View of the Teton Mountains behind a historic home on Mormon Row
Grand Teton National Park has been on my list of places to visit since Ryan and I missed it on our first trip out west. The majestic mountains, peaceful lakes, and amenities of the nearby town of Jackson makes this a popular year-round tourist destination. There are plenty of options for lodging within the park, as well as in the nearby towns. However, most of the campgrounds don’t accept reservations. I’m a planner by nature, and the thought of rolling into Grand Teton NP on a Friday evening after driving all day and hoping for an open site had me nervous. Because of this, the first night we booked a “tent cabin’ which was really just a big canvas tent with bunkbeds, but it was reservable and affordable so it worked. Ryan got up before the sun the next morning and drove to the Jenny Lake campground, one of the most sought-after campgrounds in the country. By 7am there were 15 cars in line hoping to get one of the 49 sites. Ryan was car #4, and we got an amazing campsite! From there were settled in an enjoyed all of the amazing activities that Grand Teton National Park has to offer. Here are our favorites!
Scenic Float Trip Down the Snake River
The family on the raft
The whole family was excited to take a four-hour, nine mile float trip down the Snake River, which runs through Grand Teton National Park. The morning of the trip was sunny, and the air was a little crisp. There were birds flying, deer grazing, and the view of the mountains from the water was breathtaking. The raft held sixteen people, so we were with two other families. Along the way our guide told stories about the various mountains and pointed out wildlife. We even saw six bald eagles! It was a wonderful way to spend a summer morning.
Horseback Riding
On our horses by Emma Matilda Lake
The one thing that Jack REALLY wanted to do this summer was to go horseback riding. Our campsite in Custer State Park was right next to a stable, but the times for trail rides didn’t fit our plans. And I’m glad they didn’t because riding horses in Grand Teton National Park was one of my favorite things we did all summer. Jack rode a horse named Banner, and I was assigned Pisco. They were both the sweetest horses throughout the two hour trail ride. We rode through a meadow up to Emma Matilda Lake, around an overlook of Oxbow Bend, through a forest, and ended up with gorgeous views of the mountains. It was an incredible experience from beginning to end, and it was nice for Jack and I to do something special together, just the two of us. Because Liam was too young for a full trail ride, we treated him to a special pony ride, cowboy hat and all.
Hiking Trails
The boys at the Jenny Lake Overlook
We did quite a bit of hiking throughout our stay. Unfortunately, the Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls Trails were closed while we were there due to potentially dangerous rockfalls, but we still took the ferry boat across Jenny Lake and hiked up to the Jenny Lake Overlook. The hike was short and somewhat steep, but the views along the way and from the top were spectacular.
Liam enjoying Phelps Lake
Another day we stopped at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center and hiked the four miles in to Phelps Lake. It was hot and the boys were tired, but we saw so many wildflowers and butterflies along the way. There were bridges to cross and small waterfalls, and then the lake itself was so bright blue. The whole time we were making plenty of noise in an effort to keep the bears away, and we were happy to avoid any sightings along the trails.
Scenic Drive
View from Schwabacher Landing
There is a 42 mile scenic loop drive that extends throughout the park. All along the way are views of the mountains, though the perspective changes as you move north/south or east/west. There are plenty of places to pull off and take photos or soak in the scenery, and lots of wildlife to be seen along the drive. We saw a herd of buffalo, a black bear in the woods, countless deer, and elk. There are lodges along the way with restaurants and stores to stop at, all with gorgeous views and good food. We particularly liked the Mountain of Nachos at the Signal Lake Lodge, and the sandwiches at Dornan’s Chuckwagon. The southern part of the park has several historic areas to explore and buildings to visit.
The natural beauty in Grand Teton National Park is the highlight of the visit, and we enjoyed it from hiking trails, car windows, boats, rafts, and horseback. And somehow the adventure of having to get up early and fight for a spot at Jenny Lake Campground made staying there even more special. I wish I could say that I crossed Grand Teton NP off my list of places to visit, but I can’t wait to go back!
The boys and I along the Phelps Lake Trail
On The Road Together 