An Unforgettable Trip to Grand Teton

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That first glimpse of the Tetons is etched in my mind. There are mountains, and then there are mountains! The jagged, windswept peak of Grand Teton is unmistakable, the icon of the national park. Grand Teton is often overshadowed by it’s neighboring park, Yellowstone, but that just means fewer crowds and more open spaces! Let us help you plan an unforgettable trip to Grand Teton!

Getting Here

Grand Teton National Park is located in the north western corner of Wyoming, just below Yellowstone National Park. The two parks actually share a border. The closest airport is in Jackson, just a few miles from Grand Teton’s main gate, but flights are limited. The best way to see the park and surrounding area is definitely by car!

Of the four entrances into the park, the Moose Entrance is by far the most popular and is the nearest to Jackson. The Moran Entrance is further north, entering Grand Teton just a few miles south of Yellowstone. The Granite Canyon Entrance is the least busy, coming from Wilson along the Moose-Wilson Road. However, it’s a narrow road, closed to RVs. It’s also closed seasonally and into 2023 for construction. Lastly, the Flagg Ranch entrance comes directly through Yellowston’s south gate.

Three Amazing Hikes

With over 250 miles of trails, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re hiking a popular trail or backcountry route, be sure to carry bear spray. The park is home to both Black and Grizzly bears, and they’re a pretty common sight. We also wore bear bells, although their effectiveness is debated.

Taggart Lake- Bradley Lake Loop- 5.5 miles roundtrip

Taggart Lake is one of the most popular trails in the park, the trailhead just 2.3 miles from the Moose Entrance. The parking lot often fills up in the summer, but there is ample roadside parking.

At just 3 miles roundtrip, Taggart is an easy hike. It’s mostly flat and offers beautiful views of the Tetons, as you pass through fields of summer wildflowers. We’ve hiked it early afternoon and late evening, and the golden hour near sunet is the perfect time. There’s no one else there, the lake is calm, practically a painting. We had a professional shoot here, more on that later!

Don’t stop at Taggart though! Continue to Bradley Lake for perhaps even more dramatic scenery. It isn’t crowded, and offers plenty of access points to the lake. The water is frigid, but it’s a great cool down after a sweaty summer hike!

Cascade Canyon- 2.2 miles roundtrip to Inspiration Point

Cascade Canyon is 9.4 miles in its entirety, but there are shorter options. Take the Jenny Lake Shuttle to shave off 2.4 miles, and start from the West Dock. It’s just half a mile to Hidden Falls, a truly impressive waterfall. The trail first crosses a small waterfall we thought was Hidden Falls, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the actual waterfall ahead!

Continue past Hidden Falls to Inspiration Point. It’s a short hike, but be prepared for a steep ascent with some sharp dropoffs. The views are worth it! Inspiration Point is also home to some of the friendliest chipmunks I’ve encountered! This area is considered backcountry, so be on the alert for bears, moose and other wildlife. Other than the chipmunks, we just saw a lone fox.

 

 

 

 

 

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Phelps Lake- 4.7 miles roundtrip

Phelps Lake can be accessed a few different ways, but start at the Death Canyon Trailhead for dramatic views and direct lake access. From Moose-Wilson Road, turn at the trailhead marker and drive 2 miles down a dirt road. High clearance vehiles are recommended (we did it in our F-150). There is limited parking, but it’s not generally too crowded.

At the 0.9 mile mark, the first view of Phelps Lake appears, far below the trail. A moderately steep swtichback ends on the valley floor, where a flat but rocky trail leads to the lake. A nice sandy beach awaits, perfect for sunbathing and a picnic.

Continuing on the loop around the lake, reach Jumping Rock. At 30 feet high, I’m not sure I would jump from it, but plenty of hikers do. From the beach, you can hear the jumpers yelling and splashing into the icy lake.

More Than Hiking

I could spend all year on Grand Teton’s trails, but there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy!

Jenny Lake Boat Trip

Take either a 1 hour boat tour, or take the short shuttle service from east to west sides of the lake. Either way, don’t miss a chance to get out on Jenny Lake, it’s gorgeous! During the summer, the tour leaves a few times a day, while the shuttle runs every 15 minutes or so. With the shuttle service, book either a roundtrip or one way, hiking back. While it isn’t listed on the website, they gave Bobby a free ticket as a veteran.

Jackson Lake

The largest of the lakes in Grand Teton, Jackson Lake just seems to keep going. Surrounded by the mountains, it’s a stunning sight. Rent a kayak, canoe, or motorized boat from the Signal Mountain Lodge, relax on the shoreline, go for a swim, or cast a line. It’s popular with fishermen for trout and salmon.

The John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway follows the lake for good distance before reaching Yellowston’s South Entrance.

