Grand Teton National Park Itinerary: Perfect 2-day Adventure

This 2 day Grand Teton itinerary shows that you can explore this spectacular destination even on a time crunch. From famous viewpoints to bucket list hikes, we share exactly how to pack a ton of adventure into a quick weekend trip at Grand Teton National Park. 

Epic adventure meets breathtaking scenery in the Grand Tetons. From towering, craggy mountain peaks to pristine glacial lakes and an abundance of wildlife, this park offers something for every outdoor enthusiast.

With so much to explore and do, planning the perfect trip can be overwhelming. Luckily, we rounded up the highlights and created an action-packed, yet well-balanced Grand Teton National Park itinerary to ensure you make the most of your time.

In just two days, you’ll experience scenic drives, some of the park’s best day hikes, and several jaw-dropping viewpoints. 

Grand Teton National Park Itinerary Guide

• Park overview
• Itinerary overview
  • Day 1
  • Day 2
• How many days; is 2 days enough?
• Best time to visit
• How to get around
• Where to stay
• What to pack

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Grand Teton National Park overview

• Open: year-round
  • Good to know: some roads, all campgrounds, and most visitors’ facilities are closed from November through April. 
  • Check here to see what will be closed during your visit
• Entrance fee: $35 per vehicle or free as part of an annual America the Beautiful Pass
• Established: February 26, 1929
• Area: approx. 310,000 acres

Spanning over 300,000 acres in far western Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park offers a magical, diverse range of scenery, from glacial lakes to wildlife-rich valleys and steep, rugged canyons (with fun names like Waterfalls, Paintbrush, and…Death).

Grand Teton National Park also sits just south of equally magical, one-of-a-kind Yellowstone National Park (their boundaries are technically less than seven miles apart!), making it super easy to see both. 

Psst…wondering about the best way to visit both parks? Check out this 4-day Grand Teton to Yellowstone itinerary!

Unlike many national parks where you need several days to even scratch the surface, you can cover some serious ground with a 2-day Grand Teton itinerary. 

Not only will you hit top spots like Jenny Lake and Schwabacher Landing, you’ll also have time to check out some of its more peaceful, lesser-known corners. 

America the Beautiful annual park pass

If you’re planning to visit more than one of the US National Parks, we’d highly encourage you to look into getting an annual park pass. At $35 per vehicle upon entry, visiting the national parks in the U.S. can get expensive.

For just $80 per year, you can purchase the America the Beautiful park pass. This pass grants you free access to all of the national parks. Plus it also covers your entrance to over 2,000 natural, historical, and recreational sites across the United States.

If you still need convincing, check out our article: National Park Annual Pass: Is it Worthwhile? + How to Buy

Grand Teton National Park itinerary overview

• Day 1: Scenic overlooks, Jenny Lake, Hidden Falls/Inspiration Point, rooftop views
• Day 2: Jackson Lake Overlook, Taggart and Bradley lakes, Phelps Lake Overlook, Teton Village Gondola

Day 1: Scenic viewpoints and Jenny Lake + Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point hike

You’ll start your morning on day one of this Grand Teton National Park itinerary by making your way down the scenic drive of US Hwy 191 and stopping at some of the more remarkable viewpoints along the way. In the afternoon, hike (or boat!) Jenny Lake and check out Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. 

If you’re staying in the north end of the park (like Colter Bay Village), you can make your way down US Hwy 191 first, and then come back up Teton Park Road to get to Jenny Lake. The scenic stops on Hwy 191 are listed in order from North to South on this itinerary. 

However, if you are staying in the south end of the park, or in Jackson, you can make your way up Hwy 191 by reversing the order of the stops below, and then make your way down Teton Park Road to Jenny Lake. 

Planning note: If you are pressed for time, you could skip a few viewpoints on this list. We’ve starred our favorites so you know which ones are a must!

*Oxbow Bend

For a magical sunrise, head to this spot, a favorite of photographers and named for the U-shaped bend in the Snake River. It’s best known for reflections of Mount Moran in the river, as well as being a hotspot for wildlife. 

Soft early morning light makes the scene even more beautiful and if you’re lucky, you may also spot moose, elk, bears, foxes, otters, or bald eagles. 

Elk Ranch Flats Turnout

The wide-open meadows here, where a large cattle ranch operated in the 1900s, are home to grazing elk, bison, and the occasional pronghorn. With the mountains towering above, it’s a particularly great spot for sunset.

Find this viewpoint right off Highway 191, south of Oxbow Bend. 

Snake River Overlook

This iconic view inspired one of Ansel Adams’ most famous photographs of the Tetons. The unforgettable view of the river meandering toward the mountains is just a short walk from the large parking lot. 

