One Day in Grand Teton National Park Itinerary
October 3, 2023 by Laura
Grand Teton National Park is such a beautiful and fun park to explore. Our one day itinerary includes a sunrise at Schwabacher Landing, a hike around Jenny Lake, wildlife spottings, and much more!
Our One Day Spent at the Beautiful Grand Teton National Park
We visited the Grand Teton National Park in September 2023 during our quest to visit all 50 states before we turn 50! I am so glad that we carved out some time during our Wyoming trip to stop here to see this beautiful part of America. I actually wish that we could have spent more time here. Those views are breathtaking and all your worries just seem to melt away.
My itinerary below is not, by any means, an entire list of things to see and do in Grand Teton National Park. It is, however, the exact itinerary that my husband and I followed during our day spent in the park while visiting in September. All the times in the itinerary are very lenient allowing for breaks, traffic (within reason), and driving times. We saw the sunrise at Schwabacher Landing, went hiking around Jenny lake, spotted some wildlife, ate dinner, stayed at a cabin inside the park, and lots more.
If you are looking for more Wyoming content check out our 3 Day Yellowstone National Park Itinerary, 10-Day Wyoming Itinerary, Hot Springs State Park, Best Wyoming Food, Wyoming Trip Budget, and Cheyenne Itinerary.
Driving from Afton, Wyoming to Grand Teton National Park
☼ 4:50-6:40AM
We flew from Austin, Texas to Salt Lake City, Utah the day prior. We stayed in a town in Wyoming named Afton which is about 1 hour and 45 minutes south of Grand Teton National Park. This was a great location in the middle so we didn't have to drive all the way to Jackson Hole after flying. Though I am a bit disappointed that we didn't get to hang out in Jackson Hole a bit. It was a really cute town. I guess we will have to go back!
Since we were almost 2 hours away from Grand Teton, we had to wake up quite early to catch the sunrise in the park. Here's a great time for a friendly reminder to drive carefully through these parts when dark outside. We saw so many deer on the side of the road!
Schwabacher Landing
☼ 6:40-7:30AM
You'll find many recommendations online on which spot in the park is the best sunrise location. However, I find it hard to believe there is a bad spot. We chose Schwabacher Landing because of its southern location. It was the spot we could wake up the latest and still see the sunrise!
I was expecting something beautiful, but I was not expecting this. It was absolutely breathtaking. As the sun rises, it begins to shine on the mountains. The tips of the mountains turn this beautiful pink color, and it all is reflected on the water. Words and pictures just do not do it justice.
Getting there at 6:40AM (sunrise was at 7:00AM) got us a decent spot for viewing and picture taking. However, we were far from the first people to make it here. Lots of photographers and tourists lined the water to get the best shot. If you just want to see the pretty then you are probably okay with getting there about 15 minutes before sunrise. However, if you want a good spot to take pictures that won't get other human beings in the shot then you will want to get here earlier than 30 minutes before sunrise!
Also note that we traveled here in September which is considered a slower travel month for the park, and all the really good photography spots were taken when we arrived 20 minutes prior to sunrise.
Mormon Row
☼ 7:45-8:00AM
Mormon row is another popular sunrise location. Of course, we arrived after the sunrise so I cannot say how many people were there at that time. However, I can say that the view is absolutely gorgeous here as well.
Mormon Row was settled by Mormons in the 1890s who then established their own community there.
In front of the mountain backdrop, you will find two popular barns built by a few of the Mormons. Yes, popular! Just Google 'Mormon Row' and you'll see hundreds and hundreds of pictures of these barns.
Chapel of Transfiguration
☼ 8:45-9:00AM
The Chapel of Transfiguration is a log chapel built right in front of the beautiful Teton range. This church was a place of religious service for the settlers. It still holds worship every Sunday for the public.
Jenny Lake
☼ 9:30AM-1:25PM
There is a reason why Jenny Lake is one of the most popular places in Grand Teton National Park. It is beautiful and a lot of fun.
We parked in the Jenny Lake Parking Lot. We showed up at 9:30AM and had no problems finding a parking spot. Again, we went in mid-September and can't comment on traffic during other times of the year. However, when we left Jenny Lake around lunchtime, it was packed! Multiple cars were circling the parking lot waiting for a spot to open up. Then the line of cars parked on the side of the street was LONG.
My advice would be to get to Jenny Lake at least by 9-10AM. Possibly even earlier than that if traveling during the peak season (July-August).
We hiked the Cascade Canyon Trail to see the Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. You can take the ferry across Jenny Lake which eliminates a lot of hiking. You'll hike a bit to see Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point and then take the ferry back.
We, however, decided to hike along the southwest edge of Jenny Lake and skip the ferry on our way there. This allowed us to see so much more including Moose Pond.
