Grand Teton National Park
Park Alpine national park known for dramatic Teton mountain scenery
Towering peaks define Grand Teton National Park: jagged summits, alpine lakes like Jenny Lake, wildlife viewing, technical climbs, and scenic drives around Jackson Hole earn the park its visitors.
Grand Teton National Park in northwestern Wyoming preserves the dramatic Teton Range and adjacent valleys, with the summit of Grand Teton rising to 13,775 feet (4,199 meters). The park is a major destination for mountaineering, hiking, wildlife viewing, and scenic photography.
Key visitor experiences include short hikes and boat shuttles around Jenny Lake, scenic drives and overlooks along the Snake River corridor, and backcountry access into alpine terrain. The park also contains Jackson Lake and extensive trail networks that lead into high alpine zones and glacial features.
The park was established in 1929 to protect the Teton Range and surrounding landscapes; later expansions incorporated additional valleys and Jackson Hole lands into the modern park. Conservation and infrastructure efforts in the mid-20th century helped create many of the current visitor facilities and roads.
Geographically the park sits immediately north of Jackson, Wyoming, occupying the core of the Jackson Hole valley and the eastern front of the Teton Range. The landscape is a mix of glacial valleys, alpine peaks, lakes and river corridors.
- Best viewing times: Best light for iconic mountain reflections is at sunrise at viewpoints such as Oxbow Bend and the Jenny Lake shore.
- Seasonality and safety: Alpine weather changes quickly; many high-elevation trails and access routes are seasonal and may close in winter.
What to See #
- Grand Teton (peak): The central high peaks of the Teton Range with the summit of Grand Teton rising to 13,775 feet (4,199 meters), the park's highest point and a major mountaineering objective.
- Jenny Lake: A glacially carved lake at the base of the Teton Range that serves as a major trailhead for popular hikes and boat shuttles across the lake to backcountry trails.
- Jackson Lake: A large reservoir and recreation area offering boating, fishing, and viewpoints with the Teton Range as a backdrop.
- Snake River areas: The Snake River corridor offers classic overlooks used for photography and wildlife viewing, including Oxbow Bend and the Snake River Overlook.
How to Get to Grand Teton National Park #
The usual gateway is Jackson/Jackson Hole. Fly into Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) or drive to the town of Jackson and then take US‑26 / US‑89 / US‑191 north along Jackson Hole into Grand Teton National Park; the park’s southern entrances are a short drive north of Jackson (on the order of tens of miles). Major park roads and visitor centers are reached directly from these US highways.
Tips for Visiting Grand Teton National Park #
- Be at Oxbow Bend or Snake River Overlook around sunrise for classic Teton light and far fewer people than mid‑day-these are the best single spots for unobstructed mountain reflections.
- Use the Jenny Lake boat shuttle (seasonal) to cut a 2+ mile round‑trip hike to Hidden Falls/Inspiration Point; taking the boat saves time and helps you avoid the busiest trailhead parking.
- Enter via the Moose/Jenny Lake corridor for quickest access to the park's most popular viewpoints and trailheads, and consider quieter alternatives (Taggart/Death Canyon side trails or Schwabacher Landing) if main overlooks are crowded.
Best Time to Visit Grand Teton National Park #
Best visited in summer (June-August) when trails and services are most accessible; shoulder months offer fewer crowds but variable conditions.
Weather & Climate near Grand Teton National Park #
Grand Teton National Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -17°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (630 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -4°C and lows of -17°C. The wettest month with 78 mm of rain.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -16°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm).
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March
March is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -11°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).
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May
May is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm).
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July
July is cool with highs of 26°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 25°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm).
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September
September is cold with highs of 20°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).
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November
November is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm).
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December
December is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -16°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).