Given the development and growth of the forest, the view isn’t quite the same as the iconic photo, but it’s still a beautiful landscape and makes an excellent backdrop for a photo op. 

*Schwabacher Landing

A sunrise favorite and wildlife hotspot, this calm, dammed-off section of the Snake River (thanks to beavers) offers stunning reflections of the Cathedral Group (the most iconic jaggest tops of the Teton Mountain Range). Walk the path to get to several different viewpoints. 

Note: The parking area and viewpoints are a short drive off the main highway. The road is riddled with potholes and while it can be done (carefully!) in a regular sedan, we’d recommend a 4WD car with higher suspension to navigate this stretch. 

Follow Google Maps to find the turnoff for Schwabacher Landing. 

Glacier View Turnout

Check out remnants of ancient glaciers on the Tetons peaks from this unobstructed viewpoint. Take care not to confuse this turnout with the Teton Glacier Turnout, on a totally different road.

*Blacktail Ponds Overlook

Right across the highway from the Moulton barns (see below), this quiet viewpoint overlooks lush wetlands frequented by moose and deer with the Tetons as an impressive backdrop.

This was a particularly photogenic spot for us as there was a moose grazing in the wetlands when we visited! 

*Mormon Row

No Grand Teton itinerary is complete without a stop at one of the most photographed spots in the West. The Moulton barns are part of a 1890s homestead settlement called Mormon Row. 

The most famous of these barns is the T.A. Moulton Barn. It’s especially impressive in the early morning.

Our experience: We went at both sunrise and sunset and found that the morning light was better, in our opinion! Plus, it was less crowded than later in the day.

Jenny Lake

Jenny Lake is the busiest area in Grand Teton, a hub for several types of adventures. In addition to several popular trailheads including Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, you’ll find a visitor center and gift shop, a small beach, Jenny Lake Lodge, a campground, boat rentals, and the shuttle boats. 

Despite being the largest parking lot in the park, the Jenny Lake lot fills up early in the day. Unless you want to spend a lot of time circling, arrive before 7:00 am or aim for late afternoon. 

Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point hike

• Distance: about 6 miles, out and back
• Elevation gain: 420 feet
• Difficulty rating: Moderate

One of the most popular day hikes in the park (and rightfully so!) is the trek from Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Even if you aren’t a big hiker, we think this one belongs on your Grand Teton itinerary. 

You’ll hike across scenic bridges, through the forest to the cascading waterfall, then up to Inspiration Point, where you’ll enjoy expansive views of Tahoe-blue Jenny Lake.

You’ll start your hike at the Jenny Lake trailhead, and make your way around the lake in a clockwise direction. Once you reach Cascade Creek, you’ll follow the trail on a quick offshoot to Hidden Falls before heading up to Inspiration Point. 

Insider tip: We put this hike in the afternoon of your Grand Teton itinerary because the views face east, so the sun will be at your back when looking out over Inspiration Point in the afternoon. 

Alternative: Boat shuttle across Jenny Lake

You can either start this hike from the boat dock or take the Jenny Lake boat shuttle across the lake, shaving off four miles of your hike. You can also opt to hike one direction and take the shuttle the other.

The shuttle runs daily from mid-May through the end of September, making trips every 10-15 minutes. Advance reservations are not accepted; simply go to the dock and wait for the next boat. 

Cascade Canyon Trail

If you’re an avid hiker and want to get the most bang for your buck, we’d highly recommend continuing on from Inspiration Point on the Cascade Canyon trail. 

The 9.7-mile out and back trail leads you through a beautiful canyon with stunning views in every direction! This is one of our all-time favorite hikes in Grand Teton National Park. 

We put together a trail guide for Cascade Canyon on our sister site, Go Wander Wild. 

If you opt to do this trail, know that you’ll have to plan 5-6 hours of hiking into your day, which may mean you need to get a really easy start, or cut some of the stops from the start of this itinerary. 

Dinner on a rooftop with a view

After your Jenny Lake hike, head to the tiny town of Moose for a pizza dinner and one of the most epic rooftop views in the park!

Dornan’s Pizza is a local favorite with a nice rooftop and outdoor patio that’s perfect for catching sunset. 

Jackson Point Overlook at Signal Mountain

For an alternative sunset option, head up Signal Mountain to the Jackson Point Overlook. This high point offers sweeping views of the lake, river, Jackson Hole, the Teton and Gros Ventre ranges, and beyond. 

You can drive right up to the overlook—in fact, it’s the highest point in the park you can drive to! For more of a challenge, you can also hike Signal Mountain Trail, about eight miles from the lodge.

