Alpine climbing, lake paddling and Teton Crest backpacking on the park side, with Grand Targhee and Teton Valley riding on the quiet west side.
Grand Teton National Park is the Teton Range in one frame: peaks rising roughly 7,000 feet straight off the valley floor above Jenny, String and Leigh lakes. Climbers come for the Grand Teton (13,775 ft) by the Owen-Spalding and Exum Ridge routes, backpackers for the Teton Crest Trail, and paddlers for the calm, motor-free String and Leigh lakes. This page covers the park and the west side of the range, Teton Valley (Driggs and Victor, Idaho, and Alta, Wyoming), where Grand Targhee Resort offers deep-snow skiing in winter and a bike park in summer, and Teton Canyon, Table Mountain, the Big Hole Mountains and the Teton River give hiking, singletrack and floating without the Jackson crowds. Jackson, Teton Village, the Snake River and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort are covered on the separate Jackson Hole page.
The places you can't miss in Grand Teton National Park, best rated first.
The park's signature 13,775 ft summit. Owen-Spalding is the most popular route; Upper Exum Ridge (about 5.5) is the common alternative, often combined via a Class 3 ledge. Guided or experienced parties only; start pre-dawn.
Garnet Canyon is the gateway to the Grand, Middle and South Tetons; Disappointment Peak above Amphitheater Lake has shorter rock routes. Overnight camping in Garnet Canyon needs a permit.
Multi-day high-alpine backpacking route along the crest of the range, ending near Teton Canyon on the west side. Overnight use needs an NPS backcountry permit.
Classic canyon hike from the Jenny Lake boat dock past Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, continuing toward the crest.
Teton Canyon (north fork trailhead near Alta) leads to Table Mountain (11,106 ft) with views of the Grand from the west, and to Alaska Basin and the Teton Crest Trail.
Short valley crag near Moose, the closest roadside climbing to the park's south entrance.
Summer lift-served downhill (Dreamcatcher and Shoshone lifts) plus cross-country trails, from greens to blacks.
Smooth, flowy after-work singletrack about ten minutes west of Driggs; harder Big Hole loops such as Grove Creek to Corral Creek are for experts.
A car is essential. The park side (Moose, Jenny Lake, Lupine Meadows) is about 12 miles from Jackson; Teton Valley (Driggs, Victor, Alta) is reached from Jackson over Teton Pass (Highway 22, seasonal closures possible) or from Idaho Falls. A Jenny Lake shuttle boat crosses the lake to Cascade Canyon trails. Driggs and Victor have their own rental and shuttle services.
Only commercial airport inside a US national park; seasonal and year-round flights to hubs such as Denver, Salt Lake City and others. Rental cars at the terminal.
Cheaper fares than JAC at times; flights to Salt Lake City, Denver and others. Check carriers before booking.
Major hub with the widest choice of flights.
| City | Distance | Drive to Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UT | ~285-300 mi | ~4.5-5 hr |
| Idaho Falls, ID | ~70-110 mi (varies by start and end point) | ~1.5-2 hr |
| Bozeman, MT | ~170-215 mi | ~3.5-5 hr |
| Denver, CO | ~485 mi | ~7-9 hr |
| Jackson, WY | ~12 mi to the park entrance | ~20-30 min |
What a trip to Grand Teton National Park costs, what to sort out ahead of time, and how to stay safe.
Required for all overnight backcountry stays in Grand Teton NP, including the Teton Crest Trail zone and Garnet Canyon. About a third of peak-season permits are released online on recreation.gov and the rest in person first-come; climbing and Garnet Canyon permits are picked up at Jenny Lake Ranger Station (mid-June to mid-September). Fees were $20 plus $7 per person per night. Day climbing and day hiking need no backcountry permit. Bear canisters are required.
Park boat permit and aquatic invasive species inspection required for private boats; available at Moose, Jenny Lake and Colter Bay visitor centers.
About $35 per vehicle for 7 days; $100 per-person surcharge for non-US residents in 2026 per NPS.
Standard US entry rules; ESTA for Visa Waiver countries. Non-US residents pay an extra $100 per person park fee in 2026.
The valley is at about 6,200 ft and the Grand Teton summit is 13,775 ft, so acclimatize and carry water. Lightning is the main alpine hazard; start before dawn.
Small Western valley towns, quiet west side vs. glitzy Jackson.
Afternoon thunderstorms, lingering snow into summer, and bears.
Check in at the Jenny Lake Ranger Station for climbing and Garnet Canyon permits.
Check Teton Pass conditions in winter.
Easy lake and waterfall outings inside the park, plus beginner-friendly bike trails in Teton Valley; summit climbs and multi-day trips are not family terrain. Scores are our judgment.
Family-friendliness is scored from real web evidence across multiple sources — trail difficulty, access, and how families describe each spot — not a single opinion.
Shallow, calm water good for wading and paddling, with picnic spots and no motorboats. Easy for young kids.
Take the shuttle boat across Jenny Lake, then walk about half a mile to Hidden Falls. Go early or late to avoid crowds.
Easy out-and-back hike of roughly 3 to 3.8 miles round trip with big Teton views.
Scenic chairlift rides, hiking, disc golf and easier bike trails make a relaxed family day.
Rush Hour near Victor and Sheep's Bridge in Teton Canyon are rated beginner, good for kids who ride.
| Sport | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climbing | — | — | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Hiking | — | — | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — | — |
| Kayaking | — | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — | — |
| Skiing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — | — | — | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ |
| Mountain Biking | — | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — | — |
Driest, most stable weather for alpine climbing and backpacking; lakes and bike parks open. Busiest and hardest to get permits.
June and September give quieter trails but late snow or early storms; December to March is Grand Targhee ski season (500+ inches of snow a year per the resort).
Mud and closures between seasons: lifts stopped, high trails snowbound or icy (our judgment from the seasonal pattern).
Inside the park, at the foot of the peaks: lodges, campgrounds, ranger stations and trailheads.
Stay here if: You want first light at Lupine Meadows, Jenny Lake and Garnet Canyon.
Laid-back valley town on the quiet west side with bike and ski shops, cafes and Teton River access.
Stay here if: You want cheaper lodging, Targhee and Big Hole riding, and fewer crowds.
Small town at the south end of the valley beside a growing singletrack network.
Stay here if: You are riding Victor trails or driving Teton Pass to Jackson.
Tiny west-slope community and resort village at the base of Grand Targhee.
Stay here if: You are there for powder days or the bike park, or hiking Teton Canyon.
Jackson shop on N Cache Dr, long-established climbing outfitter (see Jackson Hole page).
Driggs, at N Main and E Howard Ave; rents inflatables and runs river shuttles (2020 report; confirm current).
Driggs/Victor shop referenced for local Teton Valley rides; rentals and trail advice.
NPS concessioner based at Jenny Lake; runs guided Grand Teton climbs.
AMGA-accredited NPS concessioner offering Grand Teton and Teton climbing programs.
Jackson; see Jackson Hole page for the town food scene.
On-mountain food at the resort in Alta, WY.
You've got the field notes. Time to put it on the calendar.