This Grand Teton National Park travel guide covers everything you need to know—from how to get around and where to stay to epic hikes and best viewpoints. It’s loaded with insider tips to help you plan an unforgettable trip.
When you think of Wyoming, what comes to mind?
Cowboys on horseback? Buffalo? Big expanses of wide-open nothingness?
I can assure you that while Wyoming has all of the above, it is also home to so, so much more…
Like incredible landscapes that’ll make you wonder why this state is often overlooked.
I visited Grand Teton National Park as a child and remember thinking it was the prettiest place I had ever seen. And when Ben and I were planning our own trip I wondered if I’d be let down by my cute childhood recollections. (This has happened before!)
Turns out, I wasn’t disappointed. Not even in the slightest.
Our team member, Amanda, said the same thing when she visited for her first time in 2024. It quickly jumped to the top of her list of favorite US National Parks.
If you’re dreaming of epic mountain scenery, wildlife encounters, and some of the best hiking trails in the country, you’re in the right place. This guide will help you plan the perfect trip to Grand Teton National Park—whether it’s your first visit or you’re returning for the first time since childhood.
Grand Teton National Park Travel Guide
- Park overview
- Entrance fees
- Best time to visit
- Top things to do
- Best hikes
- Best viewpoints
- Grand Teton National Park itinerary
- Grand Teton National Park map
- Getting around
- Where to stay
- What to pack
- Tips for visiting
Grand Teton National Park overview
- Open: year-round
- Good to know: some roads, all campgrounds, and most visitors’ facilities are closed from November through April.
- Check here to see what will be closed during your visit
- Entrance Fee: $35 per vehicle or free as part of an annual America the Beautiful Pass
- Wildlife: Moose, grizzly and black bears, elk, pronghorn, bison, many species of birds
- Established: February 26, 1929
- Ancestral Lands: Shoshone people
- Area: approximately 310,000 acres, 485 square miles
Even though Yellowstone is the more famous of the two national parks in Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park is far from off the beaten path. In fact, in 2024 there were more than 3.6 million annual visitors (according to BuckRail based on NPS data), making this park pretty dang popular in its own right.
With jagged peaks that jut up into the sky, excellent chances for spotting wildlife, incredible sunsets, vibrant wildflowers, alpine lakes in brilliant shades of blue, and plenty of opportunities for adventure, Grand Teton National Park isn’t overrated in the slightest.
If you like mountains and alpine lakes and wildflowers (umm how can you not?!), this place is pure magic.
Entrance tickets and fees
- Private vehicle: $35, valid for 7 days
- Motorcycle: $30, valid for 7 days
- Per pedestrian: $20, valid for 7 days
If you’re planning a trip to Grand Teton, it’s likely you’ll also want to stop by Yellowstone. At $35 per vehicle, entering Grand Teton along with other national parks in the U.S. can get expensive. We’d highly encourage you to look into getting an annual park pass.
For just $80 per year, you can purchase the America the Beautiful park pass. This pass grants you free access to all of the national parks. Plus it also covers your entrance to over 2,000 natural, historical, and recreational sites across the United States.
→ If you still need convincing, check out our article: America the Beautiful Annual Park Pass: Is it Worthwhile?
Best time to visit Grand Teton National Park
The best time to visit Grand Teton National Park is late spring through early fall—roughly mid-May to early October. This is when roads, trails, and visitor services are fully open, and the weather is ideal for hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography.
Summer (June–August) is the most popular time, with warm days, cool nights, and plenty of activities. It’s also the busiest, so expect crowds in popular areas.
Fall (September–early October) offers fewer visitors, crisp air, and vibrant autumn colors—plus a great chance to spot wildlife during the fall rut. This would be our top recommendation for visiting!
Spring can be beautiful, but snow often lingers on trails, and some roads may still be closed. While winter turns the park into a quiet, snowy wonderland, but access is limited and most facilities are closed.
→ Psst! Did you know Grand Teton is one of the best national parks to visit in winter?
Top things to do in Grand Teton
If you’re looking for the very best things to do in Grand Teton National Park, here are our top recommendations:
- Take the scenic route (and stop at all the viewpoints)
- Photograph the Teton Range at sunrise
- Take a scenic boat ride on Jenny Lake
- Hike to Inspiration Point
- Try a huckleberry milkshake
We have an entire article dedicated to the best things to do in Grand Teton where we share details and tips for first-time visitors.
Best hikes in Grand Teton National Park
There is no shortage of incredible hikes in this national park. Our advice is to figure out which hikes you really want to do, and create your Grand Teton itinerary around them.
If you want a quick peak at our favorite hikes (a cheat sheet of sorts) see below:
- Taggart Lake trail: easy 4.1-mile loop
- Inspiration Point & Hidden Falls: moderate ~7-mile out-and-back hike (cut off nearly 5 miles by taking the Jenny Lake boat shuttle)
- Delta Lake trail: difficult 8.5-mile out-and-back with significant elevation gain
- Cascade Canyon trail: moderate 9.1-mile out-and-back trail
→ For more inspiration and ideas, we have an entire round up of the best hikes in Grand Teton National Park over on our sister site, Go Wander Wild!
