Top Things to do in Grand Teton National Park
Top 10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Grand Teton National Park, Grand Teton National Park
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. Lake Solitude
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 55 reviews
A scenic lake popular with hikers and located in Grand Teton National Park.
Reviewed By PatrickRU92
7/27/18 Took the ferry across Jenny Lake and by the time we were done we were VERY glad we did. This is a LONG hike 15+ miles with about 3000 ft elevation gain, and goes up to 9000ft elevation so oxygen is not as plentiful! If you are in decent shape do this hike. As beautiful as Cascade Canyon is (and it IS beautiful) easily the better views are along the North Fork ascending to Lake Solitude. End of July and there was almost no snow at all, only one very small area near the top. Lake was all water too. LOTS of mosquitoes around the lake but that was the only place we ran into them. You will be exhausted but exhilarated!
2. Solitude Float Trips
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,293 reviews
We offer Snake River float trips that are 100% inside Grand Teton National Park. The team at Solitude Float Trips is dedicated to making a float trip the highlight of your visit to Jackson Hole. Solitude Float Trips is a smaller family owned river company, which allows us to conduct our scenic float trips in an unhurried manner and to provide personal attention to every guest. Each trip includes information about Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole’s wildlife, history, geology, and any special interest you may want to explore. We look forward to you joining us on the Wild and Scenic Snake River.
3. 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 :)
4. 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.
5. 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
6. Inspiration Point
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 382 reviews
A steep, half-mile climb from Cascade Canyon will bring you to this scenic lookout point.
Reviewed By ct9876 - DuBois, United States
As other reviews have noted parking is crazy we got there around 1230 pm and looked for parking for 20min. There is no line system like they have at Phelps lake just have to get lucky. We also drove by the area at around 8 am and ppl were parking on the road already. We took the boat across 18 $ for an adult round trip but worth it. You can buy boat tickets at the dock. When we were there the boat was running 7am-7pm. There was no wait at the boat dock to get across, but there was about a 15 minute wait at the return boat dock. If you go all the way up to inspiration point you must go the addition appropriately 1.5miles into cascade canyon to the point where the canyon opens up. If your question if you have gone far enough you haven’t you with no it when the view opens up. One of my favorite hikes of our trip. Ps you will not be alone on this hike there were almost too many ppl. If you are doing Yellowstone and/or Grand Teton I highly recommend you download the gypsy guide app. It does cost a small amount approximately 9-10 $ but was so worth it. It automatically plays as you drive by locations and tells you about must see location as well as history and were to park. Also if you fly into Jackson hole you can rent bear spray at the airport for much less than you can buy it for.
7. Leigh Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 106 reviews
A scenic lake with panoramic views.
Reviewed By MiscJMM
Leave String Lake behind you and take the quiet, flat, trail along Leigh Lake where you can enjoy a primo view of Mt. Moran. The day we were there we could see fog coming off of the glacier on Mt. Moran and the clouds were clinging to one side of the peak. So beautiful. The trails moves through a pine forest, so bring bug spray. There is a short stretch of the trail near the lakeside campsites that can be marshy if it has been raining so walk along the beach. It's less buggy and there is a flat out drop dead gorgeous view of the lake and Mt. Moran. It's a day hike, about 7 miles out and back. Bring water, good shoes, snacks, sunscreen and bear spray. We had bear spray with us that we rented at Teton Backcountry Rentals for $8/day.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Mormon Row Historic District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 534 reviews
Reviewed By jrobba - Charlotte, United States
We came to the Mormon Row to get the iconic views of Grand Teton, but honestly it was a great area for our kids who had been locked up in the car for the better part of the day driving around the park. The kids very much enjoyed getting to play in some of the crystal clear streams running through the area, as well as chasing the prairie dogs around the area, provided lots of fun for the little ones. Definitely recommend stopping by for the iconic view, but if you have little kids, this is a great opportunity for them to stretch their legs and be a kid.
