When visiting the Grand Tetons for the first time as a child I remember thinking it was the most beautiful place I'd ever seen. It's one of my favorite national parks.
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Apparently the nearly 4.5 million people who visit the park annually might tend to agree with me.
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With jagged peaks that jut up into the sky, excellent chances for spotting wildlife, incredible sunsets, vibrant wildflowers,
alpine lakes in brilliant shades of blue, and plenty of opportunities for adventure, Grand Teton National Park isn’t overrated in the slightest.
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I'd always been to the Tetons in the winter months for skiing. This was the first trip I'd make to the park in the warm weather months. It's every bit 310,000 acres of beautiful in the spring and summer as it is during the winter.
Grand Teton National Park is open 24 hours every day, year-round. The most popular months to visit are May through September. During the busy summer season, most roads and facilities are open and a full range of programs are available to enjoy. From November through April, some roads, all campgrounds, and most visitor facilities are closed or have reduced hours.
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Although an entrance fee is required to enter Grand Teton National Park, vehicle reservations are not needed. Keep in mind summer is busy, so be prepared for crowds at popular areas and lines at the entrance gates, in construction areas, and at roadside wildlife sightings.
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Get an entrance pass
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You may enter the park with a Standard, Annual, or America the Beautiful Pass.
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The fee for a Standard entrance pass is $20.00–$35.00.
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Non-US residents (16 and over) must pay an additional $100 per person fee unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass.
National Park Service Fees & Requirements Here
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Money $aving Tip: Take advantage of 2026 Park FREE admission days:
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February 16: Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday)
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May 25: Memorial Day
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June 14: Flag Day/President Trump's birthday
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July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
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August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
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September 17: Constitution Day
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October 27: Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
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November 11: Veterans Day
Permits are required for overnight backpacking, boats and any watercraft, weddings and commitment ceremonies, and many other special park uses. NPS Permits & Reservations
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The best time to visit Grand Teton National Park is late spring through early fall—roughly mid-May to early October. This is when roads, trails, and visitor services are fully open, and the weather is ideal for hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography.
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Summer (June–August) is the most popular time, with warm days, cool nights, and plenty of activities. It’s also the busiest, so expect crowds in popular areas.
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Fall (September–early October) offers fewer visitors, crisp air, and vibrant autumn colors—plus a great chance to spot wildlife during the fall rut. This would be our top recommendation for visiting!
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Spring can be beautiful, but snow often lingers on trails, and some roads may still be closed. While winter turns the park into a quiet, snowy wonderland, but access is limited and most facilities are closed.
The area around the Grand Teton National Park is uber expensive so I've tried to find every possible discount you might be able to take advantage of:
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Travel Deals: There are travel deals available for Grand Teton National Park, which may include discounts for specific groups or events. You can check for the latest deals through travel websites.
Vacation Packages: Booking vacation packages to Grand Teton National Park can offer significant savings. For example, a package deal is available for around $1,473, which includes flights and accommodations.
Exclusive Discounts: Some websites offer exclusive deals and discounts for Grand Teton National Park, which can be found through platforms like DealRated.
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Grand Teton is the only National park to have a commercial airport within its boundaries. The Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is about 9 miles from Jackson (the town). Year-round flights are available to JAC from American, Delta, United, and Alaska.
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If you’re planning a Grand Teton trip and looking for a larger airport to fly into and out of, the closest are Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and Denver (DEN) International Airport.
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SLC is about 280 miles from Jackson. DEN is the nearest major hub airport to both Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, but it’s over 500 miles from Jackson.
Jackson, Wyoming is the nearest town to Grand Teton Natl. Park that offers the most opportunities and emnities to travelers to the Park so that's where we're going to base ourselves.
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In Jackson, Wyoming, you have several options for free transportation:
START Bus: This is the local public transportation system that provides free in-town service and affordable regional routes. It operates year-round and connects various areas within Jackson and Teton County.
Stilson Employee Shuttle: The Teton Village Association offers a free shuttle service for employees and guests during peak times, connecting Teton Village to the Stilson Lot.
Bicycle/Pedestrian Pathways: Jackson has an extensive network of bicycle and pedestrian pathways, making it easy to navigate the area without transportation.
Taxi Services: Various taxi services are available in Jackson for transportation around town and to destinations like the airport.
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The best way to get around Grand Teton National Park is by car. Not only will you be able to explore the park on your own terms, but your $35 entrance fee will get your vehicle (and all its passengers) admittance to the park for seven consecutive days. The park is far too big to explore on foot alone.
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Cars can be rented at the Jackson Hole, Idaho Falls and Salt Lake City airports
Free Park Shuttles
Here are some free shuttle options for Grand Teton National Park:
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Grand Teton Guest Shuttle: Complimentary shuttle service is available for guests at Jackson Lake Lodge and Colter Bay Village, stopping at popular park destinations.
Teton Pass Free Shuttle: Runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from December to March, providing transportation to and from the Teton Pass.
Alltrans Shuttle: Offers a frequent summer shuttle from downtown Jackson to various locations within Grand Teton National Park.
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Teton Mountain Taxi: Provides trailhead shuttle services from several trailheads in the park.
Moose Entrance
This is the most popular and busiest park entrance. It's also the most convenient entrance which is why it sees large crowds waiting to enter the park. It provides access to some of the park’s top attractions, including Jenny Lake, Cascade Canyon, and Signal Mountain. It is also closest to the park’s historic districts and Taggart Lake, one of the best hikes in the park.
