Yellowstone National Park | Monument Valley | Grand Canyon | Badlands | Grand Teton

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is located along the western edge of Wyoming, just south of Yellowstone National Park and John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Highway.  The Park is open from May 12 through October 9.  The entrance fee is good for 7 days in both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park.  You can also use the Park Annual Pass, Interagency Annual Pass, Interagency Senior Pass and Interagency Access Pass available from the National Park Service. 

There are several places to stay inside the Park – ranging from kid-friendly Colter Bay Village to upscale Jenny Lake Lodge.  Lodging is managed by three difference companies:

Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge, Colter Bay Village

Signal Mountain Lodge

Flagg Ranch

There are five campgrounds in the Park that are on a first-come, first-served basis, although reservations are available for groups of 10 or more.  Colter Bay Trailer Village and Flagg Ranch Campground are the only campground with RV hookups available.

The nearest town is Jackson, Wyoming, where you can find accommodations to suit every budget.  Jackson itself has numerous things to see and do, along with having the nearest airport (Jackson Airport).  In addition to its close proximity to Grand Teton National Park, Jackson has lots of shopping, golf, trout fishing, art galleries, aerial tours, and ballooning.  You can also raft and kayak down a river and horseback ride at area dude ranches.  In winter you have your choice of downhill or cross-country skiing or snowmobile riding.  The National Elk Refuge is located at the north end of town – just a short distance from the South Entrance to Grand Teton.

Just south of the Park is Teton Village, which lies between the town of Jackson, Wyoming and the South Entrance.  In Teton Village you can take advantage of the attractions of Jackson without having to deal with the crowds in town.

Although Grand Teton National Park is much smaller than Yellowstone, there is plenty to see in this beautiful Park.  The Cathedral Group consists of Grand Teton, Mount Owen and Teewinot.  Other major peaks in the Park are South Teton, Middle Teton and Mount Moran.  Signal Mountain is not a major peak, but it has a wonderful view from the top.  You can either drive or hike to the top.

Grand Teton National Park is home to many types of wildlife including moose, pronghorn, elk, badgers, osprey, American pelicans, deer, bison, mountain lions, bald eagles and beaver.

Jackson Lake is the largest of the Park lakes and is a good place to sail, fish or ride powerboats.  Jackson Lake Lodge has a great view of the Tetons with flats in the foregoing with moose and coyote.  There are numerous trails around the lodge for hiking the area.

The Cathedral Group turnout along Jenny Lake Scenic Drive has a wonderful view of Grand Teton and its flanking peaks – Teewinot and Mount Owens.  This is the only route to Jenny lake Lodge.

Jenny Lake Lodge has a beautiful loop trail around the lake, or take a boat ride across the lake to Cascade Canyon and Hidden Falls.  Just north of Jenny lake are String Lake and Leigh Lake with trails that offer wonderful views of Mt. Moran.

The Chapel of the Transfiguration (built in 1925) is a very pretty log church near  Moose Junction just off Teton Park Road.  The altar window frames a wonderful view of Grand Teton.  Episcopal services are held Spring to Fall and it is a popular for weddings.

North of Moose Junction along Antelope Flats Road is a gravel road turnoff to four old homesteads known as Mormon Row.

Oxbow Bend is located between Jackson Lake Junction and Moran Junction.  Jackson Lake empties into the Snake River, a favorite wildlife viewing float for canoeists, curving around beautiful Oxbow Bend.

On the East side of the Park is Schwabacher Landing.  The turnoff is along Route 89 North off Antelope Flats Road.  There is a popular launch site for float trips and fly fishing at the end of the turnoff.  This is also a good area for spotting bald eagles, osprey, moose, river otter and beaver.

Further north on Route 89 is Snake River Overlook – the most famous view of the Teton Range by Ansel Adams.

Continuing North is Cunningham Cabin, a historic site build in 1890.  Visit the cabin for a peek into the life of early Jackson Hole ranchers.  The Antelope Flats/Kelly Loop travels past many of the Park’s early ranch buildings and settlements.