Visiting Grand Teton National Park in January

Wondering what it’s like to visit Grand Teton National Park in January? The winter months are a unique time for visiting Grand Teton National Park.

Grand Teton National Park is located in northwestern Wyoming. You can enjoy activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and photography at Grand Teton National Park in the winter!

Use this Grand Teton National Park guide and the information below to know what to expect in January: services available, what to pack, where to stay, things to do, and more!

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 month of January.

The number one tip for visiting Grand Teton in January is to pack winter clothing so you can enjoy your time at the park! Use our Grand Teton National Park packing list to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in the winter! 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 January

There are a lot of Grand Teton National Park winter activities to enjoy. Each season will have different activities and services available. In January, it’s all about winter activities like skiing and snowshoeing!

Use our guide to find other times of year to visit if you want to do summer activities like hiking and kayaking: best time to visit Grand Teton National Park.

Services at Grand Teton National Park in January

Grand Teton is open 24 hours, every day of the year. In January, some roads and most of the park services are closed. Check the Grand Teton website for the exact dates.

The park campgrounds and lodges are closed in the winter, but you can find hotels near Grand Teton National Park in nearby Jackson.

January Weather at Grand Teton

When you visit Grand Teton in January you can expect very cold temperatures. Daytime highs are near 25 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows are near 0! 

It’s important to know the Grand Teton National Park weather and what to expect for the dates you’ll be there.

Snow storms can roll through at any time. Always check the current weather and road conditions on the Grand Teton website.

It is really important that you dress in layers and bring your winter clothing.

• Wicking clothing
• Fleece jacket
• Winter hat
• Winter gloves
• Insulated jacket
• Darn Tough hiking socks
• Waterproof hiking shoes
• Insulated boots

Pets at Grand Teton in January

Pets are allowed on plowed roadways and parking area. You can also take your pet on the unplowed sections of the Teton Park and Moose-Wilson roads.

Pets must be on a leash of six feet or less, and within 30 feet of a roadway. Please dispose of your pet’s waste properly. There are waste disposal cans at the trailheads.

Teton Park Road in January

Enjoy skiing, snowshoeing and walking along the Teton Park Road from Taggart Lake Trailhead to the Signal Mountain Lodge.

The road is closed to vehicles and bikes in January since it’s snow covered.

Check out the map below showing groomed trails, skier tracked trails and wildlife closer areas.

Things to Do at Grand Teton National Park in January

There are so many fun things to do in Grand Teton National Park any time of year. If you enjoy winter activities, then check out this list of things to do at Grand Teton in January!

Grand Teton Winter Tours in January

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

Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoeing in January

Enjoying cross-country and snowshoeing in January. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy nature in a quiet setting.

There are etiquette aspects to keep in mind:

• Do not walk or snowshoe on ski trails
• Leave your skis on and side-step down or detour around steep sections
• Snowshoe parallel to the ski track
• Yield to faster skiers
• Step out of the track for a break

Wildlife at Grand Teton in January

At Grand Teton National Park in the winter it’s easier to see Grand Teton wildlife as they contrast against the white snow.

You’ll see many elk at the Elk Refuge between the park and the town of Jackson. You can take a sleigh ride tour to see the elk up close!

If you’re lucky you may see eagles, coyotes, foxes, bison, deer, wolves, trumpeter swans and more on the tour… as well as on the roads or trails that are open in the park.

Grand Teton Photography in January

The winter landscape at Grand Teton is amazing! The jagged peaks of the snow-capped mountains are a photographer’s dream!

In January getting to the best photo spots at Grand Teton is difficult. Many of these locations look vastly different when the water is frozen and snow-covered.

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

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

Grand Teton Snowmobiling in January

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.

Grand Teton Lodging in January

Since all the lodges and campgrounds are closed in January, you’ll need to stay in nearby Jackson. 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

AMAZON: Yellowstone and Grand Teton Guides and Maps