Grand Teton National Park National Park Guide
Jackson, Wyoming
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Overview Of Grand Teton National Park:
Officially established in 1929 by President Calvin Coolidge, Grand Teton National Park started from humble beginnings. There may be no better place to start than how the park got its name. The story goes that in the early 1800s, French fur trappers were admiring the stunning Teton Range called it the “Les Trois Tetons” or “the three teats” for their resemblance to woman’s breasts. After some good ole fashion Americanization, the Grand Tetons were born!
Other than being named after some pervy Frenchmen, Grand Teton National Park is known for its incredible outdoor activity scene. This revolves mainly around camping, hiking, and mountaineering during the summer months. With its hundreds of miles of trails, beautiful glacial lakes, breathtaking canyons, and an array of wildlife Grand Teton National Park is a must on any outdoorsman’s bucket list.
Although the park is busiest in the summertime, it also offers activities for those looking to visit during the winter season, such as cross country skiing and snowshoeing. You can explore the park in its snow-capped glory during this time of year. Also, I would be crazy not to mention that the park is also just a 30-minute drive from world-class skiing/snowboarding in Jackson Hole. There is no shortage of things for you to do in the region no matter the season!
Wildlife In Grand Teton National Park:
One of the fantastic experiences that you can have in Grand Teton National Park is witnessing wildlife in its most natural form. Mainly known for its bison, bears, and wolves, if you are lucky enough, you may get a chance to run into one of these magnificent creatures during one of your hikes through the park. I would recommend bringing a camera or binoculars to get a nice snapshot or view of these animals from a distance. In fact, during your trip, you may not even have to venture into the park to see some of this wildlife, but you may find some bison off the side of the highway grazing on the beautiful Wyoming pastures.
Hiking/Camping In Grand Teton National Park:
As mentioned above, Grand Teton National Park is an incredible outdoorsman haven with world-class hiking and views. With over 200 miles of trails, there are so many amazing views worth catching. Grand Teton National park has it all, from its magnificent canyons, pristine glacial lakes to its breathtaking vistas of the Teton Range and the Alaska Basin! The park is also between several wilderness areas, including Jedediah Wilderness, Teton Wilderness, and Gros Ventre Wilderness, all of which offer their unique perspective of the Teton Range.
These fantastic views can be seen either on day hikes or backpacking through the park. Fortunately, the park has a number of both backcountry and front-country campsites available by reservation. However, these reservations and permits can get quite competitive during the busy season, so I recommend planning your trip sooner rather than later!
How Much Does It Cost To Enter Grand Teton National Park?
Each of the park’s entrance fees is listed below, these fees are good for up to 7 days (prices taken from Grand Teton National Park website).
Vehicle: $35.00
Motorcycle: $30.00
Hiking/Bicycle: $20.00
Entrance included with America the Beautiful Pass.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Grand Teton National Park?
I would say that if the purpose of your trip is to hike and camp, the best time to visit would have to be from mid-May to the beginning of September. I would dare to say the weather is more predictable during this time. Also, you will run into fewer issues in terms of road and trail closures. However, if you want to go cross country skiing or snowshoeing, then obviously it would be better to visit during the winter months.
Just Driving Through? Check out some of these cool spots a short drive from the park!
Mormons Row:
Mormon Row is a historic site consisting of two log cabins built back in the late 1800’s early 1900’s by the Mormon community who inhabited the region. The two log cabins representative of Mormon Row are Moulton Barn and Chambers Homestead. Between the breathtaking views of the Tetons and the incredible history behind these homes, this is a must-see stop on your trip to the Tetons.
Snake River:
A beautiful view of the Snake River flowing in the foreground of the Teton Range. A quintessential photograph of the region made famous by the great Ansel Adams. This is a must see view when making your way through the area. Some things to keep in mind though when visiting this site is that first the trees have grown since Ansel Adams has taken his original snake river shot so dont be disappointed if it is not exactly how you have seen it in the 1942 photograph. Despite this it is still a must see view take a look for yourself!
Jackson Hole:
Another easy drive which you absolutely have to do if you are in Grand Teton National Park is JACKSON HOLE. This is a really amazing town that honestly gives you everything you could need. Nice restaurants, cool breweries as well as some awesome adventure stores all overlooking the beautiful Wyoming landscape. Being only 30 minutes away from the park Jackson Hole also serves as the perfect home base with several different hotel options if you are not planning on camping during your Grand Teton adventure.
Book Your Stay Near Grand Teton National Park:
If backpacking or camping is not the way you want to be spending your vacation at Grand Teton National Park, no worries there are a ton of lodging options available to you. Follow the below links to start booking your Grand Teton National Park Adventure.
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