Grand Teton National Park Itinerary

A Detailed 5 Day Itinerary For Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is simply awesome with its jagged mountain peaks, alpine lakes, wildlife, sagebrush meadows, and forests filled with aspens and fir trees. Due to its close proximity, Grand Teton is often overshadowed by its larger and more visited (and more crowded) neighbor, Yellowstone National Park.

Although it’s a great opportunity to visit both national parks, it would be a shame to simply drive through this wonderful park on your way to Yellowstone. Don’t miss out on some of the best scenery and family-friendly hikes that a national park has to offer.

The best way to enjoy Grand Teton National Park (and get away from summer crowds) is to get out on the trails. You’ll find plenty of easy (meaning relatively short and flat) hikes that you and your kids will love. But most importantly, there are no tradeoffs here.

Each hike, though easy, is still stunningly beautiful. You’ll find many hikes that lead you down a forested path to blue clear waters surrounded by the backdrop of breathtaking mountain ranges.

Favorite family-friendly hikes, awe-inspiring views, swimming holes, float trips, horseback riding, wildlife viewing tips, rainy day activities, and more “can’t miss” jewels of this beautiful park are described in detail in this 5 day itinerary for Grand Teton National Park.

Your vacation will be one Instagram-worthy photo after another!

Grand Tetons Itinerary

5 Day Overview

This is a brief overview of how to best spend 5 days in Grand Teton National Park. Each day is then described in detail further down in this post.

Day 1: Welcome to Jackson Hole, Wyoming! Arrive in Jackson for lunch and enjoy a brief stroll around town. Make a grocery run at Albertsons and then find your way to your lodging. Upon entering Grand Teton National Park, stop at the Chapel of the Transfiguration and Menors Ferry Homestead.

Day 2: Take the boat shuttle across Jenny Lake to hike to Inspiration Point. Have lunch at Dornans and then enjoy the shoreline of Jenny Lake. Return to your lodging for an early dinner so you can enjoy an evening scenic float trip on the Snake River.

Day 3: Pack your inflatable tubes for an easy hike to String and Leigh Lakes, wade in the cold shallow water, and picnic. Later, saddle up at Jackson Lodge Corals for a 1-2 hour horseback ride. Afterwards, take a short stroll on the Lakeshore Trail to find a beach to skip rocks or cool off in its cold water.

Day 4: Wake up early to visit Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Visitor Center and enjoy a 3 mile hike to Phelps Lake. Afterwards, drive to Teton Village for lunch and take the tram ride up Rendezvous Mountain for amazing views. On the way back to your lodging, explore the nature walk at the end of Schwabacher Road.

Day 5: Pack up and head to Yellowstone (or home) with an optional stop at Colter Bay Village to hike the Heron Pond/Swan Lake Trail. Or, linger one more day for the additional activities recommended at the end of this blog post.

The Closest Airport To Grand Teton National Park

Jackson Hole, Wyoming is the closest airport and is located just 5 miles from Grand Teton National Park. Idaho Falls, Idaho is another good option but would require a two hour drive to the park entrance.

Best Places To Stay Grand Tetons

Staying inside the national park is ideal for minimizing driving and maximizing your time in the park. That being said, lodging options are expensive and fill up quickly, so reservations should be made as soon as possible, even a year in advance.

The park’s Jenny Lake Lodge is the most expensive and desired of the bunch ($500+) and has not been included here due to its price and difficulty (read “impossibility”) of getting a reservation.

Signal Mountain Lodge and Dornan’s Spur Ranch Cabins offer the best price point for location and amenities and are our top two choices for lodging.

This is our personal list of places that we have stayed in previously, have been recommended by friends we trust, or we have bookmarked as possibilities for future visits. Determine your budget, and you’ll find plenty of options. Note that summer season in this area is relatively expensive.

Signal Mountain Lodge Review

Signal Mountain Lodge is our first choice of lodging. It serves as an excellent base camp with cabins, an onsite restaurant and general store, water activities within walking distance on Jackson Lake, and amazing sunsets. It’s the most centrally located of the in-park lodging options allowing you to explore both the northern and southern ends of the park.

You have several types of accommodation to choose from at Signal Mountain Lodge including tent camping (the campground looked very nice), motel-type rooms housed in duplex buildings, air-conditioned cabins, or rustic two room cabins. You’ll find most choices sleep 4 but a few options sleep 6 with two Queen beds and a pull-out sofa.

With a family of 4, we really enjoyed the 2 Room Rustic Cabin. It has no air-conditioning but cools off beautifully at night. The cabin has a nice front porch, 2 bedrooms--one with a Queen bed and the other with 2 twins, a bathroom, and refrigerator. (No living area though.) $275 night.

Tip: Keep the windows closed and curtains drawn during hot days to keep it cooler. Then open up the windows and door in the early evening as the temperatures drop.

