At the edge of the United States‘ Rocky Mountains rises a mountain range so spectacular that a whole national park was dedicated to it: the Grand Teton National Park. The idyllic national park offers plenty of opportunities for hikes around fairy-tale lakes and mountains. While less popular than its famous neighbour to the north, Yellowstone, the park is well worth a visit for the beautiful vistas and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Below is a list of our favourite experiences.
Hiking
The Grand Teton National Park is a real hiking heaven. Several trails traverse the mountains leading to movie-like vistas and serene waterfalls. Our favourite and also one of the most popular trails (for obvious reasons!) leads to the beautiful alpine Lake Solitude hidden between some of the highest peaks in the park. The trailhead can be reached by taking a short but exciting boat ride from the dock at Jenny Lake.
Tip: Take the boat on the Jenny Lake early to avoid the crowds, as this is an extremely popular trail.
If you are short on time or not ready yet for a long hike, walk at least part of the trail to Inspiration Point which offers scenic views over Jenny Lake and the surrounding landscape. Do not forget to also do a quick stop at the towering Hidden Falls. This relatively easy hike should take no more than an hour from the start of the trail. However, if you would like to extend the trip for an additional hour (and save money on the return boat ride), take a pleasant hike along Horse Trail and passing through the Moose before reaching back to the dock.
Tip: The Horse Trail leading to Lake Solitude Trail is a lot more strenuous than the reverse, so plan accordingly.
On the other hand, the full trail ends with the sight of Lake Solitude, meadows full of wildflowers and abundant wildlife – do not forget to bring your bear spray along as the surrounding forests are their prime spot! There are two small disadvantages (for some at least): the full trail is not an easy hike and will likely take a whole day; and it is possible to reach Lake Solitude only during summer when snow has melted.
Lakes
There are more lakes and beautiful water bodies in this area than could be explored in a single visit. Every lake is accompanied by a scenic mountain backdrop, providing great opportunities for photos. Some lakes, including those near Colter Bay and the Leeks Marina, can be explored by kayaks or paddle-boards.
The following is a short list of must-visit lakes and ponds:
- Jenny Lake, String Lake and Leigh Lake are connected by an easy trail loop. It is possible to swim and kayak in all of them. While Jenny Lake offers the most facilities and is popular in the summer due to ease of access, Leigh Lake is highly photogenic with its rougher look and a large scenic boulder as an island.
- Phelps Lake is best seen from above and Phelps Lake overlook provides one of the most stunning vistas in the park. A short 1-hour hike along the Death Canyon Trailhead leads to this overlook point. Do not forget to bring your bear spray along!
- Shwabacher Landing is more of a pond than a lake, but became our favourite water body in the park. The reflection of the Grand Teton on the Landing’s calm waters is the most beautiful in the park. In addition, beavers adore this area, so you will get a chance to see a beaver dam and some of their lodges! As the place receives fewer visitors, it also offers a quiet and serene retreat from otherwise relatively busy park.
Moulton barns
The iconic Moulton wooden barns were built by early Mormon settlers at the beginning of the 20th century and could not have been built in a more picturesque location. A testament to some of the history of this place, the barns are one of the most popular spots for photography and one of the few places where architecture and landscape are so elegantly combined in the park.
Best spots for wildlife watching
While wildlife can be spotted throughout the park, some animals prefer specific spots: moose can be commonly seen near willows (as this is their preferred food); the playful Uinta ground squirrels are easy to spot in the Moulton barns; elk commonly come out of the forest to graze meadows throughout the park in the early morning or late evening; and large herds of bison can be spotted near Snake River Overlook.
Sightings of grizzlies and black bears are more unpredictable and largely depend on luck, but here are our two favourite spots for bear sightings which also offer the best sunset and sunrise photography opportunities:
- Oxbow Bend is a slow curve of Snake River with the stunning Moran mountain in its backdrop and is a prime spot for all kinds of wildlife, including moose, elk and bears. The best time for any sighting is at dawn or dusk, but do make sure to also enjoy the spectacular sunset or sunrise with the colourful reflection of the mountain over the water.
- Jackson Lake Lodge’s deck offers unobstructed views over the surrounding meadows all the way to the Grand Teton range. Due to this vast open space, it is easy to spot elk and moose as well as occasional bear and grizzly while sipping a drink or enjoying a meal from this beautiful historic lodge.
Tip: An easy way to locate wildlife is to stop where there are large crowds of people or rows of cars on the sides of the road. Large crowds equal an animal sighting.
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