Grand Teton National Park is a stunning, serene destination for hiking, scenic drives and more. The park has some of the most beautiful landscapes in North America. Here are 10 things to do while visiting Grand Teton National Park.
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Enjoy the Scenic Drive
The 42 mile scenic loop is an easy drive providing an introduction to the park and its majestic views. Park recommended drives that afford you stunning beauty and a chance to see wildlife include Moose-Wilson Road, Signal Mountain Summit Road, and Teton Park Road.
Explore Mormon Row
These buildings stand as a window into earlier pioneer history. Spend a bit of time exploring and photographing these historic sites built by settlers.
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Visit Jackson Lake Lodge
The gorgeous landscape and a building grand enough to do it all justice is what you will find at Jackson Lake Lodge. With floor-to-ceiling windows that spread across the back of the building, you will have endless opportunities to contemplate the beauty of nature. Whether you choose to do it from the warmth of the upstairs indoor lobby or soaking up the sun on the outdoor patio will be your choice. We suggest you grab a huckleberry margarita from the bar, get the kids a huckleberry milkshake from the dining hall and relax for a while.
Take a Hike
There are hundreds of opportunities to get out into nature at Grand Teton National Park. If you’re looking for a family-friendly easy hike that gives you amazing views without the crowds then follow us to Taggart Lake. This easy 3.2-mile round-trip hike takes you to a smooth-as-glass lake nestled at the base of the Teton Range.
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Learn About the Park at a Visitor Center
With numerous visitor centers throughout the park as well as one in Jackson, you have opportunities no matter where you are to learn more about the geological and cultural history of the area. These are also great places to grab a souvenir knowing that your money is going back into the preservation of the park.
Jenny Lake
Enjoy gently sloping bridges that cross fast-moving rivers and level boardwalk paths that encourage a stroll along the lakeshore. This is Jenny Lake. As soon as you get out of your car you can see why this is one of the most popular areas of the park. Get here early as the lot fills fast and rangers are not shy about giving tickets to people who think parking laws do not apply to them.
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Boat Ride
Cross Jenny Lake to take advantage of some of the most popular family friendly hikes in the park. You can get a family pass if you have children under the age of 18. This can be a good deal if planning to cross with a group. Or skip the hike and take a scenic cruise! Up for more adventure then you can rent kayaks for a couple of hours in the early morning before the crowds come in to enjoy the solitude of you and the water.
Watch Wildlife
You can see bison, elk, bear, and wolves all along the roadside or in the surrounding fields. We were lucky enough to watch a herd of elk grazing beyond Jackson Lake Lodge and the small pack of wolves who were hunting them. The elk won the day but if was a fascinating thing to watch from our patio’s front-row seats.
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Go Horseback Riding
There are authorized horseback riding concessioners at Grand Teton National Park. Check the official National Park Service website for details on reserving your spot with one of their recommended teams. You can plan for a ranch stay and horse riding vacation with Grand Teton National Park as your backdrop. Or you can do something within the park as a single-day activity. In some instances there are age and height requirements so be sure to check with your chosen concessioner for details as you plan.
Bike Ride
Trails for bike riding are throughout the park. The views from these biking pathways are impressive! I cannot think of a more enjoyable way to get some exercise! There is a multi-use pathway that extends all the way from Jackson to Antelope Flats Road. Paths throughout the park open seasonally and close during parts of the year due to animal migration. So be sure to check in with the National Park Service’s official website to get the most up-to-date information regarding where you can ride.
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Bonus: Explore the Area
We enjoyed our time in Jackson window shopping. This happening town is just south of Grand Teton National Park. There is an endless supply of shops for souvenirs, and local artists, as well as dining opportunities. Free parking was available. If you are looking for a place to eat we highly recommend Thai Plate. They have a Facebook page if you’d like to look at their menu. We had about a 45-minute wait for dinner but it was more than worth it!
Granite Hot Springs was recommended to us by friends as a fantastic place to go to relax sore muscles after a day of hiking. The concrete pool fed by hot springs is open year-round and the water is currently running between 80 – 93 degrees. In the winter it is a bit warmer. Granite Hot Springs is about an hour’s drive southeast from Jackson in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. If you get a chance to check it out leave a comment below and let us know.
Finally, if you are interested in a visit to Yellowstone after your time at Grand Teton we would love to help you avoid the crowds that so often take over America’s first national park. Check out our post on how to get the most out of Yellowstone without the hordes of people.