In this 3 days at Grand Teton National Park itinerary + guide weโll cover everything you need to know before you go, plus where to eat, where to stay, and things to do in Grand Teton National Park!
After finishing our van conversion this summer, our goal was to book it out of the Texas heat and find some cooler weather and mountain views. We set our sights on Wyoming and made the 1,377 mile drive to Jackson and Grand Teton National Park.
For about a week we called Grand Teton and Jackson our โhomeโ. We boondocked in the forest with the best views. We headed into town for Wifi and food, and going for hikes in the park. You can see how we spent our two days in these vlogs: Day 1 and Day 2.
It was the perfect place to spend our first real week on the road and weโre so excited to share this 3 days at Grand Teton itinerary with you, filled with info about the park, where to stay, what to do, where to eat, and more!
- About Grand Teton National Park
- Getting to Grand Teton National Park
- Where to stay at Grand Teton National Park
- Getting around Grand Teton National Park
- When to visit Grand Teton National Park
- Tips for 3 Days at Grand Teton National Park
- 3 Days at Grand Teton National Park Itinerary
- If you have extra time…
- Ready to explore 3 Days at Grand Teton National Park?
Before embarking on your adventure, please review theย Leave No Trace principlesย to ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come!
These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in!), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors.ย
About Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park was first established in 1929. But in 1943, combined with the Jackson Hole National Monument to create the 310,000 acres that the park is today.
While Grand Teton National Park is slightly less visited compared to its neighbor to the north, Yellowstone, itโs still the 8th most visited National Park, with 3,491,151 visitors in 2018.
The park headquarters is just 13.2 miles from the cute Western town of Jackson, Wyoming. The proximity to restaurants, coffee shops, and stores makes Grand Teton even more appealing in our eyes.
During our 3 days at Grand Teton we loved that we could grab an excellent latte and meal before going on a hike. Or a delicious dinner after a day of adventuring, which isnโt always the case with National Parks.
In this guide we will share spots from both Grand Teton National Park and Jackson. Because in our opinion they go together like chips and queso. ๐
Looking for more Wyoming adventures? Combine this 3 days at Grand Teton guide with our Yellowstone National Park guide for the ultimate trip!
Getting to Grand Teton National Park
There are a handful of ways to get to Grand Teton National Park. But with the park being a bit far from any major city, itโs definitely not the easiest park to get to. The closest option is the Jackson Hole Airport, which American Airlines, Delta, United, and SkyWest fly in and out of.
However, it is a smaller airport with limited flights and could be pricey. But if convenience is worth the extra cost, this airport is just minutes from the park and also the town of Jackson.ย
The next closest airport is in Idaho Falls, Idaho (104 miles). But this is a regional airport and may be trickier to fly into. As for larger airports, the two best options are Salt Lake City, which is a little under 300 miles away, and Denver, which is 505 miles away. So if youโre down for a road trip, these two airports are a good option for your 3 days at Grand Teton trip!
Where to stay at Grand Teton National Park

Jackson
If you want to be close to restaurants and shops, we highly recommend staying in Jackson! There are tons of places to stay in this area, from hotels to VRBOs, and weโre sharing some of our top picks below!
VRBO
- Option #1: A 1 bathroom studio that’s one block from the town square
- Option #2: A super cute 1 bathroom cabin
- Option #3: A 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment that’s beautifully decorated
- Option #4: A 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment near Snow King Mountain
- Option #5: A 3 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom townhouse that’s perfect for 6-8 people
Hotels
- Rustic Inn Creekside
- Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole
- The Lexington
- Inn on the Creek
- Mountain Modern Motel
- Anvil Hotel
Park lodges
There are a handful of lodges in the Grand Teton National Park if you want to be close to the action, but still have a bit of comfort.
Jenny Lake Lodge
The Jenny Lake lodge not only has a prime location, but is also a AAA 4-Diamond resort! The rooms are cabins with their own bathrooms and you definitely wouldnโt feel like youโre roughing it. This would be our top pick due to its proximity to many hikes on this guide, as well as the town of Jackson!
Triangle X
If you want the unique experience of staying at a Dude Ranchโthis place is a must! Enjoy your own private cabin (with a private bathroom), horseback riding, cookouts, and more!