Day 2: Lake hikes and gondola rides

Day two of this Grand Teton itinerary includes not one but two epic hikes (don’t worry they aren’t too strenuous!) and finishing with a relaxing gondola ride. Between famous sunrise spots and short but rewarding hikes, you’ll enjoy leisurely exploring and picture-perfect vistas.

Jackson Lake Overlook

Start your day in the far northern end of the park, taking in panoramic views of Jackson Lake, the largest lake in Grand Teton National Park. Although there are several viewpoints along the lake, this one offers the best, most unobstructed views. You can also walk down to the water.

There are several pulloffs along Jackson Lake, but we recommend this spot for sunrise if you can get up early enough. 

Taggart Lake hike

• Distance: 3.8-mile loop
• Elevation gain: 423 feet
• Difficulty rating: Easy
• Trail notes on Alltrails

Another popular lake hike in Grand Teton that offers serious bang for your buck without too much effort is Taggart Lake. The relatively short and easy loop trail offers you stunning views of the Teton Mountain Range almost the entire way, ending at a beautiful lake flanked by the Tetons. 

The parking area for the Taggart Lake Trailhead is rather small and extremely popular because so many trails start here. Pack some patience and try to arrive at an off-peak time. We put together a complete guide to the Taggart Lake trail on our sister site. 

While you can do this short hike as an out and back, or a loop hike, we recommend combining it with the Bradley Lake hike to really pack a punch!

Taggart and Bradley Lake hike

• Distance: 6-mile loop
• Elevation gain: 761 feet
• Difficulty rating: Moderate
• Trail notes on Alltrails

The 6-mile, moderately challenging trail takes you past the stunning Taggart Lake to Bradley Lake—yet another crystal clear alpine lake with views of the Tetons reflected in its waters. 

Weaving through aspen groves and gorgeous alpine scenery on the way, this trail will be less-trafficked than the shorter Taggart Lake loop and the reward is even more incredible than the former. 

Budget 1.5-3 hours for the hike, depending on whether you go to both lakes (you should!) or just visit Taggart Lake. 

Fun fact: The Taggart-Bradley Lake Loop is one of very few hikes accessible year-round. While the main park road closes seasonally, the closure is just past the trailhead. If you’re planning a Grand Teton National Park itinerary for the winter, be sure to include this hike.

Phelps Lake Overlook

• Distance: 2 miles out-and-back
• Elevation gain: 416 feet
• Difficulty rating: Moderate
• Trail notes on Alltrails

Not only is this one of the easiest hikes in Grand Teton National Park, it also rewards you with an amazing view of Phelps Lake and the valley beyond. 

Separate from the loop trail that goes around Phelps Lake, the overlook trail starts from Death Canyon Trailhead and brings you to a bird’s eye view of the alpine lake. You can also get down to Phelps Lake, but the additional one mile is steep and rugged, so you may not have the time for this addition if you are trying to make it to the Gondola on time. 

Set aside about one hour for the overlook hike, and 2-3 if you plan to go all the way down to the lake. 

Note: The overlook hike begins at the Death Canyon Trailhead, which is located one mile down a rough, deeply rutted dirt road. RVs and trailers are not permitted, and vehicles ideally should have high clearance.

Teton Village Gondola Ride

After a packed day, wrap up your Grand Teton itinerary with a scenic gondola ride up the Tetons at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. 

The Bridger Gondola whisks you up to Rendezvous Lodge, where Piste Mountain Bistro and The Deck at Piste sit at 9,095 feet. The near-360-degree views are incredible, but enjoying them with dinner or a drink is even better. You can also access several hiking and biking trails.

If you time it right, you can catch happy hour at The Deck Sunday-Thursday in the summer starting at 5:00pm. People typically start lining up by 4:00, so plan ahead! To clarify, Piste is open during winter ski season, but The Deck is open only in the summer.

You have options for getting up to the lodge. You can make advance reservations at Piste, which include a gondola ride, or buy a daily sightseeing ticket for around $40. Season passholders, whether for ski season or summer mountain bike season, ride free. 

Alternatively, you can hike to the top via the Wildflower Trail, then ride the gondola down for free. This beautiful but strenuous trek is just shy of eight miles round-trip. 

Piste is closed for a couple of months in the shoulder seasons, usually in October and November and again in April and May. The exact dates depend on the resort’s opening and closing dates, as well as the season’s weather. During this time, the gondola closes at 5 p.m.

Jackson is a great place to grab dinner (if you didn’t opt for food on The Deck) after your gondola ride.

