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

It's difficult to think of next spring, summer, and fall while we are in the midst of the holiday season.Right now, you ...
04/12/2024

It's difficult to think of next spring, summer, and fall while we are in the midst of the holiday season.

Right now, you can book your INSIDE Grand Teton National Park lodging and camping reservations for all of May 2025.

Lodges inside the park accept reservations 12 months in advance.

Campgrounds accept reservations 6 months in advance and must be booked through recreation.gov.

Some things to know about visiting Grand Teton National Park in May:

MAY TEMPERATURE & WEATHER

Some things to know about visiting Grand Teton National Park in May:

MAY TEMPERATURE & WEATHER

- The temperatures have average lows of 30s and average highs of 60s

- Know those are the “averages” as we have camped and woken up to 25-degree mornings that had a “feel-like temperature of 21 degrees”. Fricken Brrrrr.

- It is very possible and most probable to snow and/or rain in May.

TETONS in MAY

- Will still have snow on them - making for gorgeous landscape photos

- Scenery in front of the Tetons and/or in the valley is bare and sparse. Trees will appear bare as their leaves are just starting to grow. Same with the willows. There will not be a lot of green, but rather scenery with a lot of brown colors.

- The naked trees and willows make it easier to see wildlife.

WILDLIFE in MAY

- Many animals will be on the move from their winter feeding grounds to inside Grand Teton National Park

- Those same animals will have their newborns and young in tow

- Bears will emerge from their dens. The male bears usually emerge before May, with females and their cubs emerging in mid to late May.

MAY ACTIVITIES

- May is not a good month for hiking. Back country hiking trails are snow packed and front country trails can be icy, muddy, and have a lot of standing water.

- Water activities are not available yet, as marinas usually don’t open until end of May and even then they aren’t renting boats, canoes, or kayaks because of cold water temperatures.

- Scenic drives and sightseeing by car is a good activity for May - including Antelope Flats Road, the Moose Wilson Road, and the 42 Mile Drive.

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

- Looking for wildlife by car or by hired tour is also a good activity for May.

OUR PERSONAL PREFERENCE FOR MAY

Is to wait and go towards the end of the third week of May at the earliest.

While a lot of activities still aren’t available at this time, more lodges, visitor centers, and restaurants will be open to stop at while sightseeing.

Stay warm in May - bring your winter clothes and layer up!

Sorry to add to the Cyber Monday madness, but wanted to let you know about this calendar of Grand Teton National Park.We...
02/12/2024

Sorry to add to the Cyber Monday madness, but wanted to let you know about this calendar of Grand Teton National Park.

We chose this calendar to be on our curated page of Grand Teton specific gifts ( #3)
because every photo shown is easy to get to, except December’s photo - which is Lake Solitude and that is a 14-19 round trip hike.

But the rest you can get to easily by car or less than a three mile hike, consider taking notes and adding them to your list of places to see!

This calendar is on sale today.

https://exploregtnp.com/grand-teton-holiday-gifts/

Here are the places each photo is of:

January - Outside road of the 42 Mile Drive

February - Antelope Flats Road

March - John Moulton Barn on Mormon Row

April - Schwabacher Landing

May - Antelope Flats Road

June - Taggart Lake (3.1 Mile Round Trip Hike)

July - Phelps Lake (2 Mile Round Trip Hike from Laurance Rockefeller Preserve)

August - String Lake

September - Elk Ranch Flats Turnout

October - Schwabacher Landing

November - Oxbow Bend

December - Lake Solitude (14-19 Mile Round Trip Hike from Jenny Lake)

We move from pointing out specific things we are thankful for in Grand Teton National Park, back to prompting you to sec...
01/12/2024

We move from pointing out specific things we are thankful for in Grand Teton National Park, back to prompting you to secure your lodging and campsites INSIDE Grand Teton National Park for 2025.

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LODGING

For the seven LODGES inside the park - book now as they accept reservations 12 months in advance. (Book DIRECTLY on lodge’s official website).

LODGES' OPEN DATES for 2025

- Colter Bay Cabins - May 22nd to September 28th

- Jackson Lake Lodge - May 16th to October 5th

- Signal Mountain Lodge - May 9th to October 11th

- Jenny Lake Lodge - May 30th - October 5th

- Spur Ranch Cabins at Dornans - Open Year Round except for month of April

- Triangle X Ranch
- May 22nd - June 9th - 4 Night Minimum
- June 9th - August 25th - Sunday - Saturday
- August 25th - October 6th - 4 Night Minimum
- December 26th - March 15th

- Headwaters Lodge at Flagg Ranch - June 1st to September 29th

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CAMPING

For CAMPING - reservations must be made through recreation.gov and can be made 6 months in advance of your arrival.

