Grand Teton With Kids: A Complete Guide To An Epic Family Adventure

POST SUMMARY: Everything you need to know about visiting Grand Teton with kids and toddlers, including what to do, where to stay, and tips for ensuring a fantastic family vacation in Grand Teton National Park.

Visiting Grand Teton National Park with kids is sure to be a family adventure of a lifetime. With sparkling alpine lakes, family-friendly hikes, wildlife sightings, and the hip town of Jackson, Wyoming, an easy car ride away, Grand Teton offers a nature-filled getaway the entire family can enjoy.

After camping with a toddler in Yellowstone for a week, we drove the short distance to Grand Teton National Park to experience a completely different park. While my heart belongs to Yellowstone, Grand Teton is an epic national park that deserves its title as one of the best national parks in the west.

In this complete guide to a Grand Teton family vacation, we’ll cover family-friendly hikes, the best things to do in Grand Teton National Park with kids, what to bring, and tips for having an enjoyable time in the park. Scroll through the article or use the table of contents below to jump to specific sections.

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER GUIDES ON VISITING NATIONAL PARKS WITH KIDS:
The 12 BEST National Parks With Kids
10 Things To Do in Yellowstone With Kids
Visiting Arches National Park With Kids
Joshua Tree With Kids: An Adventure Guide
Saint John With Kids: The Ultimate Tropical National Park

*This Grand Teton With Kids post may contain affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you purchase from them. This is at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we genuinely think are helpful.

QUICK FAQ GUIDE TO VISITING GRAND TETON WITH KIDS

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED IN GRAND TETON WITH KIDS?

Three days in the park is the sweet spot for visiting Grand Teton National Park. Since traveling with kids can mean slower travel, three days allows you to see a lot at a leisurely pace. If you don’t have that much time or are planning to combine a trip to Yellowstone or Jackson, Wyoming, I would plan for a day and a half to two days so you can adequately explore the park.

IS THERE FOOD IN THE PARK?

Yes, the park has a handful of restaurants spread throughout the park. You can see the complete list here. The restaurants are open only in the summer months. If visiting outside the high season, you can go to Dornan’s, just outside the Moose Entrance Station.

HOW MUCH DOES GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK COST?

$35 per car, and the pass is good for seven days.

If you are traveling with a child in 4th grade, you can get a 4th Grade Pass, which gives your child and everyone in your family (if you’re in one vehicle) free admission. You can learn about getting a 4th Grade Pass here.

If you are visiting other National Parks, you may be better off buying an America the Beautiful Pass. Good for one year from the month you purchase, the pass gives you admission into every National Park, including additional National Park Service sites. We bought one when we visited Yellowstone and did a Utah National Parks Road Trip. It ended up saving us a lot of money.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK WITH KIDS?

July and August are the best times to visit Grand Teton with kids if you want to do water activities. With the weather sitting in a comfortable range from 70 to 80 degrees, you’ll have beautiful weather to hike, swim, and play in the park. It’s also the BUSIEST time of the year. We visited during Labor Day Weekend, and while the crowds were fine once you were on the hiking trails, finding parking was a real nuisance.

The summertime is when smoke from nearby and faraway fires can cause a hazy, smoky backdrop to your adventures. You can see in some of our photos a grey haze that was from fires in Oregon, Montana, and California. It wasn’t a big deal for us, but smoky skies can occur, particularly in August.

If you’ll be traveling to Grand Teton with kids in the summertime and crowds and looking for parking bother you, you must get to your destination by 8 am at the latest, or go in the late afternoon.

If you’re looking to avoid crowds, September after Labor Day is a beautiful time to visit the park. The weather is still pleasant, and the crowds will have significantly diminished. It’s also a great time to spot wildlife and see the changing colors of the leaves.

Another option is to visit in June, before the crowds reach their peak. Most of the park will be accessible, wildflowers will be in bloom, and the weather will be warm.

Here’s a rundown of weather averages in Grand Teton.

