If you buy a seven day entrance ticket to the Grand Teton National Park it also includes entrance to Yellowstone National Park as these two parks boarder each other.

Why is the park called Grand Teton National Park?

The tallest mountain in the park is called the grand Teton (which means large breast in slang French). It was named for its shape. It sounds better in French. I don't think Big Breast National Park would go down to well with the visitors. Can you imaging telling your Grandmother where you are going for your next holiday? The mountain stands at an elevation of 13,770 foot above sea level. It is part of the Teton range of mountains that includes Mount Owen 12,928 foot, Middle Teton 12,804 foot, South Teton 12,514 foot, Teewinot Mountain 12,325 foot, Teepee Pillar 12,266 foot, Cloudveil Dome 12,026 foot, and Buck Mountain 11,938 foot.

How was Grand Teton National Park formed?

This is easily explained if you do an exercise with your hands. Make two fists. Press one fist against the other knuckle to knuckle. Then slide the right hand knuckles down the fingers of the left hand. You have just created a 'fault'. The left hand is what is now the Teton mountain range and the right hand the grasslands. During an earth quake huge pressure is built up underground and is released in the form of dramatic earth movement.

What to do if you only have 12 hours in Grand Teton National Park

Many people drive through Grand Teton National Park on their way to Yellowstone National Park. If you only have a day call in at the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitors Center to get your bearings and find out about the park. Then tour the park on the Teton Park Road on the west side of the park. If you need to get to Yellowstone quickly then go on Highway 191.

Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center

This is a good place to start your visit to the Grand Teton National Park. It is located in the village of moose which is 12 miles north of Jackson. This information centre helps you understand what you are looking at in the park. How the mountains were formed. What effect the ice age had on the landscape. What flora and fauna can be found on the mountains and grasslands. I found the staff very friendly and willing to answer any question you might have.

If you are going to go hiking in the backcountry or do mountain climbing within the National Park you need a permit. This is one of the places you can obtain a permit. You can also purchase boat permits. There is a small museum, with exhibits on natural history, the local people and recent history, a theater and shop. If you have forgotten to send off postcards you can buy some at the shop and get stamps at the nearby post office. If you need to check your e-mails or website there is Wifi access available

Colter Bay Visitor Center and Indian Arts Museum

This attraction is open from early may to mid October. It is located 25 miles north of Moose next to Jackson Lake. Although it is small the Indian Arts Museum is full of historic native American artifacts. Most have been donated by the Rockefeller family. When looking at the attractive art you have to remember that it is all symbolic and has hidden meaning. The designs vary between tribes. This is sometimes due to the availability of local materials but mainly due to tribal tradition and identity.

If you are visiting the Museum with children get them to find the grizzly bear claw necklace. It was worn by a warrior that wanted to brag how brave and how good a hunter he was. In the visitor center there is a book store and information desk. More importantly there are public toilets. If you are going hiking you can obtain backcountry permits and get information about hiking trails. Staff are very willing to help you plan your trip.

Colter Bay Marina

Find Colter bay Marina on the map and take a detour. The view across Jackson Lake is amazing. You get the full panorama of the Grand Teton range and its mirrored reflection in the lake. Rent one of the boats from the Marina store and take a trip on the lake. It is a great way to go exploring on your own. If you are not that adventurous you can go on the Jackson Lake Cruise boat trip. There are lots of Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Lake Baseball hats and T shirts in the local shops. If you like fishing you can buy licenses and if needed go on guided fishing trips. Colter bay Marina is also the start of a number of hiking trails.

Lupine Meadows Trailhead

If you are looking for a short but attractive hiking route than try the 1.7 mile hike up to the Amphitheater and Surprises Lake Trailhead. It may be a short distance but there is a lot of up hill walking involved. There are lots of longer routes that branch off from this location for the more adventurous, like the Taggart Lake Trail and Bradley Lake Trail. It is a very pretty area.

Heron Pond and Swan Lake Hiking route

This is one of the more level hiking trails. Not so strenuous as other trails. It is only three miles long that takes you to two small lakes, technically one pond and one lake though I do not know what the difference is apart from size. If you are lucky you will see pelicans on the water as well as ducks and Canadian geese. In the morning and evening keep a look out for moose coming down to the waters edge to munch on aquatic plants to keep their sodium levels up. If you are really lucky you may see beaver swimming in an out of the large pond lilies. There is an extension side trail sign posted to Jackson Lake Overlook. Don't go. It was not worth the effort.

