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Only have one day to see Grand Teton National Park? Are you short on time but still wanting a meaningful experience in the park?
On my last trip, I had just one day, and, like you, I wasn’t sure if it’d be worth it.
With so much to see (and not a lot of time), you may be worried that you’ll miss out on the best parts or feel too rushed or overwhelmed.
Well, let me reassure you: Even with just one day, Grand Teton will absolutely blow you away.
In this post, I’ll share exactly what I did with one day in the Grand Tetons, what I’d do differently, and how you can make the most of a single day too.
What to Prioritize With Only One Day
Is one day enough? Yes. Grand Teton is not as big as Yellowstone (only 485 square miles versus Yellowstone’s 3,472 square miles), so navigating it in one day is definitely possible.
I, too, only had one day at Grand Teton, but I did and saw a lot in that one day and came away feeling grateful to have seen so much beauty.
With one full day in the Grand Tetons, you can see the highlights of this incredible national park.
Suggested 1-Day Itinerary Overview
Here’s what I recommend:
- Early Morning: Head first to Taggart Lake, a beautiful 3-mile hike that gets crowded later in the day.
- Mid-Morning: Next, boat across Jenny Lake, and then hike to the Hidden Falls. This is the most crowded area of the national park, so get here as early as you can.
- Afternoon: Visit the Mormon Row to see historic homesteader houses. Save this for last because it’s not a busy area.
- Late Afternoon: If you’re visiting between mid-December to early April, stop at the National Elk Refuge on your way out to see the elk and learn about their migration.
- Evening: Don’t forget to explore Jackson Hole, a charming small town at the edge of Grand Teton, with trendy restaurants and a buzzing atmosphere (especially in summer).
Grand Teton is famous for its mountains, lakes, elk migration, and historic Mormon Row buildings, all of which I’ve included as must-dos.
Details of Activities for One Day in Grand Teton National Park
It can feel overwhelming to put together an itinerary when there are so many options. Grand Teton has miles of hiking trails and a surplus of things to do. What if you miss something or end up wasting time?
I researched a lot before arriving at Grand Teton, wanting to make sure we did all the highlights, and I was ultimately happy with the day I spent there.
Here are my thoughts on the activities I did in Grand Teton National Park to help you decide if you should add it to your itinerary, too.
Hike to Taggart Lake
Length: 3 miles
Elevation gain: 360 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Taggart Lake is a must-do hike in Grand Teton National Park. It’s a 3-mile, gorgeous trail that ends at a beautiful, mirrored lake. It’s a fairly flat trail with only 360 feet of elevation gain.
It’s also a great introductory hike to Grand Teton National Park, allowing you to see the beauty of this national park.
On the trail, you’ll pass through beautiful woods, see mountain views, hop over rivers/streams, and of course end at the lake.
It is one of my favorite hikes ever, one my mom and I both said we wished we could do every morning.
I’d recommend hiking to Taggart Lake first thing in the morning so there aren’t as many crowds and you get your pick of the parking spaces.
Take a Boat Ride across Jenny Lake
The Jenny Lake area is the most crowded area of the park. By the time we finished our hike to Taggart Lake and made it here, all parking lots were full and we had to park on the street. It wasn’t a long walk from the street, so it wasn’t much of a problem. But just prepare yourself for the crowds.
There is a ferry that goes across Jenny Lake and costs $20 for an adult round trip ticket.
Why take the ferry? On the other side of the lake, there are a few trails. Without the ferry you would need to walk an additional two miles each way to reach these trails, so you save time and energy on the ferry.
The ferry departs every 15 minutes, and the line went pretty fast. Before we knew it, we were on the boat, enjoying the views of Jenny Lake.
You can also rent a canoe and do some canoeing on Jenny Lake!
Hike to Hidden Falls
Length: 1 mile
Elevation gain: 300 feet
Difficulty: Easy (though a bit steep in some parts)
Once you’ve made it to the other side of Jenny Lake, you’ll head out to the trails. The most popular trail is the hike to Hidden Falls. This is the hike we did. It’s an easy, 1-mile round trip hike with 300 feet of elevation gain. It can be a little steep at some parts, but it’s still rated as easy.
