Grand Teton National Park

Visitors to Grand Teton National Park can enjoy a myriad of activities including fishing, hiking, camping, climbing, boating on Jenny Lake or Jackson Lake, rafting the Snake River, or wildlife tours. Many travelers visit the park on a Grand Teton National Park tour from Cody or Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with options ranging from self-guided tours designed by knowledgeable local guides to half- or full-day guided excursions with pickup and drop-off at Jackson Hole hotels. The park's proximity to Yellowstone National Park makes it easy to combine two national parks into one vacation.

• Grand Teton National Park is a must-see for adventure travelers, outdoors enthusiasts, and wildlife watchers.

• Bring comfortable, waterproof shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces.

• Dress in layers, as temperatures in the park vary widely due to altitude and other conditions.

• Cell service is widely available throughout Grand Teton National Park.

• The park's four visitor centers, one information station, and some pathways and trails are accessible to wheelchair users and strollers.

The nearest major airport to the park is in Jackson Hole, but many visitors choose to drive from Salt Lake City, about 300 miles (483 kilometers) away. The park has entrances on its north, south, and east sides.

Grand Teton National Park is open year-round, though some facilities and roads close in the winter. With sunny days and clear nights, summer and autumn represent the best times to visit. Expect chilly temperatures and frequent rainfall in the spring.

Grand Teton National Park is part of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem and Yellowstone National Park is located just a few miles away. Other area attractions worthy of a visit include the National Elk Refuge, the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram, and the National Museum of Wildlife Art.

The best time of year to visit Grand Teton National Park is in the fall, roughly September and October. In this window, you'll get golden hues climbing up the mountainsides, earlier pink sunsets over Jenny Lake, and smaller crowds. Spring is a good time, too, but you risk muddy trails.

No, you do not need timed entry and can enter whenever you wish, as the park is open 24/7; Grand Teton National Park tickets are required, however. There are four road entrances, but some are seasonal. The park is south of Yellowstone National Park.

The entrance fee is US$35 to access the park with a private vehicle, US$20 on foot/bike, and US$30 per motorcycle—entrance is good for seven days. You can also buy an annual pass for US$70 or a yearly Interagency Pass for US$80.

While many visitors spend a quick day in Grand Teton National Park on the way to Yellowstone, plan to spend two to three days if you can. Then, visit the photogenic Mormon Row Historic District, boat or hike across Jenny Lake to Inspiration Point, and drive the 42-mile (68-kilometer) scenic park road loop.

At 485 square miles (1,256 square kilometers), Grand Teton contains a wealth of natural landscapes—and there are many ways to explore them. The most popular things to do in Grand Teton are driving the 42-mile (68-kilometer) scenic loop, hiking the trails, fishing in alpine lakes, and wildlife-watching and taking photographs.

The best entrance for Grand Teton depends on where you're coming from. If visiting from Yellowstone, you'll head south via the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway. From Jackson Hole, you'll probably want to head for the Moose Entrance, though the slower Granite Canyon Entrance to its west is more scenic.