|
-SPONSORED LINKS-
Grand Teton LodgingGrand Teton Hotels Grand Teton Camping Grand Teton Weather Grand Teton Tours Grand Teton Pictures Grand Teton Vacation |
|
Sponsored National Park Search |
|
|
|
| Day Trips | Snake River | Scenic Drives | Things to Do and See |
Here are some things to consider doing while enjoying Grand Teton National park. These activities include but are not limited to boating, biking, camping, canoeing, climbing, fishing, hiking, photography, river running, floating or rafting, skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, swimming, and wildlife watching.
Oxbow Bend
Oxbow Bend is an excellent place to spot wildlife in Jackson Hole. Moose, elk, pelicans, sand hill cranes, and bald eagles are often spotted here. Two turnouts on the south side of the road provide plenty of parking with a spectacular view of Mount Moran reflected in the waters of the Snake River. Eagles can usually be seen throughout the day, sitting in the dead trees about half a mile south of the road along the river bank. Herds of elk are often seen coming out of the trees about 300 yards Southeast of the turnouts around sunset. A good set of binoculars or better yet, a spotting scope is the best way to view the animals. Be prepared for another type of wildlife - mosquitoes. They are particularly annoying around sunset.
Gunfight
A favorite visitor attraction is the gunfight by the town square in Jackson every summer evening at 7 PM. This elaborate production lasts about 20 minutes and is well worth the time spent watching it. A cast of around a dozen people act out a stagecoach robbery, kidnapping, and final shoot-out between the sheriff. The main street of town is closed off for the event while hundreds of people watch, photograph, and video tape the action.
National Elk Refuge
A favorite winter activity in Jackson Hole is a tour of the National Elk Refuge located on the north edge of town. Sleigh rides are available to the public from the ranch located on the east side of the refuge. These horse-drawn sleigh rides take you right out into the middle of the vast herd of elk. The elk are so used to the sleighs that you usually pass within 20 - 30 feet of them. You can often see two bulls sparing with each other and an occasional coyote skulking around the edge of the herd looking for a quick meal. As with all things in nature, a certain number of elk die of natural causes and this is what the coyotes are looking for.
Vista Grande Restaurant
An excellent place to eat in the Jackson Hole area is the Vista Grande restaurant located on the Teton Village road. This Mexican style restaurant is a favorite of the locals and provides good food at reasonable prices. Make sure to mention that you saw their restaurant listed on this Web site if you happen to stop there.
Raft Trips
There are many raft excursions available to the visitor in Jackson Hole. These trips vary from a pleasant, slow paced drift down the Snake River from Dead Man's bar to Moose to the wild, white water trip available on the river south of town. The climax of the white water trip is the wild trip through the infamous Lunch Counter rapids. Here standing waves of up to 8 feet high are possible during high water as the whole Snake River passes through a narrow gap in the rocks only about 50 - 75 feet wide. Be prepared to get wet even with the standard rain gear that's provided for each visitor. Thrilling sights of bald eagles swooping down and snatching fish from the river and flying away are not uncommon.
Boat Rentals
Boat rentals are available at Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake. An ideal way to spend an hour or two is to rent one of the motor boats on Jenny Lake and cruise the lake. It's an awe inspiring sight to look up over a mile and a half to the tops of the Teton Mountains towering over you. You will be amazed at the clarity of the water. Boulders the size of garages can be seen under your boat as you seem to be floating in air over them. Boats and guided cruises are available at Signal Mountain Lodge and Colter Bay on Jackson lake. Here you can rent larger boats. One popular style boat is the deck cruiser. This is a large boat about 8 feet wide and 20 feet long, easily able to handle a dozen people. It's equipped with a powerful inboard/outboard motor capable of whisking you across the lake in a matter of minutes. One word of caution, hit a rock with the propeller and it will cost you several hundred dollars for a replacement. The guided cruises are for those who want a more relaxed experience narrated by an experienced guide.
Rendezvous Peak Tramway
For those with a sense of adventure the tramway ride up to the top of Rendezvous Peak offers spectacular views of the surrounding valley and Teton Mountain Range as you travel 2 ˝ miles to the top of Rendezvous Peak. Stick your head out of one of the windows and you may find yourself looking straight down for hundreds of feet to the boulder-strewn mountainside below you. You may even see one or more of the many people who para-sail off the top of the mountain. It's an amazing sight to watch them slowly descending over a mile to the valley floor over the course of 10-15 minutes as they lazily swoop and soar on the air currents until gently setting down at Teton Village.