HOW TO GET TO GRAND TETON

Grand Teton is unique among national parks in that it has an airport within its boundaries. Super convenient, huh? The only issue is it’s expensive. If you plan your trip out in advance, you might be able to find affordable flights at Jackson Hole Airport. The other option is to fly to Idaho Falls Regional Airport (a two-hour drive to Grand Teton) or Salt Lake City Airport (a five-hour drive to Grand Teton).

Salt Lake City airport is the longest drive, but you’ll find the best deals and ample rental-car availability. You’ll need a car in Grand Teton!

*Check rentalcars.com or Expedia to price compare and find the best prices for rental cars.

---

WHERE TO STAY IN GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK WITH KIDS

Grand Teton is small enough that you don’t need to stay inside the park to get the full experience. Staying in Jackson, Wyoming, is an excellent choice for families who want to do things outside the park.

However, if you are visiting during peak season and plan to get an early start to avoid crowds, staying in the park is a great strategy. Staying near Signal Mountain or Jenny Lake is a great way to be close to great hiking spots and stellar views.

STAYING INSIDE THE PARK

Grand Teton has seven lodging options ranging from rustic to luxury. Except for Headwaters Lodge, all of them are in good spots for keeping driving time down. Families will enjoy Jackson Lake Lodge for its stunning views and outdoor pool, and Colter Bay Village for its access to kayaking, horseback riding, and hiking.

Camping in the park is another option and an excellent way to keep costs down. The park has seven campgrounds, all by reservation only. You can reserve a site up to six months in advance. Central campgrounds are Jenny Lake and Signal Mountain. We camped at Colter Bay Campground, an excellent spot for kids. It has a fantastic beach and many amenities, making it feel like summer camp. You can learn about the campgrounds here.

TIP: For both hotels and camping, book your stay as soon as possible. Six months to a year in advance is ideal.

---

READ NEXT: How To Enjoy Camping With A Toddler

---

STAYING OUTSIDE THE PARK

Jackson, south of Grand Teton, is a fabulous gateway town. Ample restaurants, shops, and outdoor activities make it a great place to base yourself.

Here are our recommendations for the best places to stay near Grand Teton with kids.

HOTELS

If you’re looking for a conventional hotel with a concierge, the Springhill Suites by Marriott is a great option for families with larger rooms, an outdoor pool, and complimentary breakfast. You can read reviews and check prices here. We don’t typically stay in hotels, but when we do, we gravitate toward Marriott for its loyalty rewards program and excellent service.

You can browse through other highly rated hotels in Jackson here.

HOME RENTALS

Another option is to do a home rental through Vrbo. We prefer this because we love the privacy, having a kitchen to cut down on dining-out costs, and a separate bedroom for the kids. Check out these cute Vrbos in Jackson below:

Harvest Dance Condo – (one bedroom, sleeps 8, communal pool and hot tub, great for big family wanting to save)
Outpost: Pitchfork 2303 – (two bedrooms, four bunk beds, a more affordable option that’s walking distance to town)
Outpost: One Town Hill 301 (three-bedroom luxury option, walking distance to town, stellar views)

---

WHAT TO PACK WHEN VISITING GRAND TETON WITH KIDS

Here’s a short list of things to bring with you when visiting Grand Teton National Park with kids and toddlers:

BEAR SPRAY: Yes, all of Grand Teton National Park and the surrounding areas are bear country. While the likelihood of a bear attack is unlikely, you’ll want some bear spray accessible and ready whenever you’re on hiking trails. Also, make sure you know how to use it! You can buy bear spray HERE. I suggest having it before you arrive. If you’re flying, do not pack it in your carry-on.

RAIN JACKET: It rains all year in Jackson, so you’ll want to be prepared for rain. We experienced a couple of days during our summer trip to Grand Teton. We live in a rainy climate, so we prefer a high-quality waterproof rain jacket like this one from REI. If you don’t live in an area that gets a lot of rain, you can shop for affordable rain jackets here

WATER SHOES: Since kids love to wade, skip, and jump around in the alpine water, you’ll want to pack shoes that can go from trail to water. We love the Jefferson Shoe from Native because it doubles as a regular everyday shoe. Less to pack!

