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.

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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.
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park, Moose, WY 83012, USA
43.7904, -110.6818
Park open 24 hours; visitor centers seasonal (check website)
$35 per private vehicle (7-day), $30 motorcycle, $20 per person (bicycle/foot) - check NPS site for current fees

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.

Summer (Jun-Aug)
Jun-Aug · 30-75°F (-1-24°C)
Warmest and most accessible time for hiking, boat tours, and high-elevation trails; busiest season with most services open.
Shoulder (May & Sep)
May, Sep · 20-60°F (-7-16°C)
Cooler, quieter, and good for photography and wildlife viewing; some higher trails or roads may still have snow or begin to close in September.
Winter (Nov-Mar)
Nov-Mar · -10-30°F (-23--1°C)
Cold with substantial snow at higher elevations; many roads and high-country trails are inaccessible-visit only if prepared for winter conditions.

Weather & Climate near Grand Teton National Park #

Climate

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).

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
26°
Warmest Month
-17°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -4°C and lows of -17°C. The wettest month with 78 mm of rain.

Comfort

-11°
Feels Like Freezing
-11°C
Temperature
-17° -4°

Weather

78 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -16°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm).

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-16° -1°

Weather

55 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm

March

March is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -11°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-11°

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-7°

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1° 14°

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm).

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
20°

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is cool with highs of 26°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm).

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
26°

Weather

36 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is cool with highs of 25°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm).

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
25°

Weather

36 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is cold with highs of 20°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
20°

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-5° 12°

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm).

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-10°

Weather

67 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -16°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).

Comfort

-10°
Feels Like Freezing
-10°C
Temperature
-16° -4°

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm

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