Visiting Grand Teton National Park in August
If you’re wondering what it’s like to visit Grand Teton National Park in August, keep reading to know what services are available, what the weather will be like, and what activities you can do!
This Grand Teton National Park guide will help you plan your August vacation to one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring locations in America.
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park encompasses more than 310,000 acres of stunning mountains, lush meadows and crystal clear lakes.
Grand Teton is fully open in August which means all services and roads are open. The weather is really nice to enjoy all the outdoor activities you can do at this park!
Use our Grand Teton National Park packing list to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in August! 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 National Park in August
Each season will have different activities and services available when visiting Grand Teton National Park.
August is one of the best times to visit Grand Teton National Park because the weather is so nice! But that means you’ll need to navigate the crowds.
We recommend getting up early to enjoy the cooler and less busy mornings for hiking, biking, and sunrise photography!
August Weather at Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park weather in August is the best! Expect daytime highs around 80 and lows around 40. It will still be cold in the morning and evenings to pack a fleece jacket.
August can also be a rainy month with afternoon thunderstorms. It’s always good to check the current weather conditions on the Grand Teton website.
Services at Grand Teton in August
Grand Teton is open 24 hours, every day of the year. In August all roads, Visitor Centers, lodges and marinas are open. We recommend you always get updated information on the services available and things to do. 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.
Grand Teton Visitor Centers in August
Grand Teton has our 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 always a good idea to be safe and have the most up-to-date information.
Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center: Visitor Information, permit desk, and bookstore open daily. Exhibits open. If you’re lucky you might get to see a demo on how to use bear spray.
Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center: You’ll learn about the legacy of Mr. Rockefeller through video, photography, and audio recordings.
Jenny Lake Visitor Center: This cabin-turned-visitor center serves as an art gallery, museum, and bookstore where you can find maps and camping information here. Access the shuttle service across Lake Jenny or book a scenic cruise here.
Colter Bay Visitor Center: 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.
Things To Do at Grand Teton National Park in August
There are plenty of fun outdoor things to do in Grand Teton National Park in the summer like hiking, fishing, river floating and camping.
August is a fabulous time to explore this fantastic park! You’ll find outdoor fun in the park and at Teton Village!
Grand Teton Scenic Drive in August
One of the best ways to get acquainted with the Teton Mountain Range is exploring the Grand Teton National Park scenic drive!
The Grand Teton Scenic Loop drive 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.
We recommend the Grand Teton GyPSy Guide App to hear fun behind-the scenes stories and local tips that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location.
Look for Wildlife in August 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.
We’ve put together some good resources for Photographing Wildlife:
- Best cameras for wildlife photography
- Best tripods for wildlife photography
- Best lenses for wildlife photography
There are also many good wildlife safaris and tours you can book with a guide!
Hiking in August at Grand Teton National Park
By August the higher elevation hiking trails should be dried out.
There are many family-friendly Grand Teton National Park easy summer hikes. Use the hike length, duration, and description to find the right hike for your interests and hiking ability. Many of these easy trails are great when 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.
- You’ll 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.
Grand Teton Photography in August
Landscape photography at Grand Teton is amazing. 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.
Boating and Floating at Grand Teton in August
Boating permits: All boats, windsurfing boards (only legal on Jackson Lake), stand-up paddle boards (SUPs), kayaks and canoes are required to purchase a boat permit. Purchase permits on Recreation.gov – new online mail-order system to have the permit mailed directly to you within two weeks. Permits can also be obtained at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center and Colter Bay Visitor Center permit desks.
Floating: Inner tubes, air mattresses, kick boats, float tubes and similar individual swimming/ fishing flotation devices are exempt from needing a park boat permit. These floatation devices are prohibited on rivers and streams in Grand Teton
Floating the Snake River: Due to constantly shifting logjams, boaters must anticipate their routes well in advance. Use caution and check conditions before each trip. They are posted at river landings and permit offices weekly or when there is a significant change.
It’s your responsibility to know all the Grand Teton boating rules and regulations.
Kayak and Paddleboard in August 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.
Grand Teton Tours in August
There are a variety of Grand Teton National Park summer tours to enjoy. From thrilling hikes to peaceful boat ride, guided summer 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
Grand Teton Camping in August
During the summer months you can enjoy camping at Grand Teton National Park. The park has five campgrounds available, and they will be busy – campground 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.
Fishing the Snake River in August
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.
AMAZON: Yellowstone and Grand Teton Guides and Maps
