Grand Teton National Park is an AMAZING park with the best views, swimming, hikes, and things to do. It can sometimes be overlooked by the neighboring Yellowstone, BUT it should not be missed. I of course would LOVE to spend more than one day in Grand Teton National Park, but I will take what I can get. During this quick trip, we spent 24 hours in Grand Teton National Park and one day in Yellowstone National Park. I have compiled the perfect itinerary for one day in Grand Teton National Park with kids.
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Table of Contents
How to get to Grand Teton National Park
Closest Airports to Grand Teton National Park:
- Jackson Hole Airport: 4.4 miles (It’s actually located within the park)
- Yellowstone Aiport: 78 miles
- Bozeman Yellowstone: 166 miles
- Salt Lake City: 284 miles
We flew into Jackson Hole and rented a car with Thrifty rentals. The shuttle picked us up directly outside of the airport and brought us to the rental car store located in town.
Best time to visit
The peak season for visiting the Grand Tetons is Mid-May to late September. Some of the roads, activities, and facilities close in October throughout the winter. The tourist season is short which leads to all the crowds. If looking to avoid some of the people, I suggest visiting in May or September and getting an early start to your days! Also… be sure to bring layers due to chilly nighttime/evening temperatures!
Average Temperatures during Tourist Season:
- May: 57/29
- June: 68/36
- July: 77/41
- August: 76/39
- Septemeber: 66/32
Winter: If you enjoy cold temperatures and beautiful snowy views, the Tetons are also an amazing place to visit in the winter months. Even though the visitor centers close, the main roads are plowed throughout the winter. It is still important you have a winter-ready car with tire chains and a winter safety kit ready to go. During the winter, you can ski, snowboard, and take other guided tours. Read more about Grand Teton winter travel here!
Where to Stay near Grand Teton National Park
Lodging near the park is EXPENSIVE. I am a major budget traveler so I opted to stay in Idaho Falls which is about 1 hr and 45 minutes from Jackson Hole and 2 hours from the West entrance of Yellowstone. BUT if you have more room in your budget, there are some amazing choices near the park.
- Luxury Stay: The Wyoming Inn of Jackon Hole: There are no shorage of luxury stays in Jackson Hole. Some even cost over 1,000 dollars per night!! (…i’ve come to terms that these will never be in my budget…) BUT, if you do have the budget for it, The Wyoming Inn is a great choice located directly inside the National Park. With beautiful decor and so many adventures nearby, you will surely have a stay of a lifetime!
- Unique Stay: Heart Six Ranch: With unique decor and so many activities onsite (horseback riding, raft tours, dog sledding, and more!), you may never even want to leave the ranch!
- Budget Stay (where we stayed): Le Ritz Hotel and Suites– Although it was about 1 hour and 40 minutes away from Jackon Hole, it was great for our needs. It was halfway between Grand Tetons and West Yellowstone, had a 24/7 pool (the kids appreciate that on the late nights), and free breakfast. It’s definitely an older hotel, but was a great place to sleep and grab breakfast! There are also some more budget-friendly options available in Driggs, ID.
Hint: Be sure to use HotelsCombined Search engine as it will find the best price throughout the various search engines!
Tip! Download the Grand Teton Gypsy Guide before your day. Your tour guide (through your radio), will let you know exactly when to stop and give you fun facts along the way! This specific tour includes Yellowstone too!
One Day in Grand Teton National Park with Kids Itinerary
Early Morning: Jenny Lake
Estimated time: (7 am to 11 am)
Jenny Lake is probably the most popular stop in the Tetons, but for good reason. I mean… look at that water (with the smokey skies and all!)
I suggest getting to Jenny Lake EARLY, because the parking lot is typically full. If it is already full when you arrive, you can either park on the road, or wait patiently until you see someone leaving. (It will likely be quicker to park on the road and walk the extra .5 or so miles)
Once you do score a parking spot, head down to the lake to see the most amazing views. There is a little overlook, but you can also walk down to dip your toes in the water or skip some rocks. If you are traveling with kids, they will likely want to take a dip in the freezing (and super clear) water…so be sure to pack extra clothes.
Jenny Shuttle Boat
After taking in the initial views (or maybe taking an early morning dip), head to the left to the Jenny Boat Shuttle.
Side note: You are able hike around the lake, but if traveling with kids OR looking for shorter hikes, the shuttle will take you to the trailheads of Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point (more information below).
The shuttle’s hours varies by month (listed below) and costs 18 dollars for adults and 10 dollars for kids (round trip). You also have the option to purchase one-way tickets and hike back. The shuttle departs every 10-15 minutes and is less than a 10 minute ride.
As of July 2021, you did still have to wear masks. No reservations are required.
Jenny Boat Shuttle Hours
May 15 – June 6: 10 am-4 pm
June 7 – Sept 6: 7 am-7 pm
Sept 7 – Sept 30: 10 am-4 pm
Hike to Hidden Falls
After your shuttle ride, you can take off on a quick, but beautiful 1 mile (round trip) hike to a 100 ft cascading waterfall. If wanting to skip the shuttle, you can reach Hidden Falls via a 4.8 mile hike on the Jenny Lake Loop Trail.
