Grand Teton
National PARK
Grand Teton National Park
With the Rocky Mountain National Park, our stay in the North American mountains has just begun. We are now on our way to Wyoming and Grand Teton National Park. A dream come true for Marion, who has been dreaming of seeing the breathtaking scenery and iconic mountains of this park with her own eyes since forever.
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.
Our highlights
Togwotee Pass
First glimpse of Grand Teton
Roadtrip
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park was established in 1929. Through the commitment and donation of land by the Rockefeller family, the park was expanded in 1950 to its actual size.
The park is named after the highest mountain within its borders, the imposing Grand Teton which culminates at 4,199 meters. If you are looking for peaceful and quiet place and an alpine environment, this national park is the place to be. Hiking enthusiasts will find plenty to do here: from easy hikes along beautiful lakes to multi-day hikes in the backcountry, there is a wide range of beautiful trails in unspoiled nature. There are over 1000 species of plants, 300 species of birds and 61 mammals. The landscapes, fauna and flora delight nature lovers and photographers.
The park’s website offers more information on the history, organization, hikes and activities of the park.
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.
Our highlights
Landscapes
Wildlife
Mormon Row
Schwabacher Landing
Potholes Turnout
Oxbow Bend
Elk Ranch Turnout
Mormon Row & Schwabacher Landing
Our highlights along Hwy 191 are Mormon Row Historic District and Schwabacher Landing. A real treat for the eyes and for us as photography enthusiasts. The settlement of Mormon Row was established back in the early 20th century. With the Teton Mountain Range in the background, the well-preserved barns of the era serve today as popular photographic subjects. Schwabacher Landing, named after a former rancher who lived there in the 1930s, is one of the favorite spots among photographers for the reflections of the landscape in the surrounding waters.
We also visit both of these iconic locations early in the morning to enjoy the sunrise. As the sun rises, the mountain range and barn are illuminated with magical light at Mormon Row and the peaceful atmosphere of the early hours allows us to observe the perfect reflections of the landscape in the Snake River at Schwabacher Landing.
Our highlights
Landscapes
Sunrise
Photography
Reflections in the water
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.
Our highlights
Cabin in the park
Mountain village
Bin22
Snake River Brewing Co
Soluna Cafe
Healthy Being Café & Juicery
Persephone Bakery
Snake River Roasting Co
Grand Teton hikes
Grand Teton National Park offers a wide range of hikes, from simple walks to multi-day tours. A very favorable weather during our stay allowed us to explore many of them. Cascade Canyon to Solitude Lake, Delta Lake, and Death Canyon are among our favorite hikes.
Cascade Canyon is the flagship hike of the park. After crossing Jenny Lake with the shuttle-boat, this hike takes us along Cascade Canyon to Solitude Lake through beautiful scenery.
We also take some walks along the most beautiful lakes of the park. We hike along String and Leigh Lakes to Trapper Lake in hopes of spotting wildlife. However, it is between Taggart and Bradley lakes that we meet a black bear a little too close. This one forces us to turn back halfway. He seemed determined to eat all the berries along the trail and block our way.
Our highlights
Cascade Canyon & Lake Solitude
Delta Lake Hike
Death Canyon Hike
Black bear encounter
Wildlife
Wildlife
Whether on the trail or on the road, we meet many animals and gradually learn to distinguish and recognize them: elk, pika, marmot, bison, wapiti, mule deer, black bear, butterfly, bird, etc.