Exploring Grand Teton, Yellowstone, & Jackson: Highlights & Tips for an Epic Trip
Mormon Row, Grand Tetons, WY
Grand Teton, Yellowstone National Park, and Jackson, WY, are some of the most breathtaking destinations in the U.S., packed with stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, and adventure at every turn. Our recent trip took us through the best of these iconic locations, and we’re excited to share our highlights, favorite hikes, must-visit spots, and insider tips to make your journey just as incredible. Both of these National Park should be on our travel bucket list.
Things to Know Before You Go
Getting Here:
Fly directly into Jackson Hole Airport ✈️ for the easiest access. The airport is convenient located right outside the town of Jackson, WY and directly inside Grand Teton National Park.
If driving:
From Denver: ~7 hours [Note: we drove from Denver up to Jackson and it was a beautiful road trip through red rocks, skirting the mountain ranges, and watching the wide open landscape change throughout Wyoming. There are a few interesting stops and view points, such as stopping along the original Oregon Trail]
From Salt Lake City: ~5 hours
From Bozeman, MT to Yellowstone: ~2 hours
From Jackson/Grand Teton to Yellowstone: ~2 hours [NOTE: If you are traveling in Winter, the road is CLOSED between the two parks.]
Pack smart: Layers, rain gear, and sturdy hiking shoes are essential. Plus bear spray! If you plan on hiking the trails (even the busy ones!) do not forget to bring bear spray and a bear alarm (although there are mixed reviews about how well the alarm works).
Wildlife etiquette: Keep a safe distance and never approach animals. From bison to moose to bears, remember this is not a zoo and these are wild animals out in their natural habitat.
Geothermal safety: The pools may look beautiful, but they’re dangerously hot—stay on the boardwalks. I know some may want to test to see how hot the water actually is, but remember Yellowstone National Park literally sits on top of an active volcano - think about that before touching the boiling water.
A car or rental car is (almost) a must: While there are day trips and tours that will take you around to the different parks from the town of Jackson or Bozeman, exploring on your own makes for the best opportunities to relax and take in both of these majestic parks.
Drive safely! The roads get extremely dark at night and the wildlife roam wherever they please. Be careful, drive slowly, and watch out for deer, bison, and bears on the road!
For the best wildlife viewing, make sure you utilize the dawn and dusk hours when many animals are the most active. Be very bear aware if hiking very early or late in the day.
Be sure to check the National Park sites for the latest closures and information AND be sure to download the NPS App on your smartphone to plan your trip in advance!
Grand Teton
Grand Teton National Park: A Land of Majestic Peaks and Moose Sightings 🏞️
The jagged peaks of the Tetons are even more stunning in person than in photos, and this park quickly became a favorite. From scenic drives to rewarding hikes, every moment here felt like stepping into a postcard. The rivers and lakes provide a beautiful backdrop while spotting roaming wildlife and dramatic rugged wilderness. Before heading out to Grand Teton National Park, be sure to check the NPS site for the latest weather and hiking conditions.
Highlights:
Mormon Row: A must-see for photographers and history buffs. The iconic barns were built by Mormon settlers in the late 1800s and the area is a nice place to walk around and enjoy the scenic views of the Tetons.
Schwabacher Landing Trail: A peaceful and easy trail with reflective views of the mountains in the Snake River. Arrive early for the best light. If you come at dawn or dusk you may be able to spot moose in the shallow ponds.
Oxbow Bend Overlook: A prime wildlife viewing spot. Take some time to relax, grab a snack and your camera, and settle in for some beautiful views of the river and potential wildlife. We saw eagles nesting in the trees. We heard this was a great spot for otters, and even though we did not spot any otters we did see a muskrat swimming. Hoping you see some otters at this overlook!
Jenny Lake: The ferry ride across the lake cuts hiking time in half, making it a perfect way to reach Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. We recommend taking the ferry one way and then hiking (more like walking) back on the Jenny Lake Trail. Being on the lake gives you some fantastic views of the mountains, while walking back gives you unique up close and personal perspective of the clear lake water with the towering mountains.
