Across Wyoming

Despite its large surface, with just under 600’000 inhabitants, Wyoming is the least populated state in the United States. The road to Grand Teton National Park takes us within a few hours through very diverse landscapes and capricious weather. After crossing large deserted and stormy areas, we finally see the sun again and drive along long roads sourrounded by red rocks reminding us of Arizona. We only have to cross the Togwotee pass to reach our destination. At the top of the pass, we see for the first time the famous mountain range: Grand Teton, Middle Teton and Mount Owen surrounded by clouds seem to pierce the sky.

Sightseeing in the park

The two roads crossing the national park, Teton Park Road and Highway 191, offer innumerable points of view to enjoy the most beautiful landscapes. We invest two days of our stay to discover these scenic roads.

Our favorite spots are Mormon Row and Schwabacher Landing. The former for its old barns, the latter for its incredible reflections of the surrounding landscape on the surface of the river. To get a good view of the mountain range, we also stop at Potholes Turnout, Mount Moran Turnout or Glacier View Turnout.

For wildlife viewing, Oxbow Bend Turnout, Elk Ranch Turnout and Willow Flats Overlook are a must. Oxbow Bend offers a nice view of a section of the river created over time as erosion and deposits of soil changed the Snake River’s course. On calm days, you can see the reflection of the mountains on the surface of the water. You can also see a variety of birds and, if you are lucky enough, elk and grizzly bears. Elk Ranch Turnout and Willow Flats Overlook are ideal places to see bison and elk, but also grizzly bears and pronghorn antelope.

Accommodation around Grand Teton

The area was not conducive to last minute planning, so we had to book three different accommodations around the national park. It gave us the opportunity to stay in three very different areas, each with its own charm.

We spend the first days in Colter Bay Village. This rustic mini-village, consisting of cabins, a campground, a restaurant, the visitor center and a small grocery store, offers us a typical North American national park experience. We stay in a beautiful cabin in the woods and are totally disconnected from reality.

Our stay continues in the small town of Jackson. 30 minutes away from the national park, we are back in civilization for a few days. We stay in Carl’s guest room in a quiet area a few minutes walk from downtown. We enjoy the cafes, eat in a vegan restaurant, visit the local craft breweries and enjoy delicious tapas in a European-style restaurant.

Third change of scenery, here we are in Teton Village. We have the privilege of staying in the most expensive hostel in North America, according to the locals. Unfortunately, the exorbitant price of the night does not reflect its quality, but the proximity to the national park has a high price here. With its ski lifts, Alpenhof hotel and car-free center, this small and expensive ski resort takes us back to our roots for a while. Here we enjoy the mountain village atmosphere which is particularly restful and relaxing after our long hikes.