SUNBLOCK: The higher elevation means you will burn faster. We prefer to use Blue Lizard sunscreen on our son.

REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE: Bring more water than you think you need. We always bring a reusable insulated water bottle that keeps our water ice-cold for 24 hours.

GRAND TETON MAP: Contrary to popular belief, paper maps are still important! Maps are available at every Visitor Center, and you can download the NPS app, but if you want an in-depth map that doesn’t require a strong signal, you’ll want the National Geographic Trails Map for the park.

BABY/TODDLER CARRIER: If traveling to the Grand Tetons with a toddler or baby, you’ll want to bring a hiking carrier. Strollers are of little use in the park. The Deuter Kid Comfort Pro is the premium choice when looking for a hiking backpack to carry toddlers. You can read about other great carriers in our guide to toddler carriers for travel.

**For a more extensive list, check out our Grand Teton Packing List with a full rundown of what you need when visiting the park.

VISITING YELLOWSTONE: Going from the Grand Tetons to Yellowstone is a great idea if you have the time! They are close to each other but completely different. You can check out our guides to Yellowstone, including Planning a Trip to Yellowstone, What to do in Yellowstone with Kids, and a Complete Yellowstone Itinerary.

THINGS TO DO IN GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK WITH KIDS

Here’s a Grand Teton National Park map to give you an idea of the park’s layout. You’ll see that Jackson is to the South of the park, and Yellowstone is to the North. This is the map you’ll get at any Visitor Center or when you pay at an entrance station.

1. JENNY LAKE BOAT RIDE TO INSPIRATION POINT

Taking a boat shuttle across Jenny Lake is one of the best things to do with kids in Grand Teton because not only is it fun, it also takes you to one of the top hikes in the park, Inspiration Point. With beautiful views of Jenny Lake and Jackson, Wyoming, you’ll have plenty of photo ops at the top. Along the way to Inspiration Point, you’ll pass Hidden Falls, a 100-foot waterfall. If you take the boat ride across the lake, the hike is a 2-mile round-trip. With a 500-foot elevation gain, a section of rock stairs, and steep switchbacks, it’s a moderate hike that young to older kids can do with relative ease. A hiking carrier is a good idea for steep sections if hiking with toddlers.

The boat ride does cost money, so if you want to avoid the fees, you can walk around the southern shore of Jenny Lake to do the complete out-and-back 5.89-mile hike. You could also opt to hike one way and boat back. You can see prices and info about the shuttle service here.

TIP: This is a popular hike. If doing this in the summer, it’s advised that you get to the parking lot before 9 AM, preferably 8 AM, or do it in the late afternoon.

2. HIKING

Hiking is one of the main activities when visiting the park. Luckily, there are many hikes that are suitable for all types of families. Here are some options for great Grand Teton family hikes.

• Moose Ponds: An easy, flat trail that can be a 2-mile out-and-back hike or a 3-mile lollipop loop. This is the trail for spotting moose! You might also see pronghorn, elk, eagles, beavers, and bears. Early morning is the best time to spot wildlife. It’s a pleasant walk that’s perfect if you’re looking for an easy, family-friendly trail with beautiful surroundings.
• Lake Shore Trail: A 2-mile round-trip hike that takes you through a forested area and along the shores of Jackson Lake. This is a great hike for toddlers and young kids, since it’s easy and there are plenty of places to wade in the water or throw rocks. Also, the views of the Teton Range are outstanding. Located in Colter Bay, you can hang out at the beach afterward for fun water-time activities.
• String Lake to Leigh Lake: A fantastic .9 mile out and back trail that takes you from String Lake to Leigh Lake. We chose to make the hike longer and do the Leigh Lake trail as well. A great trail for stopping to play or swim, or to throw rocks. String Lake is perfect for toddlers since it’s shallow and warmer. Leigh Lake is colder, but a great spot for jumping into the water.
• Taggart Lake Trail: A beautiful 3-mile out-and-back hiking trail that leads you through a forest of pine, aspen, wildflowers, and eventually to Taggart Lake, another stunning, crystal clear body of water.
• Phelps Lake Loop Trail: A moderate 6. 3-mile round-trip hike that is great for kids who are up for a longer hike. The hike starts at the Rockefeller Preserve, which is also a nice spot to explore for its interesting exhibits. Even if you don’t plan to do the entire hike (we didn’t!), it’s worth hiking out a portion of it to see the beauty of Phelps Lake.
• Jenny Lake Loop: For families looking for a longer hike, the 7.6-mile trail around Jenny Lake is a fantastic choice, as it’s flat, offers abundant wildlife, and offers exceptional views of the Tetons.

