getting to grand tetons
You can fly into the Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) which is 4.4 miles to Grand Teton National Park. You can also make a joint trip to Yellowstone, however, the road between Yellowstone and Grand Teton is not accessible during the winter and you will need to travel around. If you are making a trip to both national parks you can also fly into the Bozeman International Airport (BZN). Bozeman International Airport is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to West Yellowstone. During the summer you can exit through the south of Yellowstone and enter Grand Tetons.
getting Around grand tetons
You can easily drive around Grand Teton National Park. During the winter you can access the main roads but will be unable to go on the road that brings you to Jenny Lake. During the winter, the road between Yellowstone and Grand Teton is not accessible during the winter and you will need to travel around. There are some snow mobile tours in Grand Teton but not as many as Yellowstone National Park.
where to stay
Jackson Hole is the closest town and has everything you would ever need as a tourist from great restaurants, bars and activities. There are all different levels of accommodation located in town from motels, hotels to resorts.
Camping is also abundant throughout the park. Campsites are available for reservation on recreation.gov and should be reserved well in advance. You can stay in most campgrounds for 2 weeks other than Jenny Lake which has a maximum of 1 week.
Within the park there are several lodges you can also stay at: Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge, Signal Mountain Lodge. For more of ranch feel check out Flagg or Triangle X Ranch. These accommodations are generally open early summer to early fall.
when to visit
This park is absolutely beautiful and offers a very different experience if you visit in the winter or the summer.
Summer is the most popular for camping, hiking and being able to have full access to the entire park.
Visitor centers are generally open May through September as well as all the roads. Spring is beautiful however the valley trails will likely be covered in snow until late May. Fall shows beautiful foliage and trails are generally open.
During winter, you might be in Jackson Hole for skiing and other winter activities and you should totally take the short drive over to see these epic mountains. You can also cross country ski or snowshoe in the park.
Fees
Weekly passes are good for 7 consecutive days at Grand Teton National Park
Private/non-commercial vehicle: $35
Motorcycle pass $30
Person/Individual (bicycle, on foot) $20
Grand Teton Annual Pass: $70
America the Beautiful Annual Pass: $80 interagency pass good for one year from month purchased- highly recommend this if visiting more than 3 parks in a year.
things to do
The great thing about this park is you can be as active as you want but you can also really get a great feel of the park from the comfort of your car by just driving and stopping at the scenic viewpoints.
Drive the park
You will be mesmerized by these epic mountains. There are so many great viewpoints to stop at to take it all in. During the summer, definitely drive the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive and Signal Mountain scenic viewpoint.
Hiking
What is better than hiking around epic mountains and lakes? Not much! There are so many options for hiking all over the park. Some of the top rated hikes include: Cascade Canyon, Jenny Lake Loop and Inspiration Point, Paintbrush Canyon, Phelps Lake, Taggert Lake, and Lake Solitude.
Boating
You can rent a boat, canoe, or kayak during the warmer months. Boat rental is generally $20/hour or $80 for the day. There are also shuttle services on Jenny Lake to bring you to opposite side for some hiking in Cascade Canyon and to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. The shuttle is approximately $18 per person round trip. You can also go just one way and hike the 2 miles around the lake back. It’s also a cool way to experience the lake via boat.
Fishing
Catching trout is an amazing experience. You do need a fishing license which you can purchase at Colter Bay Marina, Flagg Ranch or Signal Mountain Lodge.
Wildlife Viewing
There is so much wonderful wildlife in Grand Teton National Park. You can see elk, moose, bison, deer, bear and smaller mammals such as marmots, squirrels, pikas and more. There is also incredible bird watching. Always make sure to maintain distance between you and wildlife.