Lunch with a View at Trappers Grill

After an early morning of long hikes, you earned that meal with a view! Trappers Grill, located in the Signal Mountain Lodge, has stunning views of Jackson Lake with reasonably priced, great food and drinks! Dining options in the park can be somewhat limited, but Trappers serves food all day during summer. It’s a favorite of ours for the view, but also for the relaxed atmosphere. No reservations needed, and muddy hiking boots are just fine! Many people tout Jenny Lake Lodge Dining Room, but lunch ends at 1pm and reservations are required for dinner. If you’re looking for more upscale dining, and planned ahead, don’t get me wrong, it is a lovely experience!

 

 

 

 

 

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Mormon Row a.k.a. The T.A. Moulton Barn

During the 1890s, Mormon settlers built several homsteads at the foot of the Tetons. What a view they had! Today, the area is part of the national park, although it’s accessed separately, off Highway 191 to Antelope Flats Road. It’s just a few minutes from Jackson. Mormon Row is made up of several groupings of buildings, but the T.A. Moulton Barn is the most photographed. Coming down Antelope Flats Road from 191, turn right for the Moulton Barn.

Oxbow Bend Overlook

Located on the Snake River, along Highway 89/191, this pulloff is a favorite for sunrise photography and wildlife viewing. Moose, bear, and a variety of birds can often be seen here, but even if you miss them, the view is still great!

Best Wildlife Viewing

While wildlife is seen throuhgout the park, there are a few favorite viewing areas. Elk Ranch Flats off US 26 for buffalo and pronghorn, Oxbow Bend overlook for a wide variety, particularly bear and moose, and in winter, the national elk refuge for thousands of elk!

Where to Stay

There are four lodges within the park, along with cabins and eight campgrounds, six of which accomodate RVs. The lodges are notorious for filling up as much as a year in advance, but staying in the park has its advantages.

Jackson Lake Lodge

Jackson Lake Lodge is our favorite in the park. It enbodies the image of a great western lodge, offering stunning views of the Tetons. The lodge itself only houses 37 rooms,, with an additional 348 detatched cottages. During summer, there’s an outdoor pool. The lodge also offers various tours and experiences, from Snake River float trips to horseback riding tours.

Can I rave about the dining for a minute? Both the Blue Heron Lounge and The Mural Room have stellar views! The lounge is the spot to soak up the views and enjoy a huckleberry cocktail. For a top notch dining experience, the Mural Room is it. We celebrated an anniversary here with amazing food and excellent service. The moose shaped butter was also a nice touch.

Jackson Hole Hideout Bed & Breakfast

Outisde of the park, we love Jackson Hole Hideout. A B&B in Wilson, a few minutes outside of Jackson, it offers unique rooms, peaceful surroundings and excellent breakfasts. With just six rooms, it’s never crowded, and it’s far enough outside of Jackson to be relaxing. Can I recommend the Cowgirl Room? It captures the western theme perfectly, has an amazing shower and a private deck.

Jackson

Jackson, Wyoming is in Jackson Hole Valley. It’s the gateway town to Grand Teton, with a thriving tourism industry. Home to art galleries and expensive boutiques, the town still has its fair share of outfitters and adventure agencies. Be prepared to be shell shocked by the prices, remembering it is one of the wealthiest places in America. Hey, at least a photo with the famous antler arches is free! All that aside, it’s still a must visit near Grand Teton.

JCM Photography

On our first anniversary, we started a tradition to have professional shots somewhere unique every 5th year. What better setting than Grand Teton? We booked JCM Photography, a husband and wife team, for an evening photoshoot. They are phenomenal! We met them in the park and hiked to Taggart Lake, with photos along the way. I love their teamwork, friendliness and of course, their amazing photography. Whether it’s an engagement shoot, wedding photography, or family Christmas cards, JCM is it!

Snake River Access, Wilson, WY

Book a float trip to experience the Snake River, or just jump in on a hot day! The river has some strong currents, so be careful where you enter. There’s a section in Wilson, a few minutes outside of Jackson, accessible off Highway 22/Teton Pass Highway, that’s nice for a dip. There’s a paved bike path from Jackson that crosses the river right here. It’s on the way to Jackon Hole Hideout B&B, so we stopped to cool off a few times after long hikes. You can see in the photo below how the river has a small arm that diverts from the strong currents, allowing for a calm soaking spot.

Calico Restaurant

Fantastic! Whether you’re in Jackson, or staying in Wilson, Calico is a must try restaurant! Built in 1905 as a church, today their specialties are pasta and pizza. They have a lovely outdoor deck in summer. Reservations are recommended, but seating in the bar is first come, first served, offering the same menu.

Persephone

A real, legit French bakery just off the town square in Jackson! Peresephone has three locations, but be sure to visit the one on Broadway. Of course the bakery offers a variety of specialty pastries, but the cafe also serves hot breakfasts, salads, and sandwiches.

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