Spot the Glaciers

With global warming reducing the size of glaciers it is getting harder and harder to see them. Glaciers that used to reach the valley floor can now only be glimpsed at the top of the mountain. They have just melted away. When you are driving along highway 191 stop at the Glacier View Turnout. There are information panels on the side of the road

When to visit

October is a good time to visit because there are not as many tourists. Be warned though the weather can be a little cold and unpredictable. Bring the right clothing. Many of the hiking trails and information centers are closed at this time of the year but there is still lots to do.

Traditional homestead - Cunningham Cabin Historic Site

If you want to see a real piece of wild west history then visit the Cunningham Cabin Historic Site. When settlers staked a claim under the Homestead Act, they received 160 acres. The act required that homesteaders live on the land for five years. There were other requirements, including that a cabin at least 12 feet by 12 feet be built on the land. The Cunningham's settled on this land and at first made a living from hunting. They then went on to raise cattle. J.Pierce Cunningham with his wife Margaret went on to form the Bar Flying Ranch and become one of the areas leading citizens. 160 acres was not enough land to feed the cattle so eventually the ranch was enlarged to 540 acres.

The cabin visit was the Cunningham's first home on their land. The logs that were used to form the walls of the cabin were made wind proof by having mud stuffed in the gaps between them. Saplin poles were used to form the roof and to make it waterproof sods of earth were placed on top with grass grown on it. Compacted earth formed the floors. Life was hard especially during the winter when temperatures went below -40°C.

Historic Pioneer Menor’s Ferry

If you want to experience more flavour of the old wild west then make a detour for Menor's Ferry. You go on a short half mile walk to check out Bill Menor's old cabin, store and a transportation shed with a number of old wagons in it. There is also a replica of the ferry that crossed the Snake River. You will find it half a mile north of Moose on the Teton Park Road. Park your car. It is half a mile walk to the homestead.

William Menor arrived in the Jackson Hole area in 1894. He had an idea and built a ferryboat that became important to the early settlers. He made a living from the ferry tickets. Eventually a bridge was built south of the ferry, and it was no longer needed. You can ride the replica ferry depending on the height of the water.

The Signal Mountain Boat Launch

I love renting boats on holiday. It gives you a sense of freedom you do not get from a driving tour. You can experience the quietness of the vast landscape. Signal Mountain boat launch is where to go to hire a boat. If you have your own boat you can launch it into the water here as well. You must first get a park permit sticker for the side of your boat. The view of the Teton Mountain range are amazing.

Mount Moran lay-by Turnout

Get your camera ready. Pull the car over and take in the magnificent view of the mountains. There are some information panels about the local area. An Artist called Thomas Moran travelled with the 1871 Haden Expedtion wagon train. He helped make the Yellowstone and Grand Teton area popular after his sketches and watercolours were publicized. The Mountain Moran at 6,000ft was named after him.

Visit Jackson Lake Dam

The hollowed out glacial Jackson Lake was enhanced in size and depth when the Jackson Dam was completed. The water level rose by 30 feet. It was built where the Snake River left the lake. In the summer water is released to serve the needs of agriculture and recreational uses. The dam can be viewed from various local hiking trails.

Jenny Lake Cruise and Boating

From mid June to early September you can go on a relaxing water cruise on Jenny Lake. It is only an hour in length but if the weather is good it a magnificent way to relax, soak up the sun, while admiring the scenic beauty of the Teton mountain ranges. You can hire your own boat if you are more adventurous.

Jenny Lake was formed approximately 12,000 years ago in the Ice Age. As the glaciers melted, it dumped the rock debris it was carrying into a ridge of gravel across the valley. This is known as a lateral moraine and has the same effect as a dam. It blocked the melting water from escaping and resulted in the 260-ft deep Jenny Lake.

Jenny Lake Visitor Center

It is located 8 miles north of Moose at South Jenny Lake. There is a good 3d map of the park and an exhibit on the geology of Grand Teton National Park. There are toilets and a store. The Jenny Lake Campground is nearby. The ranger station provides information for visitors planning to climb and back pack in the park.

Trumpeter Swans

Look out for these beautiful majestic birds. The Trumpeter Swan is the largest bird in North America weighing between 20 - 30 pounds. It makes its home in Grand Teton National Park valley all year and likes open water.

Windy Point Turnout

Pull your car over at this lay-by on the main Grand Teton National Park Road. Read the information panels that help explain how the landscape you are looking at were formed by glaciers of the last Ice Age. Take you camera out of its bag as there are some fantastic views of the Teton mountain range.

Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center

It is 4 miles south of Moose on the Moose-Wilson road. It has information specifically about the Laurance S Rockefeller nature preserve. Ranger guided walks are available and talks. There is no shop and the center does not issue permits.

Travel books