Snow is often found on the mountain top and in nearby ravines until well into July. From the top of the mountain it's easy to see the Wind River Mountains about 40 miles to the east and southeast as well as Jackson Hole stretching out for 35 miles to the North. An interesting geological formation visible on the far, east side of the valley is Sleeping Indian Peak. This formation looks very much like a sleeping Indian with his head to the north and his belly to the south. It's here on the east side of the mountain that an Air Force C-130 cargo plane crashed in 1996 while taking President Clinton's Secret Service vehicles back to Washington, DC following his visit to the area.
Cascade Canyon and Lake Solitude
A popular and rather strenuous single day hike is the trail up to Lake Solitude located on the north fork of Cascade Creek about 10 miles from Jenny Lake. There are two options for this hike. You can hike 2 ˝ miles around the south end of Jenny Lake or take a launch across the lake to the landing below Inspiration Point. The hike around the lake is an easy trail through the thick pine forest at the foot of the mountains. The climb from the lake up to Inspiration Point is by means of a fairly strenuous trail that climbs 400 feet above the lake in about a mile. The views from Inspiration Point are spectacular with Jenny Lake below you and the valley stretching off into the distance. From there, the trail climbs slowly up Cascade Canyon for about 4 miles until you reach the trail fork at the head of the canyon. The peaks of the mountains tower over a mile above you and you can often see several high, thin waterfalls on the far side of the canyon as the water from the melting snows drop down to flow into Cascade Creek.
The trail to Lake Solitude branches off to the right and it's a strenuous 3 mile hike up to the lake. The best advice for this stretch of trail is to take it slow and steady. Don't walk any faster than you can without having to pant for air. Find a pace you can maintain with moderately fast breathing. If you try and walk too fast you will find yourself constantly stopping to catch your breath.
Lake Solitude is a tiny little lake left over from the melting glaciers thousands of years ago. You are above tree line here at about 9,000 feet above sea level. You have a spectacular view of the west or back sides of the three Teton from here. To the north you can see the trail climbing higher for a couple of miles before dropping down into Paintbrush Canyon on the far side of the ridge. A seasoned hiker may be able to make the trip up Cascade Canyon, over the divide, and back down Paintbrush Canyon in a single day but for most people, it's a two day trip.
Horseback Riding
There are riding stables in several places in the park. The most popular one is located at Jenny Lake. You can take 1hour, 2 hour, and all day rides. The two hour trip takes you all the way around Jenny Lake and is a very scenic ride. For the hard core rider, there's an all day ride to up Cascade Canyon to Lake Solitude. This is by far the easiest way up to Lake Solitude and avoids the approximately 19 mile round trip hike from the Jenny Lake Ranger station.
Snow King Mountain Chair Lift
It's impossible to ignore Snow King mountain. It towers over the town of Jackson on the south edge of town. It's easy to see the many ski runs that come down from the top of the mountain. The chair lift is in operation during the summer months for those who want to visit the top of the mountain. Boarding the chair lift in the summer is a little different than in the winter with skis on. In the winter, the chair sort of pushes you forward on your skis as you settle onto the seat. Your shoes don't slide nearly as well on the dry boards in the middle of July. Once aboard the lift you ride slowly up the mountain as you are suspended 30-40 feet in the air. Getting off at the top is also very different that during the winter. In the winter you just stand up and ski down an incline and out of the way of the lift. In the summer an attendant catches and holds the chair until you hurry out of the way.
Once off the lift you turn around for one of the most magnificent views imaginable. The whole town of Jackson is spread out at your feet with the Tetons towering above the horizon to the north and northwest. Make sure you bring plenty of film. One of those disposable panoramic cameras would be very handy for photographing the inspiring sight. There are hiking trails down from the top of the mountain as well as a small refreshment stand with snacks and cold drinks. Many people ride the lift with their mountain bikes then ride down from the top on one of the service roads leading back down into the valley or by just taking off cross country.
Thanks Richard and Joanell for some great tips and hints to help folks enjoy and get the most out of their visit to the Grand Tetons!
