Visiting Grand Teton in the Fall

Planning a trip to Grand Teton in the fall is an amazing experience, especially if you enjoy the outdoors.

Check out our Grand Teton National Park guide and the information below to plan your fall trip.

We share things to do, what to pack, and where to stay when visiting Grand Teton in the Fall. Plus get our tips for taking amazing photos of autumn leaves and wildlife you’ll find in the fall at Grand Teton National Park!

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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 the Fall

It’s important to know the different activities and services available when visiting Grand Teton National Park during each season of the year.

Early fall is still a busy time at the park. By late fall services at Grand Teton begin to close.

Use our guide to find the best time to visit Grand Teton National Park so you can enjoy all the outdoor activities you want to on your trip.

Grand Teton Fall Weather

When you visit Grand Teton in the fall you can expect cooler temperatures due to the higher elevation.

Grand Teton in September: the average daytime temperatures will be in the mid-60s. The nighttime temperatures will drop all the way into the low 30s. The average amount of rain in September is about 6 days. 

Grand Teton in October: expect cooler weather with highs around 52 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows will drop all the way to the mid 20s! 

Grand Teton in November: bundle up because you might experience some really cold days. On average the highs will be around 35 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows will dip all the way into the low teens on average. You can expect the month of November to have about 11 rainy/snowy days throughout the month.  

It is really important that you dress in layers and bring your winter clothing essentials so that you can stay warm and comfortable. We recommend you pack winter gloves, winter hat, fleece jacket, and rain jacket so you can enjoy the park from morning to night!

Services at Grand Teton in the Fall

Grand Teton is open 24 hours, every day of the year. We recommend you always get updated information on the services available and things to do.

In September all roads, Visitor Centers, lodges and marinas are open. Many park services, campgrounds, and lodges begin to close in October. In November some roads and most of the park services are closed. Campgrounds and lodges are also closed so you’ll need to stay in nearby Jackson.

Here’s a list of all the areas at Grand Teton:

• Visitor Centers
• Moose and Mormon Row
• Jenny Lake
• String and Leigh Lakes
• Signal Mountain
• Moran and the East
• Jackson Lake
• Colter Bay
• Leeks Marina and the North
• Rockefeller Parkway and Flagg Ranch

All Grand Teton campgrounds are by advanced reservation system only up to six months in advance at Recreation.gov.

Things To Do at Grand Teton in the Fall

Enjoy outdoor activities in the fall at Grand Teton like hiking, photographing the fall colors, looking for wildlife, and more!

Grand Teton Fall Colors

Fall at the Tetons runs from September through mid-October. After that, the temperatures really start dropping. Planning a trip during this time means you’ll see incredible fall colors at the Tetons. 

Although you can’t predict the peak dates to see the fall colors, it usually happens around the 3rd week in September. 

During the fall you will see the deciduous trees showcase yellow and orange shades with a little bit of red popping through the Teton Range. 

Must-see locations in the fall are along the Snake River where the cottonwood trees showcase their vibrant color during the fall. We recommend visiting Oxbow Bend, Schwabacher Landing and Jackson Lake to see these fall color scenes with the river and lake.

The Grand Tetons fall colors don’t stop with the trees. You will see willows and shrubs on the trails that turn yellow and red in the fall as well. 

Wildlife in the Fall at Grand Teton

Along with the beautiful colors you will be in for a real treat with all the wildlife that is out and about during the autumn months.

Fall is the beginning of the mating season, and the male elk are doing everything they can to stand out to the females. If you are lucky you will hear them bugling, and even more lucky to see a sparring match between two male elk! 

The bears will be foraging for food to get ready for winter hibernation. You’ll see black bears eating berries along the roadway, and on the hiking trails, so be extra cautious on the roads and trails.

It’s exciting to see the moose at Grand Teton in the fall, especially the male moose with their large antlers.

• Best cameras for wildlife photography
• Best tripods for wildlife photography
• Best lenses for wildlife photography

Hiking in the Fall at Grand Teton National Park

When it comes to hiking in Grand Teton National Park you want to remember that you will be in higher elevations which may make for a more challenging experience. 

When exploring Grand Teton day hikes you’ll find the landscape is beautiful, but some trails may be steep and even extreme. If you have any questions about which trails are best for you, be sure to talk to a Park Ranger to find the best fall hikes at Grand Teton for you and your family. 

• Day Hike Checklist
• What to Bring on a Hike
• Photography Gear for Hiking
• Hiking Gear for Kids & Tips for Hiking with Kids

There are a few things to note about hiking at Grand Teton:

• Make noise as you hike and always carry bear spray and know how to use it. Visit the Bear Safety page for more information.
• Carry a hydration pack or a refillable water bottle in your backpack. Plan to drink considerably more at Grand Teton due to low humidity and high elevation.
• Pace yourself. High elevation may cause breathing difficulties so listen to your body and don’t overdo it! The only cure for altitude sickness is to retreat to a lower elevation.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Solo hiking and off-trail hiking is not recommended. Many rescues involve solo parties that were unable to self-rescue, sometimes with life-threatening injuries.

Grand Teton Photography in the Fall

Photographing the autumn colors at Grand Teton in the fall is the best! Oxbow Bend, Schwabacher Landing, and Mormon Row are all great locations for fall photography. Check out our tips to photograph Grand Teton National Park.

We also created a checklist of all the best photo spots at Grand Teton!

Be ready with your camera gear to capture images the landscape and wildlife as you drive along the road or hike the trails.

Fall Fishing Along the Snake River

Snake River’s trout season runs April 1 through October 31 with late August and September being the best months for catching trout. 

The Snake River is home to the unique fine-spotted snake river cutthroat trout, and anglers can’t wait to cast a line here. To protect this valuable resource, fishing at Grand Teton is heavily regulated, and catch and release is highly encouraged.

AMAZON: Yellowstone and Grand Teton Guides and Maps

Plan a Grand Teton Vacation

• Visiting Grand Teton National Park 
• Best Time to Visit Grand Teton National Park
• Photograph Grand Teton National Park
• Grand Teton National Park Activities

Where to Stay in Jackson Near Grand Teton

• Where to Stay Near Grand Teton National Park
• Grand Teton National Park Lodging
• Grand Teton National Park Camping
• RV Parks near Grand Teton National Park
• Glamping Near Grand Teton National Park

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