Mountains are calling and I must go. I have read this so many times. But seeing the Grand Tetons, I really felt it is true. While driving from Yellowstone to Jackson, WY you will get the first real glimpse of the Tetons at the Snake River overlook. And it is just amazing. I fall short of words to express my feelings and emotions that I had at that moment. If you are someone who loves mountains and outdoors, you sure are going to love the Grand Tetons National Park.
Accommodation
Jackson Hole is a skiing village. We stayed at “The Hostel“. It is one of the most budget friendly places in Jackson Hole, WY. The staff here was very friendly. There are a few good eateries near by. And you have more amenities than a regular hotel. Take a look:
- Pool Table, Foosball, Shuffleboard, Ping Pong, Card Games
- Free Coffee and Tea
- Lockers
- Free WiFi and it is pretty good too!!
- Ski Tuning Room (if you are a skier you are gonna love it)
- Washer and Dryer
- Kitchen, if you are into cooking your own meal
If you are into reading there are lot of books available in the basement and of course TV with Netflix!!! Check out the below gallery to see the amenities available at The Hostel.
Check out the basement to find coupons for the “AERIAL TRAM”. you can also check the local newspaper available at the front desk to get a $5 discount for “AERIAL TRAM” ride to CORBET’S CABIN.
Check out Teton Thai for some really good food.
Hike To Taggart Lake
The first order of business; hike the Taggart Lake Trail. It was a beautiful sunny day with clear skies. Just a few minutes on the trail and we were welcomed with the stunning views of the Grand Teton. You will cross the foot bridge over the Taggart Creek and then the trail ascends gradually towards the Taggart Lake. The trail passes through a forest of Spruce, Pine, Fir trees and long stretches of aspen groves. Throughout the hike you will have the most amazing views of the Grand Teton.
Once you reach the shore of Taggart Lake you’ll enjoy beautiful views of Middle Teton, Garnet Canyon, Grand Teton, Mt. Owen and Teewinot Mountain. We spend almost an hour at the shore enjoying the views. Carry food and water with you so that you can relax at the shore and enjoy the food while being mesmerized by the scenery. Check out the pictures from the hike.
This is one hike you should not miss if you are visiting the GT. At 3.3 miles round trip this is one of the easiest hikes to do in the Grand Tetons National Park.
Jenny Lake Area
Jenny Lake area provides some of the best hiking trail heads in the Grand Tetons National Park. You have easy access to the following trail heads:
- Lupine Meadows
- Jenny Lake
- String Lake
- Leigh Lake
Find more details about the trail heads on the NPS website here.
Jenny Lake is very beautiful and the cruise and shuttle service offers magnificent views of the Tetons. You can shoot some really awesome pictures here. There are boat cruises and shuttle services on Jenny Lake. We took the shuttle from the East dock. Reservations are not required and you can buy one-way or round-trip tickets from the East dock for the shuttle. From the Jenny Lake trail head you can hike towards Inspiration Point, Hidden Falls and Cascade Canyon.
The shuttle runs every 15 mins. Make sure to ask when the last boat leaves the dock. Adult round trip fare is $15 for the shuttle.
To know more about the shuttle services click here. The Jenny Lake area remains car-accessible from May 1st to October 31st. Make sure to check NPS website for more information on accessibility.
Scenic Overlooks
There are a number of scenic overlooks on Highway 89. Here are the best we like
- Snake River Overlook
- Mormon Row and Moulton Barn
- Schwabacher Landing
- Glacier View Turnout
Check out this link to read more about some of the best spots for getting a fantastic shot of the Grand Tetons.
If you have time check out the upper level of Grand Tetons Lodge and drive the Moose Wilson Road.
Although less; we had a great time at the Tetons and the GT national park has become one of our favorite national parks in the US. We recommend at least 2 – 3 days to explore the area and the trails. Have you been there? Share your story with us.
