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Explore Grand Teton National Park helps you plan & do your perfect Grand Teton National Park vacation

28/02/2025

There are four sights that are the most photographed, iconic, and recognizable to Grand Teton National Park which makes them the most famous.

The four sights are:

- The Moulton Barns on Mormon Row

- Schwabacher Landing

- Snake River Overlook

- Oxbow Bend

Today’s Famous Four highlight is the Snake River Overlook in honor of Ansel Adams’s 123rd birthday on February 20th.

Ansel Adams was commissioned by the National Park Service in 1941 to capture in photographs the nature found in our National Parks.

The goal was to help promote and protect the wild, western landscapes from commercial development.

He stood here in 1942 and took this picture.
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As you can see, Adams was highly successful and effective, as this picture is famous, and you can stand here today and see the Tetons, unobstructed by commercialism.

Many thanks to Ansel Adams!

NOTE: The scene from this spot is different today as the trees have been growing for the last 83 years.

NOTE: The Snake River Overlook is one of two Famous Four Sights accessible all year round as the Park Service snowplows the overlook’s parking lot. The other is Oxbow Bend.

PRO TIP: You can stand in Ansel’s exact spot where he captured his famous photograph. Look for the information board.

PRO TIP: Consider walking around to different places among the wall. You’ll find other interesting compositions for your photo.

Good luck, kids, and enjoy!!!!

27/02/2025

G R A N D - T E T O N - V A C A T I O N - T R A V E L - T I P

Worried about that early morning flight out of Jackson?

Why am I talking about you leaving Grand Teton before you’ve even arrived here?

Because it is part of vacation planning.

Not the fun part, but an important part.

If you have an early morning flight out of the Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), something to keep in mind and plan for is the car rental return.

CAR RENTAL RETURN

Not all car rental vendors are located on-site at the airport.

Some are located in town.

Check the list to make sure you know where your car rental pick-up and drop-off locations are:

https://www.jacksonholeairport.com/travelers/rental-cars/

If you rent from one of the vendors in town, you will need to return the rental car in town where you picked it up.

These vendors do not have a drop-off area at the airport.

The in-town vendors do have shuttles to the airport beginning at 5:00 am.

25/02/2025

A funny thought that turned into a sad realization.

We visited Snake River Overlook a few days ago (February) to take photos.

Gorgeous day, fantastic view!

Snake River Overlook parking lot is plowed in the winter for people to access.

Thank you, Park Service!

The snowbanks are high from plowing.

When we got back into the car, this big crow came and sat on the snow bank within 3 feet of me.

I, in my car, took a picture of him/her because Mt. Moran was in the background.

Thank you, big crow!

We joked about how insulting it was that the scavenger felt okay to stalk us, that they must have thought us old and close to death - making us an easy meal.

Then we realized the bird was not afraid to be close to us.

Very close to us.

And we wondered if it had been conditioned to receive food from people in cars.

It’s just a theory.

I can’t prove this, nor did I witness this, but I am taking the opportunity to remind everyone not to feed any of the wildlife in Grand Teton.

No matter how small or common the animal.

Food rewards from people always have bad consequences for the park’s animals.

They habituate to humans, which can be dangerous for humans and the animals, and when there is an aggressive incident, the animal is usually euthanized.

Enjoy the park, especially the wildlife, and help keep them (and you) safe!!!

24/02/2025

Our main focus is to help you plan your Grand Teton Vacation for visits between May and October, but we had a little February winter fun and want to share our experience and answer any winter questions you may have.

Ask away!

This photo is of the Snake River Overlook, one of Grand Teton’s Famous Four Sights that is accessible in winter.

The other one that is winter accessible is Oxbow Bend.

The other two Famous Four Sights are Schwabacher Landing and the Moulton Barns.

Enjoy Schwabacher Landing beginning in early May.

Same for the Moulton Barns.

Note: you can go see the Moulton Barns in winter if willing to snowshoe or cross-country ski to them. (Worth it!)

23/02/2025

Oxbow Bend is one of the four Famous Sights accessible in Winter (the other is Snake River Overlook). The turnout is plowed and if there is enough snow you can snowshoe or ski.

We stayed as close as we could to the shore as we didn’t want to risk finding out if there were spots the ice thawed.

Oxbow Bend is on the 42 Mile Drive that you can do May 1st - October 31st. (But it will look very different….)

https://exploregtnp.com/42-mile-scenic-drive-grand-teton-national-park/

22/02/2025

Snowshoe to Taggart Lake!!

21/02/2025

A view from Signal Mountain Lodge -snowshoed in!

19/02/2025

Google Maps Planning Tip:

Many roads are closed in Grand Teton and Yellowstone from November 1st to April 30th.

So, if you are doing your vacation planning now for this summer, Google Maps is going to show you WINTER routes.

Winter routes are different from Summer routes due to road closures.

To get accurate routes, distances, and times:

1. Go to Google Maps and put in your destination (this example, Jackson, WY to Yellowstone.

2. Click on “Leave Now”, select the “Depart At” option. Put any date between May 1st and October 31st.

3. Now you’ll have the Summer Routes that will be more accurate for actual distances and travel times.

Good luck!