This means you can book your May campground spots now, for campgrounds open in May.

This means if you are camping in JUNE in Grand Teton - this is the month to be watching for your day of arrival to have campsites become available.

I know.

It is shocking that June 1st is six months away!!!

CAMPGROUNDS INSIDE GRAND TETON Open Dates

Gros Ventre Campground - April 26th to October 9th

Colter Bay RV Park - May 3rd to October 9th

Signal Mountain Campground - May 9th to October 11th

Colter Bay Campground - May 22nd to September 27th

Colter Bay Tent Village - May 23rd to August 31st

Headwaters at Flagg Ranch RV Park & Campground - June 7th to September 30th

Lizard Creek Campground - June 13th to September 7th

Jenny Lake Campground - July 1st to September 27th

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PRO TIP: Book now to get ahead of those who will turn their attention to planning after the holidays. (You’re shopping online anyway - jump over to do your reservations).

If you are looking for a gift to get a loved one to get them excited about their upcoming 2025 Grand Teton National Park...
30/11/2024

If you are looking for a gift to get a loved one to get them excited about their upcoming 2025 Grand Teton National Park vacation, we have a curated page.

These gifts can also serve as souvenirs of vacations past.

Https://exploregtnp.com/grand-teton-holiday-gifts

Good luck!!

H A P P Y - T H A N K S G I V I N G!Thankful that this day exists.Thankful that we get to remind ourselves of all the go...
28/11/2024

H A P P Y - T H A N K S G I V I N G!

Thankful that this day exists.

Thankful that we get to remind ourselves of all the good things to be grateful for, including one of our favorite views on Grand Teton’s 42 Mile Drive - Bridge View at South String Lake.

You can access this turnout from May through October, as it is on Teton Park Road which is closed from November 1st - April 30th.

If you are visiting Grand Teton this summer, consider doing the 42 Mile Drive and putting the Bridge View at South String Lake on your list of “must-sees”.

As a bonus, you may be able to create a 2025 holiday card with this view in the background!

Enjoy the day!

P.S. - We are thankful you are here and we can share Grand Teton tips and tricks with you!

Today we are thankful for the smart, smart, SMART people who laid the roads in Grand Teton just right to get some amazin...
27/11/2024

Today we are thankful for the smart, smart, SMART people who laid the roads in Grand Teton just right to get some amazing views!

Today we are thankful to Grand Teton National Park’s Wildlife Brigade!If you’ve been in GTNP and have been at an animal ...
26/11/2024

Today we are thankful to Grand Teton National Park’s Wildlife Brigade!

If you’ve been in GTNP and have been at an animal jam, you most likely have seen this team while there.

The Wildlife Brigade is:

- A team of trained volunteers who promote ethical wildlife viewing practices

- Assist with people and traffic management during roadside wildlife jams

- Patrol developed areas to look for unsecured food and other bear attractants

- Educate visitors about bear safety, proper food storage, and other resource-sensitive activities

The Wildlife Brigade has two to three seasonal staff, up to twenty-five volunteers.

I was wondering why I don’t have a picture of any of the Wildlife Brigade, and I realized it’s because I’m too busy taking pictures of the animals they are keeping safe.

Here is a picture found on the Grand Teton National Park Foundation website - they are the ones that helped start the Brigade in 2007.

PRO TIP:

Respect and follow instructions from the on-site Wild Life Management Teams.

They are there to protect you and the animals.

They are not trying to be “jerks” by asking you to stay in your car or move along.

They really want you to see the animals, they know how thrilling that is!

They just want to do everything possible to keep the animals safe and alive.

(all photos are taken by ExploreGTNP unless otherwise specified)

https://www.gtnpf.org/initiative/wildlife-brigade/

Today we are thankful for the moose found in Grand Teton National Park.While you can find bears, bison, and elk in both ...
25/11/2024

Today we are thankful for the moose found in Grand Teton National Park.

While you can find bears, bison, and elk in both Yellowstone and Grand Teton, moose are almost always easier to see in Grand Teton.

They know a good place when they see one.

Moose are especially easy to see in November as they move from the river bottoms to the sage areas to feed on the bitterbrush.