On our trip to the Grand Tetons, we had a fantastic time. Along highway 89 there are pullouts at scenic areas that are just fantastic. One is above Jenny Lake and as you look west the Grant Tetons are just that and more, gorgeous area! Make sure to plan on spending some time at the turnouts admiring the mountain and lake scenic beauty and taking some pictures. These mountain peaks and the lakes and streams are fantastic.
Colter Bay Visitor Center and Indian Arts Museum - Visit the museum to view art created by native peoples and gain a glimpse of 19th century American Indian life. American Indian and wildlife videotapes and a park orientation slide program are shown throughout the day. Ranger-led activities include museum tours, park orientation talks, natural history hikes and evening amphitheater programs.
Signal Mountain Summit Road - This 5-mile drive starts one mile south of Signal Mountain Lodge and Campground. The road winds to the top of Signal Mountain, 800 feet above the valley. Summit overlooks provide panoramic views of the entire Teton Range, Jackson Lake and most of Jackson Hole. The road is narrow and parking at overlooks is limited, so no trailers or large motor homes, please.
Jenny Lake Scenic Drive - Turn at North Jenny Lake and drive southwest. Stop at the Cathedral Group Turnout for a spectacular view of the Grand Teton (13,770'), Teewinot and Mt. Owen. The road is two-way as far as String Lake and Jenny Lake Lodge. South of String Lake, the road becomes one-way and provides a relaxed lakeshore drive with views of Jenny Lake. Rejoin the Teton Park Road near South Jenny Lake.
Menor's Ferry and the Chapel of the Transfiguration - Turn off the Teton Park Road 1/2 mile north of Moose. The Menor's Ferry Trail, less than 1/2-mile long, affords a look at homesteading and pioneer like in Jackson Hole. Visit Bill Menor's cabin and country store. Ride a replica of the ferry that crossed the Snake River at the turn of the century (the ferry is launched after high water in the spring - usually after the 4th of July). The altar window of the Chapel of the Transfiguration frames the tallest Teton peaks. Please be respectful, the chapel is a house of worship.
Add the following stops to those suggested for half day visits.
Willow Flats - Stop at the Willow Flats Turnout, 6 miles south of Colter Bay, for a view of an extensive freshwater marsh that provides excellent habitat for birds, beavers and moose. Jackson Lake and the Teton Range for the backdrop.
Oxbow Bend - Located one mile east of Jackson Lake Junction, this cut-off meander of the Snake River attracts a wide variety of wildlife. Mount Moran, the most massive peak in the Teton Range, dominates the background.
Jackson Lake Dam Overlook - Jackson Lake Dam, one mile west of Jackson Lake Junction on the Teton Park Road, raises the level of Jackson Lake a maximum of 39 feet. In addition to being a reservoir, Jackson Lake is also a natural lake formed by an immense glacier that once flowed from Yellowstone National Park. Park on the southwest side of the dam and take a short walk for a peaceful view of Jackson Lake and Mount Moran.
South Jenny Lake - Park at South Jenny Lake and take a short walk to view glacially-carved Jenny Lake nestled at the base of the tallest Teton peaks. A 6-mile hiking trail encircles Jenny Lake. Shuttle boats (early June through late September, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., fee charged) provide easy access to the west shore of the lake and trails to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point and Cascade Canyon. Parking is limited and the trail becomes crowded, so plan to arrive early or late in the day. A midday arrival will be frustrating.
Antelope Flats - Kelly Loop - At Gros Ventre Junction, 5 miles south of the Moose Junction on Highway 26-89-191, turn east. Follow the road to the small town of Kelly. To see the Gros Ventre Slide, turn at the sign marked "national forest access." The Gros Ventre Slide occurred in 1925 when earthquakes and rain caused the north end of Sheep Mountain to break off and dam the Gros Ventre River, forming Lower Slide Lake. Follow the Antelope Flats Road along hayfields and ranches to rejoin Highway 26-89-121.
In addition to the suggestions listed previously, try some of these:
Ranger-led Activities - Join a ranger for a visitor center talk, museum tour, stroll, hike or evening program. From early June to Labor Day a full schedule of activities is conducted daily. Consult a park newspaper, available at visitor centers and entrance stations, or various bulletin boards in the park. Attend the activities of your choice and learn more about the natural and human history of the park and parkway.
