently. Because it was our first time visiting the park, we did both. We had a private tour on our first full day in Grand Teton. We were picked up bright and early and returned home in the evening. The tour included both breakfast and lunch. The next few days, we explored the park independently and saw the sights we did not see the first day or revisited some of our favorites, like Jenny Lake.
As always, before heading out, don’t forget to check out the National Park Service website for up-to-date information on road closures and other important announcements.
Where to go first in Grand Teton National Park.
As I advised earlier, you need to start the day early! This is for two reasons: you want to squeeze as much as possible in your one day, and two, to beat the crowds. Please keep in mind this itinerary assumes you are staying in Jackson. If staying in other areas of Wyoming or if in the park, you may need to move things around. I would recommend heading to one of two places first, Mormom Row or Gros Ventre Road along the Gros Ventre River.
Mormon Row
Mormon Row is a historic district located in the park. According to the National Park Service website
“Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, sent parties from the Salt Lake Valley to establish new communities and support their expanding population. Mormon homesteaders, who settled east of Blacktail Butte near the turn of the 19-century, clustered their farms to share labor and community, a stark contrast with the isolation typical of many western homesteads. These settlers first arrived in the 1890s from Idaho, establishing a community (named Grovont by the U.S. Post Office) known today as “Mormon Row.”
Homesteaders established 27 homesteads in the Grovont area because of relatively fertile soil, shelter from winds by Blacktail Butte, and access to the Gros Ventre River. Despite the harsh conditions of Jackson Hole, Mormon settlers grew crops by using irrigation. These hardy settlers dug ditches by hand and with teams of horses, building an intricate network of levees and dikes to funnel water from central ditches to their fields between 1896 and 1937. Water still flows in some of these ditches.”
Mormon Row Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 as a Historic District.
This area is known to photographers for its amazing sunrises over the barn and the Tetons. Hence, this may be an area to visit first when exploring the park. We did not see it at dawn. Instead, we went back one evening and caught the sunset.
Gros Ventre Road
Our first stop was a drive down Gros Ventre Road, where we pulled up alongside the Gros Ventre River. Early in the morning is prime time moose-watching!
We saw a few moose and many photographers trying to get that perfect shot.
Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls
After stopping for this beautiful view of the Tetons,
we headed to Jenny Lake.
Jenny Lake is one of the most popular spots in Grand Teton. It has beautiful views of the Teton mountains and many gorgeous hikes. We loved it so much we went back a couple of days later and hiked the lake to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. I will go into more detail on that hike at a later date.
Once at Jenny Lake, head over to the boat dock and purchase tickets to take the boat over to the other side of the lake. Shuttles run every 10-15 minutes throughout the day. The shuttle boat offers several options. One can take the shuttle round-trip (over and back with hiking time between); One-way from either East or West dock (ride the boat one way and hike one way). It is possible to hike to Hidden Falls and then take the shuttle to return to the East side of the lake. Hop on the next boat and pay at the counter on the East Dock.
Our tour included a round-trip shuttle boat ticket. It was a nice ride with gorgeous views of the mountains. Once docked at the other side, it is about a 1-mile hike up to Hidden Falls. It was a great hike, and due to time constraints, we decided to come back on a different day and do a much longer hike. Here are some of the views we saw on the hike up to and back from Hidden Falls.
Drive up to Signal Mountain
From Jenny Lake, we drove to the top of Signal Mountain. Signal Mountain Road is a five-mile, 1,000-foot climb of switchbacks to an observation area at the top of Signal Mountain. At the top, we were treated with a view of Teton Valley, Jackson Lake, and the Teton Mountains. The wildflowers were pretty amazing as well.
Lunch at Colter Bay
After an entire morning and early afternoon of activities, stop at Colter Bay for a bathroom break and lunch. Nestled along the banks of Jackson Lake, this is a great place to take a rest. There are picnic benches to sit and eat a packed lunch. Or there are a couple of different restaurants in which to grab a bite to eat. The view alone is worth the stop.