All of the cabin locations are either lakefront or wooded. The cabins furthest from the restaurant will have a more tucked away feeling. This also means you are closer to a small swimming beach (between cabins 134 and 136) where the water is clear, cold, and invigorating after a day on the trail!

Recommended cabin sites at Signal Mountain Lodge: Any of the cabins 127 through 154.

Signal Mountain Lodge Trapper Grill

The onsite restaurant serves a variety of food including their famous nachos, and it has a kids menu as well. If possible, arrive a bit outside peak dining hours to avoid a wait. Otherwise, consider calling ahead for takeout to eat al fresco on your cabin’s front porch. Highly recommended.

Dornans Spur Ranch Cabins

Dornans is another top choice for lodging. It’s not technically in the park, but it’s as close as you can get and is just 15 minutes from Jenny Lake Visitor Center. Their Spur Ranch Cabins are located on the banks of the Snake River with a stunning view of the Grand Tetons.

This small, family-owned resort has 8 one bedroom and 4 two-bedroom cabin duplexes featuring fully equipped kitchens. $375 for a 2 bedroom cabin.

And to add to your convenience, their 10 acre complex includes a grocery store and deli, gas pumps, gift shop, a nationally renowned wine shop, two restaurants (one open in the summer only) and a bar with a magnificent view of the mountains.

In the summer season, they offer mountain bike, canoe, paddleboard and kayak rentals.

Jackson Lake Lodge

Jackson Lake Lodge is another good option inside the park offering basic motel-type rooms and small cabins, but don't expect anything fancy even though the cost of these rooms would indicate otherwise. One bonus is that they have an outdoor pool for the kiddos.

You’ll also find basic but pricy food options in their large dining room. You can’t beat the location though. It's perfect for exploring the northern section of the park and trips to the southern end of the park in Moose will take about 35 minutes. Tip: Request one of the Teton view rooms.

Hotels in Jackson Hole

You’ll find plenty of hotel options in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and the driving distance from there to most of the national park attractions will be about 40-60 minutes. If you can’t stay inside the park, staying in Jackson Hole would be a good bet.

Consider the historic Wort Hotel in downtown Jackson or the Wyoming Inn which is a bit more removed from the crowded downtown area of Jackson.

Spring Creek Ranch

Spring Creek Ranch offers inn rooms as well as townhouses and villas. It’s pricey ($450+) but offers plenty of space for your family as well as luxury amenities. Of all the lodging options listed here, this is the furthest away from the park. It is situated closer to the town of Jackson offering your family more options in town if desired. It will take about 40 minutes to reach Jenny Lake Visitor Center and 15 minutes to the shops and restaurants in Jackson.

VRBO Lodging Options

You’ll find plenty of VRBO options in nearby Jackson Hole, Teton Village, and Wilson. All locations are good and offer more space and amenities than the lodging found inside the park.

One of a Kind Cabin Located Within Grand Teton National Park. VRBO 437520. I have always wanted to stay here, but alas, it is quickly booked. A 2 bedroom rustic cabin with the national park in your backyard. It’s located just 10 minutes from the park entrance.

Beautiful Creekside Condo in Scenic Downtown Jackson Hole! VRBO 349987. For those who want more amenities, this 2 bedroom condo is located downtown within walking distance to shops and restaurants yet 15 minutes to the national park. You’ll find plenty of other vacation rentals in Jackson.

Gorgeous Condo in perfect location! SPECIAL RATES! VRBO 153720ha. I like the location of this 2 bedroom condo. “The location is one of the most desirable since you are near everything of interest: downtown Jackson (6 miles), the Teton Village ski area where Jackson Hole Ski Resort resides (3 miles) and Teton National Park (3 miles) which connects with Yellowstone for an easy day trip.” There are several more condos in this particular area if this one is booked. Consider VRBO 2149627 for example.

Heads up: We are not sponsored in any way and have never received compensation at the behest of any organization or company. If you book one of our recommended properties from our VRBO or booking.com links, you won’t pay a penny more but we may get a small commission which helps support this website. Thanks! Disclosure Statement.

Day 1- Grand Teton National Park Itinerary

Day 1- Start With A Visit To Jackson Hole’s Town Square

Welcome to Jackson Hole, Wyoming! Arrive in Jackson for lunch and enjoy a brief stroll around town. It’s an easily walkable town filled with restaurants, shops, and art galleries. Make a grocery run at Albertsons and then find your way to your lodging. Upon entering the park, stop at the Chapel of the Transfiguration and Menors Ferry Homestead.

Lunch at Snake River Brewery- This fun brewery in downtown Jackson Hole is super family-friendly with a kids menu and an outside play area for the family to enjoy with picnic tables, fire pit, corn hole, and mini-golf. 265 S. Millward St.

Other great lunch options in Jackson include:

Persephone Bakery- This counter-style service bakery in Jackson serves breakfast and lunch. It’s also a good place to grab a coffee and snack or stock up on pastries and baked goods for tomorrow’s breakfast. The line to order is often long but moves quickly. 145 E. Broadway Ave.

