Experience the beauty of the outdoors while learning about the natural world from a Park Ranger or Naturalist. Most hikes and walks take place from early June through early August. Topics include a historical walk at Menor's Ferry Historic District, learning about wildflowers, children's programs for ages 8-12, and learning about the Teton Range. Visit the Jenny Lake Visitor Center or the Colter Bay Visitor Center for details, or consult the park newspaper.

Climbing

The spectacular Teton Range is a favorite of climbers and mountaineers. Climbers should visit the Jenny Lake Ranger Station for weather information and route conditions. Registration for day climbs is not required, but overnight camping requires a permit. Be prepared with the appropriate equipment. Commercial climbing guides include Exum Mountain Guides and Jackson Hole Mountain Guides.

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Wildlife Viewing

NPS Photo: Trumpeter Swans

Grand Teton National Park is home to a variety of wildlife. Always maintain a distance of at least 300 feet from large animals and never put yourself between an animal and its young. Do not feed or approach wildlife. Use binoculars or a camera with a long lens for viewing animals. Some of the best spots for wildlife viewing include: Oxbow Bend, Timbered Island, Mormon Row, Snake River, Cascade Canyon, and the Blacktail Ponds.

At Oxbow Bend, located one mile east of the Jackson Lake Junction, visitors might view beavers and muskrats swimming, moose in the willows, and bald eagles feeding on fish.
Timbered Island, located southeast of Jenny Lake, is a good place for viewing pronghorn antelope during the day and elk at dusk and dawn.

During the spring, summer, and fall, bison and pronghorn graze around Mormon Row, one mile north of Moose Junction.

Visitors might spy elk, bison, bald eagles, osprey, and moose along the waterway of the Snake River. At the Cascade Canyon area, especially at Inspiration Point, golden-mantled squirrels can be seen. The Blacktail Ponds, north of Moose, are a good spot for viewing elk, moose, and ducks.

NPS Photo: Young Moose

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Scenic Drives

Driving through Grand Teton National Park is also a good way to view wildlife and the incredible scenery. Look for turnouts along the park roads for opportunities to stop and take photographs and view the exhibits on park wildlife, plants, and geology. Drive carefully and watch for wildlife on the roads, especially at night. The Jenny Lake Scenic Drive is a one-way road beginning just south of Sting Lake. This drive offers beautiful views of the Teton peaks and Jenny Lake. For panoramic views of the Teton Range, Jackson Hole valley, and Jackson Lake, take the Signal Mountain Summit Road 5 miles to the top of Signal Mountain, up 800 feet above the valley. The Signal Mountain Summit Road is narrow and should not be attempted by trailers or large motorhomes.

Winter Activities

For information on winter activities in Grand Teton National Park such as snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, visit www.jacksonholeski.com.

Camping

NPS Photo: Jenny Lake Sunrise

Five National Park Service campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis: Jenny Lake Campground, Signal Mountain Campground, Colter Bay Campground, Lizard Creek Campground, and Gros Ventre Campground. The Jenny Lake Campground is for tents only and usually fills by early morning. Signal Mountain Campground and Lizard Creek Campground do not allow vehicles over 30 feet long. Colter Bay Campground, which generally fills by noon, has showers and a laundry. The Gros Ventre Campground, located south of Moose, generally fills later in the day than the other campgrounds. Most campgrounds are open from Mid-May until the end of September.

Fees for these campsites are $12 per day with a maximum stay of 14 days, except for Jenny Lake Campground, which is a maximum stay of 7 days.

In addition to the National Park Service campgrounds, Grand Teton National Park also has concessionaire operated campgrounds at Flagg Ranch and at Colter Bay. For reservations at Flagg Ranch, call (800) 443-2311. For reservations at Colter Bay call (307) 543-2811.

Camping in the Backcountry

All overnight camping requires a permit. The backcountry is bear country, practice bear safety. Travel in the backcountry has risks. Your safety is your responsibility. If you get lost, stay calm and stay in one place, preferably a clearing or large outcropping where you will be visible to searchers.

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Lodging in Grand Teton National Park

Within Grand Teton National Park, lodging options include log cabins, tent cabins, resort hotels, dude ranches and apartments with kitchenettes. Visitors may also choose to stay in nearby Jackson Hole, which offers a variety of hotels, motels, inns, and condominiums. For Jackson Hole Lodging and online booking, visit www.jacksonholewy.com.