The Perfect 2-Day Grand Teton National Park Itinerary for Families
Towering mountain peaks, crystal-clear lakes, incredible wildlife, and some of the most scenic hiking trails in the country—this national park truly has it all. Here is the perfect 2 day Grand Teton National Park itinerary that our family followed during our Yellowstone + Grand Tetons National Park road trip.
While many visitors simply drive through the park on their way to Yellowstone, I personally think Grand Teton deserves much more than a quick stop. Between swimming in alpine lakes, hiking to waterfalls, spotting wildlife, and taking in the incredible mountain views, this quickly became one of our favorite national parks.
If you have two full days to explore, this itinerary covers many of the park’s highlights while leaving enough flexibility to slow down and enjoy the incredible scenery that makes Grand Teton so special.
Grand Teton National Park at a Glance
Before you arrive, here are a few things to know:
- Location: Northwestern Wyoming, immediately south of Yellowstone National Park
- Recommended Time: 2–3 days
- Best Time to Visit: June through September
- Entrance Fee: $35/ carload for a 7-day pass, or included with your America the Beautiful Pass
Where to Stay in Grand Tetons National Park
If you’re combining Grand Teton with Yellowstone, I recommend spending two to three nights inside the park if possible. Staying within the park not only saves driving time, but also gives you access to the park during the best time of day for wildlife viewing.
We used Colter Bay Village as our home base and found it to be the perfect spot for our time in Grand Teton National Park. It had dining options, a marina with boat rentals, several trails + a swim beach, a visitor’s center, and even a convenience store located within walking distance of our cabin.
If you aren’t interested in staying inside the park, there are several options in the nearby town of Jackson. My recommendations are:
- Cowboy Village Resort – Rooms that sleep up to 6 + indoor pool
- The Virginian Lodge – onsite restaraunt + outdoor pool and hot tubs
- Elk Country Inn – walking distance from downtown + free breakfast
👉 Read next: Where to Stay in Grand Teton National Park
The Perfect 2-Day Grand Teton National Park Itinerary
Day 1: Jenny Lake, Hidden Falls & String Lake
Start Your Morning at Jenny Lake
Arrive at Jenny Lake early, especially if you’re visiting during the summer. Parking fills quickly, and the earlier you arrive, the quieter the trails will be.
One of the best ways to experience the area is by taking the Jenny Lake Shuttle Boat across the lake. Not only does it save you a couple of miles of hiking, but it also gives you beautiful views of the Tetons from the water. You cannot purchase tickets ahead of time – you will do so after you arrive at the dock.
Even if you arrive early, plan to wait at least a little bit. We were in line by 8am and still waited about 45 minutes to board the boat.
The boat ride only lasts about 10 minutes, and the cost is $20/adult ticket (roundtrip) and $15/child ticket (roundtrip). You can also buy 1-way tickets and hike back, which is about 2.5 miles with minimal include.
👉 Read next: Guide to Jenny Lake with Kids
Hike to Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point
Once you step off the ferry, it’s just a short 1/2 mile hike to Hidden Falls, one of the most stunning waterfalls in the park. The trail winds through the trails, with several bridges and views of the stream along the way.
After you reach Hidden Falls, continue another half mile uphill to Inspiration Point, where you can take in the sweeping views over Jenny Lake and the surrounding mountains.
The climb to the top is pretty steep at the end, but even if you only hike halfway up, the views are still incredible.
For families with younger children, Hidden Falls alone makes a fantastic destination if you’d rather skip the climb to Inspiration Point.
Hike the Jenny Lake lakeshore trail
Instead of taking the ferry back, I recommend hiking back along the lakeshore trail.
The trail is peaceful with lots of shaded areas, and offers completely different views than you’ll get from the boat. Along the way, take a detour around Moose Ponds, one of the park’s best places to spot moose and other wildlife.
While we didn’t see any moose during our hike, we did spot a couple of deer and a bald eagle right along the trail.
There are also some great spots to access Jenny Lake, where you can stick your feet in the cold water or even go for a dip to cool off.
👉 Read next: Guide to Jenny Lake with Kids
Spend the Afternoon at String Lake
After Jenny Lake, head to String Lake, just a short drive away.
Be prepared that the parking lot is small, so you will likely have to wait for a spot. I promise you, it’s worth the wait!
There is an amazing picnic area with lots of shaded tables, so I highly recommend enjoying a picnic lunch here.
After lunch, head down to the lake. There are tons of little inlets along the shoreline that provide a shallow entry for kids. The water here is cold, calm, and unbelievably clear, which makes it a magical spot to spend a few hours on a hot summer day. The gradual shoreline makes it easy for littles to splash and play, or if you have older kids, bring a paddle board or kayak and explore the lake or jump off the rocks.