Favorite Hikes:
Taggart Lake Loop: One of our favorite trails! A moderate hike with rewarding lake views framed by towering peaks. You can continue on to another picturesque hike to Bradley Lake.
Moose Ponds Trail: As the name suggests, a great place to spot moose in the early morning or evening. We finished up our hike in the late afternoon and came around a corner nearly face to face with a momma moose and her baby grazing and drinking from the stream. Take care if encountering wildlife with their young as they can get aggressive and protective. Leave plenty of space between yourself and the animals. For moose, if you find yourself too close, back away calmly and slowly.
Inspiration Trail: This is one of the most heavily trafficked trails, but it is definitely worth it! The views overlooking the lake truly give this trailhead the reason for its name.
Favorite Picture Spots
Snake River Overlook: A stunning perspective of the winding river and mountains.
Jenny Lake: Gorgeous reflections of the Tetons.
Teton Glacier Turnout: Beautiful mountain views
Elk Ranch Flats Turnout: Bison everywhere!
Sawmill Ponds: We saw moose grazing in the water, which was one of the highlights of the trip for us!
Pro Tips:
🐻 Bear spray is a must! Rent or buy it before heading out. There are plenty of places where you can buy or rent bear spray in the town of Jackson. We went to HD High Country Outfitters, which is a big outdoor store with plenty of fishing, camping, and hiking equipment. Do not take this lightly. Have this attached to a belt loop or in your hands as you hike. You need to be able to access this within seconds in case you need to act if you are charged. There are black bears and grizzlies in both parks. We did see a black bear and cub in a meadow and it was such a wonderful experience to watch them — thankfully it was at a far distance. Make plenty of noise while hiking to avoid surprising a bear, it’s best to travel in groups, and avoid hiking at dusk or dawn.
Dress in layers—it can snow even in July!
Watch the weather! The weather can change quickly in the mountains and bring in thunderstorms and heavy rain. Make sure you are prepared just in case.
Bring plenty of water. Camelbak backpacks are a good option and easy to store your extra layers inside.
The Jenny Lake area fills up quickly! Plan ahead and be sure to get here early or much later in the afternoon. Avoid the prime time between 10AM to 2PM, otherwise you may have to circle around to find parking or find a place along the street to park.
If you are interested in learning more about the park’s history, head down to Menors Ferry to see the old homestead, country store, and old ferry area. Also, be sure to check out the Chapel of Transfiguration - a log church built in 1925. It’s a beautiful small church where the window behind the alter frames the "Cathedral Group” of the Teton Mountains. This makes for a stunning view.
Dornan’s near the park entrance is a great spot for a post-hike meal with an unbeatable view of the Tetons from the rooftop. Stop here for breakfast to fuel up or for some beer and pizza after a day of hiking.
Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park: Geysers, Waterfalls, and Bison Jams 🌋🦬
Yellowstone is massive (3,472 square miles or 8,991 km2) and tackling it in a single day is ambitious. While we made it work by taking advantage of the full daylight hours, breaking it into two days would be more ideal. We focused on the Grand Loop Road, making stops at the park’s top geothermal features and wildlife hot spots. Yellowstone is the USA’s first national park and offers an incredibly diverse amount of experiences from towering waterfalls, to geothermal pools and geysers, to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. While Yellowstone does not (currently) require a timed entry, just know that the parking lots to the major attractions (like old faithful) normally fill up between 10 AM to 2 PM. So be sure to plan your trip accordingly or be prepared to wait for parking at the main sites. For site information, checkout the Yellowstone National Park site.
Highlights:
West Thumb Geyser Basin: A stunning boardwalk with geothermal pools right along the edge of Yellowstone Lake.
