Grand Teton

Overview

Grand Teton National Park rises abruptly from the flat sagebrush valley of Jackson Hole, with no foothills to soften the transition — the Teton Range erupts from the valley floor to 13,775-foot Grand Teton in one of the most dramatic mountain fronts in North America. The range is young by geologic standards, still rising along the Teton fault, and the peaks are sharply carved by glaciers into the jagged, photogenic profile that has come to symbolize the American West. The park wraps around a string of glacially carved lakes — Jackson, Jenny, Leigh, Phelps, and Taggart — that mirror the peaks on calm mornings. Jenny Lake is the most popular, with a boat shuttle to the base of Cascade Canyon, where a moderate trail leads through wildflower meadows with towering peaks on both sides. The Teton Crest Trail, a multi-day ridge walk traversing the range from north to south, is one of the premier backpacking routes in the country. Grand Teton shares a boundary with Yellowstone to the north, and most visitors combine the two parks. The town of Jackson, just south, provides lodging, dining, and the iconic elk-antler arches of the town square. Wildlife viewing rivals Yellowstone: moose wade through willows along the Snake River, bison graze the Antelope Flats, and grizzly bear 399 — the most famous bear in the world — frequently appears along roadsides with her cubs.

Things to Do

• Hike Cascade Canyon from the Jenny Lake boat shuttle
• Photograph the Tetons from Schwabacher Landing at sunrise
• Float the Snake River on a scenic raft trip
• Backpack the Teton Crest Trail
• Paddle Jenny Lake by kayak or canoe
• Watch for moose at Oxbow Bend
• Bike the multi-use pathway from Jackson to Jenny Lake
• Climb Grand Teton with a guide

Wildlife

Keep an eye out for these animals during your visit:

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Short summers with warm days (70-80°F) and cold nights. Snow possible at high elevations through July. Winter is severe with heavy snowfall and temperatures well below zero.