Drive the Scenic Loop + Mormon Row
I highly recommend following along the scenic loop with the Guide Along app for the rest of the afternoon. It will take you to some lovely lookouts and roads in the park, and it feels like you have your own personal tour guide.
One of the most popular spots is Mormon Row. The famous historic barns framed by the Tetons are one of the most photographed scenes in the national park, and it’s definitely worth a stop here just to grab this iconic photo op.
Evening Hike Along the Lakeshore Trail
After dinner in Colter Bay Village, head down to the Lakeshore Trail along Jackson Lake for an evening stroll. You can hike the entire 2.6 mile loop, or just walk along part of it and find a good spot to take a dip or skip some rocks on the crystal clear lake.
Day 2: Snake River & Scenic Views
Take a Scenic Float Trip
One of our favorite experiences during our time in Grand Teton National Park was taking a scenic float down Snake River.
The river provides incredible views of the Tetons while offering some of the best opportunities to spot wildlife like bald eagles, osprey, beavers, and even moose along the shoreline.
There are several options for which outfitter to use for this excursion. If you are really wanting to float inside the National Park, I would recommend using Triangle X or Barker Ewing Scenic Floats.
Note: I found all of the operators inside the park to have minimum weight requirements of 50 pounds for children
Personally, we used Dave Hanson Whitewater & Scenic Rafting, which is located in Jackson and floats part of the Snake River located outside of the national park and had a great time. We spotted 15 bald eagles, osprey, falcons, pelicans and trout.
If you have older kids who are looking for more of an adventure, check out some of the white water rafting tours on the Snake River for an adrenaline rush!
Ride the Aerial Tram or Gondola at Teton Village
If you have extra time, consider driving to nearby Teton Village for a scenic gondola ride.
During the summer, the gondola provides 360 views of the Tetons with zero hiking required. It’s a fun option for families who want mountain views without spending hours on the trail.
At the top, you can explore hiking trails, access the Grand Teton Skywalk, or grab a waffle from Corbin’s Waffles. Prices start at $67/adult and $44/child, but there is a family package option available as well.
Rent a Boat on Jackson Lake
One of our favorite adventures from our time in Grand Tetons was renting a boat on Jackson Lake. You can rent kayaks, canoes, or motorboats directly from the Jackson Lake Marina.
We rented a 6-person motorboat for 2 hours, which cost around $120. Life jackets and a paper map are included. Boats are first come first served, although we had no difficulty getting one the day we visited.
We loved taking in the views from the water and exploring a different side of the park. And we got so lucky to see a young grizzly playing along the shoreline! We stopped and watched him from our boat for quite a while – this was the highlight of our day!
Drive to Signal Mountain
After dinner, I highly recommend taking the short drive up Signal Mountain Summit Road.
The panoramic overlook provides incredible views across Jackson Hole, the Snake River, Jackson Lake, and the Teton mountain range.
It’s one of the easiest viewpoints to reach in the park, and even better if you can time it with the setting sun.
Wildlife Spotting
After your drive up Signal Mountain, I highly recommend ending your night with some wildlife spotting. While there are some popular spots that have a higher chance of seeing wildlife, we found the best spotting to be just driving along the loop and stopping when we saw other cars stopped.
Some of the most popular nearby spots in the park for spotting wildlife are Oxbow Bend, Antelope Flats, Gros Ventre Road, and Willow Flats Overlook.
Bring binoculars and patiences, and spend some time enjoying the view. We spotted so many unique birds, tons of bison, and even a few bears! Our favorite was this momma grizzly and her cubs that were having an evening snack right next to the road!
Please make sure to always stay a safe distance from wildlife – they truly are wild animals!
Tips for Visiting Grand Teton
- Arrive at popular trailheads early! This park is not nearly as big as Yellowstone and can feel congested in popular spots
- Pack layers, even in the summer – we wore sweatshirts every day
- Carry plenty of water and snacks – there are limited stores & resturaunts in the park
- Download offline maps before entering the park – there is limited cell service
- Bring binoculars for wildlife viewing – we loved these ones
- Always keep a safe distance from wildlife
- Purchase and download the Guide Along app before your visit – it’s like having a personal tour guide in the car with you!
- Build extra time into your schedule for all the stops along the drive
Final Thoughts
Grand Teton National Park completely exceeded our expectations. While Yellowstone often gets most of the attention, we found ourselves falling in love with the wildlife, crystal-clear lakes, and stunning mountain views that make Grand Teton so unique.
If you only have two days, this itinerary will help you experience many of the park’s highlights while still leaving time to relax, explore, and create unforgettable family memories.