---

READ NEXT: Tried and true tips for hiking with a toddler

---

3. WILDLIFE SPOTTING

Wildlife spotting can happen anywhere in the park. If you’re looking to increase your chances, there are choice spots and activities you can do when traveling to Grand Teton with kids that will maximize your chances of an animal sighting.

The best times to spot wildlife are early morning at sunrise and late afternoon before sunset.

• MOOSE-WILSON ROAD: Drive along this road to see if you can spot moose that gravitate to the beaver ponds that line the area.
• OXBOW BEND: One of the most beautiful places in the park is also a hot spot for wildlife. Named for the picturesque curve in the Snake River, you can often spot moose, beavers, osprey, eagles, and river otters.
• MORMON ROW/ANTELOPE FLATS: Antelope Flats Road, north of Moose Junction off Highway 89/191, is where you might spot big herds of bison grazing on the fertile soil. You might even be able to spot elk, pronghorn, foxes, coyotes, hawks, and wolves.

For more wildlife viewing spots and tips on how to properly interact with wildlife, you can read through this article here.

If you prefer more guidance, you can do a guided tour with a naturalist who can teach you and your kids about the wildlife of Grand Teton. The tour is suitable for kids over 5 and will help give context to everything you’re seeing. They are also experts at finding wildlife! You can read reviews and see prices for the tour here.

Another fun option is to do a sunset tour when the animals are more active. Grand Teton at sunset is spectacular. You can read reviews and see prices for the tour here.

TIP: In Grand Teton National Park, you must maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from all other wildlife. The park takes this very seriously, and people have been arrested for not respecting the rules.

4. BIKE TO JENNY LAKE

Grand Teton is an excellent place to go biking! With miles of fantastic trails, your kids will have a blast biking on the flat multi-use pathway that runs from Jackson through the national park. Here is a map from the NPS showing the multi-use path in Grand Teton National Park. While there are an ample number of bike rental shops in Jackson, you’ll also need to rent a bike hitch for your car. We suggest renting bikes at Dornan’s (located within the park) because they offer kids’ bikes. From the shop, you can jump right onto a bike trail to Jenny Lake. The views in that section are out of this world beautiful, so you won’t regret doing that section of the path! Dornan’s also has food, so you can time your day to start or return for lunchtime.

If you are traveling with kids over 16, you can also rent e-bikes and have them delivered to your hotel or other convenient locations. E-bikes are a fantastic way to cover a lot of ground without a lot of effort. We love them! You can learn more about how to rent e-bikes in Grand Teton here.

5. GO SWIMMING

If you’re visiting in July, August, or Early September, your kids can enjoy swimming in the brisk alpine waters of Grand Teton NP. Is the water cold? Yes! Very much so. We swam in the waters in September, and it definitely took a moment (or a lot of moments) to get in the water. It’s worth it, though, because the water is oh so inviting! A great idea after a long hike. There are swimming beaches atColter Bay and Signal Mountain. Those are nice options if you also want the nearby amenities of bathrooms and places to eat. String Lake and Leigh Lake are also great options. We swam there, and our toddler loved the clear, shallow water.

6. FLOAT DOWN THE SNAKE RIVER

Get a new perspective on Grand Teton and float down the Snake River with a knowledgeable guide. The river is pretty tame, so children four and up are allowed on this 13-mile guided tour. You can learn more about it here.