Jackson Lake Lodge
Looking for more of a hotel experience? Jackson Lake Lodge has hotel-like rooms to enjoy. But donโt be expecting a TV in your roomโthe lodge would prefer you spend your time outdoors (pretty cool!). They also have cottages available on the property.
Signal Mountain Lodge
With cabins, bungalows, and lakefront retreats, there are lots of accommodation options to choose from at this lodge located on Jackson Lake!
Colter Bay Cabins
If you want to feel like youโre camping, but with an actual bed and some amenities, this spot may be great for you!
Headwaters Lodge at Flagg Ranch
This spot is between both Grand Teton and Yellowstone, making it a good option if you plan to visit both! However, it may be a bit far from some activities in Jackson that are on this guide.
Campgrounds
There are a total of 6 campgrounds at Grand Teton National Park. However, 5 of them are first come first serve and do not accept reservations. According to the NPS, โreservations are accepted for group camping, the Colter Bay RV Park, and the Headwaters Campground & RV Sites at Flagg Ranch.โ
There are also backcountry camping areas, which require advance planning to get permits. Permits go live on Monday, February 11 at 8 am MST and advance permits close on May 15. You can get a permit outside of the advance permit window, but it may be more difficult. All backcountry campers must carry a bear canister. But donโt worry if you do not own one, they do provide these for you!
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Boondocking
If youโre in a van like us, an RV, or donโt need any amenities while camping, boondocking (dry camping and free!) may be a good option for you during your 3 days at Grand Teton! We loved how many options there were to boondock around Grand Teton. And the best part? Almost every spot has great views! Here are the areas we stayed at, as well as some we didnโt try, but hear amazing things about!
Lower Teton View
Both nights we stayed here we arrived in the dark and didnโt really spend much time here. But we did have cell phone service with AT&T!
Upper Teton View
This is a spot we wanted to check out, but got nervous about driving the van up the road. We hear itโs beautiful though!
Antelope Flats
We LOVED this spot! There are multiple areas with designated sites to park and the view of the Tetons from our van windows was incredible! The sites are kind of close together, so donโt expect much privacy. We did have AT&T service here too, but ended up working in town. (The photo under “where to stay” is from this spot!)
Shadow Mountain
We met multiple people throughout the week who were staying here, both with trailers. We were going to make the drive up, but liked our spot at Antelope Flats a lot and didnโt want to leave.
Spread Creek Road
While not as scenic as the others, we tried this spot our last night to be a bit closer to Yellowstone and parked in the first site. While it was right on the road, we didnโt have anyone else parked by us which we liked!
Getting around Grand Teton National Park
If you want to fully enjoy the park, you will need to rent a car. While there are some tours that can take you to specific areas near the park, there are no inter park shuttles like some other National Parks have. Having a car for your 3 days at Grand Teton will allow you to see all of the sights and enjoy them at your own pace!
When to visit Grand Teton National Park

This 3 days at Grand Teton itinerary is geared towards the summer months, but winter is also a popular time to visit! We visited over Labor Day weekend, which was not our first choice because of the crowds, but it ended up not being that bad! We tried to get an early start, which helped a ton, and mentally prepared ourselves for the amount of people we may see.
The busiest months are mid-May to late September, as thatโs when the park becomes accessible after winter. Since Grand Teton does often have some closures from October to early May due to snow, your best bet is to come in this timeframe if you want to hike.
Weโd suggest going in before Memorial Day or after Labor Day to try to avoid the summer break crowds. We noticed a big decline in crowds the Thursday after Labor Day compared to the days leading up to Labor Day.
Tips for 3 Days at Grand Teton National Park
Start early!
The Tetons are the most beautiful at sunrise since the sun rises in front of them and you get a beautiful alpenglow. Sunrise is definitely popular in specific areas for that reason, but youโll still get to enjoy a bit more solitude than mid day all around the park.
Buy or rent bear spray!
The Tetons are home to both black and grizzly bears. While we didnโt see a bear (weโre both happy and sad about that!), we made sure we always had bear spray on us and learned what to do if you see a bear. If youโre road tripping or visit bear country often, you can buy bear spray in advance. But if youโre flying, we recommend either buying the spray there or renting it.
