One Day in Grand Teton National Park

After taking one day to see the highlights of Yellowstone National Park, we headed south to visit adjacent Grand Teton National Park. I don’t count this as a separate stop on our Western Expedition trip since we stayed in the same cabin for these three nights.

Grand Teton National Park–General Info

First off, let’s talk about the park as a whole. Adjacent to Yellowstone National Park to the south, this smaller Wyoming park encompasses the main peaks of the Teton Range (otherwise called the Cathedral Group.) Highest of these is Grand Teton, flanked by Mt. Owen (2nd tallest), and Middle Teton. Apparently, these three pinnacles (or really, the range as a whole) looked like three boobs to early (obviosly lonely) French traders, giving rise to the name “les trois tétons,” or The Tetons.

The mountain range occupies the entire west side of the park, skirted by Teton Park Road on the east side. All the park’s lakes and lodges can be found along this road. To the east lays a beautiful valley and historic ranch lands. You can certainly start your tour from either the north or the south entrace, but I feel the Teton range is most impressive when first seen from the south.

Acquiring all the land presently protected within the park borders took many years and several actions by Congress. Efforts began in the late 19th century when Yellowstone was created, but the Grand Teton park wasn’t formally established until 1929. It expanded further through the designs of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. who owned much of the land around Jackson Hole. He then proceeded to buy up more and more land, with the idea to turn the whole amount over to the National Park Service. This was met with strong opposition from the local ranchers and, in a nutshell, his land (created into the Jackson Hole National Monument in the meantime) wasn’t added to the park until 1950, and one parcel not until 1972.

First Stop, Jackson Hole

Situated as we were in Indian Park, Idaho (which I don’t particularly recommend), we drove south through Idaho farmland and around the “back” of the Teton mountain range and down and around to Jackson Hole. At this point, Mom decided we needed second breakfast, so we stopped at a wonderful little restaurant called The Bunnery.

This was a fantastic pre-Tetons stop–you can get a full breakfast, or just top up with coffee and pastry as we did. Afterward, we walked around the town square with the famous elk-antler arches and took pictures with the surrounding bronze sculptures.

Grand Teton National Park

Finally entering the park at around noon, our first stop was the Craig Thomas Visitor Center, a beautiful building housing a modern museum of the history, animals, and plants of the area.

Jenny Lake

Next up was beautifully clear Jenny Lake. You can hike two miles around it and up the mountains on the other side, or you can take a ferry across which drops you off at some of the more accessible trails. This boat ride was our favorite thing of the day! It’s fun and the views from the boat are great. And that glacier water is so beautiful!

We took the ferry ($15 and under for a round trip, $9 and under for one way) and hiked up the short trail to Hidden Falls. Another short trail to Inspiration Point starts here, as well as any number of Teton-climbing and skirting trails. For any longer hikes, make sure you have some bear spray on you!

We also tried to stop at the super-cute Jenny Lake Lodge for lunch, but it had already closed lunch service by the time we got there. We had two breakfasts, after all.

Signal Mountain Lodge

Instead, we stopped at more rustic Signal Mountain Lodge for lunch on a back deck overlooking Jackson Lake. The lodge seems to have about three restaurants inside–we ended up at the only one open around 3:00 pm, Trapper Grill. We enjoyed sandwiches and a lovely slice of blackberry pie with our view.

Afterward, we drove up Signal Mountain Road to a magnificent overlook–in one direction the Teton range and in the other, lovely Buffalo Valley.

Back to Yellowstone and Old Faithful

At this point, folks were tired and we pretty much drove north through the rest of the park without much stopping, entering the south entrance to Yellowstone. We stopped for a little while in the visitor center at Grant Village, then landed back at Old Faithful Inn for a late dinner from the deli.

We happened to be just in time to watch Old Faithful erupt again, and this time we watched from the upper deck of the Inn’s portico. It felt very welcoming to be back somewhere “familiar”, even if we had only first seen it yesterday! It was also a very relaxing way to see Old Faithful, as if we were staying at the Inn ourselves.

Then we made a big loop out the west entrance and back down to our cabin in the middle of nowhere.

Done in a Day?