Snake River Overlook
The views from the Snake River are just stunning, especially from the overlook. If you are not too tired from the day, I highly recommend a float ride down the river. It makes for a perfect ending to a perfect day. However, if you have more than one day in Grand Teton as we did, I would save this for later.
As you can see, Grand Teton National Park has so much to offer. For those planning multiple days in this park, check back for my next post, where I explore two and three-day itineraries in Grand Teton National Park.
Until next time, happy adventuring!
Howdy from Jackson, WY
This past June, we spent 10 days exploring Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. When planning where we would stay, Jackson, WY, seemed like the logical choice. We planned to spend the first part of the trip exploring Grand Teton National Park, head to Yellowstone for a few days, and then back to Jackson for the 4th of July. Please note, while in Yellowstone, we stayed in different locations in Montana that I will write about at some other time.
Jackson, WY is a town within the Jackson Hole Valley in Teton County. It is a popular tourist destination due to its three major ski resorts, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. It also has an airport located approximately 10 minutes away, which was a huge factor when choosing places to stay for our visit to the National Parks.
Fun Fact: Jackson Hole Airport is the only airport located fully within a National Park.
Due to its popularity, Jackson has become the premier tourist destination. The town developed a large shopping and eating district with many art galleries, custom jewelers, and designer clothing retailers centered on the town square. One will find a variety of lodging options, from camping to high-end hotels and resorts.
Where to stay in Jackson?
We wanted to be within walking distance to downtown Jackson, close to the entrance of Grand Teton National Park and a short drive to the airport. I also wanted a wild west feel and theme, so we stayed away from traditional hotels. We chose to stay at Cowboy Village Resort right outside the downtown area.
Cowboy Village Resort
Cowboy Village Resort is made up of authentic log cabins, all with either a porch or patio, kitchenettes, indoor pool, laundry, fitness room, and breakfast offered in the main house. There are various size cabins. We booked a one-bedroom with a pull-out sofa for the boys. I had wanted something larger, but that was all that was available at the time. The cabins were clean and comfortable. I loved the front porch and could have sat there for hours, taking in the mountain air. We were 6 blocks from the center of town and walked everywhere. The kitchenette came in handy when there was not a dinner reservation to be found. (More on that later).
We stayed at Cowboy Village for 4 nights. We enjoyed our stay and would consider staying there again. Though it was a bit expensive, Jackson overall is pretty expensive. It is located in one of the richest counties in the United States. The other two negatives, the size of our cabin and the air conditioning. With two teenage boys, it was a bit cramped at times. Thankfully we were not in the cabin a lot, and we know for next time, there are larger cabins available. The cabins are equipped with wall air conditioner units. Wyoming was experiencing a heatwave, so this may not be an issue at any other time, but I felt they did not work that well.
Spring Creek Ranch
We spent two nights at the Spring Creek Ranch and Resort at the back end of our trip. This is a 4-star resort that boasted all sorts of activities, a spa, and a world-class restaurant. Spring Creek sits on top of a mountain and has breathtaking views of the Teton mountain range. It is located 3 miles from town, a bit further than I wanted to be, but since it had a restaurant, not a problem, except it was a problem. The restaurant was not open due to a lack of help or COVID. It was not clear why it was not open. Many of the activities were not available, nor was the spa. I had also read that the rooms had been refurbished. However, not all the rooms had been, and it was clear ours was not.
We had rented a one-bedroom suite. The room was plenty big, but it needed some serious updating and no AC! The best part of the resort was our balcony and the views.
Where to eat in Jackson?
The town of Jackson has something for everyone. From delicious coffee and pastries to pizza, international cuisine, breweries, and world-class steak and game restaurants, you will not go hungry. Unless, of course, you do not have a reservation. The wait times were long, and many places stopped taking names. Thankfully there was a grocery store nearby, and we grabbed some sandwiches and other items to heat up.
