Grand Teton National Park is a beautiful destination, full of things to do! If you’re able-bodied, there are tons of hikes you can take advantage of that get you up close and personal with nature. I wrote about my favorite hikes in Grand Teton in this post!
If you’re looking for an adventure besides hiking (or your legs are too sore and just need a rest), I’ve got some recommendations for you!
Read on for my favorite things to do in Grand Teton National Park (besides hiking)!
Quite a grand entrance, hey?
Stop at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center
I always like to start any National Park trip with a stop at the visitor center. Here, you can pick up copies of the park map (which I would recommend, as cell phone reception can be spotty throughout the park), use the restroom, and fill up your water. There are also lots of educational activities you can experience at the visitor center, including participating in ranger-led activities, viewing exhibits, watching park movies, and shopping at the park bookstore.
Views from the top of Signal Mountain Summit Road.
Take a scenic drive around the park
I don’t think there’s a single bad view in Grand Teton National Park, but here are some drives that will hit the highlights:
- Teton Park Road: There are two ways to drive through the park – the ‘fast’ road, along highway 191, and the ‘slow’ road, along Teton Park Road. Both roads will get you where you’re going and offer great views of the mountains, but Teton Park Road is right on the foothills of the mountains. It’s truly the definition of scenic. There are plenty of turnouts along this road to stop, take photographs, and absorb the beauty of the park.
- Signal Mountain Summit Road: This incredibly curvy road will take you up a hill and offers sweeping views of both the Teton range and the valley below.
- Togwotee Pass: As you drive east away from the park, this pass offers photogenic views of the fading mountains centered over the road (just watch out for oncoming traffic).
The morning light at Oxbow Bend was just stunning!
Wake up for sunrise and photograph the sun light up the mountains
Sunrise is probably the most stunning time in the park. As the sun comes up, it lights up the tips of the mountains and is nothing short of magical. In the summertime, sunrise can be quite early, but I promise you it’s worth it!
There are several spots that are popular to watch and photograph the sunrise:
- Snake River Overlook: The view from this overlook is probably the most famous in the park, thanks to the iconic 1942 image from famed photographer Ansel Adams. You can go to this exact spot to photograph, but be warned: the trees have grown since he took his photo, so you can no longer see the full curve of the river. Nevertheless, it’s still a gorgeous spot to visit!
- Schwabacher Landing: This spot is a short walk from the nearby turnout of the same name. On a calm day it offers iconic reflective views of the Tetons in a nearby pond.
- Oxbow Bend: Mount Moran reflects beautifully in the calm waters near this turnout on the northeast side of the park.
- Mormon Row: Teton Range is the perfect backdrop for these historic wooden barns. (More on this below!)
If you’re looking to photograph the sunrise, make sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before sunup to get a spot – each time I went, there were several other photographers there too! And dress warmly – even when I visited in July, the mornings were in the 30s or 40s fahrenheit.
One of the most famous views in the park: the barns at Mormon Row.
Step back in time at Mormon Row
Mormon Row is home to one of the most iconic images of Grand Teton National Park. Not only is this area incredibly photogenic, but it’s also quite historic. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (aka Mormons) arrived in Grand Teton in the late 1800s and developed this settlement to support their expanding population. The barns that remain are in excellent condition and are worth a visit during your trip.
As mentioned above, Mormon Row is a great spot to visit at sunrise, but it’s beautiful any time of day! There are endless photo opportunities here, as well as the option to walk around and get up close to these historic structures.
You’d never guess that this was taken steps away from a parking lot, right?
Watch the sunset from Potholes turnout
After a long day of exploring the park, there’s not much better than kicking back and watching the sunset over the mountains! There are tons of places in the park to do this, but we picked the Potholes Turnout. It’s right off the inner road of the park and quite close to the mountains. It was also not very busy – meaning we had the spot to ourselves!
Bring some supplies for a picnic and you’ll have an unforgettable evening.
Day or night – there’s not a bad view in Grand Teton National Park.
