Overview

Grand Teton delivers alpine drama without the multi-day commitment — sheer granite spires rise 7,000 feet straight from the valley floor, no foothills to soften the punch. With 3.6 million visitors and a congestion index of 6.6, you'll share the scene at popular spots like Jenny Lake, but the rock climbing here is world-class (10/10) and wildlife sightings are frequent thanks to the preserved valley ecosystem. May offers the best balance of snow-capped peaks and accessible trails before summer crowds peak in July. At $35 entry, it's less crowded than Yellowstone next door but packs comparable visual impact per square mile.

Trail Tip

Skip the Jenny Lake shuttle queue and hike the west shore trail at sunrise — you'll beat the boat crowds to Cascade Canyon by two hours and catch alpenglow hitting the Cathedral Group from the best angle. Start by 6:30 AM in summer, earlier in peak season.

When to Go

The sweet spot is May — good weather meets manageable crowds. Peak season hits in July.

Best month: wildflowers peak, trails open, animals active. Moderate crowds, mild weather. High 68°F.

Monthly crowd levels — click a month for details

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Low Moderate High Peak

Seasonal Closures

Some high elevation trails: Snow and ice make many high trails impassable; check conditions

Some park roads: Weather-dependent seasonal closures on mountain passes

How Busy Is It?

How Grand Teton compares to all 62 national parks

Busier than 69% of national parks

QuietBusy
Above Average

More crowded trails than 72% of parks

QuietBusy
Above Average

Higher campsite pressure than 42% of parks

EasyTough
Moderate
18,141 Visitors / Trail Mile
670 Campsite Pressure

Notable Trails

Grand Teton has more trail mileage than 77% of national parks, with 200 miles across 60 maintained trails.

The difficulty split leans moderate to strenuous — only 25% of trails are rated easy.

Easy 25% Moderate 58% Strenuous 17%
A trail meanders through a rocky, alpine meadow with jagged peaks in the background.

Paintbrush Canyon - Cascade Canyon Loop

strenuous
20 mi ·11-14 hours hrs
A hiker walks down a trail towards a mountain range.

Two Ocean Lake - Emma Matilda Lake Loop

strenuous
13.2 mi ·7-9 hours hrs
An alpine lake sits at the base of a rocky cliff surrounded by green vegetation.

Holly Lake

strenuous
13 mi ·7-9 hours hrs
Wildflowers with a lake in the background.

Emma Matilda Lake

Moderate
10.7 mi ·5-7 hours hrs
View all 56 trails
Trail Tip

Start early — Grand Teton's most popular trailheads fill up by mid-morning in peak season.

Camping

8 campgrounds with 1154 total sites. All sites require reservations.

outside amphitheater with visitors sitting on benches and a ranger on stage making a presentation

Colter Bay Campground Reservable

324 sites ·$59/night ·Summer Season
RV park brown log cabin with green door and flowers in barrels

Colter Bay RV Park Reservable

112 sites ·$117/night ·Summer Season
Canvas roof with log walls, wood stove, and bunk beds

Colter Bay Tent Village Reservable

66 sites ·$104/night ·Summer Season
A VW camper van with a plaid shirted individual looking out into the park.

Gros Ventre Campground Reservable

279 sites ·$57/night ·Seasonal
View all 8 campgrounds

Top Activities

Grand Teton excels at 15 of 17 activity types — here are the standouts rated 7/10 or higher.

Rock Climbing

10/10

World-renowned climbing destination with hundreds of routes from 5.0 to 5.13; Grand Teton is a world classic

Scenic Driving

10/10

Teton Park Road offers multiple stops with iconic mountain views; Oxbow Bend is legendary for photography

Photography

10/10

World-famous photogenic landscape; multiple iconic viewpoints and diverse lighting angles

Hiking

9/10

60+ trails ranging from easy lake walks to technical alpine scrambles with unmatched scenery

Wildlife Viewing

9/10

Moose, elk, mule deer, bison, pronghorn, bears, and 300+ bird species; best in early morning

Backpacking

8/10

Backcountry permits available; popular Teton Crest Trail traverses high alpine terrain

