Top Things to do in Grand Teton National Park
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Top 10 Sights & Landmarks in Grand Teton National Park, Grand Teton National Park
Situated near famed Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park's crown jewels include the Cathedral Group of peaks and the majestic Snake River. The dramatic spires that inspired Ansel Adams rise straight from valley floors, providing awe-inducing views. See them at their most compelling from the comparatively gentle Jenny Lake and Hermitage Point's trails or the switchbacks of Death Canyon. Jackson Lake is favored for windsurfing and sailing. Colter Bay Visitor Center contains an Indian Arts Museum.
1. Teton Park Road
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 275 reviews
A well-paved scenic road.
Reviewed By ketadog - Juneau, United States
We drove this road early in the morning and at dusk to see wildlife. We were lucky to see bull elk bugling and lots of pronghorn antelope.
2. 42-mile Scenic Loop Drive
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 612 reviews
Reviewed By gillkaribu - Bishops Stortford, United Kingdom
If you have limited time in the park this is the best route to take. Whether you start at Moose Entrance, Moran Entrance or Jackson Lake Junction you will follow the Teton Park Road with close views of the lakes and Teton Mountains and Highway 89 through the open plains along the Snake River. Take as much time as possible to stop for photo shoots of Jackson and Jenny Lakes and it is worth taking the turn-off to Schwabacher Landing just off Highway 89. Dornans at the southern end of the park is good for food and gifts as is Jackson Lake Lodge.
3. Schwabacher Landing
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 248 reviews
Reviewed By 0617merS - Columbus, United States
via google maps, you can easily find this place, and there's a parking lot and an outhouse there. What makes this spot picture perfect is when the sun rises, it hits the Teton's and just lights them up. We were there on a cloudless morning, so we didn't see much color variation BUT there was plenty of snow on the Tetons when we were there and the sun shining on them from it's rise was just beautiful...as the day goes on, you won't get that sunlight...So this would only be an early morning stop for me. Ok, here's what I suggest doing. About a 1/2 mile down the path is the "picturesque" spot where the evergreens naturally frame Grand Teton and at sunrise, the river is still and when the sun rises you get that beautiful reflection on Grand Teton on the still river...a great view, there's benches there, it's pretty obvious where it is. HOWEVER we were there at low season and there were still like 6 photographers and their tripods and equipment fighting for space to get the shot. SO, what we did was downloaded the ALL TRAILS app and there's specifically a schwabacher's landing trail. Following it ALL THE WAY to the end. About a mile from the parking lot the trail forks to either a well trafficked trail going up (right) and a horse thin not so trafficked trail going left...take the LEFT, not so trafficked trail, you'll end up crossing a little stream and then it opens up to about a 30 foot dry river bed and you'll be totally lost without the app trail, keep going across the river bed, through the tree line on the opposite side and it opens up on the river's bend to a much grander view of ALL the Teton's, not just Grand Teton, you'll have that huge space to yourself, I'd set up a timelapse go pro and just enjoy the sunrise from there and get some shots with your iphone or other camera, this sunrise is so great that any camera would make brilliant photos. and then on your way back, the photographers will of already gotten their shots and left from the evergreen framed spot and you'll get your shot there too. We also went on from there to Mormon Row (less than a 10 min drive) and the sun was still at a great angle to get great shots of the Mormon Barn. All together you have about 1.5 hrs of good sunrise light to get great shots of both Schwabachers and Mormon Barn...if you're early birds :)
4. Patriarch Tree
5. John D Rockefeller Jr Memorial Parkway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 140 reviews
82 gorgeous miles of parkway honoring John Rockefeller.
Reviewed By froglag - Spokane, United States
We drove the Ashton-Flagg Ranch Road off of the Headwater at Flagg Ranch road. This road is off of the John Rockefeller Jr Memorial Parkway. We were in hopes of getting off the beaten path we just may spot a bear, moose, elk or what ever wild critter we could come across. Well we didn't spot any except for a couple of deer. Oh well it was a fun beautiful drive. I would recommend having a SUV for this road as it could be rough in a couple of spots. It gave us a good taste of what the area is like off the grid. Hope you are more successful in your animal search than we were.
6. Signal Mountain Summit Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 582 reviews
A 5-mile scenic mountain drive.
Reviewed By rochelleforster - Randolph, United States
Beautiful drive and well worth it. We drove the road, stopped at Jackson Lake and walked around (the mountains are breath catching), then continued where we walked around and took in the scenic view (you can hike from the Lake to the overlook too). IT is magnificent here! There is lots to do in Teton Park and we then went to Jenny Lake to hike.
7. Chapel of the Transfiguration
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 333 reviews
This small church was built in 1925 and has a great view of the Tetons.
Reviewed By froglag - Spokane, United States
This is such a inspirational place to just stop and enjoy the surroundings and reflect on the beauty surrounding this Chapel. I would love some day to come back and attend a service here. Definitely a place of awe. Presently with Covid the chapel is closed but was still able to enjoy the chapel. The chapel frames a view of the Cathedral Group of peaks in a large window behind the altar. Very fitting location.
8. Moose Wilson Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 377 reviews
Reviewed By 906beckyv - Norcross, United States
The Moose Wilson Road is hard to find and very narrow. Well worth the effort though as we saw a bear cub eating / playing all three times we drove on it this week. Beautiful vistas.
9. Mormon Row Historic District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 534 reviews
Reviewed By jrobba - Charlotte, United States
We came to the Mormon Row to get the iconic views of Grand Teton, but honestly it was a great area for our kids who had been locked up in the car for the better part of the day driving around the park. The kids very much enjoyed getting to play in some of the crystal clear streams running through the area, as well as chasing the prairie dogs around the area, provided lots of fun for the little ones. Definitely recommend stopping by for the iconic view, but if you have little kids, this is a great opportunity for them to stretch their legs and be a kid.
10. Chapel of the Sacred Heart
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 104 reviews
Reviewed By froglag - Spokane, United States
Disadvantage of Covid this beautiful Chapel was closed so we were just able to peek into the windows. Little did we know until peeking in is that there was a beautiful stain glass of a Sacred Heart in the middle of the glass. Gorgeous, wish we could have gone in or better yet to attend a service. Maybe next adventure to the Grand Tetons to see this Grand Chapel.