Best viewpoints in Grand Teton National Park
There are countless stunning viewpoints as you drive along Hwy 191 and Teton Park Road, we’d highly encourage you to stop at every chance you get! However, if you’re looking for the most note-worthy, bang-for-your-buck views, you don’t want to miss our favorite viewpoints in GTNP.
- Oxbow Bend: A favorite among photographers (especially at sunrise) for its mirror-like reflections of Mount Moran in the Snake River as it makes a U-shaped curve. Also a prime area to spot moose, elk, bears, foxes, otters, and even bald eagles.
- Schwabacher Landing: A sunrise favorite and wildlife hotspot, this calm section of the Snake River—dammed by beavers—offers stunning reflections of the Cathedral Group’s jagged peaks. A short path leads to multiple scenic viewpoints.
- Note: The access road is rough and full of potholes. While passable with a sedan, a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. Follow Google Maps so you don’t miss the turn off.
- Blacktail Ponds Overlook: Right across the highway from the famed Moulton barns (“Mormon Row”), this quiet viewpoint overlooks lush wetlands frequented by moose and deer with the Tetons as an impressive backdrop.
- Rooftop at Doran’s Pizza Pasta Co. in Moose: A local favorite with a nice large rooftop and outdoor terrace that’s perfect for catching sunset with a panoramic view of the Teton range.
Perfect Grand Teton National Park itinerary
Wondering how to fit all these great recommendations into just 2 days? We did the legwork for you and came up with what we think is the perfect Grand Teton National Park itinerary.
→ Heading to Yellowstone next? We also have an epic 3-day Yellowstone itinerary planned and ready for you!
Grant Teton National Park map: Our favorite spots!
Click on the map and enter your email to gain access to our interactive Grand Teton National Park map. It’s filled with our custom pins of epic hikes, best views, where to eat, where to stay and more!
How to get around Grand Teton National Park
As with most national parks in the US, Grand Teton is set up for driving, so you will need your own vehicle. There aren’t any options for public transportation in the park*.
*Some lodges offer shuttle services, but those mostly just take you to and from the town of Jackson.
Flying into Bozeman? You’ll definitely want to rent a car that can handle rougher roads and mountain passes, as you’ll be encountering both on your trip.
Search & Compare Rental Car Prices
- Discover Cars: We personally use this aggregate site to compare rental car prices from all the big name companies and get the best price possible.
- Booking.com: We’ve had good experiences finding rental cars with this site (formerly RentalCars.com) in the past.
Wanna give vanlife a try while visiting Grand Teton National Park?
It’s no secret we’re obsessed with #vanlife. However, if you don’t have the time (or interest!) in building your own conversion but you still want to give vanlife a test drive, we’ve got options for you…
Check out our list of top companies for USA Campervan Rentals from budget to bougie, we’ve even included some exclusive discounts for our readers.
One company we’d recommend looking into is Escape Campervans. They have 12 different locations across North America and come fully loaded with all the gear you need for an epic road trip. Plus, their rates are fair and affordable.
BONUS: We’ve partnered with them to give you a 10% off discount when you use our link!
Getting to and from Jackson Hole
Many people choose to road trip through Yellowstone and Grand Teton from their hometowns. We are huge road trip fans, so we definitely encourage this route.
→ Need a few extra tips for planning your route? We’ve got you covered with our step-by-step guide to planning the perfect road trip!
However, if you’re coming from afar and just don’t have the time (or patience!) to drive, you can usually find some great deals on flights to Bozeman, Montana.
From Bozeman, it’s just short of 6 hours to reach Yellowstone National Park. And from there, it’s only about 30 additional miles south to get to Grand Teton.
Where to stay in Grand Teton National Park
When visiting Grand Teton National Park you have a lot of options for where to stay…
- You can camp inside the National Park at one of the many campgrounds
- You can stay at a hotel, lodge or Airbnb in a nearby town like Jackson Hole, Moose, or Teton Village
- You can stealth camp or boondock outside the park boundaries (it is illegal within National Parks
- You can stay further away and visit as a day trip
Camping in Grand Teton National Park
Waking up to crisp mountain air and sunrise over the Tetons? Yes, please. Camping is one of the best ways to experience the park, whether you’re in a tent, RV, or campervan.
There are 8 designated campgrounds inside Grand Teton National Park, all of which require advanced reservations.
These campsites fill up fast. It’s best to make reservations as soon as you know you want to book a trip (as early as 6 months in advance if possible).
Didn’t snag a campsite? Grassy Lake Road, in the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, offers 14 free, first-come-first-served campsites across eight primitive areas. Open from mid-June, these sites have shared toilets, bear boxes, and trash bins but no water.
→ Tip: Check out this article for our best tips for finding free camping around the United States.
A note about Camping: If you’re traveling in a campervan or simply hoping to save money on your visit to Grand Tetons National Park by camping along the way, we have a deal for you!
The Dyrt is our favorite campsite locating app with the largest database of campgrounds (44,000+ campsites and counting!) and over 1 million user-submitted reviews. Plus, it’s super user-friendly, and has some pretty cool features, like outdoor gear contests and forums to connect and seek advice from fellow campers, that you won’t find on any other camping app.