However, we were able to eat in a few places; for the most part, they were excellent. Upon our arrival to Jackson, we had a late lunch, early dinner at Roadhouse Brewing Company. The Roadhouse is Jackson’s only outdoor patio overlooking the square, complete with 30 different beers and elevated pub food. I tried a bison burger, and it was delicious.
One night we ate at The Gun Barrel. This came highly recommended, and rightfully so. The Gun Barrel serves fine steaks, wild game, fresh fish, and more. The decor was exactly what I expected to see in this part of the country. The food and drinks were amazing. The buffalo ribs were to die for. The kids had huge Caesar salads with grilled chicken that they loved. I would have eaten there every night.
For a quick meal, we stopped for pizza for one night at Pinky G’s Pizzeria. It was voted the best pizza in all of Jackson. My husband and kids love pizza and thought it was good. However, being from Boston, I was not impressed. Plus we had to wait two hours, FOR PIZZA!
By far, one of our favorite places was the JH Roasters Restaurant and Coffee House. We discovered their coffee on our second day in Jackson and loved it. The whole vibe of the coffee house was so cool. A lot of the photographers hang out there to edit and work on their photos. The coffee was delicious, as were the pastries. The other food looked just as good, but we did not have the opportunity to try it.
Finally, a Jandrue summer vacation is not complete without ice cream! Moo’s Gourmet is Jackson’s ONLY 100% all-natural gourmet ice cream with 32 flavors available daily. One of the most popular is the Huckleberry ice cream, and it did not disappoint.
What to do in Jackson?
The possibilities are endless! Summertime in Jackson is just as fun or, dare I say, even more fun than ski season in the winter. With Grand Teton National Park just minutes away, there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. There is hiking, horseback riding, white water rafting, scenic float trips, wildlife tours, water sports, etc. When exploring the great outdoors, Jackson has many shops to explore, from the typical souvenir shop to high-end retailers and art galleries. There truly is something for everyone.
So what did we do? Our main purpose of the trip was to visit the national parks. While staying in Jackson, we spent most of our time exploring Grand Teton National Park. We booked three tours, scoped out wildlife, saw the sunrise and set, floated down the Snake River, and hiked. More on each of these in a later blog post.
We also did quite a bit of shopping and exploring the downtown area of Jackson. There were so many cute stores. Oh, and make sure to take a photo in front of the elk antler archway. It is a famous spot for photos. On our last night, we had a fantastic experience at the Bar T -5 Covered Wagon, Cookout, and Show.
The Bar T-5 Covered Wagon, Cookout, and Show is Jackson Hole’s original chuckwagon dinner. Upon arrival at their ranch, we were given the history of the ranch and the town of Jackson. The ranch is family-owned and run. It was all so interesting. Once the show was over, we were loaded into these beautiful covered wagons. We traveled by horse-drawn covered wagons into the beautiful Cache Creek Canyon located in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. There were a dozen or so wagons in all that traveled two miles into the forest. They were lead by wranglers who provided a wealth of information about the area, the horses, and more.
Once at the camp, we were welcomed by one of the owners, and my husband Bill was asked to come up on stage and kick things off! His job was to go ring the dinner bell, and the kids and I were to yell, “Come and get it.” It was a lot of fun.
Dinner was delicious. It consisted of all-you-can-eat brisket, chicken, baked beans, corn on the cob, rolls, salad, cookies, blondies, water, coffee, lemonade, and hot chocolate. After dinner, we were treated to a spectacular show, complete with music, singing, laughing, and a visit from the friendly mountain man, Buckskin. We were so impressed with the talent of these musicians, in particular this young lady. Take a listen.
After the show, we hopped back on the wagons and traveled back down into the valley, watching the sunset as we went. It was the perfect way to end our time in Jackson. For more information, check out their website.