Take a Hike! (I've always wanted to say that) - Over 200 miles of hiking trails in the park and parkway range from level and easy trails on the valley floor to steep, arduous trails into the mountains. At visitor centers, ask a ranger for recommended hikes and look at or purchase maps and trail guides. Parking areas at popular trail heads fill as early as 11:00 a.m., from late June to early September.
Raft Trips on the Snake River - Park and parkway concessioners and operators provide a variety of floating and fishing trips on the Snake River. Equipment is also available for rent in Jackson from several sources.
Ride a Bike - The Teton Park Road has wide shoulders and superb views of the Tetons. The Antelope Flats-Kelly Loop provides riding opportunities on secondary roads. Ride bikes only where cars can legally go; bicycles are not allowed on trails nor in the backcountry. Equipment is available at Dornan's and in Jackson from several sources.
Climbing / Mountaineering - The Teton Range offers many opportunities for climbers and mountaineers. The Jenny Lake Ranger Station is the center for climbing information and climbers are encouraged to stop in and obtain information on routes, conditions and regulations. Registration for day climbs is not required, while all overnight stays require a backcountry permit. The Jenny Lake Ranger Station is open from early June to mid-September, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Horseback Riding - Park concessioners offer horseback rides at Colter Bay and Jackson Lake Lodge.
Many turnouts along park roads offer exhibits on park geology, wildlife, and plants. Turnouts also provide safe places to enjoy scenic views and take photographs. Do not stop in the middle of the road to view wildlife.
The Teton Park Road follows the base of the Teton Range from Moose to Jackson Lake Junction.
The Jenny Lake Scenic Drive skirts Jenny Lake and provides spectacular views of the peaks; the scenic drive is one-way and begins just south of String Lake.
The Signal Mountain Summit Road climbs 800 feet (242 meters) to panoramic views of the Teton Range, Jackson Hole valley, and Jackson Lake.
Driving Safely
Watch for large animals on the road. Drive slowly at night. Elk, bison and mule deer frequently migrate at night and may be difficult to see. Moose use roads as travel corridors. Hitting a large animal at highway speeds has resulted in fatal accidents. Careful driving protects you and wildlife. Always wear your seatbelt.
The Snake River originates in the wilderness near the south boundary of Yellowstone and meanders into Jackson Lake. The Snake River flows out of the lake through Jackson Lake dam, then runs eastward past Oxbow Bend. The slow moving water of Oxbow Bend, a cut-off meander of the Snake River, provides rich habitat for a diverse array of wildlife including herons, waterfowl, pelicans, muskrats, beavers, river otters and moose. At Moran Junction the river turns abruptly southwest and flows down the broadened bed of the ancestral Snake, which diagonally bisects Jackson Hole. Today's river erodes with a fraction of its original force.
From Jackson Lake the Snake winds in braided channels for 27 miles with the park. Slower moving water in side channels ensures essential habitat for numerous aquatic animals and plants. Beavers, river otters and trout swim by moose feeding on aquatic plants. Native Snake River cutthroat trout depend on the park's natural aquatic system for survival. Trout consume aquatic insects and small fish. Bald eagles, osprey and otters in turn feed on the trout.
Along the river, willows thrive among tall cottonwood, spruce and occasional aspen trees. Moose browse on shrubs and trees that line the river's banks. Beavers eat the inner bark of willows, aspens and cottonwoods and weave branches into lodges and dams along side channels. In the summer the river bottom teems with diving, wading and woodland birds, while elk graze in wet meadows. During darkness owls and other predators hunt in this riparian ecosystem.
Born of wilderness snowpack, the Snake River swells with meltwater. Trappers and settlers called it the Mad River, as it was more than a challenge to cross during the spring. Today's challenge is to protect this powerful life supporting river as it flows through the park and as it winds westward to the Pacific Ocean.
Moose browse on willows along rivers and streams. When bulls raise their heads while feeding on underwater aquatic plants in ponds water pours off their palm shaped antlers. Killdeer feed in wet areas. They nest on gravel where camouflage conceals their eggs.
Copyright © 1995 - 2007 Hillclimb Media
Click Here to obtain Advertising Information on this Page
This site is in no way associated with the United States Government, the Department of the Interior or the National Park Service
