Grand Teton National Park Fall Activities
Grand Teton National Park is an iconic American landmark located in the heart of Wyoming’s Rocky Mountains.
There are a variety of Grand Teton National Park fall activities to enjoy: hiking, camping, fishing, or simply taking in the stunning views.
This Grand Teton National Park guide to plan an amazing itinerary full of fun fall activities! We also share tips for things to pack, where to stay and more!
At Grand Teton in the fall the landscape comes alive with color as the days grow shorter and the leaves turn vibrant hues of orange, red and yellow.
Use our Grand Teton National Park packing list to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in the fall! 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 About Grand Teton in the Fall
Each season will have different activities and services available when visiting Grand Teton National Park.
Early fall is still a busy time at the park. By late fall services at Grand Teton begin to close. When you visit Grand Teton in the fall you can expect cooler temperatures due to the higher elevation.
- Grand Teton in September: highs mid-60s | lows 30s degrees F
- Grand Teton in October: highs 50 | lows mid-20s degrees F
- Grand Teton in November: highs 35 | lows in the teens
It is really important that you dress in layers and bring your winter clothing essentials so that you can stay warm and comfortable.
Grand Teton National Park Fall Activities
Here’s a fun list of things to do in Grand Teton National Park in fall. Whether you’re looking for an outdoor adventure or simply want to take in nature’s splendor, Grand Teton National Park has something to offer everyone!
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 Hiking in the Fall
With over 100 hiking trails, Grand Teton has something for all ages and every skill level. The Grand Teton trails offer incredible views whether you’re seeking a short, easy hike for the whole family or something more difficult to challenge yourself.
Here are a few Grand Teton National Park easy fall hikes you should consider:
- Inspiration Point via Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle
- Hidden Falls Trail
- Colter Bay Lakeshore Trail
- Oxbow Bend and Overlook
- Cunningham Historic Cabin
It’s good to be prepared for the hiking you’ll do at Grand Teton:
- Day Hike Checklist
- What to Bring on a Hike
- Photography Gear for Hiking
- Hiking Gear for Kids & Tips for Hiking with Kids
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!
Grand Teton Photography in the Fall
Landscape photography at Grand Teton is amazing. 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.
Here are a few of the Grand Teton photo spots you won’t want to miss:
- Chapel of the Transfiguration: A tiny, historical, and unique church with perfect views of the Tetons.
- Jenny Lake: Ride the Jenny Lake Boat across the lake and hike to Hidden Falls (steep) or access the Jenny Lake Loop Rd off the main road to take in scenic lake views.
- Oxbow Bend: A popular wildlife viewing hotspot, and a personal favorite of mine.
- Snake River Overlook: One of the best and beautiful views of Snake River.
- Mormon Row: A unique opportunity to see a historic homestead up close at Mormon Row.
Some of our favorite sunrise photography spots in Grand Teton National Park are: Schwabacher Landing, Oxbow Bend, and Mormon Row!
Grand Teton Wildlife in the Fall
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.
We’ve put together some good resources for Photographing Wildlife:
- Best cameras for wildlife photography
- Best tripods for wildlife photography
- Best tripod head for wildlife photography
- Best lenses for wildlife photography
Grand Teton Junior Ranger Program
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
Grand Teton Fishing in the Fall
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 Camping in the Fall
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.
There are also fun ideas for glamping near Grand Teton National Park in rustic cabins, yurts, and safari-style tents.
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