Final Thoughts on Jackson, WY
We found Jackson to be the perfect home base as we explored Grand Teton National Park. Though a bit pricey and crowded at times, we would not hesitate to stay here again. Grand Teton blew me away, and it will not be my only time visiting this park. I would love to come out and explore Wyoming in the wintertime. Be sure to check back as I continue posting about our time in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
Three weeks ago, we embarked on our first trip to visit 2 of the 63 National Parks located here in the United States. This trip came about in March after our Canadian Rockies trip was canceled for the second time. After some research, we decided to spend ten days in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
Attendance at the National Parks is at a record high. It started last year at the height of the pandemic and is continuing this summer. In June 2021, Yellowstone saw record attendance with 938,845 visits, making it the most visited June on record. So far, Yellowstone has hosted 1,587,998 visits, and that is up 17% from 2019. The National Park Service has told people to expect crowds and to plan ahead. Here are ten tips to help plan your next trip to one of our 63 parks!
Before sharing my tips, I want to preface this by saying these tips worked for my family. We are new to exploring the National Parks, new to hiking, and some of these other outdoor adventures. If you have followed me for a while, you will see this was a bit of a different vacation for us. We were not sure what to expect, and I wanted to maximize our time in each park.
1) Purchase a U.S. Park Pass.
The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass can be used at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. The pass includes admission to parks for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Children age 15 or under are admitted free. The cost to enter Grand Teton and Yellowstone is $35.00 for seven days for each park. We plan on hitting Acadia later in the summer, that is another $35.00, for a total of $105.00. The U.S. Parks Pass is $80.00 for 12 months! Well worth the price. You can find more information here.
2) – Stay in a Central Location.
Many of the National Parks are pretty vast. Did you know that Yellowstone is the size of Rhode Island and Delaware combined? To cut down on driving, I highly recommend either staying inside the parks or finding lodging near where you plan to spend your time. For our ten-day trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton, we stayed in 4 different hotels.
For the first 4 nights, our home base was Jackson, Wyoming, located 15 mins from the south entrance to Grand Teton National Park. It made the ride to and from the parks easy and convenient. There were restaurants, shops, a grocery store and other activities nearby in downtown Jackson.
When left Jackson and Grand Teton and headed to Yellowstone; we entered from the south entrance and followed Grand Loop Road along the eastern side of the park, all the way to the northwest entrance of the park. It made for a great day of sightseeing. When visiting Yellowstone for five days/four nights, we stayed in two locations. The first was Gardiner, MT, which allowed us easy and quick access to Mammoth Springs and Lamar Valley.
The third hotel was located in West Yellowstone, which made seeing the western part of the park much more manageable.
Plus, when we left Yellowstone to head back to Grand Teton and Jackson, we were able to make stops along the western side of Grand Loop Road that we have missed. Our last hotel was back in Jackson. It was close to the airport and our remaining activities.
3) Plan Meals Ahead of Time.
I mean all meals and snacks! As mentioned, attendance at the parks is at an all-time high. This includes the towns bordering the parks as well. In Jackson, we soon learned if we did not have a dining reservation, we were not eating. Thankfully we had a small kitchen in our cabin, and there was a grocery store. We made sure to pack a breakfast and lunch for the days we were out in the parks, especially when exploring Yellowstone. Fortunately, every tour we booked included meals and snacks. On another note, we soon realized the lodges and hotels inside Yellowstone only had quick serve. The majority of the restaurants were closed, and it made for very long lines. We waited 30 mins for ice cream at the Old Faithful Lodge.
4) Water, Water and More Water
Hydration is vital when exploring and hiking the parks. The higher the altitude, the drier the air, and the more you will need to hydrate. I was a bit fearful we would all get altitude sickness, so I made sure we hydrated well before leaving Boston. Once we were in Wyoming and Montana, we bought cases of water and made sure to have at least two bottles per person with us at all times. While hiking, we carried backpacks that had hydration bladders in them.
5) Book a Tour or 2.