Bull moose have their full antlers on display from late summer through December. As winter goes on, they start to shed their antlers, making all moose look like female moose until about June when they start regrowing the antlers.

So if you want photos of bull moose with their antlers and after they shed their velvet, aim for September, October, and November.

If you want to increase your chances of seeing cows with their calves - aim for May and June.

If you are in Grand Teton in the summer months - early morning is your best bet to see a moose. They are up around sunrise and head to the cover of shade when the sun hits them.

Increase your chances of seeing a moose in the following places:

- Gros Ventre Road along the river

- Gros Ventre Campground

- Moose Wilson Road

- Moose Habitat on the northern end of the Moose Wilson Road

- The bridge by Dornans Village and Moose, WY

NOTE: Always keep a safe distance when viewing wildlife. You must maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from all other wildlife.

Photo Credit: James Cunningham

With the week leading up to Thanksgiving we are posting what we are thankful for in Grand Teton National Park.Today, we ...
24/11/2024

With the week leading up to Thanksgiving we are posting what we are thankful for in Grand Teton National Park.

Today, we are thankful for Oxbow Bend Turnout.

It is one of Grand Teton’s Famous Four Sights.

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.

You can find many animals here: beavers, otters, moose, bears, and many, many species of birds.

It is on the 42 Mile Drive.

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

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!

November, a good time to think about camping.HA!Not camping IN November (brrrr....), but camping INSIDE Grand Teton Nati...
23/11/2024

November, a good time to think about camping.

HA!

Not camping IN November (brrrr....), but camping INSIDE Grand Teton National Park in the month of MAY (brrrrr....).

So why think about camping in the month of MAY now?

Because all campsites inside Grand Teton National Park must be reserved through recreation.gov, and the earliest you can reserve your campsite is six months before your arrival date.

So if you are camping in Grand Teton National Park in May (still brrrr.....), now, November, is the time to be making your reservations.

And just a note from our personal experience: camping in May in Grand Teton is cold.

The mornings seem especially cold.

The earliest we camp in May is the third week in May because of the slightly warmer morning temps (believe me, you’ll notice a five-degree difference!).

We also aim towards the end of the third week in May because most of the lodges inside Grand Teton have opened for the season.

We head to the lodges to get coffee.

Here are the estimated open dates for each campground in Grand Teton for 2025:

Gros Ventre Campground - April 26th

Colter Bay RV Park - May 3rd

Signal Mountain Campground - May 9th

Colter Bay Campground - May 22nd

Colter Bay Tent Village - May 23rd

Headwaters at Flagg Ranch RV Park & Campground - June 7th

Lizard Creek Campground - June 13th

Jenny Lake Campground - TBD

Next week you are probably going to be consumed with all things Thanksgiving.No doubt you have a lot going on and don't ...
22/11/2024

Next week you are probably going to be consumed with all things Thanksgiving.

No doubt you have a lot going on and don't need another "to do".

Understandable.

BUT...

If you want to stay in a lodge INSIDE Grand Teton National Park, it's to your great advantage to book your room/cabin NOW.

All seven lodges accept reservations 12 months in advance.

This means they are already taking reservations NOW for the May - October season of 2025.

This means some people have already made their reservations.

Booking now, before the holidays, will give you more options to choose from compared to those who wait until January 2nd.

And will give you peace of mind.

There are seven lodges inside Grand Teton National Park.

Here is a brief overview of each lodge:

COLTER BAY CABINS

Description - Rustic, historic cabins. One and two-bedroom units are available. Private and shared bathroom options.

Open - Late May through Late September

Reservations Available - 12 months prior to visit

Pets - Yes, pets are allowed in all cabins

Read More: https://exploregtnp.com/colter-bay-cabins-advantages-and-challenges/

Reservations - https://www.gtlc.com/lodges/colter-bay-village

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DORNANS SPUR RANCH CABINS

Description - Family-owned, 12-cabin resort. Modern one-bedroom and two-bedroom cabin duplexes with a private bath.

Open - Year-round except for April and November

Reservations Available - 12 months prior to visit

Pets - No pets allowed

Read More: https://exploregtnp.com/grand-teton-national-park-lodging-dornans-spur-ranch-cabins-advantages-and-challenges/

Reservations: https://dornans.com/spur-ranch-cabins/

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HEADWATERS LODGE & CABINS AT FLAGG RANCH
Description - Modern cabins with a private bath.

