Visiting Grand Teton in the Fall

Planning a trip to Grand Teton in the fall is an experience you won’t soon forget. With its stunning mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, and rich history, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Fall is one of the best times to visit Grand Teton National Park. From spectacular views of colorful foliage to spotting elk grazing in meadows below snow-capped peaks, your trip will be filled with unforgettable memories that are sure to last a lifetime!

Use this Grand Teton National Park guide to plan your fall vacation: weather, things to do, what to pack, and where to stay! We live only a few hours away from Grand Teton and have visited the park many times during all four seasons. The tips we provide here are based on our travels to the park, especially during the fall months of September, October, and November.

The number one tip we have is to pack the right clothing and gear for the weather during the time you’ll visit the park. Check out our Grand Teton National Park packing list and grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!

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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

You can enjoy a number of fall activities like hiking, biking, camping, landscape photography, and wildlife photography when visiting Grand Teton National Park.

It’s important to know the weather, services available, and things to do during September, October, and November. Many roads and parts of the park begin to close in the fall.

Grand Teton Fall Weather

The weather at Grand Teton in the fall starts to cool down so be prepared for the cold temperatures at night!

• 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.

• September – all roads, Visitor Centers, lodges and marinas are open.
• October – park services, campgrounds, and lodges begin to close.
• 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

Things To Do at Grand Teton in the Fall

Enjoy outdoor Grand Teton National Park fall activities 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. 

Grand Teton Scenic Drives in the Fall

One of the best ways to get acquainted with the Teton Mountain Range is with a scenic drive through Grand Teton National Park.

The Grand Teton National Park scenic drive loop is 42-miles of stunning views. Here you can see an abundance of wildlife, exhibits, and majestic views of the Grand Teton Mountain Range.

There are three access points to the loop: Moose junction, Jackson Lake junction, and Moran junction. It will take 2 hours or most of the day to finish this 42-mile drive depending on how many stops you make along the way.

This scenic loop has plenty of pull-offs with opportunities to photograph Grand Teton National Park. 

We highly recommend you download the Grand Teton Scenic Drive GuideAlong App to hear fun behind-the scenes stories and local tips that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location as you drive through the park!

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 National Park fall 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. 

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 Grand Teton National Park’s autumn colors is the best! Oxbow Bend, Schwabacher Landing, and Mormon Row are all great locations for fall photography.

We also created a checklist of all the best photo spots at Grand Teton – click that link to download your free copy!

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

Grand Teton Junior Ranger Program in the Fall

Most national parks offer young visitors an opportunity to become part of the National Park Service family as a Junior Ranger.

This is an excellent activity for parents to do with their children. The Junior Ranger program is a wonderful way to get children interested in national parks and the outdoors.  

At Grand Teton National Park those interested will have to complete The Grand Adventure, a kid-friendly activity booklet to become a Junior ranger. Completing the activities for your age group will earn you the Junior Ranger badge.

The Grand Adventure is available at the park visitor center and online. The visitor center and ranger led programs are a great way to get activities and ideas that will help you complete the booklet and become a Junior ranger. 

Grand Teton Fall Tours

As the park transitions from summer to winter, there might still be a few Grand Teton National Park tours available in early fall. From thrilling hikes to peaceful boat ride, guided tours are an unforgettable experience that will leave you with lasting memories.

• Grand Teton National Park Tour 
• All-Day Tour of Grand Teton National Park
• Grand Teton Half Day Wildlife Tour
• Grand Teton Wildlife Safari in an Enclosed or Open-Air Vehicle
• Half-Day Grand Teton Sunrise or Sunset Tour
• Private Sunset 4-Hour Grand Teton Wildlife Adventure
• Snake River Scenic Float

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.

Grand Teton Fall Camping

If you plan on camping at Grand Teton National Park, most sites begin to close in October. Grand Teton’s five campgrounds are always busy and reservations are required!

And all campgrounds except Jenny Lake welcome your RV’s and trailers. Backcountry camping is allowed in designated areas with a permit only.

If you can’t find a camping spot in the park, check out the various RV Parks near Grand Teton National Park.

AMAZON: Yellowstone and Grand Teton Guides and Maps

Where to Stay Near Grand Teton in the Fall

• Where to Stay Near Grand Teton National Park
• Grand Teton National Park Lodging
• Cabins 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

Grand Teton Photo Spots Checklist

You’ll find many amazing photo spots at Grand Teton National Park to capture the jagged peaks of the mountains complimented by the surrounding landscape and wildlife. Click the graphic below to download and print our free Grand Teton Photo Spots checklist to take with you to the park!