As I mentioned, this was our first time visiting the parks. We had ten days, and I wanted to see as much as possible. Over the ten days, we went on six different tours. All of them were amazing. In Grand Teton, we did an all-day tour of the park, a sunrise safari that included breakfast, and a 10-mile float ride down the Snake River. In Yellowstone, we did an all-day tour of the park, a Bear and Wolves Wildlife tour, and a guided hike around the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. We maximized our time; it gave us an excellent overview of the parks and gave us an idea of what we wanted to go back and see on our own. I highly recommend it.
6) Pack and Wear Layers.
We had a lot of early mornings, and it was rather chilly in the parks. We always had sweatshirts to start with a short-sleeved shirt underneath. More times than not, I had on workout pants that fared well in cool and warmer temps.
7) Grab a Map.
Either grab a map at the entrance or download one to your phone. There is minimal service in the parks, and the car’s GPS may not work. I found the maps the park rangers provided to be very helpful.
8) Download Park Apps.
The National Park Service puts out an app that lists all the parks. You pick a park, and it details what to see, things to do, self-guided tours, a park calendar, and more. I found the individuals parks each have apps as well. The best part is you can save the app for offline use.
However, my favorite app is called The Gypsy Guide. It is a narrated audio tour that gives behind-the-scenes stories about the history, geology, hikes, wildlife, and cultural highlights that play automatically along the route. The app is used offline, so no need to worry about the lack of signal. We used it when we drove from Jackson through Grand Teton and Yellowstone. The only downside, they don’t have a tour for every park. I would love one for our Acadia National Park trip. Check it out here.
9) Essential Toiletries.
The air is dry in Wyoming and Montana. It affected every part of the body, from our nasal passages, lips, and skin. We made sure to have saline, chapstick, and moisturizer. The saline is a lifesaver. Without it, Nicholas and I would not have been able to breathe through our noses.
10) Have Plenty of Storage on your Phone and Memory Cards
The amount of photos we took is crazy. Everywhere we looked, we were surrounded by beauty. I wanted to capture every moment!
Happy Exploring!
A couple of years ago, if you would have asked if a winter destination was on my bucket list, I would have thought you were crazy. I am not a fan of cold temperatures, nor do we ski, snowboard, or enjoy playing in the snow. However, a couple of friends went to Wyoming with Adventures by Disney during the winter, and it looked amazing. The scenery was breathtaking. There were other things to do besides skiing and snowboarding. With the right clothes, we could brave it! It is not like the snow is foreign to us. We are New Englanders! Now that we have decided to go, the question became when. I was hoping for the week between Christmas and the New Year. Well, then 2020 became a horror movie, and that got put on hold. We have quite a few things scheduled for 2021, so it looks like it maybe 2022 before we go. In the meantime, here is destination number 8 of the Travel Bucket List Series- Winter in Wyoming.
How to get there? – From Boston, we will fly into Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Jackson Hole is made up of Grand Teton National Park and the town of Jackson. The majority of our time will be spent in Jackson Hole, but the first stop, Yellowstone National Park.
Yellowstone National Park
An hour away, Yellowstone is part of the National Parks system and was the first National Park in the United States. Yellowstone is made up of 3,500 square miles and spreads into three states, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. It has enormous canyons, forests, alpine rivers and geysers, the most famous of all, Old Faithful. It is home to plenty of wildlife, such as bears, coyotes, wolves, bison, elk, antelope, and more. Here are a few fun facts about Yellowstone.
- It is the size of Rhode Island and Delaware combined.
- It has more than half the world’s geysers (Over 500).
- There are 67 species of mammals in Yellowstone.
- There are 290 waterfalls.
- It has roughly 1,000-3,000 earthquakes a year.
We will stay at the Mammoth Hot Springs and Cabins for the first few nights of our trip. The hotel underwent an extensive renovation in 2019. It consists of premium rooms, suites, and cabins. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar, and a deli.
