11 Best Places In Grand Teton National Park To Visit – Hand Luggage Only

Grand Teton National Park is a place I find so incredible in Wyoming! With towering mountains, pristine lakes and a heap of incredible trails, there’s a load of the best things to do in Grand Teton National Park dotted all across the region. 

After spending a heap of time in the park (during my road trip from New York City to Los Angeles), I quickly realised how special this place is. Truth be told, I kinda saw it as a stopping point before arriving at Yellowstone and hadn’t really thought of it as a park to visit in its own right. How wrong I was, Grand Teton National Park is everything!  

Thankfully, I remedied this very quickly and explored as much of the park as possible during my visit across Wyoming. I still have the best memories of being here and I genuinely think it’s one of my favourite national parks in the US. 

So, to help make your trip go swimmingly, I wanted to share some total gems I found during my trip. This way, you can plan ahead and not have to rehash your plans once you arrive (like I did). 

Take a look, below, at the best places in Grand Teton National Park to visit. Have the most epic trip! 

1.) Jenny Lake

 Jenny Lake is probably one of the more popular spots to visit in Grand Teton National Park, and rightly so – it’s stunning.

Here, you can head out on loads of local activities including kayaking (we used these outfitters), alongside some incredible hiking trails around the lake and mountains.

For an easier trail, join the shorter, round-trip, hike to Hidden Falls. You can join the Jenny Lake Trail and hop briefly onto the Cascade Trail for the views without hiking for a whole day! It’s easily the most favourite spot in the park and one of the best places in Tetons National Park that you have to see. 

Just make sure to stop by Jenny Lake Overlook for the impressive views. This was my very first stop in the park and its beauty is everything (sounds cheesy, but it’s true). 

Read more: Best national parks in the USA

2.) Mormon Row

If you are a history buff then you’ll love Morom Row! Founded as a Mormon ranch settlement in the 1890s, it’s one of the best places in Grand Teton National Park for a little slice of history. 

Built by John and Thomas Alma Moulton over decades, it’s a picture-perfect spot you can’t miss. It really shows off the grandeur of the Teton Mountains and is so impressive.

Plus, it’s not too far from the Jackson Hole Ski Area – this means you can see both on the same day! 

3.) Jackson Lake

Jackson Lake is totally beautiful and the largest lake in Grand Teton that you really can’t miss. 

Not only that, perched on the shores of Jackson Lake is Colter Bay Village. It’s one of the best places in Grand Teton National Park to base yourself for a trip as it allows you to explore the wider region whilst also having some good amenities to make your trip easier. 

From here, you can rent canoes, kayaks, and explore the nearby bays that are totally gorgeous. Finally, if you fancy a chilled day, you can easily explore Jackson Lake on a cruise that’s so lovely.

Finally, for a little hike, follow the Lakeshore Trail that takes in the views all across Jackson Lake and its islands. 

Read more: Best national parks in the USA

4.) Chapel of the Transfiguration

Right at the Moose Entrance of Grand Teton National Park, the Chapel of the Transfiguration is really easy to visit. Almost 100 years old, it’s a picture-perfect spot that’s steeped in history. Plus, the views are totally iconic from here. 

Afterwards, take a stroll around the wider Menor’s Ferry Historic District, too. 

Now, it’s not the kind of spot you’ll spend all day, but easily one of the best places in Grand Teton National Park to take a gander before heading deeper into the great outdoors. 

5.) Teton Village & Craig Thomas Center area

Just shy of Snake River, the Craig Thomas Discovery has heaps of exhibits about the Grand Teton National Park that’s great to see. It’s especially good if you want to get a grounding of the area’s history and tap into that expert knowledge that the rangers have here – they know everything! 

Not only that, stopping off at visitor centre allows you to explore some of this area of the park. It’s a great anchor point to explore Phelps Lake (via the relatively-easy Loop Trail). 

Not only that, you’ve got the Jackson Hole Ski Area that’s just as the base of Teton Village, too. It’s a great place to ski, snowboard and the ski passes are quite reasonable for beginners. 

Read more: Best things to do in Wyoming

6.) Moose Wilson Road

Moose Wilson Road is a gorgeous and snappy little 8-mile drive between Teton Village and Moose via the Wyoming Highway.

Also, if you fancy stretching your legs, you can hop on one of the hiking trails that’s within easy access from Moose Wilson Road. We love the Death Canyon Trail, though it’s certainly a whole day hike and for the more experienced hikers. 

Read more: Best things to do in Yellowstone

7.) Cascade Canyon Trail

If you love hiking, then you’ll easily find Grand Teton National Park totally incredible.

A firm favourite is the Cascade Canyon Trail, that’s too good to miss! At just over 13-miles (round-trip) this hike can be tough and isn’t really for beginners. If you’re a more experienced hiker, it’s a trail that’s perfect for a long day out and takes in some epic views of Grand Teton National Park.

Plus, you can hike up to Inspiration Point and the views from there are worth it. From there, the trail heads up into Cascade Canyon (another beaut) and see the iconic moose if you’re lucky. 

As with all hikes here, be aware you’re in bear country and follow local advice and safety precautions when hiking. Bears can easily kill and it’s not a risk you should ever take lightly. Check out more bear-related resources from the National Park Service, here. 

8.) Taggart Lake

Taggart Lake is one of the best places in Grand Teton National Park for views and hikes. 

You see, you can find a number of hiking trails that meander the mountain range and take in some impressive lakes vistas that are too good to miss

Feeling up for the hike? Join the Taggart Lake Trail via the trailhead that’s got a parking lot (making it totally easy to access).  The hike itself is around 4-miles and easily one of my favourite loops for views. Just make sure to arrive early, the car parking area does fill up fast! 

Read more: Best things to do in Yellowstone

9.) Snake River

Totally gorgeous, Snake River is the kind of place to head for some epic watersports!

This is where I went rafting and totally loved it. It’s not white-water rafting, it’s a  much more chilled and pristine experience to take in the incredible views around Snake River. 

Plus, they pick you up (and drop you off) at Jackson Lake Lodge. 

Not only that, you can soak in the natural hot springs at Astoria Bridge, which is a well-deserved treat after a long morning exploring. 

10.) Jackson

 If you are visiting Grand Tetons National park in the summer then Jackson is the place to be! 

Not technically within the park, it’s an easy place to base yourself if you fancy some good foodie spots and a town to explore after visiting the park. 

Whilst here, you can easily visit the National Elk Refuge (which is lovely) or even head to the Jackson Hole Rodeo. I spent a good few hours at the rodeo and it was such an experience (especially as we don’t really have this type of thing in the UK). 

Feeling peckish? Grab one of the juiciest burgers is at Liberty Burger. These guys know their stuff – their tuna burger is everything. 

Read more: Best things to do in Wyoming

11.) D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway

Connecting both Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, it’s one epic drive to take whilst exploring both regions.