From the moment you touch down at Jackson Hole Airport (click here for a complete guide to Jackson Hole) you know you’re somewhere amazing. The only airport situated in a National Park, you are instantly in awe of the Teton Mountain Range, towering over sagebrush flats. Just ahead, adventure beckons you to explore the majesty of nature and the best of the West.

During this trip we visited two National Parks: Grand Teton and Yellowstone. There was so much to take in and share, we’ll offer two separate articles, dedicating one solely to Yellowstone (click here). We won’t attempt to take a deep dive into the history, geology, fauna or flora as there is simply too much information and neither of us would qualify as a ranger, tour guide or historian. But what we will share are the adventures, sights, food and fun we experienced. We invite you to enjoy Grand Teton: an epic itinerary…the mountains are calling…

Grand Teton National Park. Just minutes from the town of Jackson lies the entrance. In order to accommodate Highway 89/191 that connects Wyoming and Idaho, park gates are set back miles from the Park border, so you don’t even know you’ve officially arrived…

But the dramatic landscape embraces you immediately. In the Summer, the jagged peaks that scrape the sky are dotted with remnants of snow and ice from ancient glaciers. Spanning 310,000 acres, there are many options to explore the park, and here we offer a few epic ways to go:

By car: Nothing like driving a cool purple Jeep around Wyoming your first day! Having your own vehicle obviously gives you the most flexibility with your day to linger whenever and wherever you want. Guided by the Park’s very informative maps and newsletters, here are the gems we discovered:

We took the turnout on Antelope Flats Road to Mormon Row to explore the rustic remains left by the Park’s early settlers.

The mountains were shrouded by mist and clouds this morning obscuring the peaks. We knew the sun would eventually lift the cloud cover, but the drama of the landscape was by no means lost…perhaps even enhanced.

Heading toward the town of Moose, we enjoyed a lunch at Dornan’s. The pizza and local brews were awesome, but the draw here is the outside deck overlooking the Tetons. The clouds began to clear for a jaw-dropping view.

The Park Headquarters is right across the road to get maps, supplies and questions answered.

Scenic Float Trip: The scenery was spectacular as we enjoyed a leisurely trip on Snake River – 10 miles from Deadman’s Bar to Moose landing.

Sometimes swift, sometimes lazy, the meandering river with the mountain backdrop is stunning. Spotting bald eagles, pronghorn antelope and a lazy moose cooling off from the afternoon sun made this a trip to remember.

Guided Wildlife Safari: We highly recommend time spent with a knowledgeable guide who can impart a world of information about the history, flora and fauna of a National Park.

Understanding these diverse and fragile ecosystems brings a new appreciation for God’s creation, and our responsibility to protect it. Plus, knowing the backroads and wildlife spots that don’t show up on maps.

Ecotours treated us to a sunset adventure in search of wildlife, with ample opportunity to experience the golden hours before dark. We spotted Moose, bald eagles, pronghorn antelope, crane, beaver…

Stops at Cattleman’s Bridge and Oxbow Bend were amazing at sunset. 

The tour ended past dusk when a moose and her calf ran across the plains to bed down for the night.

Hiking: Whatever distance is right for you, get out of the vehicle and get up close and personal with nature.

Do be conscious of the altitude here…the park sits at about 8000 feet, so even moderate climbs can leave you short of breath. Bear spray is recommended, though we felt safe on a popular trail at peak time. 

It was an extremely tough choice with so many options, but we settled on Taggart Lake Loop, a 4 mile trek past a cascading waterfall to a pristine mountain lake. Stunning views around every turn…up toward the mountains, down to the butterflies and wildflowers. 

We had our wildlife moment as a red fox tried unsuccessfully to lunch on a ground squirrel.

Other Grand Teton highlights (just to name a few)…

Jenny Lake – Lodge and Scenic Loop: The visitors area and boat launch were insanely crowded, so be sure to arrive well before 10am. We opted for a sit-down lunch at the rustic campground just north. A great bison burger washed down with a Jenny Lake Lager was perfect.

Walking along the shore trail afforded great views as the lake met the mountain base.

Signal Mountain: this windy road led an incredible overlook of the entire valley floor (the ‘Hole’) back to Jackson Lake and the Tetons. On the road back we were in luck to spot this amazing bull elk.

Oxbow Bend: the Snake River takes a 180 turn in front of the mountain range for a spectacular reflection. Look for beaver, otter, moose, and eagles at the riverbanks.

Schwambacker Landing: drive off-road and take a short stroll to more reflections and a grassy area perfect for moose spotting.

This was a 7- day adventure that combined the awe-inspiring Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks with a Wyoming experience in Jackson Hole that was both awe-inspiring and packed with fun. Our country is blessed with unsurpassed natural beauty, and it is here for our enjoyment…but it comes with a responsibility to preserve and protect it for the generations that follow us. See the wild places that are left, slow down, take nothing but pictures and memories to last a lifetime.

The mountains are calling and I must go – John Muir

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