Grand Teton National Park

State: Wyoming, Teton County. Type: national park established February 26, 1929. Size: approximately 310,000 acres. Grand Teton peak reaches 13,775 feet, rising more than 7,000 feet above the valley floor of Jackson Hole. Park headquarters is in Moose, Wyoming. Visitation: 2,806,223 in 2022 per Wikipedia (annual average about 2.75 million in 2007-2016).

Grand Teton National Park protects the dramatic Teton Range and the northern part of Jackson Hole valley in northwestern Wyoming, immediately south of Yellowstone. Established in 1929 and later expanded with land donated by the Rockefeller family, the park is defined by the jagged, glacier-carved Teton peaks rising abruptly from the valley floor with no foothills to soften the transition, culminating in 13,775-foot Grand Teton. Paleo-Indian peoples used the area for more than 11,000 years, and the Shoshone maintained deep ties to the range before fur trappers and later government survey expeditions opened it to wider American settlement in the 1800s. Today the park offers over 200 miles of hiking trails, mountaineering routes on the peaks themselves, fishing for Snake River cutthroat trout, boating on Jackson Lake, and abundant wildlife viewing, including elk, moose, bears and wolves. Its proximity to the town of Jackson and to Yellowstone via the connecting John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway makes it a natural pairing for a longer Wyoming itinerary.

Grand Teton National Park sits in Teton County in northwestern Wyoming, with park headquarters at Moose, Wyoming (mailing address PO Box 170, Moose, WY 83012). The park lies directly south of Yellowstone National Park, connected by the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, and just north of the town of Jackson.

The park's high-elevation mountain setting brings long winters and short growing seasons typical of Rocky Mountain terrain, per Wikipedia; nearby Jackson records winter lows that have reached -56 degrees F historically, while summers are warm to mild. Snow can linger at higher elevations well into early summer, affecting trail and pass access.

Summer (June through September) offers the fullest trail and road access and is the most popular season for hiking, boating and wildlife viewing. Fall brings elk rutting activity and changing aspen colors with thinner crowds. Winter draws visitors for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing once snow closes higher trails, while spring can still carry lingering snowpack at elevation.

Paleo-Indians occupied the Jackson Hole region for over 11,000 years before European contact, and the Shoshone, including the mountain-dwelling 'Sheep-eaters,' held longstanding spiritual ties to the Teton Range. European and American fur trappers arrived in the early 1800s, followed by organized U.S. government survey expeditions in the 1860s-70s that helped document and map the range. Settlement of the valley began in the 1880s, and dude ranches emerged in the 1920s as tourism took hold, setting the stage for the park's official establishment on February 26, 1929. The park's current boundaries and much of Jackson Hole's valley floor were later expanded through land donations tied to John D. Rockefeller Jr.'s conservation efforts.

Popular activities include hiking the park's 200-plus miles of trails, mountaineering and technical climbing on the Teton peaks, fishing for Snake River cutthroat trout, boating and canoeing on Jackson Lake, and wildlife watching for elk, moose, bears and wolves. Scenic drives along Teton Park Road and stops at overlooks provide access for visitors with less time or mobility for long hikes.

Key areas include Jenny Lake and its surrounding trail network at the base of the Tetons, Jackson Lake for boating, the historic Menor's Ferry and Chapel of the Transfiguration near Moose, and Signal Mountain for panoramic valley views. The park also contains over 1,000 drive-in campsites spread across multiple campgrounds.

Jackson Hole Airport, located within the park boundaries near Moose, is the closest airport and, per Wikipedia's Jackson, Wyoming entry, the busiest airport in the state, with connections to major regional hubs. The park is also reached by driving south from Yellowstone via the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, or north from the town of Jackson, about five miles from the park per Wikipedia.

The park is open year-round, though many facilities, visitor centers, lodges, restaurants and shops, operate on seasonal schedules; the NPS publishes an updated list of operating dates each year for these services. Confirm current seasonal hours on nps.gov/grte before visiting, especially outside the busy summer season.

Per the National Park Service, a private vehicle pass costs $35 for 7 days (covers passengers), a motorcycle pass is $30 for 7 days, and an individual on foot or bicycle pays $20 (16 and older; under 16 free). An annual park pass costs $70. Non-U.S. residents aged 16+ pay an additional $100 per person unless holding an annual or America the Beautiful pass. The park operates on a cashless fee system (credit/debit only).

A minimum of one to two full days allows time for a scenic drive plus a hike around Jenny Lake or Jackson Lake; three or more days suits visitors wanting to combine multiple trailheads, boating and a side trip toward Yellowstone.

In-park lodges and cabins operate seasonally within Grand Teton, while the town of Jackson, about five miles south, offers a much wider range of hotels, motels, condos and vacation rentals year-round. Camping is available at more than 1,000 drive-in sites across the park's campgrounds per Wikipedia.

Seasonal in-park dining is available at developed areas near Jenny Lake, Jackson Lake and Moose. The town of Jackson, a short drive south, has a much larger and more varied restaurant scene, from casual western fare to upscale dining, reflecting its role as the area's main tourism hub.

Yellowstone National Park lies immediately north via the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, making a combined visit common. The town of Jackson, about five miles south, offers the National Elk Refuge, galleries and a historic town square. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and other ski areas in the valley are additional draws outside summer.

Jackson Hole Airport, inside the park near Moose, is the closest and busiest airport in Wyoming per Wikipedia, offering direct connections to several major U.S. cities. From the airport or the town of Jackson, a rental car is the standard way to reach and move around the park, since there is no dedicated public transit network within it.

Wildlife encounters are common; the NPS and general park guidance recommend keeping a safe distance from moose, elk and bears, and carrying bear spray on backcountry trails. Mountain weather can shift quickly, so check conditions before hiking to higher elevations, and be prepared for lingering snow on trails into early summer. For any emergency, dial 911.

Layered clothing, sturdy hiking boots, bear spray for trail use, sun protection at altitude, and a paper or offline map, since cell service is limited in much of the park.

Reserve in-park lodging and campsites well ahead of the summer season, since availability is limited. Combine a visit with Yellowstone using the connecting parkway if time allows, and check seasonal facility opening dates on nps.gov/grte before a spring or fall trip, since many services operate on limited calendars outside summer.

Dial 911 for any emergency. The park's general visitor information line is 307-739-3399 (Monday-Friday, business hours).

Grand Teton National Park (National Park Service) - https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.