The Bird- Leave the tourists behind and drive 5 minutes south of downtown for great burgers and outstanding views of the mountain range from their large terrace. 4125 South Pub Place.

Day 1- Take A Family Photo At Jackson Hole Town Square

Jackson Hole Town Sqaure is filled with galleries, souvenir shops, outfitters, restaurants, coffee shops, and more. It is bustling in the summer with tourists but was a fun stop for our kiddos. Check out Jackson Hole Traveler’s guide to shopping in and around Town Square.

If you like art and photography, you may want to visit Tom Mangelsen's wildlife photography gallery. It’s located just a 10 minute walk from Snake River Brewery and is just north of Town Square at 170 N. Cache St.

Tip: While strolling through downtown, don’t forget to take a photo under the Antler Arches in Town Square.

Day 1- Stock Up On Supplies At Albertsons Grocery In Jackson Hole

Albertsons Grocery, located at 105 Buffalo Way and just a few miles west of town, will have everything you need. Consider purchasing breakfast goods for mornings at your cabin and picnic supplies to bring on your hikes.

Keep in mind that grocery stores in Wyoming do not sell alcohol. You will need to go next door to the Liquor Store of Jackson Hole (115 Buffalo Way) to purchase wine or beer.

Day 1- Entering Grand Teton National Park

You will pay a $35 entrance fee when entering Grand Teton National Park. The fee is good for 7 days for a private, non-commercial vehicle. If you also plan to visit Yellowstone National Park, consider purchasing an America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) which gives you entrance to all national parks in the U.S. for one year.

Day 1- Visit The Chapel of the Transfiguration and Menors Ferry

On the way to your lodging inside the park, stop at the Chapel of the Transfiguration and Menors Ferry Historic District. To reach the Chapel of the Transfiguration, turn east off the Teton Park Road just 0.5 miles north of the Moose Entrance Station.

Chapel of the Transfiguration is open to the public and offers one of the park’s classic views through the altar window framing the Grand Teton mountain range. The chapel is a house of worship and you can even arrange to get married here.

Across from the chapel, you’ll find a short trail, less than 0.5 miles long, leading to the Menors Ferry Historic District. You’ll get a feel of the pioneer life as you visit Bill Menors cabin and General Store as well as a replica of the ferry that crossed the Snake River at the turn of the century.

Day 2- Grand Teton National Park Itinerary

Overview

Take the boat shuttle across Jenny Lake to hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Have lunch at Dornans and then enjoy the shoreline of Jenny Lake. Return to your lodging for an early dinner so you can enjoy an evening scenic float trip on the Snake River.

Forewarning: This is one of the busiest and most congested areas of the park so arrive early. Day 2 is ideally on a weekday to mitigate the crowds.

The experience of finding parking in Grand Teton can vary depending on your location and the time of day. Sometimes you'll pull into a spot quickly and other times you might circle a lot repeatedly waiting for your luck to change. The park’s website lists the busiest times at each Visitor Center to help you shoot for a time when you’re more likely to find parking. Check the busy times and seasons for the lots and plan your trip accordingly.

Day 2 Morning- Take the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point Hike

Inspiration Point is one of the classic hikes in Grand Teton National Park. You can hike around either end of Jenny Lake to reach it; or better yet, take a shuttle boat to shorten your hiking distance and get a beautiful view of the Teton peaks from the water. The shuttle ride is short (less than 15 minutes) and your kids will love being on the water.

Hidden Falls (one of the few waterfalls in the park) is 5 miles roundtrip and Inspiration Point is 5.9 miles roundtrip from the Visitor Center at Jenny Lake. If you take the shuttle boat across the lake, it’s only 1 mile (roundtrip) to Hidden Falls and 2 miles (roundtrip) to Inspiration Point.

Shuttle Boats run every 10-15 minutes throughout the day. Reservations are not taken as the boats run continuously. Go to the East Boat Dock, purchase the fare, and board the boat. Prices are $15 adult round-trip and $8 children 2yrs-11yrs.

The Hike to Inspiration Point

Tip: Inspiration Point is one of the most visited trails in the park. So arrive early! It will be crowded by mid-morning. Take one of the first shuttles if possible. Despite the crowds, this will be one of the most memorable experiences of your trip.

The trail to Inspiration Point from the west shore boat dock is 2 miles roundtrip and shortly into the hike (at about the half mile point) you’ll pass a side trail on the left to view Hidden Falls on your way.

The trail to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point is relatively easy but steep due to the elevation gain over such a short distance. Expect an elevation gain of about 150’ to Hidden Falls and another 267’ elevation gain to Inspiration Point.

The 0.4 mile walk from Hidden Falls to Inspiration Point is steep and rocky with switchbacks. Note that there are drop-offs and loose rock, so be aware with young children. Take your time and you’ll get to enjoy a panoramic view of Jenny Lake and the surrounding Teton Range.

