Grand Teton One Day Itinerary: How to Spend a Perfect Day

Cramming the Grand Tetons’ majesty into a single day? It’s ambitious, like trying to squeeze all your favorite clothes into a carry-on. But fear not, intrepid traveler! This Grand Teton one day itinerary is your magic packing cube, cramming in enough breathtaking vistas, wildlife encounters, and maybe a blister or two.

We’re here to help you make your 24 hours in the Tetons unforgettable. This build your own Grant Teton Itinerary includes a little bit of everything so you can piece together the perfect day for you and your group! We’ll share a few recommended combos at the end of this post, or you can jump there now. 

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Build Your Own Grand Teton One Day Itinerary

We’re sharing the best places and best views throughout Grand Teton National Park. Piece together your favorite parts of each section to create an epic individualized itinerary that meets all of your adventure needs. 

1. Early Morning Sunrise Views. 

The best time to see the Grand Tetons is in the early morning. No Grand Teton one day itinerary is complete without sunrise views. Get an early start and begin your one day in Grand Teton National Park with a magical sunrise at one of these incredible locations:

• Oxbow Bend Turnout 
  As the first rays of the sun illuminate the peaks of the Teton Range, the still water perfectly reflects the mountains. The fauna slowly emerge to get an early start on their day of foraging in the tall, wet grasses making Oxbow Bend an absolutely perfect place to be.
• Schwabacher Landing
  Enjoy a bumpy drive to an incredible place where the Teton’s reflection on Snake River is crystal clear and warm with morning sun rays. The likelihood of sharing this sunrise with wildlife, such as moose, is very high! This is my personal favorite location for a sunrise in Grand Teton National Park. 
• Snake River Overlook
  Looking for a sunrise view that includes a meandering river and an unobstructed view of the mountains? Snake River Overlook is just that. This tranquil, picturesque area of the park becomes even more beautiful in autumn when the foliage changes and vibrant, warm hues shimmer with the morning sun.
• Jenny Lake Overlook
  Jenny Lake is the centerpiece of Grand Teton National Park. In the early morning, Jenny Lake is a true sight to behold as the sun casts its first rays on the beautiful, crystal-clear lake. This is a great place to start your day if your plans for the morning include a boat ride across of hike around Jenny Lake! 
• Mormon Row 
  One of the most popular places to watch the sunrise in the Tetons is Mormon Row. Incorporate history and breathtaking beauty as you watch the warm morning glow on Moulton Barn. Originally a 19th century ranching settlement established by Mormon settlers, this is one of the best places to watch the sunrise in the park.

Honorable mention locations include Signal Mountain, Willow Flats Overlook, and Blacktail Ponds Overlook. Drive or hike to a summit sunrise view, curl up in  a quintessential spot to view the sunrise with other visitors, or enjoy off-the-beaten path peace and quiet with these sunrise locations.

2. Half-Day Activities in Grand Teton

In the summer months there are so many amazing ways to spend your time in Grand Teton National Park. You know your abilities and stamina best! Choose from a few of the best things you can do in a few hours in the park. Stack a few half-day options or skip to the next section for full day adventures in the Tetons.

Hiking Trails 

Take a short hike! Here are 5 shorter trails, less than 4 miles long, that should take you a few hours at most. 

• Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point via Ferry
  1.8 Miles Out & Back | 500 Feet of Elevation Gain
  Arguably the most popular sights in the park, Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point are both busy and beautiful! With a ferry ride under your belt, your starting point at the boat dock brings you fairly close to your destination. It’s one of the best ways to experience the park with low mileage.
• Colter Bay Lakeshore Trail
  2.5 Miles Out & Back | 85 Feet of Elevation Gain
  A very easy trail with gorgeous views of Jackson Lake and the Teton range. This short hike leaves from a very popular area of the park so be prepared for crowds. The best time to experience this great place is in the morning hours or at sunset; it’s a popular area for grizzly and black bears so please hike bear aware.
• Polecat Creek Trail
  2.5 Miles Out & Back | 55 Feet of Elevation Gain
  The perfect flat trail for an easy hike or a beginner trail run! If you’re visiting the park in the winter months, Polecat Creek Trail is a popular cross-country ski trail as well. This isn’t an overly popular trail, so you won’t have to worry about it being too crowded. 
• String Lake Loop
  3.7 Miles Out & Back | 248 Feet of Elevation Gain
  A great ‘easy’ loop around a lake that sits at the base of the Teton range, String Lake is a beauty. This shallow, clear lake is popular for swimming and paddling so be sure to bring your suit!
• Leigh Lake Trail
  7.1 Miles Out & Back | 95 Feet of Elevation Gain
  One of the easiest Alpine Lakes to access, the Leigh Lake Trail is an out and back that lines the eastern shores of the lake. This is a hike you’ll be happy to have bug spray for!

