The Best One Day in Grand Teton National Park Itinerary

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So you have one day in Grand Teton National Park, and you’re wondering how to make the most of your time? There is so much to see in this majestic and rugged park, and with the right planning, it absolutely can be done, without missing out on any of the best things in Grand Teton! Take the guesswork out of your planning with this perfect 1 day Grand Teton National Park itinerary! Make sure not to miss out on the bonus maps and itineraries for one day in Grand Teton National Park at the end of this post!

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Table of Contents

The Best One Day in Grand Teton National Park Itinerary

This 1 day Grand Teton National Park itinerary efficiently hits all the best highlights of the park, without compromising or sacrificing any of the iconic features, experiences, or landmarks of Grand Teton National Park!

This guide to one day in Grand Teton National Park includes:

Can You See Grand Teton National Park in One Day?
What to Know Before You Go
Location of Grand Teton National Park
Best Time to Visit Grand Teton National Park
Tips for Spending One Day in Grand Teton National Park
Map of Recommended Grand Teton National Park 1 Day Itinerary Highlights
Grand Teton National Park 1 Day Itineraries and Maps
Accommodations for Your Grand Teton National Park 1 Day Itinerary
Other Nearby Attractions

One day in Grand Teton National Park itinerary — *Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park*

Can You See Grand Teton National Park in One Day?

YES. You can absolutely see the best of Grand Teton National Park in just one day. To do so requires knowledge of the park itself, as well as a preplanned and intentional itinerary that makes the most use of your time.

CHECK OUT: the perfect 1 day itinerary for Yellowstone National Park

The following highlights are what you can expect to see on your 1 day Grand Teton National Park itinerary:

Mormon Row
Schwabacher Landing
Snake River
Jenny Lake
Inspiration Point
Hidden Falls
Cascade Canyon
Jackson Lake
Colter Bay

What to Know Before You Go

Google Location: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Hours: open daily (seasonal alerts)

Fees: $35 per vehicle

Pet Policy: leashed pets can only go where vehicles can go

Camping: there are multiple campgrounds within Grand Teton National Park. Reserve early!

Closest Town(s): Jackson WY, Teton Village, WY, Wilson WY, Victor ID

Closest Airport(s): Jackson Hole Airport WY, Idaho Falls Airport ID, and Salt Lake City International Airport UT

Location of Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is located in northwestern Wyoming, just a few hours south of another National Park icon – Yellowstone National Park. Grand Teton is immense, with numerous lakes, two hundred miles of trails, the iconic Snake River, and a namesake mountain range that spans the length of the park and provides the backbone for everything there is to do in Grand Teton National Park.

Best Time to Visit Grand Teton National Park

While Grand Teton National Park is open year round, there are certain seasons (like winter for example) where park roads are closed and the park is only accessible to snowmobiles, skiers, and snowshoers.

For full park accessibility and the mildest weather, summer is the best time to visit Grand Teton National Park, but it is also the busiest season. It is important to consider other factors when making your decision, such as weather and temperatures, wildlife viewing, trail access, etc., as there are things to appreciate about every season in Grand Teton National Park! If your priority is to visit when there are fewer crowds, then consider shoulder seasons of spring and fall. If you prefer isolation and solitude, and enjoy winter activities like snowshoeing and skiing, then winter might be the best time to visit Grand Teton National Park for you!

Tips for Spending One Day in Grand Teton National Park

Make reservations early – especially during the busiest summer season
Plan on traffic/delays – build in some bubble time if possible for driving/parking delays
Have a full tank – make sure you have plenty of gas before heading into the park
Start early – more parking and fewer crowds on the trail
Don’t overplan – remain flexible as things can come up (like having to wait extra for a parking space)
Bring a picnic breakfast/lunch/dinner – this will save time, and allow you to appreciate more of Grand Teton too!
Leave No Trace – pack it in, pack it out, and leave things how you found them
Follow posted rules – don’t leave the trail, approach wildlife, etc.
Do not approach wildlife – a second warning because it is that important!
Leave pets at home – pets can only go where vehicles can go. They are not allowed in park buildings or on trails.
Be prepared for weather – be prepared for temperature swings or unexpected weather

Map of Your 1 Day Grand Teton National Park Itinerary

Use this map to get to know the locations of your 1 day Grand Teton National Park stops!

Map of 1 day Grand Teton National Park Itinerary

The Perfect 1 Day Grand Teton National Park Itinerary

Below is an overview of this one day itinerary for Grand Teton National Park.

STOP #1: Mormon Row
STOP #2: Schwabacher Landing
STOP #3: Jenny Lake
STOP #4: Jackson Lake / Colter Bay

1 day Grand Teton National Park itinerary — *One day in Grand Teton National Park itinerary*

Now let’s dive into the details of each of these stops along your perfect one day in Grand Teton National Park!

