Grand Teton National Park
Only A Day
Driving is the quickest way to see most of Grand Teton's famous features. The distance between the park's southern and northern boundaries is just 56 miles. Since most visitors enter the park from Jackson, this suggested route starts from that southern approach.
At Moose Junction, turn left for Moose Village and get your bearings at the visitor center located there. Menors Ferry and the Chapel of the Transfiguration, just north of Moose Village, are connected by a half-mile, self-guiding trail leading past one of the park's historic settlements. You can ride a replica of Menors Ferry across the Snake River during peak season as part of a ranger-guided walk through the area. Check at the visitor center for details.
Go north from Moose on the Teton Park Road for 11 miles until you reach the North Jenny Lake Junction. Turn left to begin the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive. This road goes past Jenny Lake Lodge, String Lake and the shoreline of Jenny Lake, with some of the park's most famous mountain vistas. If you enjoy water, catch Jenny Lake Boating's shuttle boat (modest round-trip fare) at South Jenny Lake and make a 10-minute trip west across the lake to the mouth of Cascade Canyon. There, you can follow the Cascade Canyon Trail, possibly the best single choice you could make for a short or longer hike (one to 14 miles round-trip), in Grand Teton National Park. Many inviting picnic sites at Jenny Lake make this a good lunch stop. The Jenny Lake Visitor Center has geology exhibits and a large relief map. If you'd rather stay on the road, continue north along the Teton Park Road to Signal Mountain Summit Road, a five-mile side trip off the Teton Park Road near Signal Mountain Lodge that takes you 800 feet above the valley floor for views of the Teton Range and Jackson Lake (no RVs or trailers allowed). Two turnouts with picnic tables provide dramatic panoramic views.
After turning left at the Jackson Lake Junction, check out Jackson Lake Lodge with its huge picture window lobby and historic murals. While there, consider signing up for a breakfast, scenic lake or evening steak-fry cruise (seasonal). Next, drive five miles north to Colter Bay Visitor Center and Indian Arts Museum, which has a large collection of artifacts from several tribes. Wildlife videos and ranger presentations are offered throughout the day.
Head back to Jackson by taking the Jackson Hole Highway (U.S. 26-89-191) and stop at Oxbow Bend, one mile east of Jackson Lake Junction. This large wetland area is home to bald eagles, osprey, American white pelicans, moose, beaver and other wildlife.
As you head south on Jackson Hole Highway, you will pass numerous historic and scenic turnouts, including Cunningham Cabin and Snake River Overlook.
If you have time, the Antelope Flats/ Kelly Loop is a good choice for history buffs as it travels past many of the park's early ranch buildings and settlements. A five-mile side trip takes you to Lower Slide Lake in the adjacent Bridger-Teton National Forest, the site of the dramatic, 1925 landslide that dammed the Gros Ventre (pronounced "grow vaunt") River.
Grand Teton In Depth
News from the Parks
Ken Burns on Vacation/Location at Glacier National Park
September 5, 2008 - 1:39pm
It's too early for civilians. As dawn's first light falls on the jagged peaks, creeps down the dwindling glaciers and glides across glass-faced Swiftcurrent Lake, most of the tourists in the Many Glacier Hotel are still snoozing.
September 5, 2008 - 1:39pm
It's too early for civilians. As dawn's first light falls on the jagged peaks, creeps down the dwindling glaciers and glides across glass-faced Swiftcurrent Lake, most of the tourists in the Many Glacier Hotel are still snoozing.
Town Government Rejected by Tusayan
September 5, 2008 - 12:15pm
Tusayan voters have rejected creating a town government for their small community just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Voters turned down incorporation 69-56 in a divisive election over development issues. "We once again said no to massive commercial development here in Tusayan," said Clarinda Vail, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on Tusayan Incorporation group.
September 5, 2008 - 12:15pm
Tusayan voters have rejected creating a town government for their small community just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Voters turned down incorporation 69-56 in a divisive election over development issues. "We once again said no to massive commercial development here in Tusayan," said Clarinda Vail, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on Tusayan Incorporation group.
Tauck Hosts its 10,000th Guest-Volunteer in Yellowstone National Park
September 4, 2008 - 4:32pm
Tauck World Discovery celebrated a unique milestone recently when it hosted the 10,000th participant in its award-winning guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. The 10,000th volunteer was in one of three Tauck tour groups working in the Park over the weekend of July 19 - 20. The volunteers each donated a portion of their vacation time with Tauck, an escorted tour operator, to work on preservation and beautification projects in Yellowstone National Park.
September 4, 2008 - 4:32pm
Tauck World Discovery celebrated a unique milestone recently when it hosted the 10,000th participant in its award-winning guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. The 10,000th volunteer was in one of three Tauck tour groups working in the Park over the weekend of July 19 - 20. The volunteers each donated a portion of their vacation time with Tauck, an escorted tour operator, to work on preservation and beautification projects in Yellowstone National Park.
Dupuyer Elementary School Offering Students Unique Learning Experiences
September 4, 2008 - 4:24pm
Dupuyer students started class Wednesday, Aug. 27, and though their numbers are way down from last year, teacher Lydia Mild has some special educational treats for her five students. To kick off the year, the Dupuyer students are doing a comparison unit between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. According to Mild, the unit will cover migratory trails, native tribes and many other aspects of the parks.
September 4, 2008 - 4:24pm
Dupuyer students started class Wednesday, Aug. 27, and though their numbers are way down from last year, teacher Lydia Mild has some special educational treats for her five students. To kick off the year, the Dupuyer students are doing a comparison unit between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. According to Mild, the unit will cover migratory trails, native tribes and many other aspects of the parks.
Boston Trustees Discuss Township Issues
September 4, 2008 - 3:52pm
Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses. Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.
September 4, 2008 - 3:52pm
Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses. Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.
