National Parks

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton is my most-visited national park. Just a 5-hour drive north from Salt Lake City, the Tetons are some of the most dramatic mountains in North America—rising abruptly 7,000 feet from the valley floor with no foothills to soften the view.

Quick Facts

• Location — Northwestern Wyoming, just south of Yellowstone
• Established — February 26, 1929
• Size — 310,000 acres (485 square miles)
• Highest Peak — Grand Teton at 13,775 feet
• Annual Visitors — Around 3.3 million
• Distance from SLC — About 280 miles (5 hours)

Why It's Special

• The View — The Teton Range is one of the youngest mountain ranges in the Rockies, and the lack of foothills creates an iconic, dramatic skyline.
• Accessibility — Unlike many mountain parks, you can see the main attractions from your car. The scenic drives are world-class.
• Wildlife — Moose, elk, bison, bears, wolves. The park is a wildlife photographer's dream.
• Jackson Hole — The town of Jackson is right there, with great restaurants, shops, and the famous antler arches.
• Yellowstone Connection — Just 10 miles from Yellowstone's south entrance. Easy to do both parks in one trip.

The Mountains

The Teton Range contains twelve peaks over 12,000 feet. The three most prominent— Grand Teton, Middle Teton, and South Teton—are often called the "Cathedral Group" for their spire-like appearance.

• Grand Teton — 13,775 ft. The tallest peak in the range. First summited in 1898.
• Mount Owen — 12,928 ft. The second highest, considered more technically difficult.
• Teewinot — 12,325 ft. The name is Shoshone for "many pinnacles."
• Middle Teton — 12,804 ft. Part of the Cathedral Group.
• South Teton — 12,514 ft. Completes the Cathedral Group.

Must-See Spots

• Jenny Lake — Crystal-clear glacial lake at the base of the Tetons. Take the boat shuttle across for shorter hikes.
• Schwabacher Landing — Famous sunrise spot with beaver ponds reflecting the mountains.
• Oxbow Bend — Classic view of Mount Moran reflected in the Snake River. Prime moose territory.
• Mormon Row — Historic homestead with the iconic T.A. Moulton Barn, one of the most photographed barns in America.
• Signal Mountain — Drive or hike to the summit for 360-degree views of the valley and range.
• Cascade Canyon — Popular hike from Jenny Lake into the heart of the Tetons.

Best Hikes

• Cascade Canyon — 9 miles round trip. Take the boat across Jenny Lake to cut 4 miles. Waterfalls, wildflowers, mountain views.
• Delta Lake — 8 miles round trip, strenuous. Turquoise alpine lake beneath the Grand. Unofficial trail, not for beginners.
• Lake Solitude — 14.5 miles round trip via Cascade Canyon. Remote alpine lake surrounded by peaks.
• Taggart Lake — 3 miles round trip. Easy, family-friendly hike to a beautiful lake with Teton views.
• Phelps Lake — 4 miles round trip from Death Canyon Trailhead. Swimming allowed.

The Name

"Les Trois Tétons" (The Three Breasts) was the name given by early 19th-century French-Canadian trappers. Whether this was a cheeky observation or a serious geographic description is debated, but the name stuck.

Wildlife

• Moose — Most commonly seen near willows and wetlands. Oxbow Bend is reliable.
• Elk — Thousands migrate through the park. The National Elk Refuge is nearby.
• Bison — Herds roam the valley floor, especially in the Antelope Flats area.
• Black Bears & Grizzlies — Both species present. Carry bear spray.
• Wolves — Reintroduced to Yellowstone in 1995, now occasionally seen in the Tetons.
• Pronghorn — Often seen in the sagebrush flats.

When to Visit

• Summer (June-August) — Peak season. All roads and facilities open. Crowded but beautiful.
• Fall (September-October) — Fewer crowds, golden aspens, elk rut. My favorite time.
• Winter (November-April) — Most roads closed. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Jackson Hole ski resort nearby.
• Spring (May) — Muddy, many trails snow-covered. Wildlife active after winter.