Also note that the trail can be closed for maintenance, so be sure to check at the Visitor Center or website for trail closures. When we were there in 2018, the Horse Trail was open but the main trail was still closed to evaluate rock instability.

Tip: If you’re up to it, leave some of the crowds behind and continue past Inspiration Point for another 45 minutes or so to Cascade Canyon. This part of the trail is mostly flat and incredibly scenic. Don’t forget to bring bear spray. If you don’t have it already, stop in the Visitor Center at Jenny Lake.

See a detailed description of the hikes at Hiking and Walking’s website.

Day 2- Junior Ranger Badge

After your hike, stop by the Jenny Lake Visitor Center to get your Junior Ranger Booklet. Your kids can earn a Junior Ranger patch or badge by completing the activities in the booklet and attending a ranger-led program. It’s a fun, easy way to learn about nature and wildlife in the park. Tip: You can also download it before your trip from the NPS.gov website.

Day 2- Lunch At Dornans

If you didn’t pack a picnic, stop by Dornans for lunch. Located 15 minutes south of Jenny Lake at Moose Junction, you will have your choice of food with Dornans Chuck Wagon Grill, Pizza & Pasta Co located within their Spur Bar, and a deli located in their Trading Post.

Order at the outside counter and take your number to your choice of outdoor eating spots-- a picnic table in a teepee, under an open tent, or under the sun with gorgeous views.

Day 2 Afternoon- Drive To The Jenny Lake Overlook

From Dornans, return to the North Jenny Lake Junction to drive the scenic, one way Jenny Lake Scenic Drive to the Jenny Lake Overlook for wonderful higher elevation views of Jenny Lake below and the backdrop of Cascade Canyon beyond.

The Jenny Lake Overlook is a wonderful spot for photographs. From the parking area, you can also follow a trail leading in either direction along the lake (the lake is down below) affording numerous excellent vantage points looking to the west.

Walk for as long as you wish and return to your car or take a side trail down to the lake for a splash. You’ll see several of these trails and some are steeper than others. Choose carefully.

Note: The Overlook parking area is the only parking area on this one-way road, so it can be busy. However, most people don’t linger long and you should be able to snag a parking space fairly quickly.

Day 2 Evening- Float Trip on the Snake River

Return to your lodging for an early dinner and a scenic float trip on the Snake River. Signal Mountain Lodge offers scenic float trips on the Snake River inside Grand Teton National Park. You can book a morning or evening float but be aware that the morning float will be cold and early (7:30am) whereas the evening float starts at 6pm.

This is a calm, scenic float trip, no whitewater. You'll have an opportunity to see beautiful forests, seasonal wildflowers, and possible sightings of deer, elk, moose, bald eagles, and other wildlife as the sun sets. Better yet, your raft guide will share stories of the Tetons as well as facts about wildlife, the river, and the park. This is a great Q&A time for the kids.

You’ll spend about 2 hours on the water covering a 10 mile stretch of the river. Another hour will be spent transporting to and from the drop-off spots. Adults cost $77 and children ages 6-12 cost $50.

The van will pick you up outside the restaurant at Signal Mountain Lodge around 6pm. Make reservations in advance by calling 307-543-2831. Or visit the Signal Mountain Lodge website.

Tip: Remember to bring a hat, a jacket, water, snack, and binoculars.

Kayak Rental In Grand Teton National Park

Alternatively, rent kayaks at Signal Mountain Lodge Marina and then enjoy the sunset. Open 7am-8pm during the summer season. For more information call: (307) 543-2831.

Sea Kayaks -1 Person- Hourly: $29 + tax, Maximum Daily Rate: $110 + tax; 2 Person Hourly: $39+ tax/ Maximum daily rate: $125 + tax.

Day 3- Grand Teton National Park Itinerary

Overview

Enjoy an easy hike to String and Leigh Lakes, wade in the cold shallow water, and picnic. Later, saddle up at Jackson Lodge Corals for your choice of a 1 or 2 hour horseback ride. Afterwards, take a short stroll on the Lakeshore Trail to find a beach to skip rocks or cool off in its cold water.

Day 3 Morning- Hike String Lake and Leigh Lake

This short, easy family-friendly hike takes you to blue clear waters surrounded by the backdrop of beautiful mountain vistas. String Lake is one of the best swimming holes in the Tetons because it’s the least cold of the many lakes in the park due to its shallow water. The sandy bottom of String Lake is also easy on the feet making it a very kid-friendly lake to enjoy.

You’ll find a lot of people at String Lake, because visitors can park at the nearby picnic area and walk a short distance to its shore. You can do this too with your own inflatable inner tubes but keep in mind that you’ll be sharing the water with dozens of folks on tubes, canoes, SUPs, etc. It’s still beautiful.

