What to Expect When Visiting Grand Teton in December
Wondering what it’s like to visit Grand Teton in December? The winter months are a unique time to plan a Grand Teton vacation.
Use this Grand Teton National Park guide to plan your December vacation: services available, what to pack, where to stay, things to do, and more!
In December, all Grand Teton National Park services are closed. And most of the roads are closed to vehicles. But that means you can experience the park in a completely different way and avoid the busy season crowds!
Full list of gear we recommend: Grand Teton packing checklist
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A Photo Tour of Grand Teton National Park
Take a visual tour through Grand Teton National Park to see the stunning landscape and wildlife you’ll find in the park!
Visiting Grand Teton in December
There are a lot of things to do when visiting Grand Teton National Park. Each season will have different activities and services available.
In December you’ll enjoy winter activities like skiing and snowshoeing!
Use our guide to find other times of year to visit if you want to do summer activities like hiking and kayaking: best time to visit Grand Teton National Park.
Services at Grand Teton in December
Grand Teton is open 24 hours, every day of the year. BUT some roads and most of the park services are closed in December. Check the Grand Teton National Park website for the exact dates.
Campgrounds and lodges are closed so you’ll need to stay in nearby Jackson.
December Weather at Grand Teton
It’s important to know the Grand Teton National Park weather and what to expect for the dates you’ll be there.
When you visit Grand Teton in December you can expect cold temperatures. Daytime highs are near 25 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows are near 0!
It is really important that you dress in layers and bring your winter clothing.
Snow storms can roll through at any time. Always check the current weather and road conditions on the Grand Teton website.
Pets at Grand Teton in December
Pets are allowed on plowed roadways and parking area. You can also take your pet on the unplowed sections of the Teton Park and Moose-Wilson roads.
Pets must be on a leash of six feet or less, and within 30 feet of a roadway. Please dispose of your pet’s waste properly. There are waste disposal cans at the trailheads.
Road Closures and the Teton Park Road in December
Enjoy skiing, snowshoeing and walking along the Teton Park Road from Taggart Lake Trailhead to the Signal Mountain Lodge.
The road is closed to vehicles and bikes once snow covered, usually from November 1 to April 30. Winter grooming on the road happens three times a week beginning mid-December.
Check out the map below showing groomed trails, skier tracked trails and wildlife closer areas.
Things to Do at Grand Teton in December
There are so many fun things to do in Grand Teton National Park any time of year. If you enjoy winter activities, then check out this list of things to do at Grand Teton!
Grand Teton Winter Tours
You’ll find a variety of tours at Grand Teton in the winter.
- Grand Teton Winter Wildlife Tour
- Grand Teton and National Elk Refuge Winter Tour
- Luxury Winter Grand Teton Tour and Sleigh Ride
- Jackson Hole Dog Sledding Tour
- Full Day Dog Sledding and Snowmobiling Combo Tour
Grand Teton Wildlife in December
In December it’s helpful to see wildlife at Grand Teton National Park as they contrast against the white snow.
You’ll see many elk at the Elk Refuge between the park and the town of Jackson. You can take a sleigh ride tour to see the elk up close! Tours usually start mid-December.
If you’re lucky you may see eagles, coyotes, foxes, bison, deer, wolves, trumpeter swans and more on the tour… as well as on the roads or trails that are open in the park.
Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoeing in December at Grand Teton
Enjoying cross-country and snowshoeing at Grand Teton National Park in the winter is a wonderful way to enjoy nature in a quiet setting.
The Teton Park Road from Taggart Lake Trailhead to Signal Mountain Lodge is intermittently groomed for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. You can also explore areas around Colter Bay, Antelope Flats Road, Taggart Lake and Flagg Ranch. Moose-Wilson Road is another fun trail, be sure to park at Granite Canyon Trailhead or Death Canyon Road.
There are etiquette aspects to keep in mind:
- Do not walk or snowshoe on ski trails
- Leave your skis on and side-step down or detour around steep sections
- Snowshoe parallel to the ski track
- Yield to faster skiers
- Step out of the track for a break
Grand Teton Photography in December
The winter landscape at Grand Teton is amazing! The jagged peaks of the snow-capped mountains are a photographer’s dream!
Accessing the most famous photo spots at Grand Teton is difficult in December. And many of these locations look vastly different when the water is frozen and snow-covered.
Here’s our list of favorite places to photograph Grand Teton National Park, that you should be able to access in the winter by car, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing:
- Overlooks along Highway 191/89
- Moulton Barn / Mormon Row
- Snake River Overlook
- Oxbow Bend
- Coulter Bay
Be ready with your WINTER camera gear to capture images the landscape and wildlife as you drive along the road, or ski along the trails. We especially love photography gloves and rechargeable hand warmers!
Snowmobiling in December at Grand Teton
Snowmobile use along the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway is limited to Grassy Lake Road when open. Off-road travel anywhere in Rockefeller Parkway is prohibited.
Visit the Yellowstone National Park Web site for information regarding snowmobile and snowcoach tours and for non-commercial snowmobile access.
The only location in Grand Teton where you can snowmobile is the frozen surface of Jackson Lake for ice fishing access only. Access is limited to the Colter Bay Swim Beach and Best Available Technology(BAT) snowmobiles is required. For the latest BAT approved snowmobile list please refer to Yellowstone Best Available Technology(BAT) Snowmobiles.
AMAZON: Yellowstone and Grand Teton Guides and Maps
PLAN A GRAND TETON VACATION
- Grand Teton National Park Vacation Ideas
- Visiting Grand Teton National Park
- Best Time to Visit Grand Teton National Park
- Photograph Grand Teton National Park
- Where to Stay Near Grand Teton National Park
Where to Stay in Jackson near Grand Teton:
Here’s a list of our favorite places to stay:
- Elk Refuge Inn – this is right across from the refuge and the closes hotel to the park entrance – our favorite place to stay!
- Elk Country Inn – awesome property if you want to be in town.
- Vacation Rentals near Grand Teton – we LOVE having a kitchen to prepare our meals!
- Hotels in Jackson Hole
- Rent an RV – have it dropped off at your vacation destination!