If you’re looking for a trip with more thrills, you’ll have to go outside of the park, where you’ll find bigger rapids. You can do this guided tour suitable for all ages, and includes Class III waves.

7. RENT A KAYAK OR STAND UP PADDLEBOARD

Take to the water and rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. It’s a great option if you don’t want to get wet or if the water is too cold. You can rent kayaks or canoes from Jenny Lake Boating in Jenny Lake or the Colter Bay Marina at Colter Bay. For stand-up paddleboarding, you can rent from Superior Paddlesports. They offer inflatable stand-up paddleboards (so much easier to transport!), and they offer delivery to where you’re staying. They’ll even help you get it on your car. Leigh Lake and String Lake are phenomenal places for stand-up paddleboarding with kids. We highly recommend it!

8. SUNSET PHOTO OP

Bask in the golden hour of Grand Teton with your kids. Don’t forget to pack hot chocolate and warm blankets! Popular sunset viewing spots include Mormon Row, where you can get a picture of the most photographed barn in the US, the T.A Moulton Barn, The Snake River Overlook, where Ansel Adams took his famous photo, and Oxbow Bend, where photographers flock to get a picture of the Tetons reflecting on the Snake River. We watched the sunset from the beach at Colter Bay, and it was one of our favorite memories. If you want to do sunset photography with your family, we suggest bringing a tripod to hold a long exposure.

9. HORSEBACK RIDING

If you’re traveling to Grand Teton with kids over the age of eight, horseback riding is a fun throwback way to experience the park. You can do a one-hour or two-hour guided horseback ride out of Colter Bay Village, Jackson Lake Lodge, and Headwaters Lodge. You can learn more about horseback riding in Grand Teton here.

Another horseback riding option is to take an organized tour outside of the park. This is a good option if you are traveling with a child under eight, since Grand Teton National Park tours are only for kids eight and up. Heart 6 Ranch offers a highly rated tour for ages 6 and up. You can read reviews and see prices for the tour here.

10. FISHING

Grand Teton is a splendid place for your kids to learn the art of fishing. As long as you get a Wyoming license and bring your equipment, you can find the perfect spot, whether that’s lakeside or riverside. Be sure to check out the official site here for all rules and regulations on fishing in Grand Teton. If you want more guidance, you can sign up for a fishing tour that will provide all the equipment and firsthand knowledge of fishing in Grand Teton. Children must be 8 years or older to do a fishing tour.

11. PHELPS LAKE JUMPING ROCK

For older kids who want some thrills, jumping off Phelps Lake Jumping Rock is sure to satisfy. Located on the North Eastern corner of the lake is a jutting out rock that looms 20 feet above the water. The thrill isn’t just jumping from the rock, but the cool glacial water that gives a good zesty zing when you make contact. You’ll start the 2.5-mile hike from the Rockefeller Preserve, so you have a little time to work up a summer sweat before you jump into the frigid water.

12. VISIT MORMON ROW HISTORIC DISTRICT

Mormon Row is a great opportunity to give your kids a historical background to the area. Settled in the early 1900’s by Mormons (or as they prefer to be called, Latter Day Saints), the area houses a collection of old barns and buildings that are fun to explore and photograph. While technically it’s not inside Grand Teton National Park, the area has become synonymous with Grand Teton, as professional and amateur photographers flock there to snap the iconic picture of the Tetons framing the historic barns. It’s a fun place for an outing and a good spot to see the sunset or have a picnic.

13. RANGER PROGRAMS + JUNIOR RANGER BADGE

Every National Park offers a junior ranger program where kids complete a series of age-appropriate activities to receive a badge. Generally, it’s best suited for ages 6-10. You can pick up the free booklet at any visitor center in the park. Grand Teton also offers fun, educational ranger-led programs that might be a good way for your family to spend time together. They change throughout the year, but they can range from guided hikes to wildlife talks. Your best bet is to check the website when you visit to see what programs they offer.

---

That’s our guide to visiting Grand Teton National Park with kids. Once you’re done exploring the national park, you’ll definitely want to spend time in the cute city of Jackson.

Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below!