Kayaking Canoeing

8/10

Multiple pristine lakes (Jackson, Jenny, Phelps) with alpine mountain views

Fishing

8/10

Excellent cutthroat trout fishing in lakes and streams; license required

Bird Watching

8/10

Over 300 bird species including trumpeter swans, bald eagles, and Steller's jays

Snowshoeing

8/10

Many trails convert to snowshoe routes; January through March is ideal

Biking

7/10

Mixed terrain; limited paved paths but good gravel and dirt road options; mountain biking in some areas

Horseback Riding

7/10

Commercial outfitters available; extensive horse-friendly trails throughout park

Stargazing

7/10

Good stargazing away from Jackson; some light pollution from nearby town affects park core

Cross Country Skiing

7/10

Winter trails available; shorter season due to high elevation and heavy snow

Ranger Programs

7/10

Ranger-led walks, campfire programs, and educational talks June through September

Who It's For

Couples 10/10 Photographers 10/10 Families Teens 9/10 Experienced Hikers 9/10 Adventure Seekers 9/10 International Visitors 9/10 Solo Travelers 8/10 First Time Park Visitors 8/10

Planning Your Trip

Getting There

Nearest city: Salt Lake City, UT (240 mi). Fly into JAC.

In-Park Services

Gas available · Lodging available · Cell: limited

Gateway Town

Jackson, WY — full amenities

Featured In ?Rankings based on data-driven scoring across all 62 national parks.

#8 Best National Parks for Scenic Drives #1 Best National Parks for Rock Climbing #10 Best National Parks for Fishing #3 Best National Parks for Couples #10 Best National Parks for Experienced Hikers #7 Best National Parks for Teens

Stories

10 National Park Trails With the Most Elevation Gain Glacier's steepest climbs ranked by vertical feet, from lung-burners to summit scrambles that earn every inch of elevation 10 Easy National Park Trails Worth the Trip Ten easy trails in Acadia that deliver granite coastlines, quiet summits, and forest solitude without the knee-destroying climbs 10 Best Loop Trails in the National Parks The finest loop hikes in the national parks, from Bryce Canyon's hoodoo amphitheaters to backcountry routes most visitors skip 10 Most Demanding Trails in the National Parks The national park trails that test your conditioning, patience, and ability to keep moving when your legs start negotiating for rest breaks 8 National Parks Every Climber Should Visit Eight parks where the rock tells stories older than the sport, from desert towers to alpine walls that demand more than gym skills 8 National Parks Where You Can Still See Glaciers Eight parks where ice still carves mountains, from roadside glaciers in Alaska to Nevada's unlikely alpine surprise 8 National Parks With the Most to Do These eight parks pack more activities into one trip than most national parks offer in three seasons 8 National Parks With the Most Campgrounds These parks lead the country in campground volume, spreading hundreds of sites across varied terrain and seasons 8 National Parks for a Couples Getaway Eight national parks where April delivers solitude, moderate weather, and landscapes that reward slow mornings and long conversations The Rocky Mountain National Parks Road Trip Six mountain parks stay open all winter and welcome families without specialized gear or backcountry skills

Gateway Cities

Salt Lake City, UT 286 mi / 5.2h drive

Compare Grand Teton

See how Grand Teton stacks up against other national parks — crowds, trails, and more.

Compare Grand Teton

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Grand Teton National Park?

The best month to visit Grand Teton is May, based on a balance of weather, crowds, and accessibility. Peak visitation is in July. The park has 5 comfortable months for visiting.

How crowded is Grand Teton National Park?

Grand Teton is crowded, with a congestion index of 6.6/10. The park receives 3.6M visitors annually across 485.2 square miles.

How many trails does Grand Teton National Park have?

Grand Teton has 200 miles of trails across 15 easy, 35 moderate, and 10 strenuous routes. Popular trails include Grand Teton via Teton Crest Trail, Jenny Lake Loop, Cascade Canyon Trail.

Can you camp at Grand Teton National Park?

Yes, Grand Teton has 8 campgrounds with 1154 total sites. Some sites are available first-come, first-served.

Is Grand Teton National Park open year-round?

Yes, Grand Teton is open year-round, though some roads and facilities may close seasonally. The park's climate is classified as alpine_temperate.

Nearby Parks

Yellowstone National Park 54 mi away
Rocky Mountain National Park 351 mi away
Arches National Park 357 mi away