Your efforts will be rewarded at the end with views of an incredible, cascading waterfall. It was a surprisingly large waterfall, too, not a little trickle like I expected.
After you’ve finished hiking, you can head back to the dock at any time for your return boat ride.
Visit the Mormon Row Historic District
Mormon Row is a set of historic residences and barns that were built by Mormon homesteaders back in the 1890s. Mormons sent people out from Salt Lake City as pioneers to help expand and support their growing population. They settled here in what’s now known as Mormon Row.
The buildings still stand, and you can get very close to them, peek inside their windows, walk around their farms. No one lives here anymore, of course. By the 1950s, most of the homesteaders had sold their land to the national park.
It’s a beautiful, interesting area. The houses and farms are spread apart, and we enjoyed driving to a few of them and walking around.
Visit the Famous Four Sights in Grand Teton
One thing that I wish I did differently on my day in the Grand Tetons is see ALL FOUR of the its famous sights. I only saw one (Mormon Row).
So my advice to you is to make a few extra stops to see these top highlights.
The famous four sights in Grand Teton are:
- Schwabacher Landing
- Moulton Barns (Mormon Row)
- Snake River Overlook
- Oxbow Bend
Three of the sights don’t require much walking to reach the viewpoint, but the Schwabacher Landing viewpoint does require about a mile’s walk.
Should You Rent a Can of Bear Spray?
Before setting out on your Grand Teton adventure, consider renting a can of bear spray from one of the shops in town, such as Teton Backcountry Adventures. We got a can even though we didn’t end up needing it, but it gave my mom peace of mind during our hikes.
Teton Backcountry Adventures gave us a brief orientation on using bear spray before renting it to us, so it was good knowledge to have stored away for the future.
We were able to rent it for our time at Grand Teton and then keep it as we went to Yellowstone, returning it at a drop-off point once we were done with those two national parks.
Learn more about bear safety and bear encounters on the NPS website.
Practical Tips to Help Plan Your One Day
Go early. While Grand Teton may not be as popular as its neighbor Yellowstone, you should still expect and plan for crowds, especially in summer. Wake up early and head out to try to beat some of them.
Be a soft hiker. Hiking is one of the best ways to experience the Grand Tetons, but I wouldn’t suggest attempting a long hike if you only have a day. Hike the shorter trails (1-3 miles), so that you are able to see and do more in the park.
Don’t do too much. There are a lot of activities to add to your list, but be sure to allow for travel time, rest breaks, and lunch.
Map of Activities in Grand Teton National Park
Where to Stay Near Grand Teton National Park
There is lodging in the national park, but don’t worry if you can’t find any availability (we didn’t either).
There are also plenty of hotels in Jackson Hole, which is an easy driving distance to/from the park.
Hotels book up fast in Jackson Hole, especially in the summer, so try to book your lodgings as soon as you know your travel dates.
Recommended Hotels in Jackson Hole, WY:
- 49er Inn (where we stayed)
- Rustic Inn Creekside Resort and Spa at Jackson Hole
- The Rockwell Inn
- Hotel Jackson
- Huff House Inn and Cabins
- Antler Inn
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Jackson
Where we stayed: We ended up staying at the 49er Inn, a motel that was one of the cheapest accommodations I found. It was perfectly fine — there was a pool and free buffet breakfast, so I really can’t complain.
Explore Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole is a charming town with a lot of history.
Best of all — it’s very walkable. It’s very easy to walk to the Jackson Town Square and the nearby shops and restaurants (depending on where you’re lodging). You’ll see loads of people out, walking the streets, as well.
Once we parked our car at our motel we only needed it to drive into Grand Teton and back (Well, we also drove to the National Elk Refuge as it was on the outskirts of town).
Here are a few things to check out in Jackson Hole:
- Jackson Town Square
- Jackson Hole’s Elk Antler Arch
- National Elk Refuge & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center
- Restaurant recommendations: The Bunnery, Cutty’s
Getting to Jackson Hole, Wyoming
If you’re not from the area, like us, and need to fly in, there are a few options.
