The Perfect One Day in Grand Teton National Park

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 Teton Mountain Range.

Although you can spend a week exploring everything it offers, you can see the must-see attractions in Grand Teton National Park in one day. We saw many of the popular attractions by spending a day in the park!

This guide has everything you need to know about planning the perfect one day in Grand Teton National Park, including the must-see scenic drives, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks.

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Tips for Spending One Day in Grand Teton National Park

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 Grand Teton National 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. 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 has crowds. Since you are visiting Grand Teton National Park for one day, I recommend starting your day 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!
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 Hole 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 One Day in Grand Teton National Park

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

If you are spending a night 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.

Best Hotels Near Grand Teton National Park

Best Campgrounds Near Grand Teton National Park

best glamping resorts near jackson hole

The Perfect One Day in Grand Teton National Park

Since you only have one day in Grand Teton National Park, I recommend spending the entire day exploring, starting at sunrise. You can spend your day driving the scenic loop, exploring scenic overlooks, and hiking a few short trails.

Even though you only have one day in Grand Teton National Park, you can see most of the must-see attractions. Get ready for a fun-filled day in the park!

Mormon Row

The first stop in your Grand Teton National Park one-day itinerary will be the iconic 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!

Antelope Flats Road

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.

Chapel of Transfiguration

After Mormon Row and Antelope Flats Road, I recommend driving the scenic loop clockwise and exploring the popular attractions earlier in the day. The Chapel of Transfiguration is the first stop once you begin your drive and is a beautiful log chapel built in 1925.

I think the Chape of Transfiguration rivals the beauty of Mormon Row because 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

Taggart Lake is a stunning lake near Avalanche Canyon, with gorgeous views of the mountains, and it is one of my favorite hikes in the park. 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! If you don’t 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.

If you do not want to hike in your one day in Grand Teton National Park, feel free to skip Taggart Lake.

Jenny Lake

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 the surrounding mountains, including Mount St. John and Teewinot Mountain.

The best part about Jenny Lake is there are many trails to explore or you can enjoy a scenic drive on Jenny Lake Road. If you do not want to hike, I recommend skipping the trails and enjoying the views from the scenic drive and overlook.

If you have time, you can enjoy hiking the most popular trail near Jenny Lake, which travels to Hidden Falls, a 100-foot waterfall, and Inspiration Point. If you decide to hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, I recommend taking the shuttle boat across Jenny Lake to avoid hiking an additional four miles.

If you are short on time, you can hike the 1.1 miles round trip to Hidden Falls. If you want to add Inspiration Point, the hike is 2.5 miles round trip.

Signal Mountain

Signal Mountain offers beautiful views of the Teton Mountain Range. 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 beautiful views overlooking Jackson Lake.

Jackson Lake Dam

Grand Teton National Park has 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.

Willow Flats

Willow Flats is a beautiful overlook in Grand Teton National Park and is one of the best places to see wildlife! The area is known to have elk, bears, and moose roaming across the flats, with panoramic views of the Teton Mountain Range in the back.

Colter Bay

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!

Oxbow Bend

Oxbow Bend is another beautiful overlook in the northern section of Grand Teton National Park and is one of the best places to see wildlife! Oxbow Bend overlooks wetlands, where moose, birds, and bears roam.

Snake River Overlook and Schwabacher Landing

I recommend stopping at every overlook as you head south 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.

Schwabacher Landing in grand teton national park

Blacktail Ponds Overlook

Blacktail Ponds Overlook is the final overlook in Grand Teton National Park and is one of the most beautiful, offering panoramic views of the Teton Mountain Range. If you can stay for sunset during your one day in Grand Teton National Park, I highly recommend watching it at this overlook. It is also a great place to see wildlife, especially in the evening around sunset!

If you are visiting Grand Teton National Park for one day, this guide is the perfect place to start! It has everything you need to know about planning the perfect one day in Grand Teton National Park, including the must-see scenic drives, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks.