One Day in Grand Teton Itinerary – How to Spend a Perfect Day in Grand Teton, Wyoming

Surrounded by breathtaking nature reserves, including the famous Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park is part of the so-called Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. In fact, it is one of the largest intact mid-latitude temperate ecosystems in the world. Together, the areas occupy 18,000,000 acres (7,300,000 ha) of pristine wilderness. Grand Teton itself is an iconic destination in American mountain climbing, attracting 2.5 million visitors each year and earning its place among the 10 most-visited national parks in the United States. Mountaineering notwithstanding, there are so many, many more things to do in Grand Teton National Park, including birdwatching, horse-riding, hiking, camping, and boating. If you’ve got a day to spare, skip Grand Teton’s over-crowded northern brother and discover one of the most beautiful places in the world!

Plan your trip

1. WHAT’S THE BEST TIME TO VISIT GRAND TETON?
2. A FEW FACTS ABOUT GRAND TETON
3. ONE DAY IN GRAND TETON ITINERARY
3.1. Visit the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve First Thing in the Morning
3.2. Take the Moose-Wilson Road to the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center
3.3. Explore the Menor’s Ferry Historic District
3.4. Take a Short Lunch Break
3.5. Take the Car to Jenny Lake District
3.6. Take the Shuttle Boat to the West Shore Boat Dock
3.7. Follow the Trail to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point
3.8. Continue Your Trip by Visiting Colter Bay Village
3.9. Award Yourself with a Nice Meal
4. WHERE TO STAY IN GRAND TETON?
5. GRAND TETON DAY TRIPS
6. EXTRA TIPS FOR VISITING GRAND TETON

WHAT’S THE BEST TIME TO VISIT GRAND TETON?

Similar to many other national parks, especially at this latitude, Grand Teton is also forced to close large sections of the park in wintertime, including vital roads and access points. Consequently, the best time to visit Grand Tetons would be from mid-May to late September. This is when all parts of the national park are open and accessible, including hiking trails, visitor centers, and all the activities that the park is famous for. You may want to skip August and July due to high accommodation rates, frequent crowds, and occasional afternoon thunderstorms.

Winter comes early to Grand Teton, blowing through the park as soon as October rolls around. The winters here are harsh and unyielding, with below-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall that accumulates quickly and stays for long periods of time. Naturally, these conditions are ideal for cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. Just keep in mind that a lot of the park’s facilities and accommodations are closed shut for a couple of months. 

A FEW FACTS ABOUT GRAND TETON

Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park includes all of the major peaks of the Teton Range, in addition to most of the northern segments of the Jackson Hole valley. The Teton Range is the youngest mountain range in the Rocky Mountains, ranked among the youngest mountain ranges anywhere in the world. The highest peak in the mountain range is the eponymous Grand Teton, rising 13,775 feet (4,199 m) above sea level. Gannett Peak is the only peak in Wyoming higher than Grand Teton. Snake River runs through the national park, and the entire mountain is located within the Snake River drainage basin, feeding it through numerous small creeks and massive glaciers. The origin of the mountain’s unusual name has still not been precisely determined.

One common explanation asserts that “Grand Teton” translates as “large nipple” from French, although many historians challenge that interpretation with a competing theory that the mountain got its name after the Teton Sioux tribe. Native Americans first settled in the general Grand Teton area more than 11,000 years ago. After the Lewis and Clark Expedition missed the region (between 1804 and 1806), later fur trade slowly led to government-sponsored expeditions, exploration, and eventual settlement.

ONE DAY IN GRAND TETON ITINERARY

Follow this guide and make the most of your trip even if you’re short on time. These are the top sights and things to do on your one day in Grand Teton.

Visit the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve First Thing in the Morning

Once a private refuge of the Rockefellers, the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve is a peaceful lakeside preserve along the southern shore of Phelps Lake. The nature preserve extends from the sandy lakefront beach for miles, with winding hiking trails and a visitor center where you can get all the assistance and information you need. The trails that the preserve offers form an 8-mile network, with great views of Death Canyon, Phelps Lake and the Tetons. You can actually swim in the cool mountain waters of Phelps Lake, or simply enjoy the fresh morning air and great views of the tranquil scenery.

The hike to the Phelps Lake Overlook, on the other hand, is the easiest hike in the area, so you might give it a try. The roundtrip is only 2 miles long (approx. 50 minutes) from Death Canyon Trailhead, which can be reached by car via Whitegrass Ranch Road. The accessibility and the scenic lake views from the overlook make it one of the best hikes in Grand Teton.

