Grand Teton National Park is one of the most stunning national parks in the west.
The star attraction is the Grand Teton mountain range, which rises straight up out of the plains of the Jackson Hole valley. Canyons separate several of the peaks, two large lakes (and many smaller ones) lie at the foot of the mountains, and Snake River meanders along the length of the valley.
When you visit Grand Teton National Park, you can see historic Mormon barns and tiny churches; drive from one stunning viewpoint to another; hike around the lakes and deep into the canyons; and encounter moose and bison. It easily makes the list of the best national parks in the United States.
Use this Grand Teton travel guide to get all the information you need to have an amazing trip to the Tetons.
Grand Teton National Park at a Glance
State: Wyoming
Main attractions: Mountains, lakes, river, the legendary Grand Teton loop drive, wildlife
Shuttle: No
Itineraries for Grand Teton National Park
*** Available for purchase ***
These are not your average blogger itineraries, which tend to be short summaries of things that they did on their one visit there. These itineraries are all about YOU and helping you have the best time.
They will take away the overwhelm that often accompanies planning a trip to Grand Teton National Park. They’re a combination detailed hour-by-hour itinerary (with options for different activity levels), guidebook, hiking guide, driving directions, travel tips, and more. You’ll need nothing else to plan your trip – it’s all done for you (but you still have choices).
One-day, two-day or three-day detailed itineraries for Grand Teton National Park available for purchase:
EXCLUSIVE BONUS CONTENT WITH GRAND TETON ITINERARIES
Grand Teton National Park Travel Guide
Please note this post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at zero cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see our full Disclosure for more information. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Planning a Trip to Grand Teton National Park
Planning a trip to Grand Teton National Park can be overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be. Use this Grand Teton National Park travel guide as your Grand Teton trip planner. Click on the links below to go to detailed guides and find answers to your questions.
To take away the overwhelm of planning, the best option is to pick up a detailed itinerary. I have done all the heavy lifting for you. Choose from one, two or three days. Each itinerary is crammed with detailed driving and hiking maps and hour-by-hour suggestions of what to do and where to go to avoid spending your precious vacation time driving around parking lots or competing with crowds on the trails.
Get a 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day itinerary for Grand Teton National Park here
7 things that you should AVOID doing when planning your Grand Teton vacation!
If you’re visiting Grand Teton in winter, be sure to read this guide. It has the full low down on road closures, activities to do, where to stay, and exactly what to expect in winter.
Read More: HOW TO VISIT GRAND TETON IN WINTER
Entrance Fee for Grand Teton National Park
There is an entrance fee for a large part of the park. Find the latest fees on the NPS website.
To avoid long lines and save money, if you are planning to visit more than just the Tetons this year, it can be great value to purchase an America The Beautiful pass.
The one-year pass includes standard entrance at all sites managed by the National Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and Army Corps of Engineers. It covers the entrance fee for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle or up to 4 adults at sites that charge per person.
Get an America The Beautiful pass here.
Grand Teton Park Entrances
There are four road entrances to Grand Teton National Park.
- Moran Entrance. At the north east corner of the park, this services roads coming from the east.
- Moose Entrance. This is the best entrance to Grand Teton National Park if you’re coming from Jackson or other points south or west.
- Granite Canyon Entrance. This is at the end of the Moose-Wilson Road, which is slow and winding. If you’re coming from the south/ west (Utah or Idaho), it may on paper seem the fastest route but it is actually quicker to go via the Moose entrance. This entrance is best if you want to do the scenic Moose-Wilson drive or are staying in Teton Village.
- Coming from the north (Yellowstone), you’ll actually pass the Grand Teton National Park entrance sign, and enter the park, but never pass through an entrance gate. For information, maps, etc., stop at the Flagg Ranch Information Center on the way.
Grand Teton Visitor Centers
There are several visitor centers throughout the park and in nearby Jackson. For details, addresses and opening hours, visit the NPS website.
Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park
There is no shortage of things to do in Grand Teton National Park, no matter when you go. For a comprehensive list of activities in the warmer months, check out my guide featuring 21 incredible things to do in Grand Teton National Park.
Grand Teton National Park is completely different in winter. The inner roads closes to cars and opens for fun winter activities. In this guide, discover 12 super fun things to do in the Tetons in the winter months.
Read More: BEST THINGS IN GRAND TETON IN WINTER
One of the most famous features of the national park is the 42-mile scenic loop drive. This comprehensive guide tells you all you need to get the most out of the drive, with all the highlights along the way.
Read More: GRAND TETON SCENIC DRIVE GUIDE
Grand Teton is most famous the incredible scenery. Don’t miss out on any of the amazing views with this detailed list and description of the best viewpoints in the park.
