The Tetons
DESTINATION
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park boasts spectacular mountain scenery and a diverse collection of wildlife. The central feature of the park, the Teton Mountain Range is five to ten million years old--the youngest mountain range in the Rocky Mountains. Its rugged beauty is a result of an active fault line and earthquake zone. The tallest peak, the Grand Teton, is over 13,770 feet. There are at least twelve other pinnacles over 12,000 feet in the Teton Range.
Highlights of the park include stunning mountains, pristine mountain lakes, flower-filled meadows, geologic treasures and abundant wildlife that wander freely through the park.
In 1895, painter Frederick Remington wrote of the area’s magnificent beauty, “paint cannot touch it and words are wasted.”
COORDINATES: N43° 44' 28.33'' W110° 48' 09.79''
MAPS
Detail Map
Park Map
Winter Closure Map
PLANNING
Lodging and camping: Reservations are accepted up to one year in advance at most places. Some campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, but get there early. Most sites are full by 8:00a.m.
Backpacking: Requests for summer backcountry site are accepted January – May.
For Park Fees and other information to help plan your visit the National Park Website at www.ps.gov/grte.
BEST TIME TO GO
Spring (April - June):
Pros: Relative solitude, dramatic waterfalls, prime wildlife viewing, spring flowers
Cons: Unpredictable weather, road and trail closures
Summer (July – August):
Pros: Trails are usually free of snow, alpine flowers, best weather
Cons: Crowds, mosquitoes, less wildlife viewing
Fall (September through October):
Pros: Less crowds, active wildlife viewing, excellent hiking conditions
Cons: Heavy snows possible, shorter days
Winter (November – March)
Pros: Tranquility, frozen waterfalls, abundant snowshoeing and cross-country ski trails, snow camping
(at Mammoth Hot Springs), backpacking, dog sledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides.
Cons: Extreme cold, possibility for severe weather, avalanche danger
CAMPGROUNDS & LODGING
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CAMPGROUND LISTING.
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK LODGES:
Climber’s Ranch – Dormitory accommodations, cooking area, and showers for climbers. Open June - Sept., (307)733-7271
Colter Bay Cabins – Located by the shores of Jackson Lake, Colter Bay offers a variety of units, from 208 snug log cabins to several tent-cabins. Call for reservations and descriptions. Nearby activities include horseback riding and marina. Open late May – Sept. (800) 628-9988
Dornan’s Spur Ranch Cabins – Log cabins located on the Snake River. Year-round availability, fully equipped kitchens, hand-crafted lodge pole furnishings. (Not a park concessionaire.) Open All Year. (307)733-2522
Flagg Ranch Resort – Log style lodging units with two queen beds or one king bed. Detached lodge with dining, gifts, beverages and a store. Central to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Horseback riding, fishing, and floating available. Open mid-December to mid-March for winter. (800) 443-2311.
Grand Teton Lodge Company – Three unique resorts: Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge and Colter Bay Village, all located in the heart of Grand Teton National Park. (800) 628-9988
Signal Mountain Lodge – The only resort located on the shores of Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park. (307) 543-2831
Triangle X Ranch – Anauthentic working dude ranch located in the heart of spectacular Jackson Hole country, in the shadow of the magnificent Grand Teton. (307) 733-2183
ROUTES
Strenuous Backpacking
The Grand Teton Loop (28 – 33 miles round trip, depending on side trips)
From flowered meadows, to deeply carved canyons, to the high divides, this trip captures the true spirit of the Teton Range. It can be lengthened or shortened depending on side trips, short cuts and exit points. Plan to spend four to five days to complete the entire trip. Camping is available in zoned sites, or almost anywhere along the trail prior to Hurricane Pass. After that, camping sites are approximately 10 to 11 miles apart.
Trailhead: West Shore of Jenny Lake Boat Dock
This trip begins with a boat ride across Jenny Lake and continues west on the Cascade Canyon Trail to the Teton Crest Trail, through Hurricane Pass to the Buck Mountain Pass Trail, and south on the Basin Trail. It continues east on the Death Canyon Trail, ending back at Jenny Lake, via the Valley Trail.
Backcountry Permits: Obtain a permit from any visitor center located at Moose Bay, Colter Bay or Jenny Lake Ranger Station.
Backcountry Reservations are recommended. Requests are accepted by mail, fax, or in person from January to May 15th and are processed in the order received. Include your name, address, daytime phone number, the number of people, and your preferred campsites and dates. It is best to include alternate dates and campsites.
Write to:
Grand Teton National Park
Permits Office
PO Drawer 170
Moose, WY 83012
Fax: 307-739-3438
Reservations can also be made in person at the Moose Visitor Center, open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Permits: Permits are required for all overnight trips. They may be picked up at the Moose and Colter Bay visitor Centers or the Jenny Lake Ranger Station in the summer. During the winter, they may only be picked up at the Moose Visitor Center. You may get a permit as early as the day before your trip begins. A reserved permit must be picked up by 10:00 am the morning of your trip.