If you prefer something slightly more challenging, take the Phelps Lake Loop Trail, starting where Lake Creek enters Phelps Lake. This trail is twice as long, but just as satisfying. After the hike, take the Moose-Wilson Road to Moose. The road, which passes the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, is great for scenic drives and wildlife watching, primarily elk, mule deer, and moose.

Take the Moose-Wilson Road to the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center

It takes about 16 minutes by car to get from the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve to the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. The center is located in Moose, a small unincorporated community along the banks of the Snake River. The community has its own US post office, church (Chapel of the Transfiguration, dating back to 1925), and several notable historical landmarks. These include the Menor’s Ferry Historic District, The Maud Noble Cabin, and The Murie Ranch of Teton Science Schools.

The Grand Teton National Park Headquarters are also located there, not far from the Visitor Center. The Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center can help you with maps and information, and you can even watch several natural history exhibits there, such as a 24-minute high-definition film about the park. The Vernon Collection houses a large number of original Native American artifacts.

Explore the Menor’s Ferry Historic District

In Moose, there are several preserved early homesteads and ranches that can be reached after a short walk from the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center. The Menor’s Ferry Historic District is located by the riverbank just north of the Maud Noble Cabin past the National Park Headquarters. The district is named after William D. Menor, who came to Jackson Hole in 1894 and built his homestead beside the Snake River. Soon, he built a general store and set up a ferry that was an indispensable crossing point for early settlers coming to the valley.

You can take a short self-guided tour of the area and feel the history of the place. The Menor Cabin is also significant for being the point of departure for the very first ascent of Grand Teton. The ferry itself was built in 1894 and was operated first by Menor, and later by Maud Noble until 1927, when a bridge was finally built over the Snake River. The current ferry is a replica of the original. It was restored by Rockefeller together with the surrounding structures and donated to the National Park Service in 1953.

Take a Short Lunch Break

Across the river from the Menor’s Ferry Historic District, there is a small area with a resort, cabins for rent, a gas station, a store, and two restaurants (Dornan’s Pizza Pasta Company and Dornan’s Chuckwagon). Dornan’s Chuckwagon is a classic American restaurant with burgers, BBQ, and beer. The location is unbeatable, with a beautiful view of the mountains. Dornan’s Pizza Pasta Company has all the same strong points, but slightly better reviews when it comes to food.

The pizza here is great, but you can also get burgers. The service is fast in spite of the occasional crowds. The staff is friendly, just keep in mind that you have to order food at the desk first. After that, just take a seat and the food will be brought to your table.

Take the Car to Jenny Lake District

After lunch, head to Jenny Lake District, one of the most popular parts of Grand Teton National Park. It takes about 16 minutes to get there from the restaurant. In addition to stunning views of the dramatic mountain scenery, the area offers easy access to gorgeous alpine lakes and some of the best hikes in Grand Teton. These include the Inspiration Point hike and the Hidden Falls hike, in addition to trails leading into Cascade Canyon and Paintbrush Canyon.

There is another visitor center there, great for updated information on potential incoming thunderstorms, which are quite common in the afternoon. If you are interested in climbing, make sure to check out the Jenny Lake Ranger Station for current conditions on all the routes to Grand Teton. As an aside, the area is accessible by car only between May 1^st and October 31^st. During the peak summer months, parking can get quite congested between 10 AM and 4 PM.

Take the Shuttle Boat to the West Shore Boat Dock

The Jenny Lake Trailhead is located not far from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center and the nearby parking lot. The Jenny Lake Trail loops around the lake before branching off to the west into the Cascade Canyon Trail, one of the more challenging and strenuous hikes in Grand Teton. The Hidden Falls hike & Inspiration Point hike are both easy and rewarding, located near Cascade Creek and easily accessible via the Jenny Lake Trail.

Right by the Jenny Lake Trailhead, there is a small boat ramp. The shuttle boat that stops there takes visitors to the West Shore Boat Dock for a small $15 fee. This shortens the hike by approximately 2.4 miles each way. Enjoy the boat ride across glacially-carved Jenny Lake, the second-largest lake in the national park, named after a Shoshone Indian who helped early explorers map the area during the Hayden Geological Survey in 1872.

