We have been keen to visit Wyoming for some time; and finally, we made it in late September 2022. Grand Teton National Park was a must-visit for our itinerary! A late September trip landed up providing us with exceptionally pleasant weather for outdoor activities with a more moderate crowd level to boot. In addition, we got to witness the gradual change of the fall colors in the area, one of my few favorites about the season (sorry folks, I’m a spring/summer gal!).

We flew into Jackson Hole Airport right around sunset. If you have a window seat, especially on the right side of the flight, be sure to look out the window – you’ll have your first glimpse of the Teton range as you descend to the airport, which is located within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park.

Insider Info

The airport offers Bear Spray Rental right within the baggage claim hall (the kiosk was all the way to the right side of the hall, if your back is towards the tarmac). The airport kiosk is open from 9:30AM – 7:00PM daily. The flyer noted additional pick-up locations (1 in Jackson, WY, and 2 in/around Yellowstone National Park).

That being said, check with your hotel if they have any bear spray left behind by previous guests. They will likely want it back at the end of your stay, but you may able to save yourself some bear spray rental fees. We discovered this by accident, and wish we knew this on our trip to Alaska in 2021 before we spent a lot of money on bear spray!

Grand Teton National Park: Taking in the Grandeur

1. Scenic Loop Drive through Grand Teton National Park
2. Jenny Lake & Moose Pond
3. Oxbow Bend at Grand Teton National Park
4. Snake River Overlook at Grand Teton National Park
5. Schwabacher Landing at Grand Teton National Park
6. Final Thoughts on Grand Teton National Park

Scenic Loop Drive through Grand Teton National Park

The 42 mile scenic loop drive provides an easy, accessible means to view the East side of the Teton range from a number of different vantage points. With scenic turnouts, lakes, and hiking spots along the way, visitors can take in the landscape and wildlife of Grand Teton National Park along this route. Expect to spend at least 2.5-3 hours driving the full route, including stops along the way to observe the wildlife and take in the scenery.

You will need to either purchase or present an access pass to drive the loop. One entrance point–Moose Entrance–is on Grand Teton Road, headed Westbound soon after you make the turn. The other, Moran Entrance Station, is on US Highway 191 (also noted as Highway 89 and Highway 287 on Google Maps), headed Northwest.

The below points of interest are based on a drive starting at the Moran Entrance Station (going north on Teton Park Road) and returning to Jackson via US Highway 191.

Regardless of the direction in which you decide to drive, always keep your eyes open for wildlife. You never know where you’ll spot a bison, elk, or moose!

Jenny Lake & Moose Pond

Jenny Lake is a popular spot for most visitors to Grand Teton National Park. You may make a round or two of the parking lot before you find a spot, but it’ll be worthwhile after any hike you may choose to do. The trailhead provides access to restrooms with running water, a National Park Service visitor center, and gift shop.

Boating on Jenny Lake

Just beyond the main visitor area, you will find yourselves at the shores of Jenny Lake. Some folks find their way down to the water to dip their feet and enjoy the lake itself. We saw a few people making their journey around the lake by canoe, kayak, etc. (Boats are available for rent at Jenny Lake or you can use your own with the appropriate permits; please visit the NPS site for Jenny Lake for the most current information). Jenny Lake also offers direct boat shuttle service (for a modest fee, payable by credit card) from close to the visitor center to within half a mile of their key attraction – Hidden Falls. We chose to experience the lake by foot.

Hiking around Jenny Lake to Moose Pond

Of the full 7.91 miles around the lake, we ventured one way from the visitor center area, approximately 2.5 miles, with a stopover at Moose Pond. The walk around Jenny Lake for the 2.5 miles was well defined, with only a few areas that were steep or had stairs. While we did get a few good views of the lake, the view was mostly blocked by trees, even at overlook spots along the trail. There was a strong scent in the air which, to me, smelled like cinnamon. Those with potential allergies or sensitivities to strong scents beware!