String Lake Loop Trail is also a popular 3.7 mile easy hike around String Lake. Given how busy String Lake is, we recommend accessing it from the Leigh Lake Trailhead.

Leigh Lake Trailhead- Escape the Crowds

Alternatively, you can park at the same picnic area at String Lake and proceed to the north end of the parking lot where you’ll find the trailhead to Leigh Lake. This flat, easy trail leads you along the eastern shore of String Lake on the way to Leigh Lake. Simply walk this beautiful and easy trail, and you’ll leave most of the crowds behind.

At the 1/2 mile mark, you’ll find a small sandy beach and a bench to enjoy the view. Spend some time here and then continue on the trail another 1/2 mile or so to where the trail splits right to go to the Leigh Lake canoe portage area or left to continue toward the bridge crossing the Leigh Lake outlet.

Go right toward the portage area, and you’ll have views of Leigh Lake, a beautiful wildflower meadow, and a fun rock to climb.

From here, return to the trail junction and this time take the trail leading to the bridge. Cross the bridge and have fun climbing the large boulders, skipping rocks, and listening to the sound of the roaring water.

For more details, see our blog post “The Best Place To Swim in Grand Teton National Park.” The NPS description of String Lake and Leigh Lake Trail can be found here.

Leigh Lake Trail Tips

Arrive early (before 9am) or arrive later in the afternoon (after 5pm). It’s a popular spot so finding parking can be a challenge.

Bring bear spray. We saw a bear walking through the trees going the opposite direction of us during our hike. Some folks stopped to observe but we zoomed on!

Bring mosquito spray. Once you stop walking, the mosquitos are happy to greet you.

Wear good shoes for this somewhat rocky terrain.

Pack an inflatable tube. Consider wearing swimsuits under your clothes and packing small inflatable tubes in your backpack to inflate later at a less-crowded beach area along the trail.

If you want a longer hike, you can extend either of these trails. From the Leigh Lake trailhead at the parking lot, you can hike 3.7 miles past the canoe portage area to the north end of Leigh Lake or you can cross the Leigh Lake Outlet bridge to loop around String Lake for a 3.4 mile roundtrip hike.

Directions

Turn at the North Jenny Lake Junction and take a right at the stop sign to follow the road to the String Lake area. Do not park at the first parking lot but continue to the end of the road to park at the picnic area.

Day 3 Afternoon- Horseback Riding in Grand Teton National Park

A guided horseback ride is a wonderful way to experience Grand Teton National Park. The kids will love being a cowboy for the day, and you will enjoy the beautiful vistas of the Tetons and Oxbow Bend while riding among wildflower meadows and aspen trees.

Grand Teton Lodging Co. offers 1 and 2 hour wrangler-guided horseback rides departing from Jackson Lake Lodge and Colter Bay Village.

Horseback Rider Requirements

• Riders must be at least 8 years old and at least 4 feet tall.

• Riders under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

• Riders must weigh no more than 225 pounds.

Riders must wear shoes that are closed-toed and cover the entire foot. 

The one-hour ride departing from Jackson Lake Lodge Corals is ideal. The horses are completely tame and know the route without any guidance from the rider. Which is a good thing for many, but maybe not for an experienced rider. $45 per rider.

Helmets are provided but bring a water bottle. It can get hot in the afternoon.

If your children are too young to participate in a horseback ride, you can also make arrangements for a pony ride for $5.

Reservations

Make reservations in advance by calling 307-543-3100. Before going to the Coral, you will need to enter Jackson Lake Lodge to pick up your tickets at the Concierge Desk. You might want to budget some extra time to enjoy the beautiful view from the lobby of Jackson Lake Lodge. More information can be found at their website.

Tip: After your ride, stop by the Pioneer Grill in Jackson Lake Lodge for a scoop of huckleberry ice cream.

Day 3- Hiking the Lakeshore Trail in Grand Teton National Park

After horseback riding, either head back to your lodging or take a short 11 minute drive to Colter Bay Village to walk around Colter Bay’s shoreline on the easy and flat Lakeshore Trail. Bring your swimsuits and inflatables and float for a while in the cold water.

The Lakeshore Trail

The Lakeshore Trail loop hike begins from the backside of the Colter Bay Visitor Center. To reach the trailhead, drive 5.4 miles north from Jackson Lake Junction and turn left. You'll drive another 0.9 miles, passing though Colter Bay Village to reach the Visitor Center and its parking area.

Once behind the Visitor Center, turn right and begin walking north along the old paved road that circles around the north side of the Colter Bay Marina. The Lakeshore Trail consists of two connecting loops, essentially forming a figure 8.

We recommend walking along the trail until you find a nice place to swim. For us, we explored the first loop of the “figure 8” and stopped to splash at a long, narrow causeway and beach just before the second loop began.

Note: Though planned for Day 5, the easy 3 mile roundtrip Heron Pond & Swan Lake Trail is nearby and can be hiked instead of or in addition to the Lakeshore Trail.