As I mentioned above, we do not go skiing or snowboarding. So what exactly is there for us to do in Yellowstone in the winter? I found several activities.
Old Faithful Winter Day Tour- with Snowshoeing
From the hotel, board a snow coach and make your way toward the magnificent geyser. Old Faithful was the first geyser in the park to be named back in 1870. It is highly predictable and erupts every 44 mins to two hours since 2000. It is a must-see. Along the way, the coach stops for wildlife viewing and at such sights like the Fountain Paint Pots. Once at Old Faithful, you have a couple of hours to explore and take in the magnificent wonder. There are several ways to explore the basin. You may walk or grab a pair of cross country skis or snowshoes and have some fun. I am excited to snowshoe.
Norris Geyser Basin
Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest, oldest, and most dynamic of Yellowstone’s thermal areas. Very few visit this area in the winter, and it is touted as one of Yellowstone’s best-kept secrets. The only way to see this area in the winter is by snowmobiles or snow coach. The trees are covered in snow, the snow is deep, and from everything I read, it is all so very magical. There are several things to see here, such as
- Steamboat Geyser: The world’s tallest active geyser, In the Back Basin, you’ll find the world’s tallest active geyser. Eruptions are rare and unpredictable, so I hope we time it just right.
- Porcelain Basin: This is home to Ledge Geyser, which erupts at an angle, and the ever steaming Black Growler Vent.
- Back Basin: a forested version of the Porcelain Basin and home to the Steamboat Geyser.
Winter Wildlife Tour
As a family of animal lovers, how could we not put this tour on our list? This tour explores the Northern Range, where there are wide open grassy valleys that, in the winter, are covered with less snow than other locations in the park, making it a bit easier to get to that food source. It is home to bison, elk, coyote, wolves, eagles, bighorn, and many more.
Another must go for me while in Yellowstone is a photography tour. Using a handpicked itinerary, it takes you through Yellowstone and shows you how to capture the best photographs.
Jackson Hole
After a few action-packed days, it will be time to head back to Jackson Hole. We plan to stay at The Wort Hotel. The Wort Hotel is Jackson Hole’s finest boutique hotel. It has 55 rooms, including five sophisticated western-themed suites.
Located in the center of town, the hotel is on the list of National Registry of Historic Places. It is within walking distance of numerous shops and bars.
Things to do in Jackson Hole
Oh, what to do first? With the Grand Teton National Park and the Snake River right there, the outdoor activities are endless.
Sunset Sleigh Ride– Take a sleigh ride along the Snake River as the sun sets over the Teton Mountains. The ride includes a stop at a Tipi Camp where a roaring fire and appetizers and drinks are served.
Sleigh Ride through the National Elk Refuge– thousands of elk migrate to the refuge each year, and the sleigh ride gives plenty of opportunities to see these animals up close and personal.
Snow King Mountain– Known as the in-town playground for adults and kids alike, this mountain resort offers skiing, tubing, snowboarding, and its winter cowboy coaster. There is something to do for everyone.
Jackson Hole Playhouse – The dinner shows here are not to be missed. I hear the food and entertainment are excellent.
Iditarod-Style Dog Sled Excursion– When we were in the Yukon, we experienced summer dog sledding. Since then, I have wanted to try it in the winter. This is a must-do for my family and me.
Granite Hot Springs– Relax in the steaming, rejuvenating waters of the Granite Hot Springs. Take in the beautiful Gros Ventre Mountains and the towering pines that surround you as you float, swim, and soak in these natural hot springs.
Snowshoeing at Grand Teton National Park– The park offers a two-hour guided snowshoe hike that meets at Taggart Lake Trailhead. Listen as a range talks about winter ecology and snow science.
After seeing all that Wyoming has to offer in the winter, I know we will be inspired to come back in the summer. I guess that means the travel bucket list continues to grow. Not a bad thing, right?
Are you interested in my other bucket list trips? Check them out and leave a comment as to which one you would like to experience first.