Fly into Jackson Hole, WY
The closest airport is the Jackson Hole Airport, which sits right in between the town of Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park (10-15 minutes either way).
Fly into Salt Lake City, UT
Flying straight into Jackson Hole, WY seems like the most logical option, but we ended up flying into the Salt Lake City International Airport, which is nearly 300 miles and a 5-hour drive away.
Why? Well, we had never been to Salt Lake City, so we liked the idea of staying a few days there, too. Also, we couldn’t find rental cars to reserve in Jackson Hole, which was probably due to the rental car shortage at the time (this was in 2021).
Driving from Salt Lake City through Idaho and parts of Wyoming was a beautiful drive, so I definitely don’t regret it.
Drive from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole, WY
If you end up following our route, starting/ending in Salt Lake City and driving through Idaho, here are three must-stop places along the way:
- Idaho Falls River Walk in Idaho Falls, ID — This was a really pretty walk along man-made waterfalls (in the middle of the city) and a great way to stretch your legs during the long drive.
- Japanese Friendship Garden in Idaho Falls, ID — This was such a cool hidden gem right across from the falls.
- Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfoot, ID — It honestly inspired me to learn how a small, simple thing like the potato could change the world. A fun, little museum and you can even try an Idaho baked potato and/or potato ice cream (surprisingly good!) at the on-site cafe.
When to Visit Grand Teton National Park
What is the best month to visit Grand Teton National Park? The best months to visit, weather wise, are the summer months — June, July, and August. These months are the most crowded months, however.
Summer: Summer is the ideal time as the roads will be clear of snow and the weather sunny. The only downside is that there are a lot of crowds in summer. We went in July, and even though there were A LOT of people, we still enjoyed our time.
Shoulder Season: Going in shoulder season — May or September/October — may have less crowds. There also may be inclement weather (snow) in the shoulder season, so be prepared.
Before You Go: Check Current Conditions
Always check the official NPS website for current conditions before setting out. Make sure the park and its roads are open for your travel dates.
Entry Fees
It costs $35 per vehicle to enter Grand Teton National Park, and your entry is valid for one week.
If you plan to visit more than three national parks in a year, definitely get an America the Beautiful pass to save money.
Does Grand Teton National Park require reservations? No, you don’t need to make a reservation to enter Grand Teton National Park. You do need to pay a fee upon entrance, though.
Does Grand Teton National Park close? No, Grand Teton is open 24 hours, every day of the year.
How to Combine Yellowstone National Park with Grand Teton National Park
Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park are so close together — I mean, they share a border — so it makes perfect sense to see both of these parks during the same trip. This is what we did, and I highly recommend it.
See my post “3 Days in Both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks” for a more detailed itinerary on combining these parks in one trip.
Which is better, Grand Teton or Yellowstone?
Both national parks are incredibly beautiful. I honestly can’t choose between them!
What to Pack When Visiting Wyoming
Favorite travel essentials
- I really recommend these compression packing cubes. They’re very thick and durable and allow you to pack more than you expect.
- I also love this travel backpack that opens like a suitcase, fits almost as much as a carry-on, and has tons of pockets as well as a strap to attach to your luggage handle. It makes traveling so much easier and more organized. It also fits nicely under the airplane seats.
- I bring this AirFly receiver for AirPods with me on long-haul flights, so I can connect to the plane’s video screen with my own AirPods.
- I no longer hop on a flight without wearing my Sockwell compression socks because they really do help relieve/prevent leg cramps from sitting so long in one place. I have the lotus pattern, but there are other patterns to choose from, such as this cat pattern or this flower pattern. See all sock patterns in the Sockwell storefront.
Other Posts to Help You Plan Your Trip to the American West
Wyoming
Montana
Utah
New Mexico
- Best Way to See Carlsbad Caverns Big Room: Natural Entrance Trail vs. Elevator
- Guide to Staying at Ten Thousand Waves Spa in New Mexico
Arizona
Wow how beautiful I feel like I was there again!