Open - Late June through Late September

Reservations Available - 12 months prior to visit

Pets - Yes, pets are allowed in Standard Cabins Only

Reservations - https://www.gtlc.com/lodges/headwaters-lodge-at-flagg-ranch

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JACKSON LAKE LODGE

Description - Modern hotel rooms, cottages, and suites with a private bath.

Open - Mid-May through Early October

Reservations Available - 12 months prior to visit

Pets - Yes, pets are allowed in Classic Cottages Only

Read More - https://exploregtnp.com/grand-teton-national-park-lodging-jackson-lake-lodge/

Reservations - https://www.gtlc.com/lodges/jackson-lake-lodge

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JENNY LAKE LODGE

Description - Upscale, rustic cabins with resort-style activities and amenities.

Open - Early June through Early October

Reservations Available - 12 months prior to visit

Pets - No pets allowed

Reservations - https://www.gtlc.com/lodges/jenny-lake-lodge

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SIGNAL MOUNTAIN LODGE

Description - A little bit of everything - log cabins, bungalows, motel rooms, and lakefront retreats.

Open - Early May through Mid October

Reservations Available - 12 months prior to visit

Pets - Pets are allowed in all rooms EXCEPT the Premier Western Rooms and the Lakefront Retreats

Read More - https://exploregtnp.com/signal-mountain-lodge-cabins-grand-teton/

Reservations - https://www.signalmountainlodge.com/lodging/signal-mountain-lodging-experience/

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TRIANGLE X RANCH

Description - Dude Ranch, Week long vacation stays

Open - Mid May through Early October (Then a winter season from Late December through Mid March)

Reservations Available - 12 months prior to visit

Pets - No pets allowed

Reservations - https://trianglex.com/ranch-vacations/dude-ranch-vacations/

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PRO TIP: ALWAYS, ALWAYS book directly through the lodge's official web site.

The weather can change, just like that!!Here is proof.The picture shows a snowstorm coming in on Taggart Lake Trail.Thes...
21/11/2024

The weather can change, just like that!!

Here is proof.

The picture shows a snowstorm coming in on Taggart Lake Trail.

These changes happen fast.

When on the trail, be prepared for weather changes and carry the necessary clothing in your backpack.

Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!

And always, no matter what season, no matter what hiking trail, carry bear spray, know how to use it, and have it accessible.

Have fun!

Stay safe and warm!

Here is your friendly reminder to start planning your 2025 Summer Grand Teton National Park Vacation now to get a jump o...
19/11/2024

Here is your friendly reminder to start planning your 2025 Summer Grand Teton National Park Vacation now to get a jump on those who will start after the holidays.

PLANNING STEPS

1. Decide when you want to go

2. Decide how long you want to go

3. Decide how to get there - plane tickets, driving routes

4. Decide if you want to stay inside or outside the park

5. Make reservations at lodging, sooner the better

6. Identify rentals needed - car, bikes, kayaks

7. Identify activities you want to do that require reservations, i.e. river float trips - both scenic and white water, Jackson Lake Scenic Cruise, guided fishing trips, Tram rides, horseback riding...

You can get more in-depth information for EACH STEP by visiting exploregtnp.com and signing up for our FREE “Plan Your Grand Teton Vacation in Seven Steps” email series.

Email series.

Ugh. Emails.

I know.

BUT.......

We think you’ll find them helpful for planning your Grand Teton vacation.

We’re here for you kids!

One of the things Grand Teton National Park is known for is its moose.And they are fantastic.If you are hoping to see (a...
14/11/2024

One of the things Grand Teton National Park is known for is its moose.

And they are fantastic.

If you are hoping to see (and maybe photograph) male moose with their large prominent antlers - go to Grand Teton in late August, September, October, and November.

Around mid-December, bull moose start shedding their antlers for the season, with them starting to regrow in June.

PRO TIP: Gros Ventre River, Gros Ventre Campground, and the Moose Wilson Road are excellent places to increase your chances of seeing a moose.

NOTE: Federal regulations require you stay at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves and 25 yards from all other wildlife.

Good Luck!!

Started planning your summer vacation to Grand Teton National Park yet? If not, now is the time!! After the holidays all...
05/11/2024

Started planning your summer vacation to Grand Teton National Park yet?

If not, now is the time!!

After the holidays all focus will be on summer vacation planning.

Consider doing yours now (if you haven’t already) to snag lodging inside Grand Teton National Park.

BUT FIRST, decide WHEN you want to go to Grand Teton, and start planning your trip from there.