Read More: BEST VIEWS IN GRAND TETON
Best Tours of Grand Teton National Park
Where to Stay Near Grand Teton National Park
The nearest towns are Jackson (the most convenient), Teton Village, and Wilson. Find accommodations near Grand Teton on booking.com here.
If you’d prefer to stay in a house, cabin or apartment, my guide to the best vacation rentals in Jackson Hole has some top pick suggestions.
Read More: BEST RENTALS IN JACKSON HOLE
Places To Stay Inside Grand Teton National Park
There are several lodges and several campgrounds inside the park.
Find details of all the lodges inside Grand Teton National Park here
Find all the Grand Teton campgrounds here
How to Get To Grand Teton National Park
The most common ways to get to Grand Teton National Park is to drive or fly into one of the nearby airports and pick up a rental car there. Read this detailed guide about all the ways to get to Grand Teton National Park for more details.
Read More: HOW TO GET TO GRAND TETON
If you need a rental car, find one on RentalsCars.com
If you’re looking for a flight, find a good deal on Skyscanner
If you’re staying outside the park, the most common gateway town is Jackson.
How far is Jackson Hole from Grand Teton National Park? From Jackson to Grand Teton is just a 20-minute drive.
How far is it from Grand Teton to Jackson Hole Airport? The airport is actually inside the national park, but it’s a 15-minute drive from the airport to Jackson.
Nearest Airports for Grand Teton National Park
While Jackson Hole Airport is the closest, it isn’t the only airport that you can fly into or out of when visiting Grand Teton National Park. This guide gives you the full lowdown on all the nearby airports and the pros and cons of using each of them.
Read More: BEST AIRPORTS FOR GRAND TETON
If you’re looking for flights, use Skyscanner to scan the Internet for the cheapest deals.
How to Get Around Grand Teton National Park
Once you’re there, the easiest way to get around Grand Teton National Park is by car. You’ll need your own vehicle or to rent a car at the airport. You can find a rental car here.
The other option is to get a transfer from the airport into Jackson or Teton Village and then take a tour to the park.
When to Visit Grand Teton National Park
In general, the best time to go to Grand Teton National Park is September. Everything is still open, the crowds have thinned out, and the fall color is starting to pop. However, this isn’t the only good time to go.
Read detailed information on every season, so you can make the most informed decision for your own trip.
Read More: BEST TIME TO VISIT GRAND TETON
How Long to Spend in Grand Teton National Park
How many days you should visit Grand Tetons depends on what time you have available, your budget and your interests. I recommend at least three days to give the park its due and get to experience all it has to offer.
If you have less or more time, and want to see what you can realistically expect to see and do in that time, this guide has a breakdown for you.
Read More: HOW LONG TO SPEND IN GRAND TETON
Hikes in Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton is a hiker’s dream. Discover all the best hikes you can do – into canyons, around lakes and up mountains. This Grand Teton hiking guide includes trail details so you can choose hikes to suit your interest and comfort level.
Read More: BEST HIKES IN GRAND TETON
My favorite hike in Grand Teton, Cascade Canyon, starts with a boat ride across Jenny Lake, takes a side trip to Hidden Falls, and then follows a creek through a dramatic craggy canyon. Get full trail details and descriptions in this detailed guide.
Read More: CASCADE CANYON TRAIL GUIDE
Travel Insurance for Grand Teton National Park
When planning a trip to Grand Tetons, you shouldn’t overlook travel insurance. Protect yourself against trip cancellation, loss or theft of your property or any medical emergencies.
A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here or get a quote right now:
Travel Tips for Grand Teton National Park
My top three tips for visiting the Grand Tetons are:
- Book early. This is one of the most popular national parks in the US, so it requires some advance planning.
- Have a plan. Avoid spending your vacation driving around parking lots looking for a space to park. Get one of my detailed itineraries – they tell you when and where to go to have the least chance of getting caught in traffic and the best chance of being in the right place at the right time to enjoy the lakes and trails, take the best photos, and see wildlife. Get the 1-, 2-, and 3-day itineraries here.
- Get an early start. This is the best way to beat the crowds, see wildlife, and have the best light for photos.
Books About Grand Teton National Park
Get in the spirit of your vacation and learn about the Tetons before you go; immerse yourself with reading material while you’re there; or keep your memories alive after your trip. This reading list includes interesting tales, information, novels, and picture books.
Read More: BEST BOOKS ABOUT GRAND TETON
To save this Grand Teton visitors guide for later, Pin It to your National Parks board:
About the author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and all of the main national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for most of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, comprehensive camping and hiking gear reviews and buying guides, and helpful packing lists and gift guides will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
Parks Collecting is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