Grand Teton National Park was very manageable for us in a day, even a short one. It was nice to visit a smaller park after our sprawling tour of Yellowstone the day before, but there is much more to see that we missed.

We stuck to Teton Park Road, closest to the mountains and skirting the lakes. There is a parallel road, 191, that has some historic buildings and ranch land that we missed. And of course, we only did a little bit of hiking, and there are a few visitor centers and lodges we missed on our way out.

Also, Floating on the Snake River is a popular activity here, and a unique way to see the park. Trips cost $62 per person, more if you add dinner.

Still, I think a general tour of Grand Teton National Park can be well done in a day’s touring. But the more time you give it, I suspect the more it will reveal.

Where to Stay

Jackson and Jackson Hole (I still can’t quite tell if those are different towns, or the same one!) make a perfect base to explore Grand Teton National Park. There are also luxury lodges, basic cabins, and tent camping throughout the park.

Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge, and Headwaters Lodge (located between Grand Teton & Yellowstone) are the more luxurious options in the park. Signal Mountain Lodge is more motel-like. Dornan Spur Ranch Cabins in Jackson Hole are super nice for over $200 nightly, and Colter Bay Cabins on Jackson Lake and American Alpine Club Climber’s Ranch are much more basic. Or you can stay at a Dude Ranch! Triangle X Ranch in Jackson Hole can keep you busy with horseback riding, float trips, cookouts and more.

Where to Eat

Jackson Hole

Starting at the bottom of the park, there are several dining options at Teton Village at the base of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, a popular skiing destination. There even seems to be a popular bar at the top of one of the gondola lifts, plus a few other on-mountain options. And of course, there are plenty of options in town as well.

Dornan Road

Just north of the Craig Thomas Discovery Center at the south entrance is Dornan’s Chuckwagon, a popular outdoor (and therefore, seasonal) stop for hearty meal. In the immediate area, you can also find the Spur Bar and a pasta/pizza restaurant.

*NOTE that most of these options are only open during the warmer months (May-September) so check before you go for your particular dates.*

Jenny Lake Lodge

Deeper inside the park, you can find meals at most of the lodges, though food service generally isn’t all day. Jenny Lake Lodge hosts the finest dining in the park with breakfast from 7:30-10:00 am, lunch from 11:30-1:30, and a $94, 5-course dinner from 7-9pm, reservations required. You can also eat in the beautiful Mural Room for slightly less money.

Signal Mountain Lodge

More casual dining can be found at Signal Mountain Lodge, further north. Peak’s Restaurant serves dinner only from 5-30-10 pm every night. Trapper Grill serves breakfast 7-11 am daily, with a limited breakfast menu 11-noon, lunch from 11-2:30 and dinner from 4:30-10 pm. The Deck serves from noon to dusk daily.

Jackson Lake Lodge

Jackson Lake Lodge has a few options, starting with a 50’s-style Pioneer Grill which serves all day. Patio and bar seating with panoramic views can be found at the Blue Heron Lounge from 11 am to midnight. A few options for outdoor dining exists, plus you’ll find a coffee cart with breakfast patries, coffee, and snacks, open from 6 am-4 pm.

Colter Bay Village

American comfort food can be had all day at John Colter’s Ranch House. Breakfast is 6:30-10:30, lunch from 11:30-1:30, and dinner from 5:30-9:00 pm. A food court offering build-your-own pizzas and subs is open from 11 am-10 pm. Colter Bay also offers a grab & go coffee cart plus a full grocery store selling meals, snacks, and alchohol.

Open-air pizza and beer can be found at the marina a bit north in Leek’s Pizzeria from 11 am-10pm during the summer season. A little bit east of here, you’ll also find the rustic Buffalo Valley Cafe.

Flagg Ranch

About 30 minutes north from the above is Flagg Ranch, the last stop before exiting the Grand Teton Park to the north into Yellowstone. Here you’ll find dining at Sheffield’s in a log-cabin setting. A hearty breakfast is served from 6:30-10 am, lunch from 11:30-2:00 pm, and dinner from 5:30-9:00 pm. Food is served all day in the bistro and saloon, from 6:30 am to 11 pm. with a limited menu between the official meal times.