Grand Teton National Park One Day Itinerary
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Grand Teton National Park is located just ten miles south of its famous sister, Yellowstone, making it an easy add-on to a trip to the nearby geothermal paradise.
Grand Teton One Day Itinerary: (Jump To)
About Grand Teton National Park
The park is named for Grand Teton, the highest peak in the Teton range of the Rocky Mountains. According to legend, the name originated from early French trappers who called the range trois tétons, or three tits. Classy dudes, eh?
The park also includes Jackson Hole, a valley created by parallel fault lines, and the nearby town of Jackson. Jackson is a handy stepping-off point for the park. The town is a perfect combination of high adventure activities, relaxing spas, and fancy wine experiences.
Option One: Snake River Rafting
If you’ve always dreamed of whitewater rafting, there is no better place to try it than the Snake River, a must for visitors to the valley. The guides will set you at ease by teaching you all you need to know for your first time on the river. The three-and-a-half-hour trip will set you back about $105. Will you get wet? Yes, definitely. Will you have moments of sheer terror? Yes. Will you fall out of the boat? Perhaps. It’s an amazing way to experience the power of nature face first while in the park. If you have the time, be sure to put it on your Grand Teton National Park Itinerary.
Option 2: Start in Jackson
Things To Do in Jackson Town Square
For a more relaxed day, start near Jackson Town Square and its famed elk antler arches. The surrounding blocks are filled with casual shops and galleries that sell upscale woodsy bric-a-brac, western animal art, and pretty much anything you could think of made from an antler.
During the summer season (Memorial Day to Labor Day) you can tour downtown while riding in a horse-drawn stagecoach. Rides depart from the corner of Broadway and Cache St. The brief ride costs between $6-$10.
Best Inexpensive Restaurants in Jackson Hole
If you’re back this way for dinner, try some freshly made pub food or pizza from the Snake River Brewing Company. The homey complex is the perfect place for a family dinner or some drinks with friends. They brew their own beer using “mountain fresh water” and barley from nearby Idaho. Tours of the brewery are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment.
About 20 minutes back toward the national park is Dornan's Pizza Pasta Company. Their delicious pizza is best enjoyed on the rooftop deck where you can view the Tetons and spot wildlife, especially elk from the adjacent National Elk Refuge.
Hike To Inspiration Point
The view from Inspiration Point fits its name. To reach the point you can travel by foot or by boat. My preferred method is a little of both. Park near the Jenny Lake Visitor Center and find the trailhead, keeping left as you head toward Jenny Lake joining the Jenny Lake Trail. Almost immediately you’ll cross a footbridge - that’s how you’ll know you’re on the right track.
The 3-mile, 75-minute hike will follow the shore of Jenny Lake through gentle slopes. You’ll undoubtedly encounter wildlife along the path. I saw a group of wading moose, a young eagle, and a small herd of mule deer. After about two miles you’ll reach an intersection with Cascade Canyon Trail that follows Cascade Canyon and its creek. After crossing the creek, the final steep stretch lands you at Inspiration Point.
Take in the views of Jenny Lake and the Grand Teton. Trace your steps back to the start of Cascade Canyon Trail, then follow the signs to the West Shore Boat Dock. Here you can board the boat shuttle back to the visitor center. Shuttle service typically runs from mid-June to the end of September. The one way back will set you back $9. Boats leave every 10-15 minutes. (For a speedier visit, you could also take the boat round trip, skipping the first 2 miles of the 3-mile hike).
Snap the Iconic Mormon Row Photo
The drive between Moose and Moran offers numerous opportunities to enjoy the park. The road cuts through the valley with occasional turnouts where one can stand in awe of the mountains. The Mormon Row Historical District is extremely popular. I found it to be quite unremarkable. It’s a bunch of old barns with nothing going on. Photographers love to snap a photo of The John Moulton Barn with the Tetons in the background. If that postcard image is important to you, make the trip. If not, skip it without another thought.
See Oxbow Bend
Don’t miss Oxbow Bend, just beyond Moran on Highway 191, where the Snake River bends and pools to create a magical view of the Grand Teton with a smooth reflection on the water's surface. It’s the kind of view you never want to stop looking at. If you’re lucky you’ll hear the trumpets of the trumpeter swan. It’s a prime nesting area for the endangered fowl.
From here you can continue on the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway into Yellowstone.
Grand Teton National Park is located just ten miles south of its famous sister, Yellowstone, making it an easy add-on to a trip to the nearby geothermal paradise.