Try their Pro Membership for FREE for 30 days and gain access to the offline version of the app, utilize their trip planning feature AND get exclusive discounts on campsites and gear!
Lodges in Grand Teton National Park
If you’re looking for a bit more comfort without sacrificing the views, staying at one of the park’s historic lodges is a great option. Grand Teton National Park has six lodges located within the park, each with its own character and stunning setting.
Jenny Lake Lodge offers cozy, upscale cabins with gourmet dining just steps from some of the park’s best hiking trails. Jackson Lake Lodge is known for its iconic views of the Teton Range from the huge picture windows in its lobby—and it’s a great spot for wildlife sightings. Signal Mountain Lodge sits right on the lake and is perfect for a more laid-back, rustic stay with cabin and motel-style accommodations.
Lodges are open seasonally (typically May through early October) and book up quickly, so it’s best to reserve as far in advance as possible.
Our recommended places to stay (outside the park)
- Airbnb: Outpost Sleeping Indian E6: Enjoy slope side access with this cozy condo in Teton Village. The 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit features a full kitchen and private balcony with BBQ grill, plus shared pool and spa access.
- Airbnb: Western Saloon with Teton Views!: Located an hour from Jackson Hole, this cozy little cabin is a perfect pick if you’re looking to escape the crowds. Situated on 10 acres of property overlooking the Teton mountain range in Tetonia, Idaho, it makes the perfect retreat for a couple. The cabin includes modern amenities and a few extras like a BBQ grill and Jacuzzi tub.
- Cabins & Glamping: Moose Creek Ranch: This boutique ranch is located just 20 minutes from Jackson Hole and another 20 minutes to reach the park entrance. With plenty of onsite amenities, they offer lodge suites, private cabins and unique glamping in converted covered wagons.
What to pack
- Battery pack
- Warm layers: Even in the middle of summer, mornings and evenings in Grand Teton can get chilly! We recommend packing layers and a warm jacket.
- Rain gear: While we were lucky and didn’t have any rain, we’ve heard that afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon.
- Bug spray: We prefer the natural stuff, but you do you.
- Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat
- Camera and tripod (this is our favorite for hiking)
- Hiking shoes
- Hiking snacks and camping meals
- Bear spray: It’s highly recommended to carry this on any overnight hike
- Bikes (optional)
- AllTrails Pro (or a physical map)
- Get your first week of using Alltrails+ for FREE when you sign up using our link!
- Hiking backpack
- Hydration pack and/or water bottles
Tips for visiting Grand Teton National Park (know before you go!)
- Do not feed or get close to the wildlife. Ever. Here or Anywhere.
- Know about bear safety. Grand Teton National Park is in bear country, and if you’re planning to go into the wilderness, you’ll want to carry bear spray (and know how to use it). If you camp in the backcountry, you must use a bear canister to store your food. You can rent them free of charge from the ranger station when you obtain your permit.
- Popular trails can get crowded. Like, really crowded. And parking can get really tricky as well. We’d recommend starting your days as early as possible if you’re visiting during peak season, as this will be the best way to avoid walking in a single file line on the trials (yep, that happened to us!).
- Cell service is limited. The signal in Jackson Hole is good, but when you’re in the National Park be prepared to go out of service. We recommend downloading the “offline” version of Google Maps and Alltrails (for hiking) so you always have access to maps.
- Get your first week of using Alltrails+ for FREE when you sign up using our link!
- Campsites book up early! All campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park are by reservation only and they book out months in advance. We recommend you make your campsite reservations as soon as you know you want to go—ideally 6 months in advance of your travel dates.
Plan your trip to Grand Teton National Park
We have lots more resources for planning your Grand Teton National Park trip. Start here and be sure to check out all of our Grand Teton hiking guides on our sister site, Go Wander Wild.
- Fun Things to Do in Grand Teton
- Perfect 2-Day Grand Teton National Park Itinerary
- Best Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park
- 4-Day Grand Teton to Yellowstone Itinerary
- Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park
Don’t miss your chance to grab our custom Grand Teton National Park map!
Get our map sent straight to your phone! We loaded this map with all our favorite hikes, viewpoints, restaurants and activities, so you can make the most of your time in Grand Teton and Jackson Hole.
Just enter your email and we’ll immediately send you access instructions!
Love exploring USA National Parks?
Us too—in fact, we’re kind of obsessed with them!
We have tons of articles, guides, and itineraries for just about every national park we’ve visited. Browse our National Parks homepage or click on one of our national park guides below.
- Acadia National Park, ME
- Arches National Park, UT
- Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
- Canyonlands National Park, UT
- Capitol Reef National Park, UT
- Death Valley National Park, CA & NV
- Glacier National Park, MT
- Joshua Tree National Park, CA
- North Cascades National Park, WA
- Olympic National Park, WA
- Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
- Yellowstone National Park, WY
- Yosemite National Park, CA
- Zion National Park, UT
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We want to hear from you!
We hope this Grand Teton National Park travel guide has been a helpful resource for planning your trip. If you have more questions about traveling in Grand Teton, leave your comment below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!