Grand Teton National Park Activities
Here’s a list of our favorite Grand Teton National Park activities plus travel tips for exploring this stunning park! Use this Grand Teton National Park guide to plan your trip: weather, things to do, what to pack, where to stay and more!
Enjoy year-round activities at Grand Teton National Park: white-water rafting in the summer and snow sports in the winter. Plus all the amazing hiking trails that get you up close and personal with the stunning wildlife. There are a variety of Grand Teton activities, adventures, and tours for everyone!
Grand Teton National Park is one of those unforgettable places you’ve got to check out. It’s nestled right in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in southwest Wyoming.
Just south of Yellowstone, it’s known for its stunning mountain vistas, abundant wildlife, and pristine lakes. Trust us, it’s a must-see on any nature lover’s bucket list!
There are year-round activities you can do at this stunning US National Park like scenic drives, photography, and wildlife viewing! Plus there are season-specific Grand Teton activities like hiking, fishing, and kayaking in the summer or snow activities like snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling in the winter.
We only live hours away from Grand Teton and have visited during all four seasons. This list of year-round Grand Teton activities is based on our experiences visiting the park over the years!
One tip we have is to be sure you are dressed appropriately for the specific Grand Teton outdoor activity you want to do. Check the expected weather and temperatures so you’re prepared with clothing layers and the supplies you’ll need for the activities you want to do.
Use our Grand Teton packing list to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting any time of year! 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!
Things to Know Before Visiting Grand Teton National Park
Each season will have different activities and services available when visiting Grand Teton National Park.
The summer and early fall months are the most popular times to visit because the weather is so nice! But that means you’ll need to navigate the crowds.
The spring and winter months are pretty quiet at Grand Teton. It’s a terrific time to enjoy the park if you like doing winter activities!
Pay attention to winter closing dates in late fall and spring opening dates for all Grand Teton road, services, and lodging. Check the website for Grand Teton updated road status.
The Teton Park Road: closed November 1 to April 30 from Taggart Lake Trailhead to Signal Mountain Lodge. During this time the road is used for skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking from mid-December to mid-March.
Moose-Wilson Road: usually closed to vehicles until mid-May. When it’s snow-packed it’s open to skiing, snowshoeing and hiking.
Highway 191: open from Jackson to Moran.
Vehicles with four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, or all-weather tires are recommended for winter travel. Roads may be closed during blizzards.
Drive at or below posted speed limits as conditions warrant; moose and other wildlife are often seen crossing roads during the winter.
Best Time of Year to Visit Grand Teton
Use our guide to find the best time to visit Grand Teton National Park that fits your travel style!
It’s important to know the expected Grand Teton National Park weather for the time you’ll visit.
Grand Teton in the spring expect cool mild days and cold nights with rain and snow any time. Average spring temperatures: highs range from 40 to 60 degrees / lows range from 10 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grand Teton in the summer are the rainy months with warm days and cool nights. Average summer temperatures: highs between 70 and 80 / lows between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grand Teton in the fall temperatures begin to dip as each month passes. Be prepared for rain or snow any time with average fall temperatures: highs range from 60 down to 35 / lows range from 30 down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit!
Grand Teton in the winter expect cold days and frigid nights, with rain or snow any time. Average winter temperatures: highs 25 degrees / lows 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grand Teton National Park Activities in the Summer
Check out this list of summer activities at Grand Teton – that can also be done late spring and in the fall!
Visitor Centers in Grand Teton
Grand Teton has four visitor centers each with exhibits, publications, and films to educate and entertain park guests.
We always recommend stopping in a visitor center and talking to a park ranger before hiking, climbing, or tackling the river for the first time. It’s good to have the most up-to-date information for the things you want to do at Grand Teton.
Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center: Make this your first stop if it’s your first time visiting Grand Teton. You’ll see interactive exhibits that highlight the parks history, maps of all the trails, and displays of early settlers and mountaineers. There’s a 15-minute movie about the park and rangers have a scavenger hunt for young kids. You can get permits and information about all the trails in Grand Teton National Park. If you’re lucky you might get to see a demo on how to use bear spray.
Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center: This is a small, off the beaten path visitor center to get acquainted with the legacy of Mr. Rockefeller through video, photography, and audio recordings.
Jenny Lake Visitor Center: This cabin turned visitor center now serves as an art gallery and museum. You’ll also find books, maps, and camping information here. Be sure to take the short walk to see Jenny Lake. The visitor center offers a shuttle service across Lake Jenny and a scenic cruise.
