@DAVE_HILL_PHOTOS @SHAYPOW WY NOT? Grand Teton Destinations THE TETON RANGE GREAT LAKES Stargazing from the park’s lakes (like Leigh, String or Jenny) at night is an unforgettable affair, according to Andrew White, Grand Teton National Park’s assistant public affairs officer. But there are safety precautions you must take, including bringing adequate lighting. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, INSTAGRAM/@DAVE_HILL_PHOTOS; HAMMOCK KAYAK, INSTAGRAM/@SHAYPOW; FAMILY HIKE, GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK WYOMING OFFICE OF TOURISM/ANDY BARDON. This dramatic north-to-south mountain range is a popular section of the Rocky Mountains, and it’s even more awe-inspiring in person. Snap a postcard-worthy image of the range during a breakfast cruise on Jackson Lake. You’ll start your day with incredible views of Mount Moran mirrored in the still waters of the lake, and then enjoy a hearty breakfast on scenic Elk Island. BEAUTIFUL TRAILS While there are six bodies of water at the base of the Teton Range, including Jack-son, Leigh and Jenny lakes, the park has more than 100 alpine and backcountry lakes. Book a kayaking tour, go stand-up paddleboarding or rent a boat from Grand Teton Lodge Company to spend a day on the water. Permits are required for all non-motorized and motorized vessels. Pick one up at visitor centers in Moose, Jenny Lake and Colter Bay. MORMON ROW HISTORIC DISTRICT “If you’re out on a kayak or canoe on one of the lakes at night, the difference be -tween the sky and the water disappears — and it’s really almost like you’re paddling in the stars.” KEEP IN MIND PEAK SEASON 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 to avoid the crowds. Experienced and novice hikers alike will love the wide range of scenic trails scattered throughout the park. Beginners should consider a low-elevation route like the two-mile-long Lakeshore Trail, which skirts the Colter Bay shoreline. Meanwhile advanced ramblers can tackle the 10-mile-long Amphitheater Lake Trail, a trek that leads to meadow-flanked glacial lakes. 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. At the turn of the 19th century, Mormon settlers established 27 homesteads in the vast expanse of Wyoming Wilderness — an area now known as the Mormon Row Historic District. For an iconic panorama, drive along Antelope Flats Road to catch the early morning sunlight as it illuminates the splintered T.A. Moulton Barn, with the jagged Teton Mountains off in the distance. DISCONNECT While there is some cell service in Yellow-stone and Grand Teton’s developed areas and Wi-Fi for purchase in select hotel rooms, connections to the outside world are fairly limited. Where to Stay 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, make a reservation at one of the rustic log cabins at Colter Bay Village or the well-equipped cabins 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 in Teton Village. Learn more at TravelWyoming.com/places-to-stay or p. 107. GET OUTSIDE From ranger-led wildlife strolls and horse -back riding through wildflower meadows to no-frills backcountry camping and excep -tional hiking, take advantage of the many active ways to encounter Grand Teton’s pure natural beauty. Learn more at nps.gov/grte . 62 #ThatsWY
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