As the oldest national park in the United States, Grand Teton National Park attracts roughly 3 million visitors each year, many of them families looking to enjoy the same nature and wildlife that made it a popular vacation spot in the first place. With so many things to do as a family at Grand Teton National Park, it can be hard to narrow down your choices. So, these are the top 10 things to do as a family at Grand Teton National Park.
1. Visit Jenny Lake
Jenny Lake is often referred to as the crown jewel of the Jackson Hole valley. And while that’s up for debate, there are plenty of other things you can do and see in the area like visiting Artists Point, or fishing at Lula Lake.
But you really can’t go wrong with any option you choose; they’re all great! So just pick one and start exploring! We can’t wait to hear about your favorite thing to do here in Grand Teton National Park.
2. Hike the Gros Ventre River Trail
Hiking the Gros Ventre River Trail offers views of pristine nature untouched by human interference. Hikers will traverse through quiet forests and spot wildlife including bears, moose, coyotes, wolves, deer, and mountain lions.
There are several waterfalls for you to enjoy as well as excellent fishing opportunities for those who have time to fish along the way.
3. Take a horseback ride
One of the most popular things for families to do is take a horseback ride through Jackson Hole, Wyoming. There are several opportunities, including dinner rides and sunset or full-day rides.
These rides offer the chance to go out into nature and enjoy all of the beauty that the Great Outdoors has to offer. Bring your sense of adventure and be prepared for an unforgettable experience.
4. See wildlife
View the wildlife that the park is famous for, including moose, bison, elk, deer, and more at Slough Creek. When you cross through the wolf loop it’s common to spot gray wolves crossing the road! If you’re lucky you might also see lynx or mountain lion tracks.
Visit Lamar Valley and search for wolves, antelope, and other animals found along America’s last wild highway. Be sure to bring your binoculars! There are designated pull-outs throughout Lamar Valley where you can safely stop your car to take photos of elk or moose up close.
5. Go fishing
If you love fishing, you will love the Snake River that runs through the valley. In addition to fishing, there are many other family activities for you and your children. Check out one of the amazing hiking trails, take a boat ride on Jenny Lake, or go camping under some of the most beautiful stars in the world! The views and experiences at Grand Teton National Park offer something for everyone.
6. Ride the tram through Jackson Hole, WY
A tram ride is one of the best ways to explore the park. If you are feeling especially adventurous, you can even hike from one end of the tram route and ride back on the tram! Trams are available year-round. Make sure you dress for snow during winter.
Snowshoeing is always an excellent activity for all ages. You will see wildlife up close without scaring them away with your presence as you would when hiking or biking.
During the summer months, try horseback riding on a mountain trail. These rides take riders up into the mountains where they have panoramic views of Jackson Hole Valley below and Mount Moran towering above them.
They also offer family-friendly wagon rides which last about 30 minutes and include commentary about some of the history behind Grand Teton National Park’s most iconic landmarks, such as Jenny Lake’s Cathedral Group.
Don’t forget to visit Artist Point at sunset or sunrise to get amazing views of our beautiful national parks while capturing that perfect photo opportunity!
7. Visit with dogs on front porches
Go on a hike and visit the dogs who live on the park’s front porches. There are more than 150 dogs that live around Grand Teton, which makes for an even more adorable adventure! Bring food from home and make sure to pack water so you can share with these pups.
And don’t forget your camera. While hiking through Jenny Lake, try out all the different trail options and choose the one you like best. The popular Taggart Lake Trail is a moderate 1-mile round trip hike or shorter if you want to explore just part of it. Be prepared though; this is a popular trail and gets crowded in peak season as it is also a short loop near Jenny Lake Boat Dock, where boat tours start.
8. Meet locals in Victor, ID, and Dubois, WY
If you want an insider’s take on the things to do as a family, we recommend talking with the locals. Victor is located about two hours south of Dubois, so if you’re going there then stopping by the county courthouse for some sage advice is well worth your time.
The court clerk’s office is on the north side of the first floor and there are also some ancient relics like an old hanging chair from 1871 that will surely grab your attention. Plus, Dubois locals love sharing their favorite places to explore around town!
9. Watch the Elk rut
At any given time, as many as 500 elk are mating. This ritual is called the rut and it begins with fighting (mostly males pushing each other off of females). Once the fighting has subsided, the cows slowly come out from under the trees and join into large groups of 20-40 individuals.
The bulls will slowly approach these groups and aggressively defend their chosen female. If successful, they’ll push aside other bulls and mate with her by shaking his head from side to side and using his antlers to hold on for as long as five minutes. The cows will release one single loud shriek once he’s on top of them and then begin bawling (sounds like crying) when the bull lets go to move onto another cow.
10. Spend time together inside and outside of your vehicle
This is the last in this list of top 10 things to do as a family at Grand Teton National Park. Grand Teton is not just home to the most iconic mountain range in the world, but also one of the nation’s busiest visitor destinations. No matter what time of year, there is something for everyone at Grand Teton. Stay up-to-date on all of the latest happenings by following their Facebook page.
Visit our interactive calendar for more information on events like Artist Receptions and Junior Ranger Day that help you build your family vacation with things like lectures, naturalist programs, and campfire gatherings.
While waiting for your activities list to unfold throughout your visit, be sure to see some wildlife! The best place to see animals is on Moose Wilson Road near Moose, WY just north of Moran Junction at Jenny Lake.