Wear sunscreen and drink lots of water!
While the temperature isnโt brutal in the summer, we got very hot hiking some of the trails and since we were at a higher elevation than normal, sunscreen and water were a must!
3 Days at Grand Teton National Park Itinerary
Here’s a 3 days at Grand Teton itinerary filled with the best hikes, views, restaurants, and things to do! While we were unable to visit all of these spots during our time in the Tetons, based on our research and our own experience at the park, all of these suggestions would make for one epic trip!
Day 1
The majority of your first day will be spent exploring the Jenny Lake area of Grand Teton National Park.


- Get your first glimpse of the Tetons with sunrise at Schwabacher Landing. Be prepared to have your breath taken away!
- If you need breakfast or coffee after, head to Moose Trading Post. While we canโt guarantee itโll be the best breakfast or coffee youโve ever had, options are limited inside the park. This would also be a great spot to grab a picnic lunch for later! Note: They open at 8 AM.
- Spend the rest of your morning and early afternoon exploring the Jenny Lake area of the park! This is probably the most popular area due to the water activities and hikes located here. We highly recommend doing the Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and Cascade Canyon hike.
- If you do all three, the total mileage is 15 miles. However, you can take the Jenny Lake shuttle boat across the lake to cut off 4 miles, making the total hike 11 miles.
- The cost for the boat ride is: $20/adult roundtrip, $12/adult one way, $17/senior roundtrip (no one way option), $12/child roundtrip, or $10/child one way.
- If youโre looking for a shorter hike, we suggest just doing Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, which would be about 2-6 miles depending on if you take the boat or not. Itโs still full of beautiful views!
- If you do all three, the total mileage is 15 miles. However, you can take the Jenny Lake shuttle boat across the lake to cut off 4 miles, making the total hike 11 miles.
- If you still have energy after your hiking, check out either Taggart Lake (4.1 miles) or String Lake (3.7 miles). These would be great spots to relax at for the rest of the day. If itโs warm enough out, bring a floaty to go float on the lake!
- Finish your first day of 3 days at Grand Teton with dinner in Jackson! A few good options to check out: Hand Fire Pizza (in an old movie theater and so cool!), Snake River Brewing, Liberty Burger, or FIGS.
Day 2
Today you’ll visit a few overlooks and then spend a few hours out on the lake!




- Sleep in a tiny bit and grab breakfast and coffee at Picnic or Persephone Bakery! These two spots have the same owner and both have super cute interiors, delicious and healthy food, amazing coffee, and some incredible looking pastries! We went to Picnic during our trip, which was away from the main part of town and full of locals. We loved it so much! Persephone Bakery is located in the main town square area and is definitely a popular spot with both locals and tourists! Either one is a great option for starting day 2 of your 3 days at Grand Teton.
- Make the 45 minute drive to Oxbow Bend, which is a popular photo spot overlooking the Snake River and Mount Moran.
- From there, head to the Jackson Lake Overlook to soak up the views of this large and beautiful lake.
- After seeing the lake from the overlook, go spend some time on the water! Whether kayaking or actual boating is your thing, Signal Mountain Lodge rents a variety of options to get on the water! You can also just lay out on the beach (warning, itโs a bit rocky) near Colter Bay!
- Spend the rest of your day wandering around Jackson. There are lots of shops to check outโwe loved MADE and Mountain Dandy!
- Enjoy dinner in Jackson! A few good options to check out: Hand Fire Pizza (in an old movie theater and so cool!), Snake River Brewing, Liberty Burger, or FIGS. If you want a drink after dinner, check out the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar!
Day 3
The final day will include lots of hiking and a delicious reward!




- Wake up early for sunrise at Mormon Row for your final day of the 3 days at Grand Teton. This former Mormon settlement is now an iconic photo spot. There are two famous barns that people line up to photograph in the morning as the sun rises and hits the Tetons. It is absolutely magical!