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How much time do I need in Grand Teton National Park; is 2 days enough?

Two to three days is the ideal amount of time for a Grand Teton itinerary, allowing you to hit the major highlights and enjoy a few hikes, scenic drives, and even a side trip to Teton Village without rushing. 

If we were to add one more day to this Grand Teton itinerary, we’d recommend choosing one of two things:

• a) either take a scenic boat cruise on Jackson Lake (and finish up with the famous huckleberry milkshakes from Pioneer Grill at the Jackson Lake Lodge),
• b) or add one more longer hike, like Delta Lake or Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes.

Best time to visit Grand Teton National Park

The best time to visit Grand Teton is in early autumn, just after schools are back in session (mid-September through very early October). 

Summer crowds thin out significantly during this time, and short-lived but brilliant fall foliage adds a new layer of beauty to the famous landscapes. Fall weather is still (mostly) mild, perfect for hiking, and wildlife is more active in preparation for winter. 

One important thing to be aware of: although the park is typically fully accessible until at least mid-October, visitor centers, campgrounds, and other services start shutting down for the season in mid- to late September. 

Psst! Did you know Grand Teton is one of the best national parks to visit in winter?

Transportation for this Grand Teton itinerary

This 2 day Grand Teton itinerary is meant to be followed as a road trip. If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can plan to rent a car (or campervan!) at the airport you fly into.

What’s the best rental car company? The one that gives you the best deal!

For road trips in the US, we’ve personally had good experiences with DiscoveryCars.com and Booking.com (formerly RentalCars.com). We’ve booked through them several times and have found some really great deals. 

Wanna give vanlife a try while visiting Grand Teton? 

It’s no secret we’re obsessed with #vanlife. However, if you don’t have the time (or interest!) in building your own conversion but you still want to give vanlife a test drive, we’ve got options for you…

Check out our list of top companies for USA Campervan Rentals from budget to bougie, we’ve even included some exclusive discounts for our readers. 

One company we’d recommend looking into is Escape Campervans. They have 12 different locations across North America and come fully loaded with all the gear you need for an epic road trip. Plus, their rates are fair and affordable.

BONUS: We’ve partnered with them to give you a 10% off discount when you use our link!

Where to stay at Grand Teton National Park

Within Grand Teton National Park, you have various accommodation options to choose from. 

Grand Teton National Park has 6 in-park campgrounds. All GTNP campgrounds require highly sought-after reservations, which are released six months in advance (better start planning your Grand Teton itinerary early!). 

If you can’t snag a coveted campsite inside the park, check out the dispersed sites along John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway, between Headwaters and Lizard Creek campgrounds at the northern end of GTNP. There are about 14 free, rustic (i.e.; no amenities or services) sites here, accessible once the road opens for the summer. 

And if camping isn’t your thing, you can stay at a hotel, lodge or Airbnb in a nearby town like Jackson, Moose or Teton Village. Check our Grand Teton National Park guide for our recommended places to stay. 

What to pack for your Grand Teton National Park itinerary

• National Parks Annual Pass
• Navigation: we recommend using Alltrails+ to download the offline trail map
  • Get your first week of using Alltrails+ for FREE when you sign up using our link!
• Hiking daypack
• Refillable water bottle
• Bug repellant
• Sun protection: sunscreen, hat, sun glasses
• Headlamp
• Camera/tripod (this one’s our favorite for hiking)
• Hiking layers (here is a great resource if you’re wondering what to wear hiking)
• Rain jacket
• Comfortable hiking boots or shoes
• Hiking poles (optional)
• Bear spray (just in case)
• Plenty of snacks: check out our favorite hiking snacks here!
• Camping gear – if you are staying at one of the park’s campsites

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You may also like…

• Best Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park (Ultimate Guide)
• How to Plan a Road Trip (+ biggest mistakes to avoid!)
• 4 Day Grand Teton to Yellowstone Itinerary
• Ultimate Road Trip Packing List

Love exploring USA National Parks?

Us too—in fact, we’re kind of obsessed with them!

We have tons of articles, guides, and itineraries for just about every national park we’ve visited. Browse our USA National Parks homepage or click on one of our national park guides below.

• Acadia National Park, ME
• Arches National Park, UT
• Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
• Canyonlands National Park, UT
• Capitol Reef National Park, UT
• Death Valley National Park, CA & NV
• Glacier National Park, MT
• Joshua Tree National Park, CA
• North Cascades National Park, WA
• Olympic National Park, WA
• Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
• Yellowstone National Park, WY, MT, ID
• Yosemite National Park, CA
• Zion National Park, UT

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