The best part was that we actually got to see moose at Moose Pond. We saw an adult female and a younger moose as well. The adult had half her face underwater eating plants growing at the bottom of the pond. I can't guarantee that you will see a moose here, but it was definitely worth the extra hiking for us. It is called Moose pond for a reason!
We left Moose Pond and hiked to Hidden Falls. Hidden Falls is a 100-foot tall waterfall that is fed by melting snow. You'll definitely want to stop here, but be prepared for quite a few people waiting to get their perfect picture in front of the waterfall.
Continuing on the trail for another half mile will land you at Inspiration Point. I'll note that by this point, we were pretty tired. My husband and I aren't crazy in-shape physically, but we do a lot of hiking and walking on a regular basis. I don't know if it was the high elevation or the early alarm clock, but we needed to find a big rock to stop at to rest our muscles for just a bit.
The trail up to Inspiration Point is at an incline and consists mostly of rock "stairs". I wouldn't say that it is a difficult trail, but I do think that incline at a high elevation makes it seem more difficult than it is. Don't be discouraged though. We saw all types of people of all ages making it up the trail and doing it well. Plus, those views are more than worth it! At the top you will see a pretty view of Jenny Lake and Jackson Hole Valley.
At this point, I was glad that the ferry was an option. The ferry saves you a 2-mile hike and takes you back to the Cascade Canyon trailhead and parking lot. The shuttle runs about every 10 minutes, and costs adults $20 round-trip or $12 one-way. Some people took the ferry there and back so they didn't have to hike as far. We only took the ferry back. For a one-way ride back to the trailhead/parking lot, you do not need a ticket to get on. Just hop onto the ferry and pay for a one-way ticket when you get to the paying station. Find more information on Jenny Lake Boating.
Overall, the hike from the trailhead to Moose Pond to Hidden Falls to Inspiration to the Ferry was 4.73 miles with a 633-foot gain. It took us a total of 2 hours and 34 minutes. While hiking, be sure to look at the rocks. You may see a really adorable and fluffy animal called a pika!
After hiking, check out the Jenny Lake Store. We found all of our Grand Teton National Park souvenirs here including a patch, magnet, postcard, sticker, and pin! Here you will also find the Jenny Lake Visitor Center and bathrooms.
Cottonwood Creek Picnic Area
☼ 1:25-2:10PM
Next, we had a picnic lunch at Cottonwood Creek located by Taggart Lake Trailhead. We had a pretty view to go along with our lunch. Also had a very cute chipmunk visit us while we were eating. He was snacking on a red berry!
I highly suggest going grocery shopping prior to entering the park. We actually went shopping at a Walmart in Evanston, WY on our drive up from Salt Lake City. This is also where we bought our bear spray which I highly recommend you buy! It's always better safe than sorry when it comes to bears. Afton and Jackson Hole also have grocery stores where you can shop.
By shopping beforehand, you'll save money by not buying groceries in the park stores. Just don't forget your ice chest! I have a backpack that is lined to be used as an ice chest. It worked great, and we also got to use it as one of our carry-on bags.
We bought ice at the grocery store before entering the park, but you will be able to find ice at the gas stations. There are also free ice machines located near the cabins.
Picnic lunches are also great because you don't have to backtrack or skip destinations to get to a restaurant. There's lots of picnic tables around the park to stop or we also saw many people just eating in their cars.
If you are grocery shopping local, make sure to pick up some huckleberry jam for your peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. It is so good!
Blacktail Ponds Overlook
☼ 2:25-3:10PM
The rest of the afternoon was spent searching for wildlife. I did quite a bit of research prior to our trip to see what areas within the park are best for spotting animals. Our first stop of Blacktail Ponds.
Unfortunately, we didn't see much activity here except for a couple of ducks. The area is named for blacktail deer (AKA mule deer) so you may have better luck than us and spot some deer here!
Also, if you are into photography but do not have the appropriate gear for shooting wildlife in a distance, I highly recommend checking out Lens Rental. I was able to rent a lens online from them, pick it up in Salt Lake City and then drop it back off at the FedEx in Laramie, WY. It was so convenient, and I was able to get some really beautiful close-up shots of pronghorn and bison.
Snake River Overlook
☼ 3:45-4:25PM
Our next stop at Snake River didn't provide any wildelife either, but it sure did provide some pretty views! This would be a great place to watch the sunrise or sunset.
You get a great view of the Teton range with the meandering Snake River below in front.
Oxbow Bend
☼ 4:55-5:25PM
On our way to Oxbow Bend we saw our first herd of bison. They are so majestic and way bigger than I had imagined in my head. They were pretty far away so I was glad that we had our binoculars and zoom lenses. Always be on the lookout for wildlife here. You'll never know what you will see!
Oxbow Bend was one of my favorite stops. I think I could have sat on the edge of the water all day! While we didn't see any wildlife here, I get why many people do. It looks like a great bird and bear hangout. As with many other areas in the park, Oxbow Bend is also another popular sunrise and sunset spot. If the weather is behaving, you may even get to see the reflection of Mount Moran on the water's surface.
Willow Flats
☼ If you have extra time.
Since I would rather be ahead of schedule than behind, I plan for delays. Since our day in Grand Teton National Park went pretty smoothly, we were quite a bit ahead of our itinerary.
We were able to take a look at the Willow Flats Overlook. Once again, we did not see any wildlife here, but we did see more stunning views. We took some time to walk down the path and just soak in all the beauty.
Ranch House Restaurant
☼ 5:25-7:00PM
We decided to give the restaurant located in Colter Bay Village a shot. We really weren't expecting much from the food within the parks, but this place turned out to be pretty good.
We ordered the seared rainbow trout and shrimp penne pesto. Nothing knocked our socks off, but it wasn't bad either. We did both eat everything on our plates. However, do not go in expecting the best meal of your life. Also will note that it is pretty pricey for what you get, but I couldn't complain. We are eating inside of a National Park after all!
My favorite part was our dessert- huckleberry cheesecake. I am now a huge fan of huckleberries. They are so delicious!
Sunset at Jackson Lake
☼ 7:00-8:30PM
We ended the day watching the sunset over Jackson Lake at the Colter Bay Village Picnic Area. It was so peaceful here and very few people. The sun was so gorgeous as it went down behind the mountain range. The perfect ending to a really amazing day!
Colter Bay Village
I'll be honest, we booked our trip to Wyoming really late which meant we struggled a bit finding lodging. We got really lucky, however, and found one cabin available in Colter Bay Village.
We got a one twin and one full bed cabin. It was much nicer than I was expecting. We sometimes stay in cabins that literally just have a picnic table in the middle so this was a huge step up.
Our cabin had plenty of room for the two of us, the beds were decently comfortable, and there was a bathroom. There is also a desk in the room and a heater. That's all we needed! Do keep in mind that this is still a cabin and not a 5-star stay. It is a bit rustic, but the important thing is that you're safe and have a place to sleep. You are paying to be extremely close to beautiful nature!
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Grand Teton Questions
☼ How crowded is Grand Teton National Park in September?
☼ How is the weather in Grand Teton National Park in September?
☼ What clothes should I wear to Grand Teton National park in September?
☼ What do I do if there is wildlife in the middle of the road?
☼ Where can I find ice for my ice chest?
☼ What are the must-have packing items for visiting Grand Teton National Park?
☼ Where can I take a picture of the entrance sign in Grand Teton National Park?
☼ How crowded is Grand Teton National Park in September?
Honestly, a lot more crowded than we had expected. This was our first National Park to visit ever, and we have only gone once so please keep that in mind. We visited in September because everywhere we read said to visit in the 'slow' months which are May and September. The peak season is from June to August.
We were in Grand Teton National Park on September 10, 2023. At Schwabacher Landing for the sunrise at 7AM, there was quite a few people already set up with their cameras. All the really good photography spots were taken by the time we arrived at 6:40AM. I'm not that picky so I didn't mind a spot in the back. Though I did have to get kind of strategic to get some of the shots without other people in them.
Hiking Cascade Canyon Trail at Jenny Lake is one of the most popular Grand Teton activities. We arrived around 9:30AM and had no troubles finding a parking spot. However, when we left around lunchtime, it was incredibly packed. There was a huge line of cars parked on the side of the road and people were walking about half a mile just to get to the trailhead. The best advice we were given is to get to Jenny Lake before 10AM. If you are visiting the park during the peak months, I would try to get there even before that.
Besides those two spots, we were not really swamped with many people at the other locations. We were able to find parking and good viewing areas at all the overlooks we visited, and there was practically nobody at Jackson Lake when watching the sunset!
If you are planning to hike, good advice would be to hit those trails as early as you can after watching the sunrise.
☼ How is the weather in Grand Teton National Park in September?
When visiting on September 10, 2023, we had gorgeous weather! I would say that it was a typical mid-September weather day in Grand Teton National Park. In the morning before the sun rose, it was pretty chilly in the 40s. As the day went on, it warmed up nicely to the 70s. It really was perfect hiking weather.
☼ What clothes should I wear to Grand Teton National park in September?
I would suggest layers! You are going to want all the layers in the morning, but in the afternoon, it will probably be too warm to be wearing long sleeves. We both wore hiking boots with hiking socks and long pants. I wore a tank top, flannel shirt, and puffy jacket. My husband wore a short-sleeved shirt, flannel shirt, and puffy jacket. As the day went on, we lost the jackets and flannel shirts.
We also wore beanies and gloves in the early morning.
☼ What do I do if there is wildlife in the middle of the road?