Mud Volcano Trail: Bison love this area, and we were lucky enough to see them up close rolling around in the mud and dust. We felt a little too close when one quickly crossed a ravine near us. Here’s your reminder to enjoy wildlife from a safe distance and leave plenty of room! 🦬
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone: The Brink of Lower Falls overlook gave us a spectacular view of the rushing waterfall.
Mammoth Hot Springs: The water filled terraces here are otherworldly, with their steaming pools and colorful mineral deposits.
Old Faithful: It’s a must-see, but try to arrive early or later in the day to avoid peak crowds. Just as the name implies, Old Faithful does have a relatively predictable schedule to see the geyser show.
Must-See Waterfalls:
Tower Fall: A picturesque 132-foot waterfall framed by dramatic rock formations.
Lower Falls: The most famous waterfall in Yellowstone, with breathtaking views from the North and South Rim Trails.
Upper Falls: A powerful waterfall upstream from Lower Falls, offering another incredible vantage point.
Moose Falls: A smaller but scenic waterfall near the southern entrance, perfect for a quick stop.
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone: The entire canyon area offers stunning vistas of cascading falls and multicolored canyon walls.
Favorite Geysers & Geothermal Features:
Paint Pots: Bubbling mud pots that showcase Yellowstone’s fascinating geothermal activity. 🌋
Norris Geyser Basin: One of the hottest and most dynamic geothermal areas in the park.
Old Faithful: The iconic geyser that never fails to impress with its predictable eruptions roughly every 90 mins. ⏳
West Thumb Geyser Basin: Stunning hot springs right on the shore of Yellowstone Lake.
Mud Volcano Trailhead: Features churning mud pots and steaming fumaroles, often with bison nearby.
Midway Geyser Basin: Home to Grand Prismatic Spring, the most colorful and vibrant hot spring in the park.
Mammoth Hot Springs: If you’ve heard the famous area in Turkey, Pamukkale, these hot springs give the same vibes with beautiful terraced thermal pools.
Favorite Hikes:
North Rim Trail: A beautiful walk along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with stunning vistas.
Lower Falls Overlook: One of the best places to take in the waterfall’s power.
Thumb Geyser: An easy paved boardwalk that takes you around colorful pools and geysers with scenic views of Yellowstone Lake.
Fountain Paint Pot Trail: Easy accessible walking trail along bubbling mud pools - a little different than the colorful pools you see elsewhere
Mud Volcano Trail: A short hiking loop that takes you around several colorful pools, steaming geysers, mud volcanoes, and a few bison!
Norris Porcelain Basin: We recommend heading here later in the day or earlier in the morning as the parking lot fills up fairly quickly. This hike contains a ton of different colorful pools, geysers, and springs that gets you up close and personal with many of the pools.
Favorite Picture Spots
West Thumb Geyser Basin: Beautiful picture spot for colorful pools and views of Yellowstone Lake.
Mammoth Hot Springs: Unbelievable views of the travertine pools - terraced calcified pools that vary in color.
Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook: Best seen from the Fairy Falls Trail.
Brink of Lower Falls: Hike down the trail to see unbelievable views of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Keep an eye out for the rainbows that form in the mist!
Lookout Point: Amazing views of the waterfalls in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
Tower Fall: A short walk from the Tower Fall general store, this 132 foot waterfall in the mountain forest is stunning.
Pro Tips:
Stay patient! Animal traffic jams (mostly caused by bison and bears) are a part of the experience and honestly one of the coolest things about Yellowstone. Be patient and know that you’ll probably soon see some great wildlife near the road.
Leave time for pull-offs. Some of the best wildlife sightings happen unexpectedly. Keep a lookout when you are near the grassy meadows as the animals love to wander in these areas.
⚠️ Stay back from wildlife. Bison, elk, moose, and bears are incredible to see but dangerous up close.
Break up the park into two days if staying in Jackson —the drive is long!
Jackson
Jackson: Adventure & Relaxation
We wrapped up our trip with a mix of outdoor fun and great food and shopping in the town.
