Best Places to Visit in Grand Teton National Park

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Grand Teton National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the U.S. Here are the best places to visit in Grand Teton National Park.
Grand Teton National Park is one of the best adventures I’ve ever been on and is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. This park gets high marks for a perfect vacation spot. This fabulous trip out west was a bucket list trip for my husband and me. Neither of us had been to the Grand Teton National Park or Yellowstone. Since the parks are next to each other, I highly recommend you visit both while in the area. Grand Teton National Park is in northwestern Wyoming, north of Jackson and south of Yellowstone National Park. Many people overlook Grand Teton National Park because it’s much smaller than Yellowstone; this is a mistake as the Tetons are magnificent!  Here are the best places to visit in Grand Teton National Park.
How To Prepare For A Grand Teton National Park Road Trip
The Grand Tetons are teeming with wildlife. We saw just about as much wildlife here as we did in Yellowstone, and the park is a much smaller area. There are a lot of bears in the park. I highly recommend getting bear spray. Another thing you’ll be glad you have is the Gypsy app. Download this app and listen to the narrator as you drive through the park. The narration is full of interesting facts and helps with directions. We loved it.  
The Grand Tetons are gorgeous and an ideal spot for a family vacation.
Jenny Lake Boat Ride and Hike in Grand Teton National Park
You’ve probably seen pictures of Jenny Lake. It’s the gorgeous, reflective lake in the center of the Tetons. Several popular trails begin at the eastern side of Jenny Lake, and hikers can loop the lake and visit Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.
After parking, head to the boat dock and purchase your ticket for the one-way or the round-trip ride to the other side of the lake. Another option is to do what we did and hike the 2.5 miles over to the west side of the lake and then take the boat ride back. I like this option because it’s easy to do the hike right off the bat when you’re excited and energized.
We hiked to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, then headed to the boat shuttle to return to the east side, where we parked by the visitor’s center.  We saw a mamma moose and her calf while hiking, and this was one of the two times we saw moose in the park.  The other time was near Colter Bay. The Tetons are fantastic for animal spotting.
Gorgeous Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. Photo by SJ Morgensen
Oxbow Bend
We stopped at Oxbow Bend one night at dusk. All my research said Oxbow Bend is a must-see in the Grand Tetons. This famed site for photographers and artists did not disappoint. We visited a working artist who was painting a watercolor of the range from the back of her trailer. She had been out a few consecutive nights to get the perfect view of the Tetons. Once we saw her, we knew we were in the right place. The beauty here is unsurpassed, and it’s not something you can experience through a photo. You have to go here and experience the “vibe.” Once you do, you’ll understand.
The magnificent Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton National Park. Photo by SJ Morgensen
We were fortunate to see quite a few elk, pronghorn antelope, and many bison at Oxbow Bend. We saw a pair of bison playfully brawling not too far from our vehicle. Bison, gigantic creatures weighing upwards of 2000 pounds, are the largest mammal in North America. Some people think they look harmless—just a wooly teddy bear—that would be wrong! Bison are enormous creatures that are also surprisingly fast and agile. They don’t look like they can move too quickly, but they can easily reach speeds of 35 miles per hour. That’s much faster than any human can run. So there’s no way you can outrun a bison. It’s better to stay far away and avoid any potential confrontations.




















Best Easy Day Hikes Grand Teton National Park























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The Grand Teton National Park Scenic Loop 
Grand Teton National Park is small by national park standards. Yellowstone has almost double the number of paved roads (300 miles). As cool as Yellowstone is, bigger isn’t always better. After trying to figure out all the spots to hit in Yellowstone, I found it refreshing to get into the smaller Tetons and just drive through the park. Many excellent stops are along this 42-mile-loop drive which consists of Highway 191 and Teton Park Road.
You can stop at Oxbow Bend, Jenny Lake Overlook, Snake River Overlook, and Elk Flats Overlook, to name a few of the many points of interest. Stop to see the Moulton Barns at Mormon Row and snap some pics. You’ll see how the Tetons rise dramatically behind the flat land.
The Teton Range via Grand Teton Scenic Drive Loop. Photo by SJ Morgensen
We started the drive at the south entrance to the park in Jackson, but you can start wherever you’d like. Remember that you can go at your own pace and cruise this loop multiple times. We drove from Jackson through the park numerous times and at different hours of the day. We discovered that dusk was the best time for animal spotting.




















Grand Teton National Park Activity Book: Puzzles, Mazes, Games, and More About Grand Teton National Park (National Parks Activity Series)























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Signal Mountain
Drive to the summit of Signal Mountain for spectacular views of the Teton Range and Jackson Lake. The trip up to the crest of this 7,700-foot high mountain is a little over four miles and takes 15 to 20 minutes to traverse one way. It’s well worth your time to take this short excursion.
Glacier View Turnout 
The magnificent Grand Tetons will take your breath away! Stop at the Glacier View Turnout for some of the best views of the range in the entire park. You’ll see three glaciers here, the Middle Glacier, Teepee Glacier, and Teton Glacier. It’s not that there’s anything to “do” here; simply enjoy the glorious views.




















Birds of Wyoming Field Guide: Includes Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks (Bird Identification Guides)























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Jackson, Wyoming
The town of Jackson, Wyoming, is not technically in Grand Teton National Park, but it’s only about five miles south. Make time to stop in Jackson while you’re in the area. Have lunch at one of the downtown restaurants, check out the town square, take your picture at the antler arch, and stop in the cute shops around the square.
Jackson Square in downtown Jackson, Wyoming. Photo by SJ Morgensen
We like Jackson Drug , a completely refurbished, historic soda fountain. You’ll find a variety of ice cream behind the counter and diner classics like chili dogs for lunch. We loved the feel of the place inside; it sent us back in time.
Historic Jackson Drug in downtown Jackson, Wyoming. Photo by SJ Morgensen
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Wrap Up For Best Places To Visit in Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is an absolute gem that you should not miss. Our recent road trip to Wyoming included Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, and while both were incredible, next time, I’m planning to concentrate on the Tetons. There’s just something magical about this park! When planning your next road trip , National Park adventure , or a family vacation , Wander with Wonder can help guide the way. 
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Best Places to Visit in Grand Teton National Park
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