How to Spend 3 Days in Grand Teton National Park

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Grand Teton National Park ranks among America’s most visited national parks, with a staggering 3.4 million visitors in 2023, making it the 8th most visited park last year. Its allure is undeniable, boasting breathtaking mountain vistas, pristine lakes and rivers, and an abundance of wildlife. Our three-day adventure here last fall left me yearning for more, eager to return and explore further. In this post, I’ll detail our visit, including when we went, where we stayed, and our activities. Stick around until the end for a sample itinerary to help plan your own Grand Teton getaway.

When We Visited

According to the NPS website, May through September marks the peak season at Grand Teton National Park. Opting for an early September visit proved to be a wise choice for us. Arriving the week after Labor Day granted us the luxury of fewer crowds while still enjoying favorable temperatures. Mornings and evenings were cool and crisp, but as the day progressed, it transformed into a delightful warmth accompanied by sunshine. Layers will be your best friends at this time of year!

If you prefer a Spring trip, late May to early June is a great time to see all the wildlife babies! Just know that the later into summer you go, the more crowds there will be.

Where We Stayed

The National Park Service provides a range of lodging options within Grand Teton National Park, including lodges, cabins, and campgrounds for those seeking a more adventurous experience. For our stay, we opted for the Colter Bay Village cabins due to its convenient central location within the park. It’s worth noting that reservations for park lodging fill up quickly, so booking well in advance is essential. Reservations typically open one year in advance on a rolling basis.

Our experience at the Colter Bay cabins exceeded our expectations. Our quaint cabin provided a double and a twin bed and a private bathroom, a rare luxury in national park accommodations. The cabin was thoughtfully equipped with bedding, towels, and standard toiletries, along with a Keurig coffee maker. After surviving on lukewarm coldbrew coffee during our time in Yellowstone, this small luxury was a delightful surprise! Additionally, we appreciated the cabin’s proximity to Jackson Lake, offering easy access to scenic trails for leisurely strolls.

For those seeking alternative lodging options, the town of Jackson Hole lies just outside the park limits and provides another excellent choice for accommodation.

Hiking

The majority of our time in the park revolved around our passion for hiking. We love to explore, so we were determined to make the most of our visit by hitting the trails. Grand Teton National Park certainly does not disappoint when it comes to hiking opportunities, boasting a plethora of trails catering to all skill levels and preferences. Additionally, the park offers an array of outdoor recreational activities, including boating, fishing, rock climbing, biking, and more, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy amidst its breathtaking landscapes.

Delta Lake

Upon our arrival at the park, we made a beeline for the Lupine Meadows Trailhead, eager to tackle the Delta Lake hike—an iconic and highly sought-after trail within the park. Spanning 7.4 miles round trip, this trail is renowned for its stunning vistas and challenging terrain, making it a favorite among hikers. With over 2,000 feet of elevation gain, much of which is concentrated in the final mile of the trail, it’s undoubtedly a strenuous endeavor. The trail also presents sections of rock scrambling, particularly near the summit, which can be daunting for some.

I’ll admit, there were moments during the rock scramble where I contemplated turning back. However, the camaraderie among fellow hikers on the trail, their words of encouragement, propelled me forward. And oh, am I grateful I persisted! The reward awaiting us at the top—a pristine, azure lake cradled amidst the rugged peaks—left me utterly awe-inspired. Words and even photographs fail to capture the sheer majesty of Delta Lake. Standing at its shores, I couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of accomplishment and empowerment for conquering the ascent.

Inspiration Point/Hidden Falls/Cascade Canyon via Moose Lake

After the exhilarating yet exhausting hike to Delta Lake, we opted for a more leisurely excursion the following day, crafting our own adventure by combining various trails. We kicked off our day with a visit to Moose Lake, where luck was on our side as we spotted a mother moose and her calf across the tranquil waters—a memorable wildlife encounter to start our day.

We continued on around the scenic Jenny Lake, a journey made more convenient for those seeking a shortcut by a ferry service available for a nominal fee. Along the way, we stumbled upon signs directing us to Hidden Falls, an enticing detour en route to Inspiration Point. The sight of the cascading waterfall was a sight to behold, adding to the beauty of our hike.

As we approached the falls, we noticed a significant increase in the number of fellow hikers, a testament to its popularity. However, pressing on to Inspiration Point, we found ourselves amidst a throng of visitors, prompting us to seek solace as we descended into Cascade Canyon.