GO IN MAY IF YOU:
- Want smaller crowds
- Want to see wildlife babies
- Want less competition for lodging, campsites
- Are more interested in sight-seeing by car
- Are NOT interested in swimming/boat rentals
- Are okay with the top of high-elevation trails being inaccessible
- Are okay with low-elevation trails being muddy
- Are okay with not all in-park services being available, some side roads, lodging, campsites, dining

GO IN JUNE IF YOU:
- Are interested in seeing wildlife babies
- Want to see wildflowers
- Most services are open or are opening
- Are a hiker
- Are prepared that some high-elevation hikes may still have a lot of snowpack (check to see if crampons & ice axes are needed)
- Are interested in doing boat rides, renting boats
- Are interested in doing river rafting, scenic & whitewater
- Are interested in horseback riding


https://exploregtnp.com/grand-teton-in-june/

GO IN JULY and AUGUST IF YOU:
- Are okay going during busiest season
- Like that everything is open
- Like high-elevation hiking & camping
- Want to swim
- Are interested in doing boat rides, renting boats
- Are interested in doing river rafting, scenic & whitewater
- Are interested in horseback riding


GO IN SEPTEMBER IF:
- Are a high-elevation hiker (go at beginning of month)
- Like fewer people in park (especially after Labor Day)
- Want to see fall colors (go at end of the month)
- Want to see wildlife
- Want to hear the elk bugling during elk rut
- Want to see a bull moose with their antlers fully grown
- Are prepared for a possible snowstorm
- Are okay with not all services being available and closing as month goes on.

https://exploregtnp.com/grand-teton-in-september/

GO IN OCTOBER IF YOU:
- Want to see fall colors (1st to 2nd week)
- Are prepared for colder temperatures, increased chances of snow
- Like fewer people in park
- Are okay with most of all in-park services being closed for the season
- Are a hiker and like less people on trail
- Want to see wildlife
- Are aware that most roads start closing towards end of the month, Teton Park Road & The Moose-Wilson Road close on Oct. 31st.

NOVEMBER IN GRAND TETONThe days are shorter in November and the sun is lower in the sky longer in the day.This means som...
04/11/2024

NOVEMBER IN GRAND TETON

The days are shorter in November and the sun is lower in the sky longer in the day.

This means some good light to photograph wildlife and landscapes.

It's a long way to go for a silver lining to the end of Daylight Savings Time, but there you go.

Wildlife are on the move in November, which means increased chances of seeing them.

PRO TIP: Increase your chances of seeing a moose by river bottoms.

Also by the sage flats near the town of Kelly, WY.

Moose like the sage flats this time of year as they graze on the bitterbrush found by the sagebrush.

PRO TIP: Federal regulations require you to stay at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves and 25 yards from all other wildlife, including moose, for YOUR safety, and THEIRS.

"Keep Your Eye Peeled for a Moose!"
- Bill Jones, lifelong Grand Teton Angler and Adventurer

Photo Credit: James Cunningham of exploreGTNP.

Happy National Bison Day!!A good place in Grand Teton National Park to see them is near the Elk Ranch Flats turnouts.Do ...
02/11/2024

Happy National Bison Day!!

A good place in Grand Teton National Park to see them is near the Elk Ranch Flats turnouts.

Do stay at least 25 yards away from bison.

They look slow and tame.

They are not.

Not at all.

They are fast and extremely skittish.

They like their space.

Give it to them.

Okay kids, let’s turn our focus to Grand Teton 2025 visitation between May - October.That’s not to say we won’t share in...
01/11/2024

Okay kids, let’s turn our focus to Grand Teton 2025 visitation between May - October.

That’s not to say we won’t share information, events, tips, and photos between now and then.

We definitely will.

We are here to help you plan your Grand Teton vacation and we focus on the May - October timeframe as that is when most people visit.

For now, if you are looking for Grand Teton themed gifts to get you and your loved ones excited for your upcoming visit - we have a list.

Same list can be used for holiday gifts to serve as souvenirs for past vacations.

https://exploregtnp.com/grand-teton-holiday-gifts/

GRAND TETON 2025 VACATION TIP: Book your inside the park lodging before the holidays.

GRAND TETON 2025 VACATION TIP #2: ALWAYS book your inside-the-park lodging directly through the lodge’s official website.

Please feel free to post any Grand Teton related questions you have here.

Enjoy the leftover Halloween candy kids!

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