Grand Teton National Park
Often overshadowed by its next-door neighbor, Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park is incredible in its own right. Jagged mountain peaks tower over verdant valleys, pristine lakes, and the mighty Snake River. This is a Rocky Mountain paradise.
Just 10 miles south of the Yellowstone southern entrance, Grand Teton is usually visited as a side trip from Yellowstone. If you don’t have a ton of time to spend here, take the spectacular driving tour. Hiking through the mountains, around the lakes, canoeing, fishing, and observing wildlife can occupy you for days.
TOUR DE CAR
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Traveling south along John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway (US-191) provides views of rolling countryside and towering evergreens. Soon, Jackson lake comes into sight, one of the largest high altitude lakes in the United States (elevation 6772ft.). The road skirts alongside the lake for a while before coming upon Colter Bay. Just south of the Grand Teton Lodge and gas station, turn right onto Teton Park Road*. This road will take you back toward the southern end of Jackson Lake and across the Jackson Lake Dam. There are pullouts along the road to stop and take pictures.
Stop in at the Jenny Lake visitors center and take a short walk to the water’s edge for stunning views of the mountains across the lake. There are a number of short hikes here, or if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous head around the south end of the lake toward Cascade Canyon.
The rushing Cascade Creek stumbles down Hidden Falls, right by Inspiration Point overlooking Jenny lake to the East. For the even more adventurous, a trek to Lake Solitude (although the popularity of this hike doesn’t leave much solitude here) can be incredibly rewarding. The first half of the trail through Cascade Canyon is especially breathtaking.
Continue south on Teton Park Rd toward Moose. Once in Moose, take a right onto Rt. 390* (Moose Wilson Rd.) toward Teton Village, a ski village at the foot of the mountains. Within Teton Village are a number of restaurants and shops. Teton Thai offers tasty Thai food and a decent selection of beers. At the southern end of Moose Wilson Rd. you will meet up with Rt. 22. Turn left toward Jackson, Wyoming.
Jackson, Wyoming, is a small town at the southern end of the Jackson Hole Valley. Many people mistakenly refer to the town as Jackson Hole, probably because nearly every piece of merchandise for sale in Jackson says Jackson Hole on it. There is no shortage of shops in Jackson selling every possible gift and souvenir you can imagine. If you’re a fan of t-shirts this is the place for you. There is a seemingly endless supply of unique t-shirt designs that incorporate the Tetons or Jackson Hole for sale around town. The town still has a bit of an old west feel, especially with the “cowboys” riding around on horseback and stagecoach tours you can take through the town. The town square has enormous arches made from shed elk antlers at its entrances. The town is touristy, but in the best way possible.
Back on the road, U.S. 191/89/26 takes you north, back into the technical park boundaries. Between mile marker 159-160 is the National Park sign pull off. Stop here for a picture of the sign with the mountains in the background. The northern entrance sign is in the woods between Yellowstone and Grand Teton, so you can’t see the mountains there. Roughly one mile north of the Teton Park Rd junction, on the right is Antelope Flats Rd. which takes you to possibly the most pictured barns in the world. The barns are only ~1/4 mile away from each other and you get to choose which barn style you like in your pictures, the classic gambrel roof or a straightforward gable. These historic homestead are the people place to exercise your photographic creativity
Once you’ve taken all the pictures your heart desires head back to the highway and continue north. You are now on the opposite side of the valley, overlooking the lush prairie and the Snake River, with the mountains soaring behind them. Keep an eye out for elk, bison, and moose. A number of pullouts allow amble opportunity for pictures and gawking. Just after the highway crosses the Buffalo Fork of the Snake River you’ll come to a junction just east of the tiny village of Moran. Moran is known as the coldest continually inhabited place in Wyoming (registering -63F in the winter of 1933). Turn left onto U.S. 191/89 North toward Yellowstone to complete your journey.
*Teton Park Rd., Antelope Flats Rd. and Moose Wilson Rd. are usually closed November through May due to the heavy snowfall this area receives during winter months.
