2018-11-19 01:06:45
With majestic mountains as your backdrop and forested trails, roaring rivers and more than 100 alpine and backcountry lakes beckoning for exploration, Grand Teton National Park is a wild wonderland — all located just a few miles from the town of Jackson. Start your trip with a stop at Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center for maps, trip-planning information, ranger-led programs and permits for boating and backcountry camping. Admiring mountain lakes and wildflower meadows from a scenic trail Choose from more than 200 miles of hiking trails in the national park. Taggart Lake Trail is an easy 3.3-mile journey with awe-inspiring views of Grand Teton over the mirror-like Taggart Lake, while Jenny Lake Trailhead — a 2.2-mile round-trip trail — rewards you with waterfall views and a panoramic overlook of Jenny Lake from Inspiration Point. Advanced ramblers can tackle the 10-mile-long Amphitheater Lake Trail, a trek that leads to meadow- flanked glacial lakes. Boating past dramatic sights of the Teton Range There are six bodies of water at the base of the Teton Range, including Jackson, Leigh and Jenny lakes. Get out on the water with a sightseeing cruise on Jackson Lake — the largest in the park — and ride to Elk Island, where you can enjoy a picnic lunch paired with sweeping views of the Tetons. Discovering your perfect Snake River paradise For the best views of the Snake River with the Tetons in the background, don’t miss Snake River Overlook (made famous by Ansel Adams), Schwabacher’s Landing and Oxbow Bend. If thrill rides are on your wish list, hit the rapids with a guided whitewater-rafting trip down the pristine river, which offers everything from fast-paced rapids to mellow floats. The river is also known for its abundant cutthroat trout. Just be sure to get a fishing license before dropping in a line. Spotting a moose grazing in a grassy meadow Cascade Canyon west of Jenny Lake, Blacktail Pond north of Moose and Oxbow Bend east of Jackson Lake Junction are just a few common hangouts of moose, elk, bison and other iconic park residents. Note: For the safety and comfort of both animals and people, stay at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves and 25 yards from all other wild creatures. Seeing the early morning sunlight illuminate the splintered T.A. Moulton Barn At the turn of the 19th century, Mormon settlers established 27 homesteads in a vast wilderness — now known as the Mormon Row Historic District in the park’s southeast corner. Here, you’ll find the beautifully weathered T.A. Moulton Barn set against snowy Tetons in the distance. Finding solitude off the beaten path Make your way to Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, formerly a private retreat for the Rockefeller family. The serene location is accessed by a winding, partially unpaved road closed to Rvs and trailers, and its peaceful hiking trails beneath aspen groves and mature forests are prime places to see moose and deer. Plan Your Trip Browse listings for outfitters in the national parks starting on p. 96 and find places to stay listings starting on p. 84. INSIDER TIPS. Avoid the Crowds Late June through late August tends to be a very busy time at the parks. Visit during the shoulder season in early June and September for a quieter retreat. Arrive Early (or Late) Getting an early start maximizes your chances of finding parking, quieter trails and clear waters. During the peak season, there’s often daylight until 9 p.m. or later, and many portions of the park clear out substantially by 4 or 5 p.m. Practice Wildlife Safety Be sure to stay at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves and at least 25 yards away from other animals. Learn more about bear safety at wgfd.wyo.gov. Take a Connectivity Break While there is some cell service in Yellowstone and Grand Teton’s developed areas — as well as Wi-Fi for purchase in select hotel rooms — connections to the outside world are fairly limited. On your way in, pick up a map at one of the visitor centers to find your way around, even without a signal. Book Guided Excursions Let the experts show you around with one of the many guided experiences available, from ranger-led wildlife strolls to horseback riding through wildflower meadows to whitewater trips offered by professional rafting companies. TOP PLACES TO STAY From scenic campsites to luxe lodges, we’ve got you covered no matter what you’re into. Grand Teton Lodge Company offers nearly 800 individual and group campsites with picnic tables, fire pits and nearby flush toilets. If roughing it isn’t quite your style, reserve one of the rustic log cabins at Colter Bay Village or a well-equipped cabin at Jenny Lake Lodge, which come with amenities like private bathrooms and wood-burning stoves. For the ultimate retreat, stay at the luxurious Snake River Lodge & Spa at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Learn more at TravelWyoming.com/places-to-stay or p. 84. WY Indeed The best part about working for the National Park Service in a place like Yellowstone is that I have the responsibility and opportunity to protect the country’s greatest resources so that they can be experienced in the same way for years to come. When I read about the early explorers, the history of Yellowstone and the transcending emotions that the national parks inspire, I am proud to follow in the footsteps of some of the great minds that blazed the trail for preservation and conservation. — RACHEL CUDMORE Commercial Film Permits Coordinator for Yellowstone National Park
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