Day 4- Grand Teton National Park Itinerary

Overview

Wake up early and visit Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve and then enjoy a 3 mile hike to Phelps Lake. Afterwards, drive to Teton Village for lunch and take the tram ride up Rendezvous Mountain for amazing views.

Day 4 Morning- Visit the Laurance Rockefeller Preserve

You can reach Phelps Lake from the trails found in the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, an 1106-acre refuge, with a ranger-staffed Visitor Center that is also worthy of a visit.

In its Visitor Center, you’re encouraged to reflect on nature with its displays of videos, photography, and a soundscape room with nature recordings from the Preserve.

You will enjoy reading the nature-inspired poetry along the walls and looking at the children’s books in the resource room with its comfortable chairs and large fireplace.

Better yet, kids ages 6-12 can borrow a Nature Explorer’s Backpack that includes a nature journal to complete during or after the hike. Note that it’s only one backpack per family. You can also get your Junior Ranger Booklets here.

Arrive Early

Unlike the hustle and bustle of most visitor centers, you’ll notice it’s quiet here. That’s a benefit of the small parking lot serving the area. But that also means it’s extremely important to arrive early (before 9am) or arrive later in the afternoon (after 5pm).

Parking is limited here and folks can wait up to an hour for a parking space. We arrived around 8:30am and had plenty to choose from. When we returned around 11:30am, there was a line of cars happy to see us leave. On the plus side, because of its limited parking, you can actually enjoy some solitude on the trails.

Day 4- Hike the Lake Creek-Woodland Trail Loop

This is one of the best family hikes in the park because it offers a variety of scenery on the way to a beautiful alpine lake. The Lake Creek-Woodland Trail Loop brings you to the south shore of Phelps Lake. You’ll find the trailhead adjacent to the Visitor Center.

Begin on Lake Creek Trail and return on the Woodland Trail for a total roundtrip hike of 3 miles. Or, you can make it an out and back on the Lake Creek Trail for a similar distance.

The Lake Creek Trail is a beautiful, easy hike along Lake Creek with the soothing sound of its cascading waters along the way. You’ll enjoy smelling “Christmas trees”, spotting wildflowers, and crossing bridges along the trail.

As you near Phelps Lake, the trail will lead you straight to a small overlook area with benches. Snap some photos here of the beautiful reflection in the lake waters and then continue right (east) on the Phelps Lake Trail to explore some other nearby beaches along the shoreline.

If you wore your swimsuits and can stand the cold water, these would be fun spots to cool off or linger a while longer before walking back. This is a hike worthy of returning to time and time again.

Trail Tips

• Bring bear spray.

• Bring mosquito spray. Once you stop walking, the mosquitos are happy to greet you.

• Wear good shoes for this somewhat rocky terrain.

• You’ll find restrooms with nice, clean, composting toilets at the trailhead as well as near the lake.

Note: If you have hearty hikers in your family, you can add more hiking miles to the above trails by circling the lake rather than stopping at its southern shore. If you choose to do this 6.3 mile round trip hike, the eastern shore of Phelps Lake is supposedly far more scenic, especially in the mornings, if taken in a counter-clockwise direction.

Directions

Turn off at Moose Junction and follow signs for Moose-Wilson Road. Turn left on Moose-Wilson Road and drive about 3.5 miles until you see the turn-off for Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center on your left.

Tip: As you follow Moose-Wilson Road, be on the lookout for moose, elk, and mule deer along the way.

Note: You can also reach the north shore of Phelps Lake from the Death Canyon Trailhead (4 mile roundtrip) but you’ll miss out on the wonderful Laurence Rockefeller Preserve Visitor Center and will huff and puff a bit more with its more pronounced elevation gain.

For a detailed description of this hike, see our blog “Don’t Miss Phelps Lake in Grand Teton National Park.”

Day 4 Lunch- Mangy Moose in Teton Village

After your hike to Phelps Lake, hop in the car to drive about 20 minutes to Teton Village for lunch and the tram ride up Rendezvous Mountain. You’ll turn left out of the parking lot to continue on Moose-Wilson Road for about 4.6 miles before turning right onto Teton Village Road.

Located right near the tram, the Mangy Moose serves burgers, sandwiches, salads, chicken fingers, and pizza. Something for everyone. You’ll have a great view of the mountain and tram while admiring the eclectic decor including a “mangy moose” hanging from the ceiling.

Teton Thai is another good option in Teton Village.

Day 4 Afternoon- Tram Ride Up Rendezvous Mountain

After lunch, take the Aerial Tram also known as “Big Red” from Teton Village up to the top of Rendezvous Mountain for great views and a few hiking trails (and a lot of wind).

The tram runs in the summer from mid-May to early October from 9am to 5pm. In just 12 minutes, the Aerial Tram ascends 4,139 vertical feet dropping you off at the summit at an elevation of 10,450 feet. You’ll have amazing 360-degree views of the Tetons, Jackson Hole valley, and the surrounding mountain ranges.