18/02/2025

A vacation to Grand Teton can be a lot of “GO”!!

GO! GO! GO!

“Where should we go?”

“Absolute must-go-to and see!!!!”

“Absolute must-go-to and do!!!”

“Go here!”

“Go there!”

It can be a lot....
..and super, super stressful.

Not to get all meditative on you, but if you find yourself in a frazzled state like this, consider stopping to breathe and relax.

Doing so can help you stop, relax, and experience the scenery that surrounds you.

I, on the go, once walked by a dad at Schwabacher Landing who was sitting with his young son, and they were telling each other what shapes they saw in the glaciers on the Tetons.

Beautiful!

https://exploregtnp.com/42-mile-scenic-drive-grand-teton.../

Schwabacher Landing is on the 42 Mile drive by taking a short one mile side road.

Note: the beginning of the side road is narrow and winds, not good for large RVs or trailers.

17/02/2025

42 MILE DRIVE QUESTION: Where does the 42 Mile Drive start?

ANSWER: The 42 Mile Drive is a loop drive, so you can start ANYWHERE on the loop. (See map).

For example, if you are staying at Signal Mountain Lodge, you are already on the loop, and you can just hit the road and drive south. (I say south because I recommend doing the loop counterclockwise for the best views!).

To get to the 42 Mile Drive loop - you can access the loop from three spots:

- Jackson Lake Junction (if coming from Yellowstone/north)

- Moran Junction (if coming from the east)

- The south entrance Welcome Sign (if coming from Jackson, WY)

A good place to start the 42 Mile Drive in Grand Teton is the South Entrance Welcome Sign.

I like the South Entrance Welcome Sign because the big sign gives a feeling of “Let’s Begin!” and it is a great place to take photos of the sign with the Tetons in the background.

Which makes a great photo for the cover of your vacation book!

If you start at the South Entrance Sign, or when you get to the sign on your journey, here are a few pictures to give you ideas!

Good luck and enjoy!!

16/02/2025

Schwabacher Landing is one of the Grand Teton’s Famous Four Sights that continues to have good light throughout the morning for fantastic photos.

In my experience.

In fact, if you want to take family photos, I have found the 9 - 11 a.m. to be a great window for good light for both landscape and people pictures.

Something to keep in mind if you want your holiday pictures to have the Tetons in them.

Good Luck!!

15/02/2025

The 42 Mile Drive in Grand Teton has something for everyone.
There are pullouts and turnouts to see and experience the scenery, geology, history, and animals.

Today’s pictures show you some of the more geology focused stops on the 42 Mile Drive:

- Glacier View Turnout

- Teton Point Overlook

- Potholes Turnout

- Cathedral Group Turnout (make sure you learn what a “scarp” is!)

- Teton Glacier Turnout

Image Credit: All images on ExploreGTNP are taken by ExploreGTNP unless otherwise noted.

14/02/2025

SUMMER LUNCH IDEA

Jenny Lake Lodge is the luxury lodge inside Grand Teton National Park.

Their lodging and dinner prices reinforce and reflect luxury.

Here’s the thing.

Go at lunch time!

Their prices are not as “luxurious” as their dinner prices.

In fact, they are very comparable to other restaurant prices in the park!

PRO TIP: Lunch reservations recommended. Go early, right when they open for lunch for a better chance to get this table.

NOTE: If you are not a guest at Jenny Lake Lodge (which is totally fine) the host will give you a paper to put in your car on your dashboard. So be prepared to walk back to your car to put the paper in.

And don’t be offended.

I’m pretty sure they do it so people won’t use their parking area when String Lake and Jenny Lake parking areas are full.

photo credit: gtlc.com

Image Credit: All images on ExploreGTNP are taken by ExploreGTNP unless otherwise noted.

13/02/2025

The Case for Mosquito Spray

Mosquitos are usually very light in May and late September, so have mosquito spray just in case.

If you are visiting Grand Teton in June, July, or August, you will definitely need it.

There will be blood without it.

Especially on hiking trails.

We have seen many people turn around on trails because the mosquitos are vicious.

If you have strong mosquito spray it will help tremendously.

PRO TIP: Bring an “afterbite” stick with you. Just in case one of those bloodsuckers get you.

One hike that is especially beautiful, but has thick mosquitos is Leigh Lake.

For Leigh Lake, we put a healthy dose of mosquito spray on at the parking lot and then carry it in our backpack for a touch-up if needed.

PRO TIP: Carry bear spray, know how to use it, and keep it accessible. Bear Spray isn’t helpful at the bottom of a backpack.

Image Credit: All images on ExploreGTNP are taken by ExploreGTNP unless otherwise noted

11/02/2025

The 42 Mile Drive in Grand Teton has something for everyone.

There are pullouts and turnouts to see and experience the scenery, geology, history, and animals.

