Highlights of Wyoming

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK

Each time that I have visited Grand Teton, I have been blown away by the views of the Teton Range mountains.

In fact, the first time I saw them, I shed a tear or two at their stunning glory. These mountains are the youngest members of the Rocky Mountains, and their jagged peaks tower over the Jackson Hole area. The mountain views alone are enough to make Grand Teton National Park worth a visit, but it has so much more to offer as well.

Grand Teton is a phenomenal place to spot some of the best wildlife in North America.

It is home to a rich population of grizzly bears, moose, elk, hawks, eagles, and many more. If you visit one of the peaceful meadows of the park in the early morning or in the evening before sundown, you are almost guaranteed to spot wildlife.

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Save a list straight to Google Maps of the attractions, places to stay, and places to eat from this guide.

Quick Tips

  1. Plan for limited cell phone service in the park. Using google maps, you can save a map of the area that will work for you even when you are offline.

  2. Because cell service is limited, plan your stops for gas in advance if you are driving. This is particularly important in Yellowstone, which is much larger than Grand Teton.

  3. DO NOT APPROACH WILDLIFE. EVER. When it comes to bears and wolves, you must maintain a distance of 100 yards or an entire football field's length from the wildlife. For all other wildlife, such as moose, elk, and bison, you must main a distance of 75 yards or about 5 cars lengths from the animal. This not only protects you as a viewer, but protects the animals from becoming too familiar with human interaction which can lead to their demise.

  4. You will be in bear country. If you plan on hiking in the wilderness, it is imperative that you bring bear spray. You cannot bring bear spray on a plane, so ask the front desk wherever you are staying if they have bear spray for purchase or even better, for rent. Most places will let you borrow a canister for a small deposit. Keep your bear spray easily accesible while hiking, like on your belt or a side pocket of your backpack.

  5. Again, you will be in bear country. If you are camping, do NOT leave food or garbage accessible at any time. Black bears and grizzly bears are like oversized raccoons - they can easily sniff out your trash and they will come for it. Keep a clean camp at all times.

Best Mountain & Wildlife Views

Grand Teton National Park was designed with multiple overlooks for wildlife and mountain viewing on the main road that runs through the park. Some of the best places to experience nature and wildlife are:

1. Oxbow Bend

  • Oxbow Bend (below) is a famous lookout point that frames Mount Moran, where it is likely to spot moose wading in the Snake River. There is also the opportunity to see bald eagles, osprey, and river otters as this location is a great spot for them to feed on fish. You might recognize this spot as it is a mecca for photographers - when the water is calm, it offers a great reflection of the mountains.

2. Glacier View Turnout

  • The Glacier View Turnout is the perfect spot to see the beauty of the Teton mountains. From this spot, Grand Teton itself juts out from the mountain range and is perfectly framed by the slightly smaller peaks around it. You don't want to miss this view.

3. Snake River Overlook

  • The Snake River Overlook is another great place to view the Teton Range. It is worth the quick stop to see the river winding in front of the mountains, and is notable as the place where legendary photographer Ansel Adams took his 1942 black and white photo, The Tetons and The Snake River.

4. Jenny Lake and the Jenny Lake Overlook

  • Jenny Lake (below) is a very popular spot in Grand Teton National Park, and appropriately so. It has clear, still waters that rest in front of the mountain range, offering some of the best views in the park. After parking, you can follow the Discovery Trail to the lake shore, with signs describing the history and landscape along the way.

  • Jenny Lake is also a great place for boating - you can rent a kayak to paddle on the water or take the shuttle boat to two short hikes, Hidden Falls (a half mile walk) and Inspiration Point (a mile walk). You can also skip the shuttle and hike to those locations from the main parking area. Because of this site's popularity, it's imperative to arrive as early as you can to get parking. It can fill up very quickly. I was turned away last time!

    Note: Bears are frequently spotted near Jenny Lake. Make sure that you know good bear safety and remain at least 100 yards (a full football field) from any bear that you might see.

5. Look for Wildlife in the Willow Flats at The Jackson Lake Lodge

  • The Willow Flats area is perhaps my favorite spot in the entirety of GTNP. The best place to view the flats is from the Jackson Lake Lodge. This grand hotel offers a viewing deck behind the lodge that is open to anyone and offers breathtaking views of the Willow Flats, with the Teton Range behind Jackson Lake on the horizon. Aside from that, it is common to spot elk, hawks, and even grizzly bears in the sagebrush of the Willow Flats. Visit this spot in the late afternoon and bring your binoculars. When you look out on the flats, focus on any sign of movement or look for tan colors - you'll definitely at least see an elk or twenty. And afterward, have dinner at the Jackson Lake Lodge Mural Room. This upscale dining experience comes with huge windows that look directly at the Willow Flats, and is a perfect spot to watch the evening sun illuminate the mountains. Reservations fill up quickly, so book them as soon as you can.

