Visiting Grand Teton in October
Wondering what it’s like to visit Grand Teton in October? Use this Grand Teton National Park guide to plan your trip: services available, what to pack, where to stay, and things to do in October.
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park encompasses more than 310,000 acres of stunning mountains, fall foliage, and crystal clear lakes to enjoy in October.
Toward the middle of October services at Grand Teton National Park begin to close so you’ll enjoy smaller crowds, picturesque views of the foliage and the wildlife getting ready for winter.
We live only a few hours away from Grand Teton so we’ve had the opportunity to visit many times. The tips we share are based on our experiences visiting the area throughout the years, and specifically for the month of October!
Use our Grand Teton National Park packing list to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in October! 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 October
There are so many fun things to do when visiting Grand Teton National Park. You’ll find different activities and services available during each season and month of the year.
In October, some roads and services start to close which limits the activities you can do.
Use our guide to find information about the best time to visit Grand Teton National Park.
Services at Grand Teton National Park in October
Grand Teton is open 24 hours, every day of the year, BUT many park services begin to close in October.
Here’s a list of visitor centers and services that are open in October. Check the Grand Teton website for the exact dates.
- Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center
- Colter Bay Visitor Center
- Colter Bay Convenience Store closes mid-October (gas pumps open 24/7, self service)
- Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center
- Jenny Lake Boat Launch
- String Lake Boat Launch
- Signal Mountain Facilities/Services close mid-October
- Deadmans Bar, Snake River Launch
- Headwater Convenience Store closes mid-October (gas pumps open 24/7, self service)
All roads in the park are open through October.
Grand Teton campgrounds and lodges begin closing in October so you’ll need to find places to stay in Jackson.
October Weather at Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park weather in October means cold temperatures due to the higher elevation. During the day the highs hover around 52 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows will drop all the way to the mid 20s!
It is really important that you dress in layers and bring your winter clothing essentials “just in case”.
It’s possible to have snow as early as September, and even more so in October. Always check the current weather and road conditions on the Grand Teton website.
Things To Do at Grand Teton in October
There are plenty of fun outdoor Grand Teton National Park fall activities when visiting the park in October.
There are fun way to get everyone excited before, during and after the trip with National Park activities:
- Grand Teton National Park Facts
- Grand Teton Coloring Page
- National Park Activity Pack (FREE PRINTABLE)
- National Park Activity Books for Kids
Kids, and adults, 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 at Grand Teton in October
Grand Teton in the fall runs 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.
Wildlife in October at Grand Teton
In October, Grand Teton wildlife is out and about getting ready for winter.
The elk rut peaks in September, but if you’re lucky it may continue into early October. It’s so fun to hear the elk 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 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.
Here’s a list of great wildlife viewing areas in October:
- Oxbow Bend
- Timbered Island
- Mormon Row
- Snake River
- Cascade Canyon
- Blacktail Pond
If you’re serious about taking photos of wildlife, here’s the camera gear we recommend:
- Best cameras for wildlife photography
- Best tripods for wildlife photography
- Best lenses for wildlife photography
Grand Teton Scenic Drive in October
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.
Hiking in October at Grand Teton
When it comes to hiking at Grand Teton National Park you want to remember that you will be in higher elevations which may make for a more challenging experience.
The landscape is beautiful, but many trails may be steep and even extreme. If you have any questions about which trails are best for you, be sure to talk to a Park Ranger to find the best fall hikes at Grand Teton for you and your family.
Here’s a list of resources for hiking:
- Day Hike Checklist
- What to Bring on a Hike
- Photography Gear for Hiking
- Hiking Gear for Kids & Tips for Hiking with Kids
Photography at Grand Teton in October
The landscape scenes at Grand Teton are a photographer’s dream with the jagged peaks of the mountains, lakes, rivers and abundant wildlife!
When you add the autumn colors you’ll see in October, then it’s like icing on the cake to photograph Grand Teton National Park!
Here’s a list of our favorite photo spots at Grand Teton:
- Oxbow Bend
- Schwabacher Landing
- Snake River Overlook
- Mormon Row – Moulton Barns
- Jackson Lake Overlook
Make sure your camera gear is all packed and ready to capture the beauty at Grand Teton!
Grand Teton Tours in October
There are a variety of Grand Teton National Park summer tours that are still available in October. Book a Grand Teton tour provides an unforgettable experience!
- 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
AMAZON: Yellowstone and Grand Teton Guides and Maps
Where to Stay in Jackson Near Grand Teton
- Where to Stay Near Grand Teton National Park
- Grand Teton National Park Lodging
- Grand Teton National Park Camping
- RV Parks near Grand Teton National Park
- Glamping 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
