Visiting Grand Teton National Park in September
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park encompasses more than 310,000 acres of stunning mountains, lush meadows and crystal clear lakes. Here’s our travel guide for visiting Grand Teton National Park in September: what services are available, what the weather will be like, and what activities you can do!
Grand Teton in the fall is an amazing time of year to visit. In September all services and roads are open. The weather is really nice to enjoy all the outdoor activities you can do at this park!
Use this Grand Teton National Park guide and the information below to learn all about a September trip: 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 September.
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. Take a look at 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 September
September is one of the best times to visit Grand Teton National Park. You can enjoy a number of fall activities like hiking, biking, camping, landscape photography, and wildlife photography. In September, you’ll enjoy cool temperatures, fall colors, and fewer people visiting Grand Teton.
September Weather at Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park weather in September is almost perfect! Expect daytime highs in the 50-60s and lows in the 20-30s.
Grand Teton in the fall averages 23 days below freezing so be sure to pack a fleece jacket and winter coat for layering. It’s always good to check the weather conditions on the Grand Teton website so you’re prepared with the right gear to enjoy the outdoors!
Services at Grand Teton in September
Grand Teton is open 24 hours, every day of the year. In September 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.
Things To Do at Grand Teton in September
You’ll find a number of fun outdoor Grand Teton National Park fall activities when visiting the park in September.
There are also fun way to get the family excited before, during and after the trip with National Park activities:
- Grand Teton National Park Coloring Page
- Grand Teton National Park Facts
- National Park Activity Pack (FREE PRINTABLE)
- National Park Activity Books for Kids
All ages will enjoy collecting stamps in their National Park Passport book! Passport booklets and stamp sets are “usually” available at the park visitor centers, but we recommend you get the passport book before the trip, just in case!! We’ve seen sad kiddos when a visitor center is out of passport books. Rangers can stamp a piece of paper, but it’s not just the same experience!
Fall Colors in September at Grand Teton
Grand Teton fall months run from September through mid-October. 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 and continues through mid-October.
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 to see the autumn colors are along the Snake River where the cottonwood trees showcase their vibrant color. We recommend visiting Oxbow Bend, Schwabacher Landing and Jackson Lake to see these fall color scenes with the river and lake.
Look for Wildlife at Grand Teton in September
September is a good time to see wildlife at Grand Teton. Here’s a list of wildlife viewing areas we recommend:
- 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.
- Best cameras for wildlife photography
- Best tripods for wildlife photography
- Best lenses for wildlife photography
Grand Teton Hikes in September
In September the higher elevation hiking trails could get snow at any time so be prepared for wet and cold conditions.
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 September
Landscape photography at Grand Teton is amazing. In the later part of September, you can take pictures of colorful fall leaves in the park! 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.
Grand Teton Scenic Drive in September
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.
Boating and Floating in September at Grand Teton
You can still enjoy water activities at Grand Teton in September.
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.
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 rules for boating at Grand Teton.
Kayak and Paddleboard in September 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 September
There are a variety of Grand Teton National Park summer tours that are still available in September. From thrilling hikes to peaceful boat ride, guided tours at Grand Teton 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 September
There are five campgrounds for camping at Grand Teton National Park. In the fall they will be busy – campground reservations are required! Some campgrounds begin to close in September so be sure to look at the closing dates for camping and services this time of year.
If you can’t find a camping spot in the park, check out the various RV Parks near Grand Teton National Park.
Grand Teton Lodging in September
If camping isn’t your thing, there are many options of places to stay near Grand Teton National Park in September:
- Cabins Near Grand Teton National Park
- Grand Teton National Park Hotels
- Glamping Near Grand Teton National Park
AMAZON: Yellowstone and Grand Teton Guides and Maps
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!