6. Drive Up Signal Mountain

  • Not in the mood to hike up a 7,000 foot mountain? Don't worry, me neither. Thankfully, you can drive to the top of Signal Mountain for astonishing views of the Grand Teton area. From the top, you can spot herds of elk, or if you listen carefully you might be able to hear the grunt of bison in the distance. The winding drive to the top is easy to do, but parking is limited at the top of the mountain. However, you can typically wait a few minutes for someone to leave and steal their spot.

7. Take A Scenic Float on the Snake River

  • Arguably the best way to see Grand Teton National Park is on a float down the Snake River. The Snake River runs through the entirety of the park, and in the summer months, it offers a calm trip amongst the wildlife. On my last Snake River trip, we saw bald eagles in contention over a dead fish, as well as pelicans looking for fish. Keep your eyes peeled for beaver dams. There is the opportunity to catch a moose or bison grazing amongst the trees, and the views of the mountains from the river are unmatched. There is also the opportunity to go whitewater rafting if you wish, which I would always recommend. Check out the Jackson Hole Whitewater company or the Jackson Lake Lodge Company to book your float or white water rafting trip.

8. Hike the Phelps Lake Loop

  • View on AllTrails - The Phelps Lake loop hike takes you about 7 miles around, you guessed it, Phelps Lake. Because the trail hugs a lake, you're rarely ever hiking on an incline, and can enjoy a walk looking for wildlife such as moose and bears. Always remember to BE BEAR AWARE, bring bear spray, and remain at least 100 yards away from any bears that you spot. In addition, there are beautiful wildflowers and berries along the trail. Make sure to take a moment to listen to the nature around you and you will hear hawks calling in the distance. But don't forget to look up - on this trail, you're at the base of the Teton mountains, and you can really see them towering over you.

    This hike starts in the Lawrence S. Rockefeller preserve. The road to the preserve is a muddy dirt path, so leave your sports car at home. Parking can be hard to come by and getting there early will help ensure that you get a parking spot. If you don't, there are usually park rangers on standby to assist with parking who will direct you where to go or where to wait for a parking spot. There are bathrooms at the parking location. Bring plenty of water, a snack, binoculars, and a camera. This was the perfect hike for me and my dad to do on our last trip to the Tetons and we both really enjoyed it.

  • Optional - Hike Phelps Lake and Death Canyon - View on AllTrails - If you're up for more of a workout, you can opt to check out Death Canyon, right next to Phelps Lake. Death Canyon rises above Phelps Lake for some stunning views. The trail is known to be narrow, steep, and rocky, so this hike is for the more experienced hiker.

Where To Stay

The Hatchet Resort

Located just outside of GTNP, the Hatchet Resort is a pleasant surprise. This motel-style lodging has rustic cabin-like rooms that are quite relaxing after a long day of activity. There is a bar and grill on the premises called the Whetstone, and breakfast is served at the resort as well. If you need bear spray, the front desk will rent it to you, and there is even a gas station on location. Because this spot is just outside of the park, it is calm and quiet while still having beautiful views of the mountains. I stayed here for the first time in August of 2021 and it was a great experience. The Hatchet Resort will be my go-to for my next trip to GTNP.

The Jackson Lake Lodge

I've already mentioned the Jackson Lake Lodge because of its stunning views of the mountains, but it's a great place to stay if you get the chance. The location is in the National Park and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is a gift shop located in the gorgeous, rustic lobby. They have lodge-style rooms as well as cabins to stay in. Even if you don't get a reservation at this lodge, it's still worth the visit to see the view from its location.

Where To Eat

The Mural Room at Jackson Lake Lodge

For an upscale dining experience within the park, look no further than the Mural Room. Located in the stunningly rustic Jackson Lake Lodge, this dining room offers panoramic views of Grand Teton while overlooking the wildlife-speckled Willow Flats. The Mural Room prides itself on serving local buffalo, salmon, and trout. A meal at this restaurant is the most elegant way to experience Teton cuisine while appreciating the amazing views. The Mural Room is in high demand, so make sure to make reservations as early as you can.

Dornan’s Pizza Pasta Company

Inside the park, this pizza spot offers INSANE views of the Teton mountains. The first time we went, we watched a thunderstorm roll over the mountains as we enjoyed our lunch. The pizza is a perfect meal after a long morning of sightseeing or activity. It’s become a must-do every time I visit the park. Note that there is also a wine store and a deli in the same parking area where you can stock up on other goods.

The Whetsone and Grill at the Hatchet Resort

The last time I went to GTNP, my dad and I ate at the Whetstone every night. This cozy, rustic grill with handmaid pine chairs offers local cuisine and local beers to pair with it. They even had vegetarian food to accommodate my appetite. The best part about the Whetstone is that because it's a smaller joint, local cowboys would come in for a drink in the evening. At the bar, you can find ranchers from nearby in their cowboy hats and boots enjoying a pint. Eating there is a full blown experience.

Trio, an American Bistro

Upscale American food joint in Jackson proper. Delicious food, good portions, and a great place for a nice meal after a visit to downtown Jackson.

Make sure to get the wood-fired focaccia before your meal, and take a moment to check out the local artwork for sale on the walls.