13 Fun Things to Do Grand Teton National Park in Winter
Grand Teton National Park is one of the most beautiful US national parks. It is home to the Teton Range, which has some of the most beautiful and distinct mountains in Wyoming.
Although summer and fall are popular times to visit, winter is a great time to visit Grand Teton National Park! I loved visiting in the winter because it has fewer crowds and many fun winter activities. There is something magical about experiencing the Tetons covered in snow.
Whether you want to go on a wildlife tour, snowshoe, or ski, there is something to do for everyone in Grand Teton National Park in winter! This guide has everything you need to know about visiting Grand Teton National Park in winter, including the best things to do.
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Tips for Visiting Grand Teton National Park in Winter
- 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. You can purchase your Grand Teton National Park pass online and print it for your trip. 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.
Research road closures. In the winter, Grand Teton National Park closes some of its facilities and roads, including Teton Park Road, Moose-Wilson Road, and Grassy Lake Road. A few other roads in the park may close based on conditions.
Start your day early. Grand Teton National Park has over three million visitors each year, so the park has crowds even in the winter. I recommend starting your day early to get into the park before most people and avoid being in a line at the park entrance. I also recommend watching the sunrise in the park!
Be prepared with the appropriate layers and hiking gear. The weather in Grand Teton National Park can change quickly in winter, 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.
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.
Where to Stay in Grand Teton National Park in Winter
If you are spending a night near Grand Teton National Park, the best place to stay is Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Jackson Hole 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.
What to Pack When Visiting Grand Teton National Park in Winter
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and warmth on your trip, you need insulated hiking boots.
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.
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!
The Best Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park in Winter
winter Wildlife Tour
Although wildlife in Grand Teton National Park is active throughout the year, some animals are more active during certain seasons. The National Park Service has a great resource on everything you need to know about wildlife in Grand Teton National Park if you are looking for in-depth information!
Winter is a great time to see wildlife, including elk, moose, deer, and bison. Although you can see wildlife by driving around the park, you can book a tour with a knowledgeable guide who can show you the best places to see winter wildlife!
Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris has half-day and full-day tours that are perfect for anyone who wants to experience the beautiful wildlife in Grand Teton National Park in winter. Their guides are fantastic, and we loved our tour with them.
Snowshoe or Cross-Country Ski Teton Park Road
In the winter, Teton Park Road is closed to motorized vehicles from Taggart Lake Trailhead to Signal Mountain Road. Once there is enough snow on the ground, you can snowshoe and cross-country ski on the 14-mile road!
The road is groomed up to three times a week, making it easy to use during the winter. And the best part is you can travel as long as you want on the road. If you do not want to travel the entire 14 miles of the road, you can turn around at any point.
Cross-country skiing on Teton Park Road is one of my favorite winter activities in the park. The views of the Teton Range and surrounding lakes are stunning, so you will not be disappointed!
Taggart Lake Loop
Taggart Lake Trailhead is the last parking area on Teton Park Road open in the winter, making it the perfect place to snowshoe! Taggart Lake is a stunning lake near Avalanche Canyon, with gorgeous views of the Teton Range, and it is one of my favorite hikes year-round.
The 4-mile trail is relatively easy with minimal elevation gain, making it a fun hike for everyone! 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 snowshoe to Bradley Lake. Bradley Lake is slightly smaller but is just as beautiful! The trail to Bradley Lake and Taggart Lake is 5 miles and is worth the extra mileage if you have time.
Colter Bay
Colter Bay is another one of my favorite places to snowshoe in Grand Teton National Park. 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.
Snowmobile Grassy Lake Road
If you want to snowmobile while enjoying the beautiful views in Grand Teton National Park, you are in luck! Grassy Lake Road closes in the winter, and once there is enough snow on the road, it is open to snowmobiles! You can enjoy riding on the road while enjoying breathtaking views of the Teton Range.
I have friends who have snowmobiled near Grand Teton National Park, and they said it is one of their favorite things to do in the winter!
Cross-Country Ski Tour
If you want to cross-country ski but do not know where to start, you can go on a tour with a guide! Many tour guides offer half-day adventures in Grand Teton National Park, where you can learn how to cross-country ski and explore some of the most beautiful areas in the park.
Ecotour Adventures offers one of the best cross-country ski tours for beginners or those looking for a leisurely adventure. They also have snowshoeing tours.
Dog Sledding
A unique winter activity in Grand Teton National Park is dog sledding! Call of the WYld offers fun dog sledding adventures along the base of the Teton Range. You can cozy up on a sled with beautiful Alaskan Huskies while enjoying stunning mountain views! It is a fun winter activity for the entire family!
Chapel of Transfiguration
The Chapel of Transfiguration is just past the entrance on Teton Park Road and has one of the most picturesque buildings in the park, in my opinion. It offers panoramic views of the Teton Mountain Range inside and outside the chapel.
The Chapel of Transfiguration is also one of the best sunrise locations. Many people will visit Mormon Row during sunrise, so this is a great alternative and is just as stunning! I love visiting it during sunrise because it has fewer crowds.
Mormon Row
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!
U.S. Hwy 26 Scenic Drive
U.S. Hwy 26 is one of the best scenic drives in Grand Teton National Park and is open in winter! 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 offer beautiful 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. If you want to experience the beautiful views in the park without snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, you should drive U.S. Hwy 26!
Winter Fat Bike Tours
Fat Bike Tours are fun for the entire family, and Teton Mountain Bike Tours is the only outfitter offering them in Grand Teton National Park. The tour brings you into Grand Teton National Park, where you can ride the fat bike while taking in the breathtaking views. You can choose from half-day to full-day tours, allowing you to book the perfect winter adventure no matter what you want to do!
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
If you want to downhill ski, Grand Teton National Park has a few resorts nearby in Jackson Hole. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has over 130 trails on 2,500 skiable acres and a vertical drop of over 4,100 feet. And the best part? You can ski while overlooking the beautiful views of the Teton Range. You can also eat delicious waffles between ski runs at the Top of the World. The ski resort offers some of the best skiing near Grand Teton National Park.
Snow King Mountain
Snow King Mountain offers year-round fun for the entire family! In the winter, you can ski, enjoy a scenic gondola ride, ride a mountain coaster, and go tubing. Snow King Mountain has over 500 skiable acres with six beginner trails, 13 intermediate trails, and 15 expert trails, allowing the entire family to enjoy skiing at the resort! It also offers stunning views overlooking the surrounding mountains, so you will not be disappointed skiing the day away at Snow King Mountain.
If you want to visit Grand Teton National Park in winter, this guide is the perfect place to start planning your trip! It has everything you need to know about the best things to do in Grand Teton National Park in winter.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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