Grand Teton National Park

Summary

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3/3

Entrances open

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$35

7-day fee

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1 live

Camera

Historic Crowd Data

Avg. monthly visitors, 2015–2024 · National Park Service

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Light Moderate Busy Very Busy

Peak season is June–August, when around 60% of annual visitors arrive. For lighter crowds, aim for November–April.

Plan Your Visit

🐻Wildlife & Backcountry SafetyBear & moose country▾

🐻 Grand Teton is home to both grizzly and black bears — carry EPA-registered bear spray and know how to use it any time you leave a paved road, and store all food/scented items in bear-proof lockers or vehicles. Moose are common near rivers and willow flats (Schwabacher's Landing, String Lake) and cause more visitor injuries than bears most years — never approach, and give at least 25 yards of space. The Teton Range itself is serious alpine terrain: routes above 11,000 ft demand technical climbing skill, and afternoon thunderstorms build fast — start early and be off exposed ridgelines by early afternoon. NPS safety info ↗

Quick Stats

Grand Teton Elevation13,775 ft

Valley Floor (Jackson Hole)~6,800 ft

Jenny Lake Depth423 ft

Established1929

🪧Park Entrances & Fees3 open · $35▾

Moose Entrance Usually Open

South entrance via US-26/89/191 from Jackson, WY

Closest entrance to Jackson and the airport. Home to the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center — the park's main visitor hub.

💡 Busiest entrance in summer — arrive before 9 AM for easier parking at Jenny Lake and String Lake.

NPS directions ↗

Moran Entrance Usually Open

US-26/287, via Dubois & Togwotee Pass (east side)

Enters near Oxbow Bend and Jackson Lake. Also the connector toward the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway and Yellowstone's South Entrance.

💡 Togwotee Pass (9,658 ft) can see snow even in summer — check conditions before an early or late-season trip.

NPS directions ↗

Granite Canyon / South Boundary Usually Open

Teton Park Road / Moose-Wilson Road

Scenic, slower approach past Death Canyon and Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve. RVs and trailers prohibited on Moose-Wilson Road.

💡 Frequent bear activity along Moose-Wilson Road — expect wildlife-jam slowdowns.

NPS directions ↗

Entry Fees · 7-day pass

Vehicle$35

Motorcycle$30

Foot / Bike (16+)$20

Grand Teton Annual Pass$70/yr

America the Beautiful$80/yr

Grand Teton & Yellowstone are billed separately — no combined pass currently offered

🏕Campground Availability6 areas▾

Jenny Lake Campground Reservation Only ▾

TypeTent only, no RVs

2026 SeasonOpened ~May 8

NotesSmallest & most sought-after campground — books out almost instantly on Recreation.gov's 6-month rolling window

Book on Recreation.gov ↗

Signal Mountain Campground Reservation Only ▾

LocationJackson Lake shoreline

2026 SeasonOpened ~May 8

NotesNear Signal Mountain Lodge & boat launch — sites for tents, RVs & trailers

Campground details ↗

Colter Bay Campground & RV Park Reservation Only ▾

2026 SeasonRV Park ~May 4 · Campground ~May 21

NotesLargest campground complex — full hookups available at the RV Park, near Colter Bay Visitor Center & marina

Campground details ↗

Gros Ventre Campground Reservation Only ▾

LocationSoutheast park, near Kelly, WY

2026 SeasonOpened ~April 27 — earliest opener

NotesLargest single campground; quieter & less mountain-view focused than Jenny Lake or Signal Mountain

Campground details ↗

Lizard Creek Campground Reservation Only ▾

LocationNorth end of Jackson Lake

2026 SeasonOpened ~June 12 — latest opener

NotesClosest campground to the Yellowstone / Rockefeller Parkway boundary

Campground details ↗

Headwaters Campground (Flagg Ranch) Reservation Only ▾

LocationJohn D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway

OperatorConcessioner-run (Flagg Ranch)

