A month ago, I had the opportunity to visit Grand Teton National Park, one of the most impressive places I have ever seen. It is a park that protects a mountain range of rugged peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and a wide variety of wildlife.
In this article, I will share my experience and give you some tips to make the most of this wonderful destination.
Grand Teton National Park is located in the state of Wyoming, United States, and is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, along with the famous Yellowstone National Park, which is just a few kilometers to the north. I arrived at Grand Teton after visiting Yellowstone, another incredible and very different park, with its geysers, hot springs, and volcanoes. If you have the chance, I recommend visiting both parks on the same trip, as they complement each other very well and offer a great diversity of landscapes and experiences.
Entrance to Grand Teton National Park costs $35 per vehicle and is valid for seven days. You can also purchase an annual pass for $80 that allows access to all national parks in the country. A good idea if you plan to visit Yellowstone, Teton, and at least one other park before the year ends.
Once inside the park, the first thing to do is visit one of the visitor centers, where you can get information about activities, trails, campgrounds, and park rules. You can also get a map and a newspaper with detailed information about the park and the 10 most interesting points you can visit by car.
There are several visitor centers in the park, but I recommend the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, which is the largest and most modern.
What impressed me most about the park was the panoramic view of the Teton Range, which rises abruptly from the valley to reach 4,197 meters in height at the Grand Teton peak.
This peak gives the park its name and is the highest and most iconic in the mountain range. The silhouette of these mountains is spectacular and can be appreciated from various points in the park.
It is worth noting that our trip to this park was "express." We only had less than 24 hours to explore it. However, we tried to make the most of those hours.
That’s why we decided to follow the newspaper given at the visitor center and take the driving tour of the park’s most iconic views.
The first point we decided to visit (as indicated by the park brochure) was Jackson Lake Overlook, where you can observe the impressive views of the Teton Range and even the effects of a fire that occurred in 2016, from which the park is still recovering.
Then, we continued driving and made some specific stops in the park that are truly impressive: Willow Flats Overlook, Signal Mountain Summit, Oxbow Bend Turnout, Jenny Lake Overlook, Elk Ranch Flats Turnout, and Snake River Overlook.
Grand Teton also offers many opportunities to observe local wildlife, such as elk, bison, black bears, eagles, and wolves. You must be careful and respect distances, as they are wild animals and can be dangerous.
A safe and fun way to see them is to participate in one of the ranger-guided programs, which are offered daily at different times and locations. You can also visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art, which is near the park and has an impressive collection of art and taxidermy related to nature.
Another activity you can do in the park is rafting on the Snake River, which can be booked with one of the authorized companies operating in the park. It is an exciting and refreshing experience, with some rapids and incredible landscapes. There are also calmer options, such as kayaking or paddleboarding on the lakes.
Grand Teton National Park has over 300 kilometers of trails for all levels and tastes. Some are short and easy, like the Taggart Lake Trail or the String Lake Loop Trail, but there are also longer and more demanding ones, like the Cascade Canyon Trail or the Paintbrush Divide Trail. It is important to bring water, food, appropriate clothing, and a whistle or bear spray just in case.
For accommodation within the park, there are several options, from historic hotels like Jackson Lake Lodge or Jenny Lake Lodge to rustic cabins like Colter Bay Village Cabins or Headwaters Lodge & Cabins, although they are somewhat expensive. There are also several campgrounds with basic services like drinking water, restrooms, and picnic tables.
In short, Grand Teton National Park is a place that leaves no one indifferent and is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. It is an ideal destination for nature lovers, adventure, and beauty.
For our part, we promised to return to this place with more time to get to know its impressive vegetation, wildlife, and formations up close, and of course, add a touch of adventure with a rafting trip.
Here are some recommendations for activities to do in Grand Teton National Park:
- Hiking: There are hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails in the park for all experience levels.
- Mountain Biking: The park has several mountain biking trails that offer stunning views of the Teton Mountains.
- Fishing: The Snake River and the park’s lakes are a popular destination for anglers.
- Rafting and Kayaking: The Snake River is an ideal place for rafting and kayaking.
- Wildlife Watching: The park is home to a wide variety of wild animals, such as elk, bison, bears, wolves, and coyotes.
Some interesting facts about Grand Teton National Park:
- The park was founded in 1929.
- It has an area of 1,347 square kilometers.
- It is home to over 350 species of birds, 60 species of mammals, and 40 species of reptiles and amphibians.
- The park receives over 3 million visitors per year.
I hope this article has inspired you and encourages you to plan your own trip to Grand Teton.
You won’t regret it!
