Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park in Summer
With its breathtaking mountain views, crystal-clear alpine lakes, and lush meadows, it’s no wonder Grand Teton is one of the most popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Here’s a list of our favorite things to do in Grand Teton National Park in summer to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities at this stunning park!
This Grand Teton National Park guide will tell you everything you need to know about visiting during the summer months of June, July, and August.
In the summer at Grand Teton you can enjoy hiking, fishing, kayaking, photography, and more!
This guide will detail the services available, weather, what to pack, and where to stay for your Grand Teton summer vacation!
Use our Grand Teton National Park packing list to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in the summer! 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 the Summer
Each season will have different activities and services available when visiting Grand Teton National Park.
The summer months are the most popular times to visit because the weather is so nice! But that means you’ll need to navigate the crowds.
Use our guide to find the best time to visit Grand Teton National Park that fits your travel style!
Summer Weather at Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park in June: Grand Teton weather in June is just right for daytime activities with highs near 70. It will still be cold in the morning and evening with lows in the upper 30s. We recommend you pack winter gloves, insulating hat, winter coat and a fleece jacket and wear layers so you can enjoy the park from morning to night!
Grand Teton National Park in July: July weather at Grand Teton is just about perfect! Expect daytime highs near 77. It will still be cold in the morning and evening with lows in the upper 30s. July is also a rainy month with afternoon thunderstorms. We recommend you pack winter gloves, winter hat, fleece jacket, and rain jacket so you can enjoy the park from morning to night!
Grand Teton National Park in August: Grand Teton August weather 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 the Summer
Grand Teton is open 24 hours, every day of the year. All roads, Visitor Centers, lodges and marinas are open in the summer. 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 the Summer
Grand Teton has not one, but 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 always a good idea to be safe and have the most up-to-date information.
Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center: This is a great first stop for seeing the park and as a bonus you’ll get to see photographic views of the Grand Teton mountain range. This visitor center boasts interactive exhibits that highlight the parks history, maps of all the trails, and displays of early settlers and mountaineers. A 154-seat theater hosts a 15-minute movie about the park, and rangers have a scavenger hunt for young kids. Here 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: At this small, off the beaten path visitor center you’ll get acquainted with the legacy of Mr. Rockefeller through video, photography, and audio recordings. Visitors can check out the soundscape room or relax in the resource room. The hike to Phelps Lake from here is highly popular because of the stunning mountain views; be aware of your surroundings though, bear and moose sightings are common.
Jenny Lake Visitor Center: Popular because of its proximity to Jenny Lake, this cabin turned visitor center now serves as an art gallery and museum. The Grand Teton Association operates a bookstore here, and visitors to the park can find maps and camping information here. The views are amazing, and a wide paved walkway is a short walk to the lake nearby. The visitor center offers a shuttle service across Lake Jenny and a scenic cruise; I recommend both.
Colter Bay Visitor Center: This visitor center has amazing views of Jackson Lake, and the easy walking trails take you to the boat dock. Here 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.
Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park in Summer
Summer is a popular time to visit Grand Teton because of its beautiful scenery and outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, river floating and camping. Check out this list of summer activities at Grand Teton!
You’ll also find fun things to do in Teton Village in the summer!
Grand Teton Scenic Drive in the Summer
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.
This scenic loop has plenty of pull-offs with opportunities to photograph Grand Teton National Park.
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.
Summer 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.
Check out these fun summer hikes:
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.
Grand Teton Photography in the Summer
Landscape photography at Grand Teton is amazing. The mountains usually still have snow a bit of snow in early summer which makes a great backdrop. 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 Wildlife in the Summer
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 tripod head for wildlife photography
- Best lenses for wildlife photography
Snake River Float Tours in the Summer
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 the Snake River in the Summer
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.
Kayak and Paddleboard in the Summer 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.
Grand Teton Summer Tours
There are a variety of Grand Teton National Park Summer Tours to fit your budget and needs. From thrilling hikes to peaceful boat ride, Grand Teton summer tours are an unforgettable experience that will leave you with lasting memories.
- All-Day Tour of Grand Teton National Park
- Grand Teton All-Day Private Wildlife Tour
- Private Sunset 4-Hour Grand Teton Wildlife Adventure
- Family White Water Rafting at Jackson Hole
Grand Teton Camping in the Summer
Whether you prefer a tent or RV, there are plenty of Grand Teton National Park camping options for you to choose from.
When looking for Grand Teton National Park Lodging options, check out the variety of campgrounds available in the park!
Reservations are required for all Grand Teton campground sites in the park. You can book campsites on Recreation.gov. Reserving six months in advance is recommended!
If you can’t get a spot in the park, there are some RV Parks near Grand Teton National Park the offer tent, RV, and cabin camping options!
AMAZON: Yellowstone and Grand Teton Guides and Maps