NotesSits on the corridor connecting Grand Teton to Yellowstone's South Entrance

Campground details ↗

📍Landmarks & Viewpoints11 stops▾

Jenny Lake Area4 stops▾

Jenny Lake~2 hrs loop

Easy shoreline trail · shuttle boat across the lake

Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point~2–3 hrs

Moderate · via boat shuttle + short climb

String Lake~1.5 hrs loop

Easy · calm water, paddling & swimming

Cathedral Group Turnout~10 min

Roadside overlook · classic peak view

Photography & Wildlife Stops3 stops▾

Schwabacher's Landing~30–45 min

Easy · classic Teton reflection shot at sunrise

Oxbow Bend~20 min

Roadside pullout · moose, elk, waterfowl, Mt. Moran reflection

Mormon Row Historic District~30 min

Easy · iconic barns against the Teton skyline

Rivers & Lakes4 stops▾

Snake RiverHalf/full-day floats

Scenic float trips, fishing & wildlife viewing

Jackson LakeVaries

Largest lake in the park · boating & marina at Colter Bay

Leigh Lake~2–3 hrs

Moderate hike/paddle · quieter than Jenny/String Lake

Cathedral Group / Teton RangePermit for overnight backcountry

Grand Teton, Mt. Owen, Teewinot — technical alpine climbing

🥾Things to Do8 categories▾

Hiking Trails5 trails▾

Hidden FallsEasy–Mod.

Short walk from the Jenny Lake shuttle boat dock to a 100-ft waterfall; longer option skips the boat and follows the South Jenny Lake Loop Trail instead

1–4.9 mi RT · 300–620 ft

Inspiration PointEasy–Mod.

Switchbacks above Hidden Falls to a classic overlook of Jenny Lake and the valley; via shuttle boat or the full lakeshore loop trail

1.8–5.7 mi RT · 550–870 ft

Taggart LakeEasy

Gentle valley-floor hike to a glacial lake beneath the Tetons; accessible year-round, including by snowshoe or cross-country ski in winter

3 mi RT · 360 ft

Taggart Lake – Bradley Lake LoopModerate

Extends the Taggart Lake hike into a loop past a second glacial lake

5.6 mi RT loop · 860 ft

Forks of Cascade CanyonMod. Strenuous–Strenuous

Beyond Inspiration Point into the canyon between the Grand Teton and Mt. Owen; often holds snow until early–mid summer

9.4–13.3 mi RT · 1,480–1,720 ft

Climbing & Mountaineering1 objective▾

The Grand Teton (Garnet Canyon)Permit for overnight

Technical alpine ascent of the park's namesake 13,775-ft summit; day climbs need no permit, but overnight stays require a backcountry camping permit issued at Jenny Lake Ranger Station or Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center (June–Sept). Snow typically lingers in the high peaks until mid-July

On the Water3 ways▾

Motorized BoatingPermit required

Jenny Lake (10 hp max) and Jackson Lake only; every boat needs a Grand Teton boat permit before launching

Kayaking, Canoeing & SUPPermit required

Human-powered vessels permitted on Jackson, Jenny, Phelps, Emma Matilda, Two Ocean, Taggart, Bradley, Bearpaw, Leigh & String lakes

Jenny Lake Shuttle Boat7 AM–7 PM peak season

Continuous crossing to the West Shore boat dock for Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point, every 10–15 min, no reservations needed

Fishing2 things to know▾

Lakes & RiversWY license required

Cutthroat, brown, lake & brook trout plus whitefish; a Wyoming state fishing license is required (sold at Flagg Ranch, Colter Bay Marina & Signal Mountain Lodge)

Season & ClosuresYear-round, lakes

Park lakes open year-round except Jackson Lake (closed Oct 1–31); river cutthroat trout must be released Nov 1–Mar 31

Horseback Riding3 outfitters▾

Grand Teton Lodge CompanyConcessioner-guided

Guided trail rides based out of Colter Bay Village

Triangle X RanchConcessioner-guided

Historic dude ranch with guided horseback trips

Headwaters Lodge at Flagg RanchConcessioner-guided

Guided rides in the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway area

Winter Sports3 ways▾

Teton Park RoadDec–spring

14-mi groomed over-snow route between Taggart Lake Trailhead & Signal Mountain Lodge, groomed roughly 3x/week

Moose-Wilson Road & Phelps LakeDec 16–spring

Ungroomed backcountry ski & snowshoe route; trails are neither marked nor flagged

Ranger-Led Snowshoe HikesDec 26–mid-Mar, Tue/Thu/Sat

Free guided hikes, snowshoes provided; meet at the schedule posted at Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center

Stargazing & Night SkyDark Sky Community▾

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Grand Teton itself does not currently hold a formal DarkSky International park certification, but the surrounding Teton County, WY became the world's first International Dark Sky Community in 2025, and the park's remote valley floor still delivers exceptionally dark, low-light-pollution skies. Good viewing spots away from Jackson's glow include String Lake, Mormon Row & Cascade Canyon trailhead. Best on new-moon nights — bring layers, as mountain nights stay cold even in summer. NPS night sky info ↗

Bird WatchingTop 5 species▾