The Best Grand Teton National Park 2-Day Itinerary

Grand Teton National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in the US. It covers 310,000 acres in Wyoming and has some of the most dramatic and stunning mountains in the area. The tallest mountain in Grand Teton National Park is Grand Teton, which is about 13,775 feet tall and is visible throughout the park.

The best part about Grand Teton National Park is it has something for everyone! You can enjoy miles of beautiful trails or take in the views from easily accessible roadside overlooks. I loved being able to enjoy stunning roadside views and fun hikes.

Although you could spend a week exploring everything the park offers, you can see most of the must-see attractions in Grand Teton National Park in two days. This guide has everything you need to know to create the best Grand Teton National Park 2-day itinerary!

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Tips for Planning a Grand Teton National Park 2-Day Itinerary

Fly into Jackson Hole Airport or Salt Lake City International Airport. Jackson Hole Airport is inside Grand Teton National Park and is the best airport to fly into because it is the closest. Flights may be more expensive because it is a small airport, but if you do not want to drive a few hours to the park, Jackson Hole Airport is your best option. If you do not mind driving for a few hours, you can fly to Salt Lake City International Airport. The drive is about five hours and passes through many rural areas.

Buy your park pass ahead of time. To save time at the park entrance, I recommend purchasing your park pass ahead of time. You can purchase your Grand Teton National Park pass online and print it for your trip, which is what we did. If you plan on visiting other national parks during the year, I recommend getting the America the Beautiful pass. The pass gets you into all the national parks and federal recreation sites for a year.

Start your day early. Grand Teton National Park has over three million visitors each year, so the park is crowded. I recommend starting your days early to get into the park before most people and avoid being in a long line at the park entrance. I also recommend watching the sunrise in the park! We loved being in the park early to enjoy many of the popular attractions with fewer crowds.
Be prepared with the appropriate layers and hiking gear. The weather in Grand Teton National Park can change quickly, even in the summer, so it is crucial to pack layers. If you are hiking, I recommend packing the appropriate hiking gear to support your hike and layers to keep you warm and protected.
Pack or rent bear spray. Grand Teton National Park is known for its black bears and grizzly bears, so it is crucial to have bear spray, especially if you are hiking. Local stores in Jackson rent bear spray if you do not have any.
Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they do not have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

What to Pack for a Grand Teton National Park 2-Day Itinerary

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

Where to Stay Near Grand Teton National Park

The best place to stay near Grand Teton National Park is Jackson, Wyoming. Jackson is a cute mountain town right outside the park entrance and has everything you need for your trip, including accommodations for all budget levels, but most are on the more expensive side.

If you do not mind driving a little to get into the park, you can also consider finding accommodations in Victor, Idaho. We stayed in Victor and loved our time in the small town. The drive to Jackson was stunning and worth the extra time!

Hotels Near Grand Teton National Park

Campgrounds Near Grand Teton National Park

best glamping resorts near jackson hole

The Best Grand Teton National Park 2-Day Itinerary

If you only have two days in Grand Teton National Park, I recommend spending your entire day in it, so you have enough time to explore everything it offers. We spent from sunrise to sunset in the park and did not regret it!

There are many beautiful attractions and fun trails, and this Grand Teton National Park 2-day itinerary has it all! I recommend stopping at every overlook, even if it is not listed because they are stunning. You will fall in love with the park as soon as you enter!