EASY HIKING:
Swan Lake/Heron Pond Loop (3-miles round trip)
Trailhead is located near the Colter Bay Visitors Center. To reach from Jackson Lake Junction, drive 5.5 miles north US 89-191-287 to Colter Bay village. Turn left to the parking lot.
Begin at the Hermitage Point Trailhead, located the south end of the lot. At 0.4 mile, head right at the junction. At the next junction, less than 1 mile further, head right again. At the third junction, take either trail 0.6 mile to Heron Pond. (The right fork heads up 80 feet to a lookout over the lake.) Continue along the east shore of the Pond to a three-way junction. Take the trail to the north (left) for 0.3 mile to Swan Lake. North of the lake is another three-way junction. Head right. On the last trail junction, head left 0.1 mile to the trailhead.
Highlights:
• Excellent, easy family hike
• Swan viewing
• Magnificent views of Mount Moran and the peaks of the Grand, Middle and South Tetons.
EASY HIKING OR BACKPACKING:
Upper Jade Lake (2.5 miles from trailhead; 5 miles round trip)
Trailhead is located 27 miles west of Dubois on U.S. highways 287 and 26. Take Brooks Lake Road to Brooks Lake Campground, but do not go into the campground. Stay west (left) and drive a short distance to a parking area and trailhead.
On the trail, head northwest towards Brooks Lake/Cub Pass. At 0.5 mile, head left toward Jake Lakes for another .05 mile. Head left at the fork to Upper Jake Lake. Excellent campsites are located on the North and Southwestern shore of the Upper Jade Lake.
Highlights:
• Dramatic scenery
• Relative isolation
• Superb lakeside backpacking campsites
• Wildlife viewing
• Fishing
EASY TO MODERATE FLOAT TRIP:
Snake River Float: Jackson Lake Dam to Pacific Creek (Five miles one-way)
Launch point is located at Jackson Lake Dam, approx. 1.4 miles west of Jackson Lake Junction on US 89-287. Obtain boat permit and secure life vests before departure. Allow several hours for trip.
Begin float directly below the dam. After passing under Cattleman’s bridge, take the detour to Oxbow Bend on the left. Exit the river about 100 yards upstream of Pacific Creek Landing, located about 1.75 miles beyond Oxbow Bend. Keep close to the left bank and watch for the landing exit well in advance.
Highlights:
• Serene beauty
• Abundant wildlife viewing
• Adventure
Float Trip Resource Links: Snake River Kayak & Canoe
NPS Visitor Info & Rental info
NPS River Float Pamphlet & River Map
WEATHER
The first heavy snows fall by November 1 and continue through March. Snow and frost is possible during any month. Summer days range in the 70's and 80's with cool nights in the 40's. Summer thunderstorms are common. Expect mild to cool temperatures through September and October. Raingear is recommended during spring, summer and fall. Sub-zero temperatures are common throughout winter and demand multi-layered clothing, hats, mittens and cold weather boots
Teton Valley Weather
GEAR
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RESOURCES
Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks by Lisa Gollin Evans, $15.95—Available at Adventure 16
National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, $9.95—Available at Adventure 16
Grand Teton National Park Foundation Official Guide, 64-page booklet—FREE at all Adventure 16 stores.
Click here for an excellent PHOTO ESSAY of Grand Teton National Park in autumn.
Scrolling Panorama
Ranger Stations
JOB & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Teton Science School
GTNP Volunteer Opportunities
Misc. Wyoming-area Volunteer Opps
Misc. Wyoming Outdoor Jobs
Grand Teton Federal Jobs
HEALTH
Upon arrival, stop by a visitor center to check current information about park conditions, weather and routes.
Bears:
There are bears in this region so please follow all the rules about food storage and how to observe them.
Lightning:
To estimate the distance of a lightning flash, count the number of seconds between the flash and the next clap of thunder. Divide the number of seconds by five to get the distance in miles.
Example: If you see lightning 10 seconds before you hear thunder, then the lightning is 2 miles away from you (10 divided by 5 = 2 miles).
For information on reducing risk from lightning click here.
CONSERVATION
Teton Science Schools Conservation Research Center The Conservation Research Center is dedicated to finding a balance between the needs of wildlife and people.
Hiking, backpacking, and other wilderness activities, are potentially dangerous and unpredictable. Adventure 16 assumes no liability for injuries associated with the use of information provided on this site. The trails, activities and areas described on this site are to be used for informational purposes only and should not be your sole source of guidance. Always thoroughly research any outdoor area you plan to visit using various resources--including contacting local ranger stations--to obtain the most up to date information for your destination. Contact your physician if you are unsure about your health or physical abilities.