While I always enjoy the sense of accomplishment coming from a long walk, the trail itself wasn’t particularly scenic. Perhaps we would have seen more variety in fall colors a week later, which would have livened up the walk quite a bit.

However, this trail is the only way to get to Moose Pond. About 1 mile from the visitor center, a sign on the left will point to a trail towards Moose Pond. The trail is a moderately steep walk down, so bring your hiking poles! At the bottom, you will find yourself standing at the edge of a small pond that is a popular viewing spot for – you guessed it – moose!

On the trail-side of the pond, you have small openings amid the brush to get close to the pond and observe the wildlife. On the far side, you’ll see a forest of trees running up the side of a hill. There is a path you can take around Moose Pond. However, most people land up congregating at the trail-side to watch any animals present.

Hidden Falls

Hidden Falls off of Jenny Lake were pretty, but not necessarily worth the 2.5 mile hike. The first main viewpoint of the falls is about .2 miles away from the base of the falls. We saw several people hop-skip-jumping rocks to get to the falls. While not identified as an official trail, the path looked relatively stable. That said, proceed at your own risk.

Beyond the falls, another 1 mile away is Inspiration Point. Due to time (and water) constraints, we didn’t venture further than the falls. To maximize time at Jenny Lake, I would suggest breaking up Jenny Lake into two parts:

• Taking the Jenny Lake ferry to and from the West end port, walking to the falls and Inspiration Point.
• Completing an out-and-back loop to Moose Pond.

Insider Info for Jenny Lake:

• Bring layers! Even on a sunny day in mid-September, we were chilly in shaded parts of the trail or when the sun was hidden by clouds.
• You’ll want your hiking poles and hiking shoes. There are parts of the trail that are steep, potentially with small rocks. The trail can also be slippery from rainfall. The more traction you have, the better!
• To increase your chances of seeing a moose, you want to go earlier or later in the day, when it is cooler out.
• Be sure to dress appropriately if it is tick season.
• If you plan to the take the shuttle boat back, check the last departure time before your hike. You don’t want to plan on a 6PM return, only to show to the port and find the last boat ran at 4 pm!

Oxbow Bend at Grand Teton National Park

Located just beyond the Moran Entrance Station, Oxbow Bend provides a view over a portion of the Snake River, with the Teton Range running along the right. This is a noted spot for seeing wildlife, including moose and elk. The view was quite enjoyable and in September, you can catch changing tree colors.

Snake River Overlook at Grand Teton National Park

Located south of the Moran Entrance Station on US Highway 191, Snake River Overlook provides a ~0.2 mile overlook spot to the Snake River valley in front of the Grand Tetons. It is one of the few spots where you can see the river winding in front of the range. Portions of the overlook are obstructed by trees. We found the best spot for *the* picture was towards the north side of the path.

Schwabacher Landing at Grand Teton National Park

Another 5.5 miles down the road from Snake River Overlook, you will find a relatively sharp right turn to Schwabacher Landing down a 1.1 mile road. The road is narrow so drive slowly, especially around turns, to safely navigate past oncoming vehicles. Once you park in the parking area, visitors can walk down a slightly steep dirt path towards the river. You’ll find a trail off to the right. The trail (well defined and relatively flat) runs parallel to the river and the Teton Range. When fully open, it is ~0.5 miles long; we only had access to about 0.2-0.3 miles of it, but that was plenty to get some stellar views. The popularity of this trail comes from being one of the few accessible spots from which you are able to see the Teton Range & its reflection in the water. The reviews did not disappoint!

Final Thoughts on Grand Teton National Park

An oft-overlooked treasure, Grand Teton National Park is a must-see for visitors to Wyoming. While Yellowstone National Park seems to get all the attention, we found equally stunning views and wildlife observation here! Be sure to schedule 2 to 3 days to check out Grand Teton while you’re in the area.

Have you been to Grand Teton National Park? How did you like it? Do you agree that it’s splendor is equal to that of Yellowstone? Leave a comment below!