- Spend the rest of the day going on a beautiful lake hike! Here are a couple good options:
- Delta Lake (9 miles, 2,329 ft elevation gain): This blue lake is gorgeous! The hike starts out on the maintained Amphitheater lake trail, but then turns off onto an unmaintained trail that is full of boulders and steep dirt sections. Itโs not easy and definitely not for a beginner hiker, but 100% worth it!
Watch our vlog about this hike to determine if youโre up for the challenge! - Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes (8.9 miles, 2,942 ft elevation gain): While this hike is arguably harder elevation gain-wise than Delta Lake, it is a fully maintained trail, so you will not need to climb over boulders. The lake at the end looks beautiful!
- If youโre looking for something a bit easier, check out either Taggart Lake (4.1 miles) or String Lake (3.7 miles).
- Delta Lake (9 miles, 2,329 ft elevation gain): This blue lake is gorgeous! The hike starts out on the maintained Amphitheater lake trail, but then turns off onto an unmaintained trail that is full of boulders and steep dirt sections. Itโs not easy and definitely not for a beginner hiker, but 100% worth it!
- Head into Jackson for ice creamโyouโve earned it! We loved the huckleberry ice cream from Mooโs Gourmet Ice Cream!
- End your 3 days at Grand Teton with dinner in Jackson! A few good options to check out: Hand Fire Pizza (in an old movie theater and so cool!), Snake River Brewing, Liberty Burger, or FIGS.
If you have extra time…
Food
- Cultivate Cafe
- The Virginian Restaurant for breakfast
- Hatch Taqueria & Tequilas
- Bubbaโs Bar-B-Que
- Fiesta Mexican Restaurantโa good hole in the wall spot!
- Pearl St. Market
Coffee
Activities
- Enjoy the alpine slide, coaster, and other activities at Snow King Mountain
- Hike to Lake Solitude, which is 16 miles and 2,637 ft elevation gain
- On Wednesdays and Saturdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day, check out the Jackson Hole Rodeo!
- Go on a helicopter or plane ride to view the Tetons from above!
- Take a horse ride!
- Drive up Signal Mountain Summit road!
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Great information and beautiful photos! Maybe one day I will see it all in person!
Thank you! And we hope you can too! ๐
We are going on a 4-day Yellowstone and 3-day Grand Teton trip this summer. We have a 7 year old daughter and want to do some easy hikes in the Tetons. We have planned Inspiration Point/Hidden lake (with shuttle), Taggart lake, string. Lake hikes (1 on each day). What are your thoughts? Your vlogs were amazing!
Hi! First off, thank you so much, we’re so glad you enjoyed them! Those hikes sound perfect for a 7 year old and the shuttle will be a fun experience. We really wanted to hike to Taggart and String Lakes during our time there, but ran out of time. But we hear they are beautiful and not too challenging! We loved the Tetons because there are so many viewpoints that you can drive up or walk up to! One other spot that may be worth checking out is Schwabacher’s Landing. It is supposedly a great sunrise spot and a very short hike! We hope that helps and that y’all have a great trip! ๐
Thank you for your suggestion!
Of course! ๐
Omg, I absolutely love this! Thank you so much! We will be traveling with our doggy in a van. Did you guys take your doggy hiking or what did you do?
Hi Lucia! I am so glad, thank you so much for reading! Our pup was actually at a board and train program during this trip. But we did recently write a post about what we do with our pup when we cannot go with us! https://adventuresofaplusk.com/full-time-van-life-with-a-dog-tips-for-traveling-with-a-dog/ I hope that helps!
When you boondock do you leave your camper and go out for hikes at the park? I guess what I am asking is it safe to do this? We are new to this.
Hi Betsy! That is a super good question! Since we are in a van, we are always with our van, but we do see people leaving their campers at their sites when exploring. We would just read reviews and make sure that people haven’t had any issues with safety at a spot just to make sure. But I wouldn’t worry about the spots at Grand Teton, they are busy and popular and someone would always be around I’d think. I hope that helps!
Hi, how can I print your amazing 3 day itin for GTNP? thanks
Hi Jenny! You can do “file” -> “print” and I think choose the pages you want printed. We are hoping to make printable itineraries in the future, but just haven’t had a chance to do it yet. We are glad you enjoy the itinerary!
This was so helpful thank you!
We are so glad to hear that! Have a great trip!