5 Reasons to visit Grand Tetons National Park and Jackson, Wyoming

5 reasons to visit Grand Tetons

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Hello, friends! Are you itching to travel to a beautiful place with amazing
views? Do you love our national parks? We’ve visited many of them and today I’m
sharing why
Grand Teton National Park
is one of our favorites. 

If you love hiking, wildflowers, or just gorgeous scenery, then this needs to
be near the top of your bucket list. We visited there and Yellowstone in
the same trip. And while we thoroughly enjoyed both places, the smaller crowds
and dramatic peaks of Grand Tetons made it a much more peaceful
experience. 

I recommend visiting both parks if you can. They’re not too far apart and you
can do them both in a single trip if you have enough time. Here are the best
things about Grand Tetons and Jackson, Wyoming.

5 Reasons to visit Grand Tetons and Jackson, Wyoming

Breathtaking Scenery

The scenery in Grand Tetons is simply breathtaking. Dramatic mountain peaks,
tall pines, meandering streams….it’s all there.

The peaks are beautiful from all sides. This view is from the northern part of
the park. 

Schwabacher Landing is a very scenic spot with the shallow waters and views of the
mountains. 

It’s an amazing place to watch the sunset, especially with the reflections on
the water. 

Beautiful Trails

Whether you’re an avid hiker or just want to take a stroll on a gentle path
through the woods, you’ll find what you want in Grand Tetons. 

The trails are well maintained and easy to follow. And they aren’t usually
very crowded at all. 

Abundant Wildlife

Buffalo and elk and birds, oh my! And many other animal friends as well.
You’re sure to see plenty of wildlife throughout the park. 

There are many beautiful species of birds. Isn’t the color on this bluebird
amazing?

We spotted this elk taking a drink from a small stream after a rain
shower. 

And this little chipmunk was begging us for a snack. He obviously gets plenty
of them. (Please don’t feed the wildlife.)

A mama duck and her babies were taking an evening swim during one of our
outings at the park. Such a peaceful scene. 

Wildflowers

The warm season is a short one at Grand Tetons, but there are so many
beautiful wildflowers in bloom.

We spotted this little fairy orchid on one of our hikes. It’s very small but
so unusual and pretty. 

Historical & Interesting Buildings

The visitors’ center is a newer structure with a wall of windows showcasing
the mountain peaks. The building itself is a showpiece. 

And the little chapel is so picturesque. You can go inside and take pictures
from there as well. 

The old general store is a relic from the early 1900’s and still sells a few
basic items like huckleberry sodas. Our girls were enjoying some here. 

And there are some fun items inside that remind us of days gone by.

BEST WAYS TO SEE THE PARK

ON FOOT 

There’s no better way to experience the park than immersing yourself in it on
the trails and footpaths. If your health allows it, I highly recommend it.

Being comfortable and safe is much more important than being fashionable when
you’re in the great outdoors. Here’s what you’ll need if you go out on the
trails:

• Bear Spray  – You can’t fly with it but you can order it ahead of time and have
  it shipped to your hotel for about half of what you’ll pay there. Find it
  here: bear spray.)
• Water Bottle – An insulated one will keep your water nice and cold. I really like this
  one: insulated water bottle.
• Lightweight Backpack – I use love and use this one: lightweight backpack.
• Hiking Shoes – The right shoes really do make your feet feel better. I have
  these women’s hiking shoes and love them. They’ve seen trails in several different national
  parks.
• Snacks – almonds, peanut butter crackers, fruit, and granola bars are a
  great choice.
• Hat – the sun can be brutal and a hat will help keep you comfortable. I
  really like this ventilated sun hat.
• Sunscreen
• Rain Jacket or Poncho – Weather can change very quickly in the mountains and it’s
  no fun to get soaked. A rain jacket or poncho fits easily into a backpack. 
• Layers and breathable clothing. Even if you’re just doing a short trail you
  still want to be comfortable. See my favorites here Favorite Hiking Items.
• Trail Map 

shop for trail hiking necessities

BY CAR

Grand Teton is a great park to see from the comfort of your car. There are
plenty of scenic overlooks just steps away from the road throughout the park.
If you decide to tour the park this way, these items will make the journey
more enjoyable:

• Insulated Cooler – a
  small to medium sized insulated cooler
  for holding drinks and snacks is all you need. 
• Binoculars
• Camera with zoom lens – a
  simple point and shoot camera
  or a
  digital camera
  are nice to have on this trip. Or you can always use your phone, but the
  print quality isn’t near as good.
• Maps and guides – a great
  driving map and guide is always a good idea.

shop for car travel necessities

BY BOAT

Boat tours are available for a unique vantage point. Or you can rent kayaks or
take a float tour for a more adventurous experience. You can find out more
here: Boating and Kayaking in Grand Tetons National Park.

ON A BICYCLE

There are some wonderful paved bike paths that follow the road inside the
park. You can rent bicycles at the entrance to the park. It’s a fun way to
see everything. 

BY BUS

If visiting Grand Teton National Park is high on your bucket list but you’d
rather have someone else drive and plan all of the stops, a
bus tour
might be the perfect way to see it. They’ll take you to the best views and
most popular spots and you won’t even have to get out your gps.

You can also ride horses in certain areas of the park and take an airplane
tour. So many great ways to see it.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

There are so many wonderful things to do during your stay. Here are the most
popular ones, according to visitors who’ve experienced it first hand:

The best outdoor activities in Grand Tetons National Park

WHERE TO STAY

Inside the Park

There are plenty of accommodations including cabins and lodges
inside the park. Be sure to book early because they fill up fast.

Jackson Lake Lodge 

Jenny Lake Lodge

Just Outside the Park

You can find a large variety of hotels, lodges, inns, and more to stay at in
nearby
Teton Village
or
Jackson Hole. Each area is only a short drive from the park entrance.

Camping sites

There are several nice camping sites if you prefer to stay in the park this
way:

• Colter Bay Campground
• Gros Venture Campground
• Jenny Lake Campground
• Lizard Creek Campgound
• Signal Mountain Campground
• Headwaters Campground and RV sites at Flagg Ranch

WHERE TO EAT

We stayed and ate in
Jackson Hole
on our trip where there are a plethora of great restaurants. (There are also
dozens of charming local shops along with some touristy ones if you want a
souvenir t-shirt.)

These were our favorite dining spots:

Breakfast

• Jackson Hole Roasters
• The Bunnery
• Cowboy Coffee

Lunch & Dinner

• Thai Plate
• Figs
• The Merry Piglets
• Pizzeria Caldera
• Bubba’s BBQ

Winter Activities

If you don’t mind the cold and snow, Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National
Park are a beautiful place to visit in the winter. One of the most unique
attractions is the National Elk Refuge, where thousands of elk winter in the
valley. Sleigh rides through the refuge area are a great way to see the
animals up close and personal. Find our more here: National Elk Refuge Day Trip.

Love skiing? Jackson Hole has some of the best ski resorts in
the country. You can ski all day and relax in a cozy cabin or luxurious resort
when you’re done. Get details
Jackson Hole Skiing.

 

This quote pretty much says it all. It was on the wall of one of the buildings
inside the park and couldn’t be truer.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little tour of the Grand Tetons and have seen why
it’s such a wonderful place to visit. 

Want to learn more? Go here for visitor
favorites and reviews:
Explore Grand Teton National Park

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