Grand Teton National Park: the mountains next door to Yellowstone

The Tetons rise more than 7,000 feet straight off the valley floor with no foothills to soften the transition, which is a consequence of the fault running along their base. The park is compact, the drive from Yellowstone's south gate takes under an hour, and the two together make one of the best trips in North America.

What to see

• Jenny Lake: take the shuttle boat across, walk up to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, and continue into Cascade Canyon as far as the legs allow. This is the day if you only have one.
• Schwabacher Landing and Oxbow Bend at sunrise: still water, reflected peaks and a decent chance of moose.
• Mormon Row: the weathered barns with the range behind, which is one of the most photographed scenes in the country.
• Signal Mountain Road: a short drive to a full valley panorama.
• Teton Park Road at dusk: bison, pronghorn and, in the willow flats, moose.

Location: Grand Teton National Park

The 3-day plan

Day 123

Jackson to Moose, then the barns and the river at golden hour.

1. 08:30 Jackson Town Square Coffee under the elk antler arches before driving north into the park.
2. 10:00 Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center The Moose entrance station is here. Buy or show your park pass and grab the day’s ranger schedule.
3. 11:15 Chapel of the Transfiguration The little log chapel frames the Cathedral Group in its altar window.
4. 12:00 Menors Ferry Historic District A short walk through the 1890s homestead and the general store.
5. 13:30 Mormon Row The Moulton barns with the Tetons behind them, the most photographed farm buildings in America.
6. 18:30 Schwabacher Landing Beaver ponds mirror the range at sunset. Arrive an hour early for a spot along the water.

Start from this plan →

Entrances and getting there

• Moose (south): the main gate, 20 minutes north of Jackson, past the Craig Thomas visitor centre. Most first visits enter here.
• Moran (east): on US-26/287, the way in from Dubois over Togwotee Pass.
• Granite Canyon (southwest): on the narrow Moose-Wilson Road from Teton Village. No trailers or RVs.
• From the north there is no gate at all: the Rockefeller Parkway runs straight from Yellowstone's south entrance into the park past Flagg Ranch.
• Jackson Hole Airport sits inside the park boundary, which makes this the quickest fly-in of any US national park.

Pairing it with Yellowstone

The John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway connects the two parks, and one entry fee or annual pass covers both. Most people give Yellowstone four days and the Tetons one, which is backwards if you like mountains and hiking. Two nights in Jackson or Colter Bay is a much better balance.

Jackson, and the money

Jackson is a genuinely expensive town in season. Colter Bay and Signal Mountain inside the park, or Victor and Driggs over the pass in Idaho, are considerably kinder to a budget. Book early either way, because everything within an hour sells out by spring.

Book it and check it

• Official park page → Entrance fees, opening hours, park maps and seasonal road status. https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm
• Current conditions and alerts → Road, trail and weather status. Read this the morning you go. https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
• Recreation.gov → Campsites, timed entry and permits for most federal land. https://www.recreation.gov
• Backcountry permits → Early-season lottery plus walk-ups for canyon camping zones. https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675319

Common questions

Where is Grand Teton National Park?

In northwestern Wyoming, immediately south of Yellowstone. The gateway town is Jackson, 20 minutes from the Moose entrance, and Jackson Hole Airport is actually inside the park boundary.

Does Grand Teton have a north entrance?

Not a gated one. The park's north boundary joins the Rockefeller Parkway, which runs straight to Yellowstone's south entrance, so from Yellowstone you simply drive in past Flagg Ranch. The staffed gates are Moose and Granite Canyon in the south and Moran in the east.

How far is Grand Teton from Yellowstone?

About an hour from Yellowstone's south entrance to Jenny Lake, on a connecting parkway. One pass covers both parks.

How many days do you need in Grand Teton?

Two covers the scenic drives and one good hike. Three if you want a full canyon day or a boat and paddle day on Jackson Lake.

What is the best hike in Grand Teton?

Jenny Lake to Inspiration Point and up Cascade Canyon. Take the shuttle boat across to cut two miles each way, and turn around whenever you like.

Where can you see moose in Grand Teton?

The willow flats near Jackson Lake Lodge, Oxbow Bend and Schwabacher Landing, at dawn and dusk. Keep 25 yards away, moose are far more dangerous than they look.