Colter Bay Visitor Center: This visitor center has amazing views of Jackson Lake, and the easy walking trails take you to the boat dock. You can view a fantastic collection of Native American art and artifacts. The Rangers host park-related programs and videos throughout the day, and love sharing what they know about the park and all the things you should see and do.
Hiking at Grand Teton National Park
Some higher elevation trails could still be muddy or even snow-covered the first part of July. Stop by a visitor center to get recent trail conditions. We recommend these Grand Teton day hikes to explore the park!
There are a few things to note about hiking at Grand Teton in the summer:
- 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.
- Be prepared for rapid weather changes. In the summer it’s good to wear layers.
- You’ll also need sun protection: sunscreen and sunhat!
- 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.
Here are a few packing lists and resources for hiking:
- Day Hike Checklist
- What to Bring on a Hike
- Photography Gear for Hiking
- Hiking Gear for Kids & Tips for Hiking with Kids
Photography at Grand Teton National Park
Landscape photography at Grand Teton National Park is amazing. The mountains usually still have snow a bit of snow in early summer which makes a great backdrop.
We also created a checklist of all the best photo spots at Grand Teton that you can download and print to take with you!
Make your camera gear checklist so you don’t leave anything at home. You’ll enjoy capturing images of the landscape and wildlife as you drive along the road or hike the trails.
- Best cameras for wildlife photography
- Best tripods for wildlife photography
- Best lenses for wildlife photography
Wildlife Watching at Grand Teton
You never know when you’ll see wildlife at Grand Teton. Here’s a list of great wildlife viewing areas:
- Oxbow Bend
- Mormon Row
- Gros Ventre
- Willow Flat
- Coulter Bay
- Pilgrim Road
- Moose-Wilson Road
Please be a responsible wildlife observer by maintaining a safe distance of at least 100 yards from wolves and bear, and 25 yards from all other wildlife.
Snake River Float Tours at Grand Teton
About 50 miles of Snake River winds through Grand Teton National Park and the river offers incredible views. One of the best ways to experience this area is on one of the Snake River scenic float trips. You’ll get an expert guide and all the gear you need, making sure you don’t miss a thing.
Human-powered canoes, kayaks, and rafts are permitted on Snake River, but we recommend you visit a ranger station first because boaters require a permit to float the river.
Fishing in Grand Teton National Park
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.
Snake River’s trout season runs April 1 through October 31 with late August and September being the best months for catching trout.
Kayaking and Paddleboarding at Grand Teton
Grand Teton National Park has more lakes than you can count but Jenny Lake is one of the main attractions. You can sit on the bank and take in the views, but Jenny Lake is a great place to get wet, cool off, and have some fun.
One of two lakes that permit motorboats at Grand Teton, Jenny Lake is the place to go if you want to enjoy your own boat (with some restrictions).
Paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing at Grand Teton are all great ways to explore Jenny Lake and stay cool in the summer, they are available for rent.
It’s also fun taking the shuttle boat for easy access to the beautiful Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point hikes.
Camping at Grand Teton National Park
During the summer months people flock to the Grand Teton National Park campgrounds because the scenery is unforgettable. There are five campgrounds available by reservation only!
And all campgrounds except Jenny Lake welcome your RV’s and trailers. Backcountry camping is allowed in designated areas with a permit only.
Teton Village Summer Activities
You can also enjoy fun things to do in Teton Village in the summer:
- Jackson Hole Aerial Tram
- Bridger Gondola
- Paragliding at Jackson Hole
- Grand Adventure Park
- Teton Village Trail Rides
- Grand Teton Music Festivals
Grand Teton National Park Activities in the Winter
Here’s a list of Grand Teton National Park winter activities you can do at the park!
Winter Tours at Grand Teton
You’ll find a variety of Grand Teton National Park winter tours. Many of the tours will determine stops based on the road conditions, weather conditions, and needs or interests of each group.
Most winter tours do NOT include the Grand Teton National Park entrance fee (be sure to have your National Park pass!)
- 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
- Jackson Hole Snowmobiling Tour
Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoeing at Grand Teton
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are the most popular winter activities to do at the Tetons.
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.
Snowmobiling 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.
Winter Photography at Grand Teton National Park
Winter photography at Grand Teton can be a bit tricky due to road and trail closures, making it hard to get to many of the best photo spots at Grand Teton.
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
AMAZON: Yellowstone and Grand Teton Guides and Maps
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