Hike to Inspiration Point
After marveling at Hidden Falls, continue .5 miles up the trail to Inspiration Point. This is a harder trail than Hidden Falls due to the elevation, but definitley worth it.
After hiking, we spent a bit more time swimming then headed back to the line for the shuttle. The line was long, but moved pretty quickly. We waiting about 35 minutes and saw a cinnimon face black bear walk RIGHT by the long line!
Lunch: Swimming and Picnic at String Lake
Estimated time: 11:30 am-3:30 pm
String Lake is the most popular place to swim in the Tetons due to being small and a bit more shallow than the other lakes. This leads to slightly warmer temperatures. You may forget you are even cold as you are admiring the surrounding mountains and crystal clear water!
When arriving, you will see two small parking lots first (I did drive around these to see if there were any empty spots), and then one larger one at the end. This is the one where we found a parking spot (just be on the lookout for anyone leaving!). After parking, there are onsite bathrooms and then a short walk to the lake.
The Lake is full of swimmers, paddleboarders, and kayakers. Unfortunately, there is nowhere to rent these on-site, but you are more than welcome to bring your own.
Pack your lunch and enjoy the beauty around you!
Have more time?
Take a hike to Leigh Lake. It’s an easy 3 mile (round trip) hike to the less crowded Leigh Lake. Or take the String Lake loop trail (4.4 miles) around the lake.
Dinner: Scenic Raft Tour
Although this is a bit on the spendy side, it was a great experience. We booked our tour with Triangle X and met in a parking lot across from the Grand Teton Visitor Center. (Hint: Your GPS will take you directly to the Visitors Center, but you need to meet across the street).
After meeting, your guide will pick you up in a shuttle bus and drive to the dinner location. At dinner, you are served veggies, bread, steak or chicken, and dessert! After filling up, you get to hop into your raft onsite.
The raft ride will take you down 10-miles of the Snake River with the most beautiful views of the mountains. It’s a scenic ride, so no need to be worried about scary rapids. The guide will share interesting facts about the area throughout the ride. Be sure to keep your eyes open for all the wildlife too!
We were hoping to see a moose or a grizzly, but instead saw a beaver, Prong Horn, and a lot of different types of birds.
Other things to do with kids in Grand Teton National Park:
- Gunfight Show Jackson Town Square: The Town Square Shootout is held every day at 6 pm (except Sundays) in the Jackson Hole town square. It is free to attend with no reservations needed! A perfect pit stop before dinner one night! Hint:: The town of Jackson Hole is BUSY! Make sure to arrive early to find a parking spot. Here’s more things to do in Jackson if you have additional time!
- Rent a Paddleboard at Colter Bay Village: The Colter Bay mariana rents kayaks, canoes, and motor boats on a first-come first-serve basis. Prices range from 25-48 dollars per hour with 2-hour minimums. Be sure to check here before visiting for water level updates and any closures.
- Mormon Row: An historic community with 27 homesteads and the ever-famous photographed Moulton Barns (pictured above).
- Horseback Riding: Swift Creek Outfitters offers 1 hour to full day horse back riding expeirences for ages 6 and up. It is located less than 40 minutes north of Jackson Hole and offers amazing views of the Teton Range. No reservations are required for groups of 9 or less, but you can always call (307-856-1226) to double check before visiting!
- Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitors Center: A perfect place to stop to get trail infomation, ranger-led programs, and learn about the areas history. You can view the Native American Indian artifacts, a raised relief map of the park, and a 24- minute informational video.
- Taggart Lake Trailhead: This may not be a first choice if traveling with young kids, BUT if your kids are good hikers, this leads to a beautiful (and much quieter) lake. It’s a 3.8 mile hike that gains 400+ ft in elevation.
- Jackson Hole Aerial Tram: In only 12 minutes, this tram will take you over 4,000 ft. Once at top, you will find hiking trails and waffles at Corbet’s Cabin!
- Photograph Oxbow Bend or the Snake River Overlook: Make a pit stop at Oxbow Bend and/or the Snake River Overlook to take some beautiful photos of Mount Moran’s refelction and the beautiful Panoramic views!
Looking to expand your trip? Check out the perfect One Day in YELLOWSTONE National Park with Kids
Things to know before visiting Grand Teton National Park
- Pack a comfy pair of water shoes for swimming. My favorite hiking/water shoes are my keens! Comfy to hike in and comfy when wet!
- Pack snacks for the beaches and your hydration pack to make sure you have plenty of water (make sure to store in designated bear safety lockers on site though)
- It is 35 dollars to enter the park (good for 7 days). If visiting more than 3 National Parks in one year, be sure to buy the American the Beautiful Pass for only $80!
- You are in bear country. The Tetons are home to black bears and grizzly bears. Be sure to follow the rules (store food in bear safe containers, keep you distance, bring bear spray and know how to use it) to keep everyoen safe.
One day in Grand Teton National Park Recap
- Morning: Jenny Lake Shuttle and hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point
- Afternoon: Picnic and swimming at String Lake
- Evening: Scenic Dinner Raft Tour
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