If you’re a more experienced hiker who can handle a more moderate trail in a few hours, check out these options.

• Grand View Point 
  6.1 Miles Out & Back | 790 Feet of Elevation Gain
  This hike begins in the Jackson Lake Lodge area. The hike begins near the gas and corral area. You will begin your hike by traveling under the Teton Park Road overpass. You may be sharing the trail with horses for the first half-mile of your trip!
• Signal Mountain
  8.3 Miles Out & Back | 1,184 Feet of Elevation Gain
  A hike with great solitude but a busy viewpoint. Visitors can choose to hike or drive up Signal Mountain. Because you can drive to the summit, it’s the perfect place to catch a relaxing sunset after a long day.
• Phelps Lake
  8.4 Miles Out & Back | 737 Feet of Elevation Gain
  The trailhead for the Phelps Lake Loop is located in the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve off Moose-Wilson Road. Bring your swimsuit on this beautiful hike! Phelps Lake is well-known for its pristine waters and perfect jumping rock.

Mountain Biking

If you prefer exploring on two wheels instead of two feet, there are a few ways you can add biking to your Grand Teton one Day Itinerary. Located just a short drive from the park entrance are several opportunities to mountain bike in the Teton mountain range. 

• Teton Pass Trail Network
  The Teton Pass Trail Network is on public lands so it’s important that you do your part to leave the trail better than you found it. Here you’ll find a variety of multi-use and downhill only single track trails with incredible views. We recommend riding the Black Canyon trail for a fun, flowy ride down the canyon. Check out the trail map for more information on the red, downhill only trails that are steep but include bypasses at all features. 
• Jackson Hole Bike Park
  Jackson Hole Bike Park includes thrills for beginners and advanced riders alike. Located in Teton Village, a bike park ticket is only $44 when purchased online. If you’re traveling without your bike, rent from one of the incredible downhill bikes in their fleet.
• Cache Game Area
  Ride one of the most popular and easily accessible single track loops in Jackson. Accessible from town, the 20.5-mile loop includes about 1,800 feet of elevation gain and takes the average biker 2-3 hours. The scenery mixed with the exhilarating downhill makes this a dreamy bike route! 

Boat Rides

• Jenny Lake Shuttle
  Looking for a cost effective way to get out on the water? Head over to the East dock and book a fare on the Jenny Lake Shuttle Boat. An adult ticket costs $20 round trip and provides access to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point without having to hike 2 miles each way around the lake. The shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes throughout the day from 7AM -7PM June through September. 
• Scenic Boat Ride
  Book a scenic cruise on Jenny Lake. Spend one hour on the lake learning about the history and geology of the area with a knowledgeable guide. You’ll also have the opportunity to experience and learn about the flora and fauna of the Jenny Lake Area of the Tetons as well.
  More options are available to those looking to cruise Jackson Lake. This extraordinary way to experience the park also includes a knowledgeable guide, but can also include breakfast, lunch, or dinner on Elk Island. Talk about dining with a view! 
• Paddle Sports
  ​Rent a canoe or kayak at Colter Bay Marina and explore Jackson Lake. Paddling the largest lake in Grand Teton National Park allows you to find true solitude while exploring the shoreline. Rentals cost between $30-$45 an hour with a two-hour minimum. 
• Motorboat Rental
  ​If paddling isn’t your thing, you can rent a motorboat at the Colter Bay Marina. 
• White Water Rafting 
  Book and experience you’ll never forget with Teton Whitewater. Whitewater raft 8 miles of the beautiful Snake river to take in the beautiful scenery of the Snake River Canyon and experience whitewater thrills. Choose between a small boat slam, classic whitewater rafting, and a scenic float trip

3. Full Day Hikes in the Teton Mountain Range

For the avid hiker who is willing to spend the majority of their day on the trail, here are a few great additions to your Grand Teton itinerary. They are listen in order from least difficult to most difficult. 

• Hermitage Point
  10.2 Miles Out & Back | 438 Feet of Elevation Gain
  A relatively easy hike along the shores of Jackson Lake. Although this hike is long, the elevation gain is minimal and the woods and meadows are lovely to walk through. Be aware that this is a popular area for grizzly bears and other wildlife so hike bear aware! 
• Lake Solitude
  14.2 Miles Out & Back | 2,246 Feet of Elevation Gain
  Cross a number of beautiful spots off your list on this hike! Take the Jenny Lake shuttle boat from the dock across south Jenny Lake or hike around and experience lake views, inspiration point, hidden falls, Cascade Canyon, and Lake Solitude in one very long (but very rewarding) day hike.
• Amphitheatre Lake 
  10.2 Miles Out & Back | 3,001 Feet of Elevation Gain
  Amphitheatre Lake is an incredibly strenuous hike to one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the country. This is easily one of the most challenging hikes in the park and is only suggested for experienced hikers. Amphitheater lake is a great hike for those who are capable of serious trail climbs.

An experienced, speedy hiker can hike Hermitage Point in a few hours time. Lake Solitude and Amphitheatre Lake are both long, strenuous day hikes that will take even the most experienced hiker a majority of their day. 

4. Perfect Filler Activities

Sometimes we find ourselves with enough time to do one more thing! Here are a few ways you can fill up spare time in your Grand Teton National Park Itinerary. 

• Swim in an Alpine Lake
  ​String Lake and Jackson Lake are easily accessible and provide a great opportunity to cool off and float. String Lake is a little more popular for swimming than Jackson Lake is so expect it to be more crowded and less serene. 
• Take a Scenic Drive
  Every road you drive in Grand Teton National Park is scenic. Whether you have mountain or wildlife views, you have views nonetheless. Check out 3-mile long Jenny Lake Scenic Drive, Moose-Wilson Road for wildlife spotting, Signal Mountain summit road for peak views without the effort, and Teton Park Road for seemingly endless views of the range. 
• Explore Downtown Jackson
  You could spend a whole day in Jackson Hole Town Square. Check out the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, browse locally owned boutiques and gift shops, and enjoy the western art galleries. 
• Visit Jenny Lake Visitor Center
  I love National Park Visitor Centers. They’re always so educational and provide great opportunity to speak to a park ranger about suggested things to do, park updates and trail conditions, and questions about flora and fauna. It’s extra special when the visitor center an interesting historic background, such as the one at Jenny Lake. 
• Check out Jackson Lake Lodge
  Located in the heart of the Teton’s this historic hotel sits on a natural bluff looking over Jackson Lake. Jackson Lake Lodge is a full-service eco-hotel that includes restaurant options and shopping. The lodge is located near the medical center and stables. 

​5. Places to Stay Near Grand Teton National Park

• ​Jenny Lake Lodge
  Booking at Jenny Lake Lodge is your most expensive option. Guests are required to book the “Signature Package” which includes your accommodation, breakfast each morning, and a nightly five-course dinner. With epic views of the Tetons, the price might just be worth it! 
• Colter Bay Village
  Reserve a cabin, on a 12 month rolling basis, in the scenic Colter Bay Village. This bustling area of the park gives guests access to restaurants, shopping, and easy access to Jackson Lake. Pricing here is a bit more affordable than Jenny Lake Lodge while being a good place to set up base camp!
• The Hostel
  Hotels in Jackson Hole can be insanely priced during peak season. Check out The Hostel in Teton Village for a much more affordable option. Choose between a private King and private Quad room for a price much closer to your typical hotel room. There’s a great atmosphere at The Hostel and it’s location provides direct access to Teton Village’s restaurants, stores, and outdoor activities. 
• Campgrounds
  ​Camping within the National Park is our preferred way to experience a location! It’s cost effective, keeps you in the action, and makes exploring the area a whole lot easier. Grand Teton’s Campgrounds are reservation only and become available six months in advance. 
• Free & Dispersed Camping
  The ultimate budget road trip hack is free and dispersed camping. There are plenty of areas just outside the park boundary, an we used freecampsites.net and campendium.com to find our perfect site. Remember that these areas are carry in, carry out and do not have any amenities. 

Ultimate Grand Teton One Day Itinerary

If you love great hikes and a good spot to watch the sunrise, I have good reason to believe that you will love this one day game plan. 

1. Watch sunrise at Schwabacher Landings 
   (insider tip: walk down the trail a bit if its crowded by the parking lot)
2. Drive to the parking lot for South Jenny Lake Loop Trail
3. Take the shuttle boat across the lake or hike around to begin your hike to Lake Solitude
4. Return and take a dip in String Lake to clean off and freshen up
5. Drive Moose-Wilson road around dusk for the chance to see some wildlife
6. Eat dinner at Mangy Moose in Teton Village

This itinerary includes a little bit of everything a hiker dreams of. On the trail you’ll encounter a beautiful waterfall, one of the only in the park, before strolling along through Cascade Canyon. At the forks of Cascade Canyon trail junction turn right to make your way to the incredible lake. 

Although the return trip can feel like a death march, the views are never ending and the best way to shorten your trip is ride the shuttle boat (at least one way on the return) to help your feet and overall demeanor. 

I highly recommend this itinerary for first time visitors who have the physical ability and desire to complete a near 20-mile day hike. 

Conclusion

Sure, you only saw a fraction of the Grand Tetons in a day, but hey, you packed it in! Now you can go home, share all of the beautiful views on socials, and dream about coming back for a longer adventure (because one day is never enough).

Remember to always follow all posted signage, stay a safe distance away from wildlife, and leave natural spaces better than you found them when possible.