Top Things to do in Grand Teton National Park
10 Free Things to do in Grand Teton National Park That You Shouldn't Miss
Situated near famed Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park's crown jewels include the Cathedral Group of peaks and the majestic Snake River. The dramatic spires that inspired Ansel Adams rise straight from valley floors, providing awe-inducing views. See them at their most compelling from the comparatively gentle Jenny Lake and Hermitage Point's trails or the switchbacks of Death Canyon. Jackson Lake is favored for windsurfing and sailing. Colter Bay Visitor Center contains an Indian Arts Museum.
1. Death Canyon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By Desertguy426 - Carson City, United States
What a super trail. Its about 7 miles RT to the patrol hut. You hike through lush forest to a scenic overlook of Phelps lake, down switchbacks to near the lake and then head west into the canyon. Up a fairly gentle grade up onto a ledge type trail on broken rock and somewhat exposed to sun then back into a sparse forest with a raging creek down on your left in the canyon. We had to cross a few snow drifts...a couple were quite large on steep slopes and a bit dicey. BE CAREFUL...use treking poles on snow! Overall a strenuous hike but not a killer. Also not for the weekend warrior...elevation gain total is 2200 feet. We saw moose and marmots on this trail. The marmots want food so watch out...they'll darn near end up in your lap.
2. Schwabacher Landing
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 248 reviews
Reviewed By 0617merS - Columbus, United States
via google maps, you can easily find this place, and there's a parking lot and an outhouse there. What makes this spot picture perfect is when the sun rises, it hits the Teton's and just lights them up. We were there on a cloudless morning, so we didn't see much color variation BUT there was plenty of snow on the Tetons when we were there and the sun shining on them from it's rise was just beautiful...as the day goes on, you won't get that sunlight...So this would only be an early morning stop for me. Ok, here's what I suggest doing. About a 1/2 mile down the path is the "picturesque" spot where the evergreens naturally frame Grand Teton and at sunrise, the river is still and when the sun rises you get that beautiful reflection on Grand Teton on the still river...a great view, there's benches there, it's pretty obvious where it is. HOWEVER we were there at low season and there were still like 6 photographers and their tripods and equipment fighting for space to get the shot. SO, what we did was downloaded the ALL TRAILS app and there's specifically a schwabacher's landing trail. Following it ALL THE WAY to the end. About a mile from the parking lot the trail forks to either a well trafficked trail going up (right) and a horse thin not so trafficked trail going left...take the LEFT, not so trafficked trail, you'll end up crossing a little stream and then it opens up to about a 30 foot dry river bed and you'll be totally lost without the app trail, keep going across the river bed, through the tree line on the opposite side and it opens up on the river's bend to a much grander view of ALL the Teton's, not just Grand Teton, you'll have that huge space to yourself, I'd set up a timelapse go pro and just enjoy the sunrise from there and get some shots with your iphone or other camera, this sunrise is so great that any camera would make brilliant photos. and then on your way back, the photographers will of already gotten their shots and left from the evergreen framed spot and you'll get your shot there too. We also went on from there to Mormon Row (less than a 10 min drive) and the sun was still at a great angle to get great shots of the Mormon Barn. All together you have about 1.5 hrs of good sunrise light to get great shots of both Schwabachers and Mormon Barn...if you're early birds :)
3. Taggart Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 213 reviews
Reviewed By kellir - Boise, United States
This is a moderate hike with pretty views of Tetons and areas of forest and meadow. Many pretty places to stop for photos. The Taggart Lake parking lot is full by 9:00. Recommend arriving by 8:00
4. John D Rockefeller Jr Memorial Parkway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 140 reviews
82 gorgeous miles of parkway honoring John Rockefeller.
Reviewed By froglag - Spokane, United States
We drove the Ashton-Flagg Ranch Road off of the Headwater at Flagg Ranch road. This road is off of the John Rockefeller Jr Memorial Parkway. We were in hopes of getting off the beaten path we just may spot a bear, moose, elk or what ever wild critter we could come across. Well we didn't spot any except for a couple of deer. Oh well it was a fun beautiful drive. I would recommend having a SUV for this road as it could be rough in a couple of spots. It gave us a good taste of what the area is like off the grid. Hope you are more successful in your animal search than we were.
5. Targhee National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
A 1.8 million acre forest.
Reviewed By VickiA156
This was a beautiful drive with some amazing views. The weather could not have been better for us. Worth the drive through here.
6. Signal Mountain Summit Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 582 reviews
A 5-mile scenic mountain drive.
Reviewed By rochelleforster - Randolph, United States
Beautiful drive and well worth it. We drove the road, stopped at Jackson Lake and walked around (the mountains are breath catching), then continued where we walked around and took in the scenic view (you can hike from the Lake to the overlook too). IT is magnificent here! There is lots to do in Teton Park and we then went to Jenny Lake to hike.
7. Menor's Ferry Historical Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Hiking trail for beginners.
Reviewed By thomast194 - Shelby Township, United States
This was a neat trip back in time, which was narrated by park personnel. The small store sells candies and bottled pop, while the park personnel give a history of the homesteader, Menor, and how the area became part of the national park. The cabin where the first meetings concerning establishing Yellowstone as a national park is preserved, and there are good examples of wagons used for various things like travelling West and later, touring the national park before motor vehicles. If you like a little taste of history, you won't be disappointed.
8. Chapel of the Transfiguration
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 333 reviews
This small church was built in 1925 and has a great view of the Tetons.
Reviewed By froglag - Spokane, United States
This is such a inspirational place to just stop and enjoy the surroundings and reflect on the beauty surrounding this Chapel. I would love some day to come back and attend a service here. Definitely a place of awe. Presently with Covid the chapel is closed but was still able to enjoy the chapel. The chapel frames a view of the Cathedral Group of peaks in a large window behind the altar. Very fitting location.
9. Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center in Moose
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 565 reviews
Reviewed By webbfoot - Philadelphia, United States
Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center is a good place to stop and view the many exhibits and also get information about the Grand Tetons.
10. Moose Wilson Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 377 reviews
Reviewed By 906beckyv - Norcross, United States
The Moose Wilson Road is hard to find and very narrow. Well worth the effort though as we saw a bear cub eating / playing all three times we drove on it this week. Beautiful vistas.