STOP #1: Mormon Row
Recommended Arrival Time: between 6 – 7 AM
Timeframe: 1 hour
Google Map Location

Why such an early start to your 1 day Grand Teton National Park itinerary?

Because you only have 1 day
The earlier you start the less traffic and crowds you will encounter
Sunrise / early morning is the best time to visit Mormon Row

Mormon Row is an iconic sight to witness at any time of the day, and the historic Moulton’s Barn is the most photographed spot in the park. But at sunrise, you can witness the mist rising from the mountains, and likely will spot plenty of wildlife in the form of elk and deer. Just be sure to bring a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, or even a picnic breakfast!

Mormon Row in Grand Teton National Park — *Mormon Row and Moulton’s Barn in Grand Teton National Park*

STOP #2: Schwabacher Landing
Timeframe: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Google Map Location

From Mormon Row you will continue to head north along Highway 191 until you reach Schwabacher Landing. This is one of the best spots to view the towering Teton Mountains mirrored in the peaceful Snake River. There is an immediate viewpoint at Schwabacher Landing, or you can opt to follow a short trail in just a bit further. This is another popular wildlife spotting location as well.

*Schwabacher Landing in Grand Teton National Park*

STOP #3: Jenny Lake
Timeframe: 4 – 5 hours
Google Map Location

Jenny Lake should be the heart of your one day in Grand Teton National Park, because there is SO much to do here. You have plenty of options of how you want to spend your time at this park favorite.

Hike the Jenny Lake Trail – the entire roundtrip loop is 7 miles. Along the way you will pass Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls, two stunning landmarks.
Shorten the Jenny Lake Hike – you can hike about midway around the lake to Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls, if you want to shorten this hike by about half.
Enjoy the Jenny Lake Ferry – an alternative way to check out Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls is to take the Jenny Lake Ferry, which departs the southern shore of the lake and takes visitors to the western shore, where they can hike a much shorter distance to reach Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls.
Hike Cascade Canyon – if you want to hike even more than those first 3 options above, you can pick up the Cascade Canyon Trail adjacent to Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls, and trek further into the heart of the mountainous Tetons.
Enjoy the Visitor Center, Ranger Station, Jenny Lake Lodge, and Jenny Lake Store – all four of these attractions are located on the southern shore of Jenny Lake, near the heart of all the activity.
I would also recommend eating lunch during your stop at Jenny Lake, whether that is a lunch on the go while you hike, a picnic lunch, or a purchased lunch.

*Check out this complete guide to Jenny Lake for more info on your visit!

One day in Grand Teton National Park — *Jenny Lake is a must see on any Grand Teton National Park itinerary*

STOP #4: Jackson Lake
Timeframe: 2 -3 hours
Google Map Location

Jackson Lake is another favorite in the park. The best spot to visit on Jackson Lake is the Colter Bay Village area, which is home to Jackson Lake Lodge, the Colter Bay Visitor Center, and the Colter Bay Amphitheater. While you are here, you can enjoy a lakeside stroll on the scenic Lakeshore Trail with its unending water views, catch a ranger program at the amphitheater, and check out the Colter Bay Visitor Center. And if you are in the mood for dinner after, there’s the Ranch House Restaurant, plus plenty of picnic areas.

Accommodations for Your 1 Day Grand Teton National Park Itinerary

There are multiple accommodation options for your 1 day Grand Teton National Park itinerary, both inside and outside the park itself.

Accommodations INSIDE the Park:

Accommodations OUTSIDE the Park:

There are hotels and vacation rentals in the towns surrounding Grand Teton National Park, like Jackson, Wyoming, or my personal favorite home base, Victor, Idaho.

Below are the average driving distances between common bases for Grand Teton National Park:

Jackson, Wyoming to Grand Teton National Park: 10 minutes
Teton Village, Wyoming to Grand Teton National Park: 30 minutes
Wilson, Wyoming to Grand Teton National Park: 20 minutes
Victor, Idaho to Grand Teton National Park: 45 minutes

Book Your Grand Teton National Park Accommodations HERE

Other Nearby Attractions

This region of the country is brimming with outdoor attractions, immediately surrounding Grand Teton National Park!

Yellowstone National Park – check out this 1 day Yellowstone itinerary, or this 3 day Yellowstone itinerary. Either way, you’ll be able to witness the iconic geysers, pools, lakes, streams, grasslands, forests, and mountains of Yellowstone.
Mesa Falls – worth the short side trip, this is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the area, and one of the top highlights of eastern Idaho!
National Forests – there are several National Forests surrounding Grand Teton National Park, including Custer Gallatin National Forest. What’s the difference between a National Park and a National Forest anyways?