At the summit, you’ll find trails ranging from the easy 0.5 mile roundtrip Top of the World hike to moderately difficult hikes like Cody Bowl and Green River Overlook. Or, just wander and explore a bit taking in the view or be lucky enough to watch the paragliders and hang gliders take off from the summit.

See trail descriptions at www.jacksonhole.com.

Enjoy your time at the top for photos and hiking, and when ready catch the tram back down. Note: If you’d like to walk back down or partially down the mountain to the Bridger Gondola, inquire at the tram office for trail specifics.

The tram departs every 15 minutes during operating hours, and the last tram runs down at 5:30pm.

Tickets

A Family Tram ticket for 2 adults and up to 4 kids costs $97 for the walk-up price or $89 for an online purchase. With the purchase of an Aerial Tram ticket you also get to ride the Bridger Gondola and the Teewinot Chairlift. Tickets are good all day, and you can ride as many times as you want.

Tips

• Bring a jacket, binoculars, and water. It is typically 10-15 degrees cooler at the summit than at the base and very windy at the top of Rendezvous Mountain. It’s a great idea to bring an extra layer. The summit temperature can be viewed on their website.

• If you’re hungry or thirsty once at the summit, you’ll find Corbet’s Cabin, famous for their waffles. And these aren't just any waffles either- these are made to order with toppings like brown sugar butter, Nutella, lemon, peanut butter, and more.

• You can also take the Bridger Gondola to the Off Piste Market for coffee, pastries, Sicilian pizza, beer, wine, etc. Note that the gondola does not go all the way to the summit but only partially up the mountain.

Day 4- Stroll the Schwabacher Road Nature Walk

If you are lodging at Signal Mountain or Jackson Lake Lodge, consider a short scenic drive on your way back on Schwabacher Road which leads to a short nature walk along the Snake River. Though this road is not paved, it is short (about 1.5 miles) and is in good enough shape for any passenger vehicle.

Park in the small parking area at the end of the road and walk down to the river and turn right to follow the trail. You can make this a short out and back trail anywhere from a 0.5 mile roundtrip walk to 4 miles roundtrip.

This scenic walk is popular among photographers and gives you the opportunity to see beaver dams, herons, moose, and beautiful views of the Teton mountain range.

Schwabacher Road is located a few miles north of Moose Junction on Highway 191 (right fork). You’ll see a small sign for it on your left. If you get to the Teton Point Turnout, you have gone too far.

Day 5- Grand Teton National Park Itinerary

Overview

Today, it’s time to pack up and head north to Yellowstone National Park’s West Thumb Geyser Basin or go south to the airport in Jackson. If you have time, consider a final short hike (Heron Pond & Swan Lake Trail) near Colter Bay Village or simply stop at the Visitor Center there to receive your Junior Ranger Badges. If it’s lunch time, drive a bit further north to have pizza at Leek’s Marina & Pizzeria. It is reportedly terrific.

Day 5- Hike the Heron Pond and Swan Lake Trail

The Heron Pond & Swan Lake Trail is a 3 mile roundtrip, mostly level trail to two ponds with great views of the Teton Range. This would be a good hike to bring your binoculars with the possibility of seeing moose, beavers, eagles, and more. The wildflowers are plentiful, and the ponds are covered in huge lily pads.

This trail is generally less crowded than the popular Lakeshore Trail at Colter Bay and is an easy hike for the family. We recently hiked it in mid-July and saw less than 10 people on the trail! We did, however, see two white pelicans, geese, ducks, and osprey while enjoying the view.

Directions

The Heron Pond and Swan Lake Loop hike begins from the Hermitage Point Trailhead, located at the south end of the Colter Bay Visitor Center parking area. To reach the trailhead, drive 5.4 miles north from Jackson Lake Junction and turn left.

From there, drive towards the parking area near the Visitor Center. Once at the end of the road, turn left, away from Visitor Center, and drive to the far end of the south parking area.

From the parking area, follow the paved road that leads down towards the boat landing area and look for the trailhead sign.

Day 5- Go To The Colter Bay Village Visitor Center

If you haven’t already turned in your Junior Ranger booklet, this is your last chance before leaving the park. A ranger will review the completed booklet with the kids, lead them in an oath, and let them pick out their badge or pin.

Day 5- Lunch Near Colter Bay Village

If it’s lunch time, stop at Leek’s Marina and Pizzeria, one of the most consistently highly-rated food spots in the Grand Teton National Park. It’s located a 10 minute drive north from Colter Bay Visitor Center. Check the website for hours. Note that it is run by Signal Mountain Lodges.

Another great pizza restaurant option is found at Cafe Court Pizzaria in Colter Bay Village. Grab it to go and enjoy it with a view of Jackson Lake in the picnic area. We thought the pizza was really good!