Granite Canyon Entrance (Southwest entrance)
The Granite Canyon Entrance is located at the southwestern edge of the park and is less crowded than the Moose and Moran Entrances. It’s the best option for visitors staying in Teton Village.
Moran Entrance (East entrance)
This entrance puts you near Jackson Lake and offers the best glimpse of the Tetons. It’s the best option for visitors who are entering the park from the east and for people who like a remote setting.
Flagg Ranch Entrance (North entrance)
This entrance isn't even officially named and doesn't have a manned visitors center. It's the least known and least busy park entrance. Generally, this is the best entrance only for those going between Yellowstone Park and Grand Tetons Park.
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When leaving Grand Teton, it takes about 2 hours from this entrance to reach the Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone (where all the cool things to see are). From there, you have to drive even further to see more things in the park.
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To access major park attractions, you have to go through an entrance station and must pay the entrance fee:
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$35 per vehicle (valid for 7 days in both Grand Teton and Yellowstone)
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$20 per person (if entering on foot or bicycle)
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$80 for an America the Beautiful Pass (best deal if visiting multiple national parks in a year)
Now for the less than great news: Although Grand Teton is small, it gets almost as many visitors as Yellowstone! It’s one of the hardest national parks to find parking and deal with crowds.
Camping within the park is going to be your least inexpensive option but scoring a reservation for a campsite? Good luck with that unless you're doing it a year in advance. If you can swing it? Great!
But staying in accommodations outside of the Park is your next best bet. I'm going to give you several options in different price ranges.
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There are 9 areas to consider staying when visiting Grand Teton National Park including within Grand Teton National Park, Jackson, Moran, Alpine, Wilson, Teton Village, and Pinedale, WY as well as Victor and Driggs, ID. Your options include resorts, lodges, motels, hotels, hostels, Airbnbs, and dude ranches. They are all quite expensive, ranging from $200 per night to over $4,000 per night! Your budget and the amount of time you are willing to drive are the most important factors to consider. Your best amenities and opportunities will come with staying in Jackson.
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The whole "Jackson" vs. "Jackson Hole" thing is confusing so I'll clarify: Jackson, Wyoming is a town that lies within the Jackson Hole Valley and just south of Grand Teton National Park.
Jackson Hole is the valley that encompasses Grand Teton National Park and the city of Jackson, Wyoming.
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​I should also mention that Teton Village is NOT IN Teton Natl. Park itself. It's a resort that is right next to the south entrance of Grand Teton National Park.
Camping
There are only 7 campgrounds within the Park itself:
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Headwaters May-Sep
Lizard Creek Jun-Sep
Colter Bay May-Sep
Colter Bay RV Park May-Oct
Signal Mountain May-Oct
Jenny Lake Jul-Sep
Gros Ventre* May-Oct * Pronounced GROW-VAHnt
The two largest and most popular are Colter Bay and Gros Ventre.
A campground in Grand Teton will run from about $40-$117. Tent-only sites are on the lower end and RV sites are on the higher end.
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Note that almost all of them offer a discount if you’re a senior or disabled. You need to have the Senior or Access version of the America the Beautiful Pass.
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Some campgrounds in the town of Jackson include:
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Virginian RV Park: Offers full hookup RV sites with easy access to Jackson town and nearby trails. Guests enjoy river access, mountain views, and proximity to bike rentals and local attractions.
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Alpine Valley RV Resort: Located in Alpine, WY just south of Jackson, this RV resort features full hookups, pet friendly accommodations and scenic views of the Snake River. Activities include paddleboarding, white water rafting and hiking.
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Snake River Cabins & RV Village: A riverside retreat offering cabins, RV sites and tent camping. It's direct riverfront location allows for fishing, rafting and relaxing by the water, with easy access to Jackson and Grand Teton National Park.
Best Bets for Lodging
JACKSON, WYOMING: Huff House Inn (Luxury) and Antler Inn (Budget)
WILSON, WYOMING: Sassy Moose (B&B), Bentwood Inn (Luxury B&B), Teton View B&B (B&B)
MORAN, WYOMING: Teton Cabins (Resort)
VICTOR & DRIGGS, IDAHO: Moose Creek Ranch (Resort) and Super 8 Motel (Budget)
ALPINE, WYOMING: Flying Saddle (Resort), Bull Moose Lodge and Saloon (Moderate)
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK: Dornan’s Spur Ranch Cabins (right inside the park; not NPS) and Signal Mountain Lodge. Both moderately priced.
PINEDALE, WYOMING: Gannet Peak Lodge (Budget)
YELLOWSTONE, WYOMING: Grant Village is the closest to Grand Teton, but it’s too far to use as a home base.
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If you’re on a budget: the most affordable options are in Moran, WY and Victor, ID.
During this trip we stayed in the Virginian RV Park in Jackson.
Take a walking tour of Jackson. You don't need any guided tour for this...just walk and look around. The town isn't that big.
Check into your accommodation, once settled take a walking tour of Jackson. You don't need any guided tour for this...just walk and look around. The town isn't that big.
Be sure to check out the town square and its antler arch Jackson is known for.
The heart of the town features the famous elk antler arches, which are popular photo spots. The square is surrounded by shops, restaurants, and art galleries, making it a great place to explore and relax.
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Wild West Shootout: Enjoy a free, family-friendly reenactment of a Wild West shootout in Jackson Town Square, which takes place during the summer months.