Day 1 in Grand Teton National Park

The Chapel of Transfiguration is the first stop in Grand Teton National Park for sunrise. Many people will visit Mormon Row during sunrise, making this a great alternative because it is just as stunning. This beautiful and small log chapel was built in 1925 and is one of the most picturesque buildings in the park. It offers panoramic views of the Teton Mountain Range inside and outside the chapel. The Chapel of Transfiguration still offers services, so please be respectful if you visit during one.
Taggart Lake is a stunning lake near Avalanche Canyon, with gorgeous views of the mountains. It is also a great place to see wildlife. The 4-mile trail is relatively easy with minimal elevation gain, making it a fun hike for everyone! It is one of my favorite hikes in the park! If you do not want to hike the entire loop, you can follow the trail to the right to Taggart Lake and then take the same way back. No matter how you decide to experience Taggart Lake, you will be in awe of the stunning views.
If you want to add another beautiful lake to the Taggart Lake hike, you can hike to Bradley Lake. Bradley Lake is a slightly smaller lake but is just as beautiful, with blue-green water! The trail to Bradley Lake and Taggart Lake is 5 miles and is worth the extra mileage if you have time!
Jenny Lake is one of the most iconic lakes in Grand Teton National Park. The overlook is a short walk from the parking lot and offers views of stunning mountains, including Mount St. John and Teewinot Mountain. The best part about Jenny Lake is there are many trails to explore, but you can also enjoy a scenic drive on Jenny Lake Road if you do not want to hike. The three most popular trails are Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and Cascade Canyon. You can start these trails from the parking lot or take the shuttle boat across Jenny Lake. If you begin at the parking lot, it will add about 4 miles to your hike. If you want to save your legs from the extra mileage, you can pay about $20 for a round-trip ticket on the shuttle boat. If you don’t want to spend the money, the trail around Jenny Lake is not too difficult, but your legs will feel the extra mileage!
- Hidden Falls is a 100-foot waterfall tucked into the back of Jenny Lake and is one of the most popular trails in Grand Teton National Park. If you ride the shuttle boat, the hike is 1.1 miles round trip. If you hike from the parking lot, it is 5 miles round trip.
- Many hikers choose to add Inspiration Point to the Hidden Falls hike because it is only 0.5 miles from the waterfall and offers stunning views overlooking Jenny Lake. If you add Inspiration Point to the Hidden Falls hike, it will be a 2.5-mile loop from the shuttle boat or 6 miles round trip from the parking lot.
- Cascade Canyon is easily one of the most beautiful trails in Grand Teton National Park and makes you work for the views. If you want to hike to Cascade Canyon, I highly recommend taking the shuttle boat to save yourself 4 extra miles (making the trail over 13 miles round trip). The hike to Cascade Canyon is a strenuous 9 miles with over 1,000 feet of elevation gain and travels past Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. If you are up for a strenuous and long hike, you will not be disappointed with Cascade Canyon!
Past Jenny Lake, there are many scenic overlooks I recommend stopping to enjoy, but the one that is the most beautiful, in my opinion, is Jackson Lake Dam. Jackson Lake is the largest lake in Grand Teton National Park and offers stunning views of the Teton Mountain Range. You can enjoy the views from the bridge near the dam or its short trail. We enjoyed taking a snack break at the viewpoint while enjoying stunning mountain views.
Willow Flats Overlook and Oxbow Bend are two of the best scenic overlooks to see wildlife. Each overlook is a short walk from the parking lot, where you can see elk, grizzly bears, moose, otters, and many birds. Willow Flats Overlook and Oxbow Bend also offer beautiful mountain views. We saw so much wildlife here!
Signal Mountain is the last stop of the day and is where you can watch the sunset. The best part of Signal Mountain is you can drive to the top! Along the drive, I recommend stopping at Jackson Lake Overlook, which offers stunning views of Jackson Lake and the Teton Mountain Range. Once you reach the top of Signal Mountain, you can find a spot to sit and enjoy the sunset!

easy hikes in grand teton national park

Day 2 in Grand Teton National Park

Mormon Row is the iconic sunrise location in Grand Teton National Park, and I am sure you have seen the iconic photo of the Moulton Barn with the Teton Mountain Range in the back. It is an incredibly picturesque spot, especially during sunrise. There are two Moulton Barns in Mormon Row that are stunning sunrise locations, especially if you are a photographer. I recommend exploring both since they are within a short drive away!
Antelope Flats Road runs through Mormon Row and is one of the best places to see wildlife, especially in the early morning. Once you finish watching the sunrise, you can drive along Antelope Flats Road to look for elk, pronghorn, and bison. The road also offers stunning mountain views.
I recommend stopping at every overlook as you head north on U.S. Hwy 26, but make sure to spend extra time at Schwabacher Landing and Snake River Overlook. These overlooks are some of my favorites because they offer views of the Teton Mountain Range and Snake River. Schwabacher Landing also has a 1.8-mile flat trail you can enjoy, but the best mountain views are at the overlook near the parking lot.
Colter Bay is a hidden gem in Grand Teton National Park because many visitors overlook it. Colter Bay sits on the western shores of Jackson Lake and has a beautiful scenic trail. The Colter Bay Lakeshore Trail is a flat 2.5-mile loop that offers breathtaking mountain and lake views. You can choose to hike the entire loop or half of it, depending on how much time you have. I promise you will not regret exploring Colter Bay!
As you head south on Teton Park Road (where you explored on your first day), you can choose from a handful of hikes to explore. If you want to hike a shorter trail, you can hike to Leigh Lake and String Lake. These two stunning lakes are next to each other and offer beautiful views. If you explore them on a calm day, you can photograph a stunning reflection of the mountains on the lake waters. The shortest hike is 3 miles and is flat, making it easy to enjoy String Lake and Leigh Lake. If you want to explore further along the shores of Leigh Lake, you can hike a relatively flat 7-mile round-trip trail along the western shores. If you want to explore more of String Lake, you can hike a 4.4-mile loop around the lake. No matter how you decide to explore the area, you will fall in love with these beautiful lakes!
If you want to enjoy a long and strenuous trail, I recommend hiking to Delta Lake. Delta Lake is a small lake fed by Teton Glacier and has a beautiful turquoise color, making it one of the most picturesque lakes in Grand Teton National Park. The 7.4-mile round trip trail starts at the Lupine Meadows Trailhead and climbs steadily up over 2,200 feet of elevation gain. Although the trail has some switchbacks, it is strenuous, and you should only hike if you have the proper hiking gear and experience. If you decide to hike to Delta Lake, you will fall in love with the stunning views it offers!
Are you ready to enjoy a beautiful sunset on the last day of your Grand Teton National Park 2-day itinerary? Blacktail Ponds Overlook is one of the most beautiful overlooks in the park, offering panoramic views of the Teton Mountain Range, and it is a great place to watch the sunset. It is also a great place to see wildlife, especially in the evening around sunset! We loved watching the sunset from Blacktail Ponds Overlook.

If you are visiting Grand Teton National Park for two days, this guide is the perfect place to start your planning! We were able to see many of the must-see attractions in a few days when we visited. This guide has everything you need to know about the best things to do in a Grand Teton National Park 2-Day itinerary!