Follow the Trail to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point

Since the area west of Jenny Lake is particularly famous for its beauty, hiking to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point has been among the most popular things to do in Grand Teton for over 75 years. After years and years of overuse, the trails and the surrounding area underwent extensive rehabilitation in 2014. After crossing the lake, leave the boat dock and follow the trail upward through the intact fir and pine forest. Once you cross the Cascade Canyon Creek, you will soon arrive to a short side trail on the left-hand side. Take the trail to get to Hidden Falls, an impressive waterfall that drops more than two hundred feet, cascading over huge rocks and fallen trees in a series of steps. Take the time to enjoy the unique view and snap some photos before making your way back to the main trail.

From there, keep climbing along the rugged, rocky trail until you reach Inspiration Point, a lofty viewpoint that offers outstanding views of Jenny Lake. You can almost take in the entire lakeshore. It is a great place to visit in the afternoon since the morning sun is less than ideal for taking good photos of the lake. When the sun is high enough in the sky, you can take some National Geographic-level photographs that will remind you of this place for years.

Continue Your Trip by Visiting Colter Bay Village

The Colter Bay District is located in northern Grand Teton National Park, 20 miles north of Jenny Lake Visitor Center. After taking the shuttle boat back across the lake, go for a scenic drive on Teton Park Road, past Spalding Bay and Signal Mountain. After 35 minutes, you should reach Colter Bay Village on the shores of Jackson Lake, one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the country. The lake’s shores are perfect for hiking, either along the popular Hermitage Point Trail or the shorter Lakeshore Trail. For this itinerary, taking the time limitations into account, the Lakeshore Trail stands out as the superior option. Much like the Hidden Falls hike, this trail is easy and very kid-friendly.

The loop hike begins behind the Colter Bay Visitor Center on the lake shore. Expect to see plenty of wildlife, including moose, elk, bear, muskrat, beaver, river otters, trumpeter swans, herons, martens, snowshoe hares, and others. Some interesting points along the trail include the natural narrow causeway connecting the small forested peninsula to the mainland and a stunning rocky beach area with amazing views of Mt. Moran, Grand Teton, and Teewinot Mountain.

Award Yourself with a Nice Meal

After hiking, you can choose whether you want to have dinner in Colter Bay Village or somewhere along the way as you leave the national park. Although not at all bad, you need to keep in mind that your options will be limited in both cases. The closest restaurant is John Colter’s Ranch House, with a large dining room, tall windows, and plenty of light. Open all day, the restaurant serves tasty comfort food and offers a pretty great beer selection. Menu highlights include the excellent grilled chicken salad, rainbow trout, linguini, and pork belly. Everything is fresh and the staff is beyond friendly.

If you are on your way south and would like to have your dinner later, then stop at Teton Village. While there, check out Mangy Moose Steakhouse and Saloon, a rustic American restaurant and tavern serving steak and seafood in a warm, charming setting filled with old items, fur pelts, souvenirs, tools, flags, wheels, and the like. There is a stage inside where local bands occasionally perform and play rock music. The food is excellent and you get very generous servings at an affordable price.

WHERE TO STAY IN GRAND TETON?

GRAND TETON DAY TRIPS

Even with careful planning, it is hard to think of everything. There are times when letting someone else worry about every little detail is the right choice since it lets you focus only on yourself and your own experience. There are numerous organized day trips of Grand Teton National Park, where seasoned professionals put their skills and knowledge to the test in an effort to give you the most memorable adventure possible. They know all the right spots for wildlife sightings, as well as how to keep your distance and stay safe.

Numerous unusual alternatives also exist, such as the 60 Minute Scenic Flight Tour of the Tetons and the Grand Teton Wildlife Safari in Open-Air Vehicle. All of these options and more can be found in our separate article dedicated to exciting, reliable and tested day trips and adventures in Grand Teton.

EXTRA TIPS FOR VISITING GRAND TETON

-Yes, wildlife watching can be exciting, as long as you respect the animals and know how to stay out of their way. Talk to the park rangers and get informed at the visitor centers on the best way to stay safe. Also, pack bear spray.

-While dogs are allowed in the national park, you have to keep them off hiking trails and away from the lakes and visitor centers. Plus, they have to be restrained at all times.

-The closest airport is Jackson Hole Airport, with flights from/to Denver and Salt Lake City.

–Get informed on the services, gas stations, grocery shops, showers, and boat marinas before you arrive. Most of the services can be found in Moose (gas, post office), with restaurants and shops at South Jenny Lake and Colter Bay.

PIN FOR LATER!

If you have any other propositions for this One Day in Grand Teton Itinerary, feel free to share them in the comments below!