Wandering through Cascade Canyon was a tranquil respite from the bustling crowds above. Enveloped by towering peaks and breathtaking vistas at every turn, we savored the serenity of our surroundings. Cascade Canyon offered us the flexibility to tailor our hike to our preferences, opting to turn back halfway down given our earlier trek around the lake.

On our way back to the car, we were able to have an unforgettable wildlife experience! Just off the trail was a bull moose having his lunch. We all made sure to stay back the required distance and observed this magnificent animal in his natural habitat.

Upon reflection, while the return journey to our car tested our endurance, part of me wished we had opted for the ease of the ferry for those final miles. Nonetheless, the sense of accomplishment and the memories forged during our nearly 10-mile trek made every step worthwhile.

Taggart and Bradley Lakes

On our final day in the park, we had the pleasure of meeting up with friends who reside just a couple of hours away from the park. With their two young children in tow, we opted for a shorter and more family-friendly hike. Continuing our trend of forging our own paths, we decided to merge two hikes into one.

Our journey began with a hike up to Taggart Lake, a serene spot surrounded by the majestic beauty of the Teton Range. However, rather than following the loop hike as suggested by All Trails, we opted to extend our adventure by venturing onward to Bradley Lake—a decision I wholeheartedly recommend! It’s like getting a two for one sale at the grocery store.

Bradley Lake surpassed our expectations, offering a tranquil oasis that captivated our senses. We were also so pleased to be away from the crowds and found our own little nook next to the lake to enjoy a picnic lunch. The added bonus of being able to explore two distinct lakes on a single, shorter hike was a highlight of our day. It provided the perfect opportunity for our friends and their little ones to experience the splendor of Grand Teton National Park without overwhelming them with a strenuous trek. This was the perfect hike to end our epic Grand Teton adventure!

Where We Ate

Despite being on a tight budget, we managed to indulge in a few dining experiences during our time in the Tetons—balancing our love for adventure with some well-deserved culinary treats. With our minds still reeling from putting in an offer on our new home just the day before our journey, we embraced the simplicity of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches throughout most of our trip.

However, on occasion, we allowed ourselves to enjoy some of the local cuisine. After our first day of hiking to Delta Lake, we rewarded ourselves with a delicious meal at the Pioneer Grill, located within the Jackson Lake Lodge. The chicken quesadilla surpassed my expectations, and the Huckle brownie proved to be an irresistible indulgence.

For our second meal, we opted for a more casual dining experience at Pinky G’s Pizzeria in Jackson Hole. Renowned for its delicious yet affordable pizza offerings, this eatery hit the spot perfectly. I particularly appreciated the option to order pizza by the slice, catering to our budget-conscious mindset without compromising on taste.

After filling our bellies, we took a leisurely stroll around the charming town of Jackson Hole, soaking in the quaint mountain town ambiance. The abundance of local shops and restaurants added to its allure, and we couldn’t resist snapping the iconic photo in front of one of the antler arches—a quintessential Jackson Hole experience!

Sample Itinerary

As promised, here is a sample of our 3 day Grand Teton itinerary

• Day 1:
  • Arrive into Grand Teton National Park
  • Hike to Delta Lake
  • Dinner, shopping, or just relax!
• Day 2:
  • Hike to Moose Lake and continue on up to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point
  • If you’re feeling up to it, hike part way down Cascade Canyon!
  • Dinner, shopping, or just relax!
• Day 3:
  • Hike to Taggard and/or Bradley Lakes
  • Go to the iconic Grand Teton barn for a photo op!

If you want to combine this trip with a trip to Yellowstone National Park, be sure to check out my blog post on how we spent our 3 days in Yellowstone! They are only 2 hours apart, so it is an easy to hit both parks in one trip if you have the time. 

Budget

Below find a breakdown of our costs associated with this trip:

• 2 nights at Colter Bay Village: $621.16
• Rental car for 7 days: $364.93
  • Note that we had the rental car for longer due to combining our trip with Yellowstone National Park
  • Booked through Costco Travel
• Total cost for lodging and transportation: $986.09

I was able to utilize credit card points and miles to cover our flights for this trip, but more on that in another post!

Final Thoughts

I hope this has inspired you to plan your own trip to Grand Teton National Park! It may look small on a map, but it is packed full of activities that appeal to all ages and interests. The hiking, the scenery, the wildlife, I could go on and on about this park. I can’t wait to go back!

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