Top Experiences:
Snake River Float: This was our favorite experience of the trip! Floating down the river with the Tetons as a backdrop and bald eagles soaring above was magical. We saw moose, deer, osprey, and eagles. We took the morning float and it was chilly but completely worth it! The roughly three hour scenic float provides an amazing perspective. The rushing river, wildlife, and mountains are breathtaking and the whole float trip was extremely peaceful. There are a handful of float companies that are concessionaires that work with the National Park, but are not necessarily sponsored or directly partnered through the park. Each one offers similar experiences, but may vary slightly in length and times. You will meet your guides right outside of the National Park, where they will pick you up in a van and drive you up river to your launch site. From there you will board the float (a large flat bottomed raft) that sits about 10 people. Make sure to book in advance through GetYourGuide or Viator. Or you can book directly through any of the authorized concessionaires. Have fun!
Whitewater rafting: There are plenty of tour companies that can take you whitewater rafting on the Snake River. The river offers class II rapids making it accessible to most rafters!
Jackson Hole Mountain Gondola: Take the gondola up for incredible views, a quick hike, and enjoy a drink at the top.
Take the Gondola up Snow King Mountain: in winter time be sure to check out the tubing and ski slopes; in the summer check out the alpine coaster, numerous hiking and biking trails, and zip-lining!
Take your picture in front of the Elk antler arches in downtown Jackson. Each arch is made from 2,000 local Elk Antlers which are hand picked by the Jackson Hole’s Boy Scouts each spring (after the elk naturally shed their antlers).
Shopping in Jackson. There are plenty of boutiques in the quaint downtown area. Take some time to explore the many different restaurants, bars, art studios, whiskey tasting (check out the Wyoming Whiskey Barrel House) and boutique shops!
Favorite Restaurants:
Snake River Brewing Company: Great beer, pulled pork sandwiches, and a fun atmosphere.
Cafe Genevieve: The perfect spot for a cozy brunch.
Gather: Delicious, creative dishes with a modern twist. Be sure to make a reservation!
Cowboy Coffee Company: The best place to fuel up before a day of exploring.
Miazga’s: For Polish and comfort food including pierogis and brats.
Orsetto Italian Bar & Eatery: For a delicious filling meal after a long day of hiking
Whistling Grizzly: Western style eatery - the carrot cake is a must-try.
Dornan’s Pizza Pasta Company: Right outside Grand Teton NP, perfect for dining with a view.
Wildlife Spotting: Best Places & What to See
Bison: Found all over Yellowstone, especially near Hayden and Lamar Valleys. We found them at Elk Ranch Flats in the Tetons (outside of the park entrance) pretty consistently as well.
Elk: Often spotted in Mammoth Hot Springs area and around Jackson Hole.
Moose: Best seen in Grand Teton, especially at Schwabacher Landing and Sawmill Ponds.
Bears: Both black bears and grizzlies roam these parks—carry bear spray!
Wolves: Best viewed in Lamar Valley at dawn or dusk.
Accommodations
Jackson Hole: Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole, The Wort Hotel, Rustic Inn, or budget-friendly Elk Country Inn.
We stayed at the Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole and loved the size of the rooms, the overall ambiance, and the location (only a short drive or bus ride to downtown Jackson).
Yellowstone: Old Faithful Inn for historic charm, Lake Yellowstone Hotel for scenic lake views.
Ranch Experience: If you are looking for something more unique, check out one of the numerous ranch experiences!
Final Thoughts
Our trip to Jackson, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone was filled with jaw-dropping landscapes, thrilling wildlife encounters, and unforgettable adventures. Whether you’re hiking to alpine lakes, watching geysers erupt, or floating down the Snake River, this region offers something for every traveler. This was one of our favorite National Park road trips. Every turn brought more and more jaw dropping scenery and wildlife. Seeing bison, bears, and moose wandering in their natural habitat was a surreal experience that we were fortunate to be a part of. With the right planning, you’ll create memories that will last a lifetime!
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone