3 Days in Grand Teton National Park: Our Wyoming Adventure
As part of our quest to visit all 50 states before our kids graduate from high school, we always aim to create a memorable experience in each one. For Wyoming, we knew right away that we had to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. We combined both into a 6–day trip at the end of August and early September, spending 3 days in Grand Teton and 3 full days in Yellowstone (though we quickly realized that 4 days in Yellowstone would have been even better).
This post will cover our time in Grand Teton National Park, which turned out to be the perfect blend of wildlife, hikes, food, and family fun.
We always opt for a home rental when possible. Having access to a washer and dryer helps us pack lighter. Having a full kitchen helps us reduce the costs of eating out for every meal. For our Grand Teton days, we stayed at an Airbnb in Wilson, WY, just outside of Jackson. It was cozy, convenient, and had a visiting red fox that was spotted on two different days. It really was the perfect location to access the park.
We had groceries delivered by Mountains of Groceries—a GREAT service and very reasonable. Highly recommend if you want to save time shopping and spend more time exploring! It was also so nice to have this little chore done as our arrival was delayed until after 10pm.
We started our trip exploring the left fork of the park, moving north from Jackson Village.
At Blacktail Ponds Overlook, we had our first wildlife encounter: a mama moose and her calf!
Next, we hiked the Taggart Lake Trail (3.8 miles round trip), a moderate loop that offered gorgeous views. We enjoyed a picnic lunch afterwards.
Later, we stopped at the Teton Glacier Turnout before hiking the Moose Ponds Trail. This trail wasn’t well-marked, but we found our way (thanks to AllTrails!) and were rewarded with yet another moose-and-calf sighting down by the water.
By the end of the day, we had logged 7 miles of hiking—a solid start!
Dinner was at Snake River Brewing, a very cool spot with excellent service. Between us, we ordered (and shared) the Bison Burger, Wood-Fired Nachos, The Roper, and Bison Chili—everything was delicious.
We entered the park early and were treated to another incredible wildlife moment—a black bear foraging just off the road.
Our destination was Jenny Lake, and we quickly realized how popular this spot is. We left our place by 6am and all was smooth sailing until the second entrance into the park, where we hit some traffic. By 7:45 a.m., the parking lot was full, but we got lucky after circling a few times (a much better outcome than our two-hour parking wait at Logan Pass in Glacier!).
We hiked counterclockwise around the lake to Hidden Falls and then climbed to Inspiration Point. Trekking poles were helpful on the incline.
Though we considered heading deeper into Cascade Canyon, our group decided to turn back and take the boat shuttle across the lake—a fun experience in itself.
Afterwards, we drove up to Colter Bay for a little exploring.
On the way back south, we stopped at the famous Snake River Overlook, made iconic by photographer Ansel Adams.
Then, we spent some time on Mormon Row, visiting the iconic T.A. Moulton Barn, as well as the ‘Pink House’ that T.A.’s brother and wife lived in.
Dinner was in Jackson Hole at Hand Fire Pizza, which is housed in a historic theater. Their creative pizzas were a highlight—especially the Chew-Baca, topped with herbed ricotta, bacon, caramelized onion, fresh arugula, and a drizzle of spicy Slide Ridge honey.
We let ourselves sleep in a bit before packing up to head toward Yellowstone, but the day was still full of memorable moments.
Lunch was at Palate, inside the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson. The food was amazing. If you eat at Palate, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu! It was another situation where we were all saying, “You HAVE to try this!” and offering bites to each other. So good!
We were pleasantly surprised by how much we loved the museum itself – a stop that was not on our plans. We squeezed in some exploring before lunch and even went back afterwards to revisit our favorite pieces! (And….they have the BEST bathrooms!)
Our first stop north was Schwabacher Landing, where the Tetons reflect perfectly in the water. We spotted a beaver dam off the trail (come at sunset or sunrise to see them at work).
At the historic J.P. Cunningham Cabin, we stepped back in time and imagined what life must have been like in such a rugged environment.
We made quick scenic stops at Elk Flats Turnout, Oxbow Bend (perfect for a family photo), and Jackson Lake Overlook before crossing the Continental Divide and continuing into Yellowstone.
Three days in Grand Teton National Park was the perfect amount of time for our family—enough to see the highlights, hike a few trails, and still leave us wanting more. Between the wildlife encounters, scenic overlooks, and delicious meals, this park truly delivered an unforgettable experience.
Next up: our 3 days in Yellowstone National Park—stay tuned for that post!
Tips for Visiting Grand Teton with Kids
Start Early: Parking lots, especially at Jenny Lake, fill up quickly. Plan to arrive at your destination by 7:30 a.m. (earlier if you want prime spots). Ideally, you are entering the park before sunrise.
Pack Layers: Mornings were chilly (even in late August), but temps warmed quickly. Bring jackets and be ready to shed layers as the day goes on.
Trekking Poles Help: Trails like Inspiration Point have some steeper climbs—poles can make a big difference for kids and adults alike, taking the pressure off of knees.
Groceries Delivered: Save time by using a delivery service like Mountains of Groceries in Jackson/Wilson. It makes meals and snacks on the go so much easier.
Plan Picnics: The park is full of beautiful picnic areas, and kids love having lunch with a view. It also allows for more time to explore (and saves money).
Wildlife Safety: Moose, bears, and bison are often seen in the park. Keep your distance and bring binoculars for better viewing. Bear Spray is a must whenever you are in Bear Country.
Mix in Non-Hiking Stops: Spots like Schwabacher Landing, Oxbow Bend, and the Cunningham Cabin offer fun exploration and photo opportunities without a long hike.
Balance Adventure and Rest: After a big hiking day, schedule a lighter day with scenic drives or a visit to the Wildlife Art Museum. Kids will last longer when the trip isn’t all high-mileage hikes and go-go-go.
If you loved our Grand Teton adventure, the journey continues in Yellowstone National Park! Our family spent three days exploring geysers, wildlife-filled valleys, and the park’s incredible colors—an unforgettable second half of this Wyoming adventure. Check out my 3 Days in Yellowstone National Park post for the full story.