Sometimes we would see wildlife right in the middle of the road. It happens quite a bit! Remember that this their home, and we are just guests. If you see a bison or any other animal in the middle of the road, stop and let them cross. You can slowly go around the animal if it is safe to do so. All driving laws still apply inside the park!
We were only in the park one day, and we saw so many people doing crazy stuff. Don't stop your car in the incoming traffic's lane. Don't approach the bison. They are soft and cute. However, they probably don't like you much and aren't shy to let you know that. Don't stop your car in the middle of the road to take a picture of an animal grazing in the distance. Pull over or use a pull-out.
☼ Where can I find ice for my ice chest?
Almost all the gas stations and general stores sell ice. We also had a free ice machine located near our cabins in Colter Bay Village.
☼ What are the must-have packing items for visiting Grand Teton National Park?
Camera: You're going to want to remember those views and those cute bison. If you can, try to find a digital camera that has a decent zoom on it so you can capture the animals in the distance.
Bear Spray: You can't take bear spray on an airplane so we bought ours at a Walmart on our way to Grand Teton National Park. You can also find it at the Jenny Lake Store, grocery stores in Jackson Hole, or any major outdoor sports store. You can even rent it from a company called Bear Aware. You may not need to use your bear spray, but it is better safe than sorry.
Binoculars: If you are into looking for wildlife then binoculars are a must. You want to be able to see everything even if it is far away.
Hiking Boots/Good Shoes: You're probably going to be doing lots of walking when visiting this park. I am so thankful for my hiking boots. Make sure your boots are nice and broken-in before you arrive.
Bandages: It's always good to have bandages on hand when out in the wilderness. If your shoes do rub a blister, you are going to want some bandages to cover it so you can continue on your trek.
Physical Map: I had pretty good cell service in the park but not everybody does. Carry a physical map with you just in case you lose service or your phone dies.
Ice Chest/Snacks/Water: During and after hiking, I was so happy that we had snacks with us. Bring a small backpack with you if you are planning on hiking and fill with water, snacks, and bear spray!
We also had plenty of water and an ice chest full of food. This allowed us to stop and eat our lunch anywhere instead of trying to find a place to eat. I highly recommend bringing in an ice chest, and buying all your groceries prior to entering the park! It saves you money, and you can spend more time outside instead of trying to tackle the crowds inside the stores.
Sunscreen: We didn't have to worry about bugs/mosquitos since we visited in September, but the sun was still blaring. Even though it's not super hot in September, sunscreen is still important!
☼ Where can I take a picture of the entrance sign in Grand Teton National Park?
If you are anything like us, then you are looking to get the iconic photo with the Grand Teton National Park sign. There are currently three signs throughout the park that will give you that opportunity, but one thing we discovered before our trip is that they aren’t easy to track down without research. Here are their locations and what you can expect to see in the backdrop of your photo.
Grand Canyon Entrance Sign: This sign is located on Moose Wilson Road at the Grand Canyon Entrance between Teton Village and Moose. You will find it on the side of the road right after passing Range Road. There is not currently a turn out so you will need to find a safe area to park and walk to the sign. This location faces southwest and will provide a view of the landscape, but will require some angling if trying to get the mountains in the background.
Northernmost Sign: This sign is located near the northern tip of Jackson Lake when driving US Highway 191 to or from Yellowstone National Park. It is located just under 7 miles when heading south from Yellowstone's Southern Entrance. This sign does have a turnout with a bathroom and plenty of parking. The view from this sign is very heavily wooded with the mountains peeking over.
Park Entrance Turnout Sign: This sign is located between Jackson, WY and the Jackson Hole Airport. It is just shy of 5 miles north of Jackson, WY on US Highway 191. Here you will find a turnout with plenty of parking but lacking restrooms so plan ahead. This location is the quintessential sign when wanting to get a picture of the entrance sign with grand views of the Teton Range. If you need that perfect shot then look no further.
50 States by 50
Wyoming was our third state to visit for our 50 states by 50 challenge. My husband, Brian, and I are on a mission to visit all 50 states in the United States before we turn 50 years old. To choose which state we visit next, we draw it randomly out of a bucket!
For each state, we plan at least a 4-day trip that includes visiting the state capitol and state museum, exploring a state park, and eating whatever food that state is most known for. I will be documenting it all on my blog and making vlogs as well which will be posted on YouTube. Read more about our 50 States by 50 Bucket List.
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Thank you for reading about our day spent in Grand Teton National Park. I hope that this itinerary was helpful in planning your trip to see this beautiful park. If you have any questions or just want to share your must-see Grand Teton National Park places, please leave a comment down below.
Category: Wyoming, State Itineraries, National Parks
Keywords: one day itinerary grand teton, one day in grand teton, travel guide to grand teton national park, grand teton national park in september
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Bon Voyage!
October 3, 2023 by Laura Ehlers
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