Day 5 (Optional)- Visit Yellowstone National Park’s West Thumb Geyser Basin

From Colter Bay Village, you’ll reach your first worthy stop in Yellowstone National Park in just under 1 hour. West Thumb Geyser Basin is unique in that it is the largest geyser basin on the shores of Yellowstone Lake.

You can take the 0.6 mile boardwalk loop trail to view the colorful hot springs and dormant lakeshore geysers. The view of the hot springs with the backdrop of Yellowstone Lake is quite spectacular. Plan on 30 minutes here. Restrooms are available.

Note: You could even consider staying in Grand Teton National Park and making a day trip to see Old Faithful Geyser Basin or visit the closer West Thumb Basin on Yellowstone Lake.

From Signal Mountain Lodge, you can reach Old Faithful Geyser Basin in just under 2 hours (1:48) and it’s only 1:10 to West Thumb Geyser Basin. This way you get to experience the amazing thermal features of Yellowstone but retreat back to the less-crowded and more serene Grand Teton National Park.

Additional Activities in Grand Teton National Park

You could spend more days in Grand Teton National Park and still just scratch the surface of this beautiful national park. This list of activities provides some ideas if you have more time for additional hiking or biking or need some rainy day activities.

Taggart Lake Hike

Taggart Lake Trail is another relatively easy and popular hike to an alpine lake. This hike is 3.2 miles roundtrip and provides an incredible view of the Teton mountain range the entire way. Elevation gain is only 277 feet. The hike to Taggart Lake begins from the Taggart Lake Trailhead, located roughly 2.3 miles north of the Moose Entrance Station. We really like this hike for the views, the combo of shaded forest and open spanses, a couple of short bridges crossings, and of course, the tranquil lake. If Jenny Lake is crazy crowded or parking is non-existent, consider this nearby terrific trail as an alternative.

Bike from Dornan’s to Jenny Lake

Biking is a popular activity in Grand Teton National Park with a designated car-free paved pathway running north through the park from Jackson to Moose (40 miles roundtrip). It parallels Teton Park Road, so although you will see car traffic, it’s still an incredibly scenic ride.

You can also access the pathway from Moose Junction at Dornans and bike to South Jenny Lake (23 miles round trip).

Bike Rentals In Grand Teton National Park: You can find bike rentals at Dornans in Moose, or in the nearby towns of Jackson and Teton Village.

• In Jackson: Hoback Sports

• In Wilson: Wilson Backcountry Sports

• In Teton Village: Teton Village Sports

• In Moose at Dornan’s: Adventure Sports

Tip: Inquire about renting a bike one-way. Bike rentals at Hoback Sports and Teton Village Sports include a complimentary one-way bus pass for the START bus so you can return bikes at either location.

Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center

Located at Moose Junction, the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center is a good place to get your Junior Ranger Booklets, maps, bear spray, trail conditions, or participate in a ranger program. Or, you can just enjoy the exhibits.

View a collection of Native American Indian artifacts and explore a 3 dimensional map of the park allowing you a a birds-eye-view of the valley, canyons, lakes, and peaks. Follow peak identifiers inlaid in the floor to view your favorite peak.

You can also catch a 24-minute movie Grand Teton National Park: Life on the Edge.

Colter Bay Visitor Center and Indian Arts Museum

Instead of just swinging by for some maps or seeking a restroom at the Colter Bay Visitor Center, take some time to peruse the Indian Arts Museum, which houses a small collection of 35 rare, Native American artifacts. Enjoy the on-going American Indian Guest Artist Program and various Indian Art and Culture programs including a Tipi Demo every Wednesday at 9a.m.

National Museum of Wildlife Art

Located just north of Jackson, this excellent museum would be a great stop on a rainy day. Your kids will enjoy their Children’s Discovery Gallery, a beautifully designed, self-directed activity area for children.

The gallery includes a hands-on Artist’s Studio, Life-size Diorama, Animal Costumes, Reading Nook, and Puppet Theater. Tickets cost $14 for adults, $6 for the 1st child ages 5-18, and $2 each additional child. Children under 5 are free.

Recommended Scenic Drives in Grand Teton National Park To See Wildlife

• Signal Mountain Summit Road

• Moose-Wilson Road

• Gros Ventre/ Antelope Flats Loop

• Moran Junction to Jackson Lake Junction

• See the NPS descriptions here.

Best Roadside Views In Grand Teton National Park

• Cathedral Group Turnout

• Snake River Overlook

• Oxbow Bend Turnout

• Teton Glacier Turnout

Best Place To See Wildflowers In Grand Teton National Park

(May-September)

• Lupine Meadows

• Antelope Flats Road

• Oxbow Bend Area

• Colter Bay to Lizard Creek

That’s all for this itinerary. Have a blast in the Grand Tetons! It truly is a special place. Our goal is to help you plan a fantastic trip for you and your family!

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