Stay up late for some spectacular stargazing
If you can manage to stay up past midnight, Grand Teton National Park offers some breathtaking opportunities for stargazing. On a clear night before the moon has risen, you can easily see the Milky Way painted across the sky. As the moon rises from the east, it will light up the mountains (just like at sunrise!).
The serene Jenny Lake is popular for more than just hiking trails!
Take a boat ride at Jenny Lake
Jenny Lake is one of the most popular areas in Grand Teton, but for good reason! There are tons of things to do (besides the multitude of hikes that have their trailheads here).
One of the best things to do at Jenny lake is take a boat ride! There are a few ways to get on the water:
- Take a boat shuttle from near the parking lot on the south side of the lake to the northern shore. Here you will be close to hiking trails such as Inspiration Point and can either walk back around the lake to the parking lot or take a round trip shuttle.
- Take a scenic cruise around the lake. These rides last approximately one hour and are filled with information on the surrounding area.
- Rent a canoe or kayak and adventure out on your own onto the lake!
Keep in mind that boat services are seasonal and typically only operate in the summer. Visit Jenny Lake Boating for more information!
Floating down Snake River and past views like this sounds pretty nice!
Float down Snake River
Another great summer activity is to float down Snake River! This river cuts right through the park and offers gorgeous views of the mountains and surrounding area. Being on the water also offers unparalleled opportunities to see wildlife such as moose, deer, birds, and bears drinking from the river.
Floats typically last about 3 hours and are along a 10-mile stretch of calm waters. Only licensed operators can float down the river, so you’ll have to reserve a spot with one of the local tour companies.
Spend a day exploring the city of Jackson
The city of Jackson is the closest city to Grand Teton National Park. If you really want a break from nature for the day, there are tons of things to do in town!
- Visit the Town Square (aka George Washington Memorial Park). You can’t miss the archway made of elk antlers from the nearby elk refuge!
- Walk around the town’s historic boardwalks and visit the numerous local shops that line the streets.
- Eat at one of the many delicious local bars and restaurants!
- In the summer, take a scenic flight over Jackson! Flights are typically about an hour and cover Jackson Hole, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone. This is on my bucket list for next time I visit!
- In the winter, visit one of three nearby ski resorts: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Grand Targhee Resort or Snow King Resort.
You can’t take a bad picture in this gorgeous park.
Know before you go
Grand Teton National Park is located in western Wyoming and is named after the tallest mountain in the towering mountain range that lines the western edge of the park. These majestic mountains were one of the main reasons I wanted to visit! There’s no bad view of them anywhere in the park.
If you are staying in Jackson, you can easily enter the park right off of US Highway 89 via Teton Park Road. Entrance fees to the park are $35 per car for seven days. You can also purchase an annual national parks pass for $80, called the America the Beautiful Pass, if you plan to visit more than one national park in the next 12 months (this is what I did, and it was well worth it!).
Finally, as with any outdoors trip, be sure to follow the Leave No Trace Principles by respecting the wildlife, disposing of trash properly, and leaving the park in better condition than you found it.
For more information on Grand Teton National Park, visit the national park services website.
My wife and I loved our time in Grand Teton!
LGBTQ+ Considerations
While Wyoming is a generally conservative US state, Grand Teton National Park is a popular tourist destination, making it feel generally welcoming to all types of people. My wife and I were particularly struck with how progressive nearby Jackson, WY felt. We stayed in Jackson throughout our trip, and the city has a very pacific northwest vibe (think: forest hippie) that made us feel more comfortable being out as a couple. Plus, we avoided most people while hiking, which made us feel more comfortable being affectionate. Overall, we had a positive experience exploring Grand Teton and visiting Jackson, and would recommend it to other queer travelers!
Overall
Grand Teton National Park is my favorite national park to date – not only because of the beautiful scenery, but because of the vast array of things to do!
Have you visited this majestic park? What were your favorite activities? Let me know below!
Read more: The Ultimate U.S. National Parks Guide
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This post was last updated on December 23, 2020.
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