Grand Teton National Park

Year Established: 1929
Annual Visitors: 3.89 Million
Size: 310,444 Acres
State: Wyoming

Best Time to Visit Grand Teton National Park

June to September

If you are planning to visit more national parks, check out our complete list of all US National Parks.

Best Experiences in Grand Teton National Park

  • Inspiration Trail
  • Backpack to Lake Solitude
  • Sunrise at Schwabacher’s Landing
  • John Moulton Barn

A Brief History

Grand Teton is only 10 miles to the south of Yellowstone, and even though it is so close, it is very different from its neighbor. Sawtooth granite ridges invite climbers to the 13,776-foot peak that gives the park its name.

The northern end of the park is dominated by the 15-mile-long Jackson Lake. The Snake River runs through the sagebrush flats and is known for fly-fishing.

In the spring, at dawn, you can witness an endangered greater sage grouse do its elaborate mating dances. The pronghorn antelope lives in the park as well. It is the fastest mammal in the Western Hemisphere and the second fastest on Earth, with a top speed of 60 mph.

The park is also home to the calliope hummingbird, which is the smallest bird in North America. It is three inches long and weighs about one-tenth of an ounce. The trumpeter swan is the largest waterfowl on the continent. It has white feathers and wings that are almost seven feet long.

Grand Teton RV Camping

If you are looking for nearby RV camping options for Grand Teton National Park or in Wyoming, consider checking out our other post:

Visitor Information

Fees

Individuals 15 years old and younger are admitted free of charge.

Weekly Park Passes

$20.00 per person/cyclist

$35.00 per vehicle

$30.00 per motorcycle

All passes valid for up to 7 days

Annual Park Pass

Grand Teton Annual Pass – $70.00

Pass is good for one year until the end of the month when it was bought. The holder of a Park Annual Pass and any passengers in a single private, non-commercial vehicle can get into the park for free.

America The Beautiful Annual Park Pass

You can also get an annual park pass to ALL National Parks in the United States for $80.
Keep in mind they have Senior, Military, and other discounts available!

Contacting Grand Teton National Park

Phone Number

(307) 739-3399

Visitor Centers

Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center

This beautiful 22,000-square-foot center is where visitors to Grand Teton National Park are greeted and told about the park. 

The interactive exhibits focus on four topics that are important to the park: Place, People, Preservation, and Mountaineering. Highlights include life-size wildlife sculptures, a three-dimensional park map, floor-to-ceiling windows, mountaineering and western memorabilia, an impressive rock fireplace, a 154-seat auditorium and a fine art gallery.

In addition to the exhibit area, visitors can look at fine art from the park’s permanent collection and other traveling exhibits in a 900-square-foot gallery room. The center has a 1,500-square-foot Grand Teton Association bookstore where you can buy a wide range of books, maps, souvenirs, and educational materials. The park’s educational, interpretive, and scientific programs are all paid for by the money made from the sales of items in the bookstore.

Address

100 Discovery Way
Moose, WY 83012

Phone Number

(307) 739-3399

Hours of Operation (October Hours)

  • Sunday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Monday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Tuesday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Thursday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Friday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Saturday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Be sure to check for seasonal closures. This visitor center is typically closed from November 1 – April 8.

Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center

The Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center is a place where people can learn about Mr. Rockefeller’s conservation efforts and his vision for the future. A poem by Terry Tempest Williams, audio recordings of Mr. Rockefeller, videos, photos, and a soundscape room are some of the things you can see, touch, and hear at the exhibits. People can relax in the resource room, go to a ranger program, or hike to Phelps Lake. The center doesn’t sell things or give out permits.

Address

9001 Moose-Wilson Road
Moose, WY 83012

Phone Number

(307) 739-3654

Hours of Operation

  • Sunday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Monday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Tuesday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Thursday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Friday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Saturday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Be sure to check for seasonal closures. This visitor center is typically closed for Winter from September 26-June 5.

Jenny Lake Visitor Center

Harrison Crandall crafted this cabin close to the Cathedral Group Turnout in 1921 so he could have a place to work. Today, this visitor center shows off Crandall’s and other artists’ work in the park. You can s hop at the Grand Teton Association bookstore, go to a ranger program, or start your trip into the backcountry. Rangers are in the plaza and around the trails to help you plan your trip and get information. Backcountry permits are available at the Jenny Lake Ranger Station, which is close by.

Address

403 South Jenny Lake Dr.
Moose, WY 83012

Phone Number

(307) 739-3392

Hours of Operation

  • Sunday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Monday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Tuesday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Thursday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Friday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Saturday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Be sure to check for seasonal closures. This visitor center is typically closed for Winter from September 26-May 14.