Some of the best spots for increasing your chances of seeing animals include:

- Blacktail Ponds Overlook (Moose, Deer, Elk, Bears, Beavers, Birds)

- Elk Ranch Flats Overlook (Bison, Antelope, Horses)

- Jackson Lake Dam - (Bears, Elk)

- Oxbow Bend Overlook (Moose, Deer, Bears, Birds)

- Signal Mountain Summit Drive (Moose, Elk, Bears)

https://exploregtnp.com/42-mile-scenic-drive-grand-teton.../

Image Credit: All images on ExploreGTNP are taken by ExploreGTNP unless otherwise noted.

09/02/2025

How Much Time is Needed to Do Grand Teton’s 42-Mile Drive?

Well, that depends….

I know…everyone LOVES hearing that answer…

But it does depend on how you want to do the 42 Mile Drive.

Options Include:

ONE HOUR
If you drive the 42-mile drive loop just to watch the ever-changing angles of the Tetons and don’t stop at any of the designated spots, then it can be done easily around 1 hour.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

ONE DAY
If you want to see every stop (24 stops, plus a few extra we think are worth considering), you can do it in one day.

It will be a long, full day, 9+ hours. Those long summer days of daylight will be your ally.

Of course, you don’t have to stop at every turnout, shortening the amount of time on the drive.

Identify and prioritize your “MUST SEE” stops.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

TWO DAYS
If you want to see every stop, and get the most out of each one, consider doing the drive over two days.

You could do ½ the drive one day and then do another activity – hike, swim, boat ride, etc, then come back the second day to do the other ½ with fresh eyes and energy. 4-5 hours each day.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

FLEXIBLE TIME
You can also break up the entire 42-Mile Drive over multiple days and/or not drive it as a loop.

Instead you can stop at designated stops as they fit into your schedule.

For example, if you are staying at Colter Bay and are going to go swimming at String Lake for the afternoon, you could hit a few of the turnouts and overlooks that are on the way.

There is no wrong way to do the drive and see the turnouts and stops!

https://exploregtnp.com/42-mile-scenic-drive-grand-teton-national-park/

Enjoy!!

07/02/2025

Where is a good place to swim in Grand Teton?

This being February, absolutely nowhere!

But come summer….

Two great spots come to mind.

String Lake and Swimming Beach at Colter Bay.

And possibly a third, less known one, but just as beautiful and scenic as the other two: over by Signal Mountain Lodge’s Boat Ramp.

NOTE: The water here never gets warm. The water is frigid here due to the snow melt from the Tetons.

NOTE: Swimming Beach at Colter Bay and Signal Mountain are rocky beaches, not sandy beaches.

The advantage is that you don’t have to deal with sand going everywhere.

EVERYWHERE.

PRO TIP: Bring chairs, cushions, and water shoes.

https://exploregtnp.com/top-12-things-to-do-in-grand-teton-national-park/

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Videos

John Moulton Barn (video taken in May).

It is as serene and beautiful as it looks!

OXBOW BEND It is one of Grand Teton’s Famous Four Sights and can be seen on the 42 Mile Drive. It’s also a sight that can be accessed year-round (weather permitting). Oxbow Bend is a great spot to photograph at sunrise, and an especially beautiful spot in the fall. Actually there isn’t a bad time to visit Oxbow Bend. You can find many animals here: beavers, otters, moose, bears, and many, many species of birds. The best way to experience Oxbow Bend is to approach it from the east. Oxbow Bend is a photographer’s playground - there are many different spots here to capture different angles of this iconic spot! The other three sights of the Famous Four are: - The Moulton Barns on Mormon Row - Schwabacher Landing - Snake River Overlook https://exploregtnp.com/42-mile-scenic-drive-grand-teton-national-park/

Grand Teton will be this in 6 months, but most likely with more snow on the peaks! Go take a look at this view at the south end of String Lake. https://exploregtnp.com/42-mile-scenic-drive-grand-teton-national-park/

Another reminder that Teton Park Road and the road to the String Lake and Jenny Lake Overlook (shown in video) will be closed to all vehicles starting November 1st.

This video is one minute and 52 seconds long. Nothing is going to jump out at you. Posting this video to show you the views you get by driving the 42 Mile Drive counterclockwise. The Oxbow Bend area’s view of Mt. Moran to the Jackson Lake Dam is a big selling point. If you did the 42 Mile Drive clockwise, all of this would be in your rearview mirror. https://exploregtnp.com/42-mile-scenic-drive-grand-teton-national-park/

One of my favorite things to do in Grand Teton National Park is to find moments of quiet with a serene view. Then my next thought is to share it with you by taking a video. So here is a video I took September 27, 2024 at Ditch Creek. And now my disclaimer to excuse my amateur video skills. Enjoy! (And if you are looking for views like this aim to visit at the end of September 2025).

The parking lot to the east of Oxbow Bend. Definitely worth a stop in Autumn. Photo taken: 9/29/2024

The bridge at the south end of String Lake. When hiking around Jenny Lake, make sure to hike it counterclockwise to get this view! This is also a stop on the 42 Mile Drive. https://exploregtnp.com/42-mile-scenic-drive-grand-teton-national-park/

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