Guest Post by: R. Pines

The grandeur of Grand Teton National Park drew us in and we kept wanting to go back. The simplest way to see the park is to drive through the scenic roads. There is a 42-mile scenic loop with lots of turnouts which give you opportunities to take stunning photos. The Signal Mountain Summit Road has beautiful panoramic views. Grand Teton has a lot to offer off of the paved roads. There are countless hikes with different levels of difficulty. When hiking or climbing to a peak or pass, make sure to spend extra time to ascend gradually. Your body needs time to adjust to higher elevations. Be aware that hiking in the mountains takes your breath away! Slow your pace and stay hydrated.

The first day in the park we chose to go to a very popular hike which is not difficult. We parked at Jenny Lake and took a ferry across the pristine lake to the other side, then hiked up to the Hidden Falls. Although, it was only a half mile hike, it was consistently uphill and, as we were not accustomed to hikes that gain altitude, we took it slowly. We filled our water bottles with clear glacial water coming from the melting glaciers. Up another half mile climb is Inspiration point, with stunning views of the park.

Jackson Lake is huge and magnificent with boat rentals that allow you to spend a few serene hours exploring the Colter Bay and other surrounding bays and islands. The Colter Bay Marina rents kayaks (double and single), canoes, and motorboats. But you must book early, since they get fully booked very quickly. 

Posted: January 9, 2021

Information, prices and hours posted here are current as of the posted or updated date. It is advisable to call ahead or check online to confirm hours and prices.