Grand Teton & Jackson Hole

The Teton Range rises sheer from the valley and is mirrored in the lakes; Mormon Row barns and Snake River views, the cowboy town of Jackson and top-tier ski resorts.

Grand Teton & Jackson is in northwest Wyoming, USA, and includes Grand Teton National Park and the Jackson Hole valley to its south. The Teton Range rises directly from the valley floor at about 2,000 m, with its highest peak, Grand Teton, at 4,199 m; with no foothills to soften it, the jagged skyline is reflected in Jenny Lake, Jackson Lake and the Snake River. The town of Jackson at the south end of the valley is a Western cowboy-style resort town, and about 90 km to the north is Yellowstone's South Entrance, so the two parks are often visited together.

Climate and seasons: June–September is the season for hiking, boating and rafting, busiest in July and August; in late September aspens turn yellow and moose and elk enter the rut, making it peak season for photography; from November to April snow covers the ground and most park roads are closed, with skiing at Jackson Hole and Snow King, and sleigh rides to see elk at the National Elk Refuge. Day and night temperatures differ widely, and even in summer you will need a jacket in the morning and evening.

Key areas: (1) around Jenny Lake: the boat shuttle, Hidden Falls, and the trails to Sterling Lake and Taggart Lake; (2) the valley viewpoint route: Mormon Row barns, Schwabacher Landing, Snake River Overlook and Oxbow Bend; (3) Jackson Lake and Signal Mountain to the north; (4) the town of Jackson: Town Square's elk antler arches, the cowboy bars, the National Museum of Wildlife Art and the Elk Refuge, as well as the Teton Village tram.

Getting there: Jackson Hole Airport is inside the national park, about 15 minutes from town; Salt Lake City is about 5 hours by car. Park admission is US$35 per vehicle (valid 7 days) and is charged separately from Yellowstone. There is no public transport in the park, so we recommend driving, and staying 2–4 days. Bears are present, so carry bear spray when hiking.

Top sights

• Grand Teton National Park – Jagged snow-capped peaks just south of Yellowstone, where the 4,199-meter Grand Teton rises sharply. Jenny Lake, the Snake River and the Mo…
• Jenny Lake, Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point – A glacial lake at the foot of the Grand Teton. Take the ferry across, then hike a short trail to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, the pa…
• Mormon Row – Wooden barns built by Mormon settlers in the early 20th century, framed by the Grand Teton. Often called the most photographed barn in Amer…
• Oxbow Bend – On the Snake River, the calm Oxbow Bend mirrors Mount Moran, ringed by golden cottonwoods in autumn. It's also a great place to spot moose…
• Jackson Hole – A Wild West-style town at the foot of the Grand Tetons, with its elk antler arches, cowboy bars and gondolas up the snowy peaks. It is the…
• Jackson Lake & Colter Bay – The largest lake in the park, reflecting Mount Moran. At the Colter Bay marina you can take a boat tour or rent kayaks and canoes, and the…
• Snake River Overlook – The site where Ansel Adams took his classic 1942 black-and-white photograph “Teton and the Snake River.” The Snake River winds through the…
• Schwabacher Landing – A beaver pond beside the Snake River, whose calm surface perfectly mirrors the Grand Teton peaks. It is a top choice for photographers capt…
• Signal Mountain – An isolated small mountain in the middle of the valley, with a viewpoint you can reach by car. From the top, you get a 360-degree panorama…
• String Lake & Leigh Lake – Two connected shallow lakes just north of Jenny Lake. The water is relatively warm, making them good for canoeing and wading. They are idea…
• Taggart Lake Trail – A relaxed trail of about 5 kilometers round trip that passes through aspen groves regrowing after the 1985 wildfire and ends at a glacial l…
• Chapel of the Transfiguration & Menor's Ferry – A log chapel built in 1925. A window behind the altar frames the Grand Teton perfectly, and nearby are the 19th-century Snake River crossin…
• Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve – A former family ranch donated by the Rockefeller family. Limited parking keeps it quiet, the trails lead to Phelps Lake, and the visitor ce…
• Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center – The main visitor center of Grand Teton National Park. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows face the Teton Range, and exhibits cover mountaineering…
• Jackson Hole Aerial Tram – The large red aerial tram at Teton Village climbs 12 minutes to the 3,185-meter summit of Rendezvous Mountain. In winter it leads to some o…
• National Elk Refuge – A wildlife refuge north of the Town of Jackson where roughly 7,000 to 8,000 elk spend the winter. You can take a horse-drawn sleigh deep in…
• National Museum of Wildlife Art – A stone museum built on the hillside above the Elk Refuge. It houses thousands of artworks on wildlife themes, and its outdoor sculpture tr…
• Million Dollar Cowboy Bar – A legendary Western bar beside the Town Square in Jackson. Its bar stools are real saddles, and its neon sign and live country music have c…
• Snow King Mountain – A “ski mountain in town” right on the south side of the Town of Jackson. A gondola ride of a few minutes takes you to the summit for views…
• Snake River Canyon Whitewater – The Snake River Canyon, about 40 minutes south of the Town of Jackson, has rapids such as “Lunch Counter.” A half-day whitewater rafting tr…

Where to eat

• Snake River Grill – Top restaurant in Jackson since opening in 1993; a James Beard Award nominee that requires booking two months ahead.
• Gun Barrel Steak & Game House – A Western steakhouse in a former wildlife museum, serving mesquite-grilled elk, bison and dry-aged steak.
• Persephone Bakery – Jackson's most popular French bakery café, known for stone-oven bread, croissants and brunch lines.
• Café Genevieve – A Southern-style brunch spot in a century-old log house, famous for its “Pig Candy” bacon and fried chicken and waffles.

Itineraries

• Salt Lake City, Grand Teton and Yellowstone Loop – From Salt Lake City, drive through Grand Teton and across Yellowstone, then return via Craters of the Moon in Idaho.
• Grand Teton, Yellowstone & Glacier: 12-Day Three-Park Traverse – Fly into Jackson and out of Kalispell, linking three iconic national parks from south to north.