Top Things to do in Grand Teton National Park
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What to do and see in Grand Teton National Park, Grand Teton National Park: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
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. Cascade Canyon Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 259 reviews
This uphill trail follows Cascade Creek for 4.5 miles and reaches Hidden Falls.
Reviewed By TravFiend - Laguna Beach, United States
Since we had planned to hike up to Lake Solitude (14.5 mile round trip) we decided to take the first shuttle across the lake (you have the option of tacking on another 4 miles if you plan to hike the southern part of Jenny trail instead of taking the shuttle). We were pleasantly surprised that the first shuttle @ 7am costs $5 RT per person (all later shuttles cost $18 RT pp), so if you want to save some money and want to avoid the crowd, then I would strongly recommend getting up early to catch the first shuttle to hike this trail. Plus early mornings promise better moose sightings. We saw a total of 6-7 moose on our way up to the fork, and then another 3-4 on our way back. In order to see the canyon view, you really have to go past (bear right at the fork) the Canyon fork. You don’t have to hike all the way up to Lake Solitude (which is 2.7 miles past the fork). Just hike another mile past the fork, look back, and you’ll be rewarded with the most beautiful scenery. The last mile up to Lake Solitude was more strenuous and tricky given some of the snow pack at certain parts of the trail. So if you’re going to hike up late spring or early summer, I’d recommend hiking boots (not sneakers) and poles. The lake was still partially frozen over in early July, but we managed to dip our feet in the chilly water for a second or two to refresh the legs for our hike back down. The way back got crowded past the fork. A lot of families with kids looking to get a glimpse of moose. The whole hike took us 8 hours to complete, including 1/2 hour lunch break at the top, and a 15 minute “moose jam”, where a bull was blocking the trail as we were hiking up. My advice, start early! It’ll be so much more enjoyable.
2. Grand Teton
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,703 reviews
Tallest mountain in the Grand Teton Range.
Reviewed By Vagabonds5358
This is the ninth trip to the Grand Teton National Park I my lifetime. In remains my favorite of all the national parks I have visited. It’s beauty never seems to get old. There are a few roads that gives you access to the east side of the mountains, the the real beauty is hiking the many miles of trails away from the roadside overlooks. This trip we saw elk in rut, a herd of about 200 bison, a number of herds of pronghorn antelope, bald eagles and numerous waterfowl and birds. The fall color with the turning aspen was spectacular. I highly recommend this park to anyone, whether you enjoy the drive, day hiking or backpacking.
3. 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.
4. Amphitheater Lake
5. Lake Solitude
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 55 reviews
A scenic lake popular with hikers and located in Grand Teton National Park.
Reviewed By PatrickRU92
7/27/18 Took the ferry across Jenny Lake and by the time we were done we were VERY glad we did. This is a LONG hike 15+ miles with about 3000 ft elevation gain, and goes up to 9000ft elevation so oxygen is not as plentiful! If you are in decent shape do this hike. As beautiful as Cascade Canyon is (and it IS beautiful) easily the better views are along the North Fork ascending to Lake Solitude. End of July and there was almost no snow at all, only one very small area near the top. Lake was all water too. LOTS of mosquitoes around the lake but that was the only place we ran into them. You will be exhausted but exhilarated!
6. 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.
7. Death Canyon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By Desertguy426 - Carson City, United States
What a super trail. Its about 7 miles RT to the patrol hut. You hike through lush forest to a scenic overlook of Phelps lake, down switchbacks to near the lake and then head west into the canyon. Up a fairly gentle grade up onto a ledge type trail on broken rock and somewhat exposed to sun then back into a sparse forest with a raging creek down on your left in the canyon. We had to cross a few snow drifts...a couple were quite large on steep slopes and a bit dicey. BE CAREFUL...use treking poles on snow! Overall a strenuous hike but not a killer. Also not for the weekend warrior...elevation gain total is 2200 feet. We saw moose and marmots on this trail. The marmots want food so watch out...they'll darn near end up in your lap.
8. 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 :)
9. Taggart Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 213 reviews
Reviewed By kellir - Boise, United States
This is a moderate hike with pretty views of Tetons and areas of forest and meadow. Many pretty places to stop for photos. The Taggart Lake parking lot is full by 9:00. Recommend arriving by 8:00
10. Jenny Lake Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,000 reviews
Four miles of flat trail and spectacular mountain scenery.
Reviewed By Roadrunnerfit - Cleveland, United States
We did the Jenny Lake hike in the counter-clockwise direction as suggested by the park ranger at the Visitor Center. Great decision! We arrived early, about 8:50 a.m. on August 7th. The weather was perfect, around 60 degrees, warming up to around 78 by noon. The trail is wide and shaded for the first 3 miles, although somewhat rocky. It is generally quite flat going in this direction, so I would say it is easy-to-moderate in difficulty, only due to the small rocky footpath. We did see some people at the Jenny Lake overlook, but no other hikers until we reached the north side of the Lake. Don’t be fooled by the packed parking lot, as most folks don’t actually hike the lake, and few do it in this direction. Like others have said, the views of the lake and mountain range beyond are stunning, especially with the morning sun from the east side of the lake. When you arrive at the north side, at about mile 2.5, the trail turns sharply to the right and follows along the bank of a rushing stream flowing into Jenny Lake from String Lake. Keep going north to the Paintbrush Canyon trailhead parking lot. This is where you cross the stream over a footbridge. The trail then continues back south along the lakeshore. (There are some portable toilets in the parking lot, but no water.). As you head south on the trail towards the West shore boat dock, the trail is more out in the open, as you follow the path of an old burned out area of the forest. You can hear and see the shuttle boat bringing passengers who just want to see Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. The dock is at the 4.5 mile mark of this hike and they usually have drinking water available here to fill up your bottle. From here, you can choose to make the .5 mile moderate climb to Hidden Falls and the beautiful rapids, or to climb another .5 miles up the very steep, rocky climb to the 7010 foot Inspiration Point. We did this, then turned around and caught the shuttle boat back to the Visitor Center. Total distance around 6.7 miles. One way rides are $10. All told, with stops to rest and for pictures, it takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to complete. The hike in this direction is definitely one you could do with kids or folks who haven’t hiked a lot. Once you get to the boat dock, you have options to go right back on the boat, attempt to climb to the Point, or even continue around the remaining 2 miles of the lake trail. Excellent hike!
