The 7 Best Places to See Wildlife in Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is one of the most stunning national parks in the US and is home to beautiful mountain views and many types of wildlife. The best part about Grand Teton National Park is you do not have to look too far to see wildlife. It is common to see animals as you drive throughout the park or hike along its trails.

When I visited Grand Teton National Park, I saw wildlife as soon as we entered the park on our first day and continued seeing more as the days went on. I was in awe of the variety of wildlife we saw right from our cars!

If you are looking for the best opportunities to see wildlife in Grand Teton National Park, there are a few areas that give you the best chance to see them. This guide has everything you need to know about the best places to see wildlife in Grand Teton National Park!

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Tips for Seeing Wildlife in Grand Teton National Park

Although it is pretty easy to see wildlife right from your car, there are a few things to know. And these tips will help you understand how to view wildlife safely.

Important Things to Know

Look for wildlife in the early morning or late afternoon. The wildlife is more active near sunrise and sunset, so I recommend heading out around those times. You can enjoy a beautiful sunrise or sunset while seeing a lot of wildlife.

Always keep your distance from the wildlife, and do not approach the wildlife. Make sure to stay at least 100 yards from wolves and bears and 50 yards from other animals. Keeping your distance ensures you, the wildlife, and their habitats are not harmed. Remember, you are in their home.
Do not feed the wildlife. Feeding wildlife is illegal, even birds and squirrels. If animals are fed, they can become dependent on people, their instincts can change, and they can become more comfortable around people, which puts them and people in danger.
Be quiet around wildlife, and do not startle them. When you are viewing wildlife, it is crucial to be quiet. You are viewing the wildlife in their home, so they should not be disturbed.
Never put yourself between an adult and their baby. Adults are very protective of their babies, so you should never put yourself between them.
Go on a guided safari. There are plenty of companies you can book a safari with, and an expert can help you see wildlife in Grand Teton National Park! Going on a safari saves you a lot of planning and finding locations to see wildlife.
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 when hiking. Local stores in Jackson rent bear spray if you do not have any.

Types of Wildlife

There is a lot of wildlife in Grand Teton National Park active throughout the year. Some animals are more active during certain seasons, while others are more active during certain parts of the day. The National Park Service has a great resource on everything you need to know about the wildlife if you are looking for in-depth information! Here is a list of some of the larger animals you can see in Grand Teton National Park:

Black bear
Grizzly bear
Moose
Bison
Pronghorn
Elk
Deer
Wolf
Coyote
Bighorn sheep

The 7 Best Places to See Wildlife in Grand Teton National Park

One of the best things about Grand Teton National Park is its wildlife is everywhere in the park! As you drive through the park, I recommend keeping your eyes open for wildlife in the fields you pass. There are endless opportunities to see wildlife!

Antelope Flats

Many visitors only visit Mormon Row on Antelope Flats and miss the opportunity to see wildlife further down the road, including bison and pronghorn. You can make the drive a loop through Antelope Flats and Kelly for a beautiful scenic drive that gives you more opportunities to see wildlife.

National Elk Refuge

If you are visiting in the winter, the National Elk Refuge is the best place to see wildlife, especially elk. The refuge has over 7,000 elk roaming around its 25,000 acres of land, and all you have to do is drive through it to see the beautiful wildlife.

Oxbow Bend

Oxbow Bend is a stunning 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.

Willow Flats

Willow Flats is another beautiful overlook in Grand Teton National Park with 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. Sunrise is one of the best times to visit Willow Flats to see wildlife.

Blacktail Ponds

Blacktail Ponds is one of the most beautiful overlooks in Grand Teton National Park, in my opinion. And the best part? You have the chance to see elk and moose roaming near the overlook. Many visitors overlook Blacktail Ponds because it is near the iconic Mormon Row, so it is likely to have fewer crowds.

Cascade Canyon

Cascade Canyon is on the west side of Jenny Lake and is home to moose, deer, bears, and marmots that roam near the trails. Cascade Canyon is also home to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, two of the most popular attractions in Grand Teton National Park. To get to Cascade Canyon, you can either hike from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center or save yourself four miles of hiking and take the shuttle boat across Jenny Lake. Even though this is one of the most popular areas in the park, the animals sometimes stay near the trails, so please make sure to stay aware as you are hiking.

Moose Wilson Road

Moose Wilson Road offers stunning views of the Teton Mountain Range. Along the road, you can see almost every type of wildlife, including moose, elk, deer, and bears. Moose Wilson Road is also a residential area, so please respect the residents and their properties.

If you want to see wildlife when visiting Grand Teton National Park, this guide is the perfect place to start planning. It has everything you need to know about the best places to see wildlife in Grand Teton National Park!