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Where to Stay in Grand Teton National Park: The Best Hotels, Lodges & Family-Friendly Home Base

One of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning a Yellowstone + Grand Tetons road trip is where to stay in Grand Teton National Park. Unlike many other national parks, Grand Teton covers a large area, and where you book your lodging can have a huge impact on how much driving you’ll do each day, especially if you are combining this park with Yellowstone National Park.

During our recent visit to Grand Teton National Park, we stayed at Colter Bay Village for three nights and it was the perfect home base for us to explore everything the park had to offer. We loved waking up inside the park each morning and being able to stay out late searching for wildlife, with only a quick drive back to our cabin.

That said, Colter Bay isn’t the only great option. Whether you’re looking for a rustic cabin inside the park, a full-service lodge, or a hotel in nearby Jackson with easy access to restaurants, shopping and other ameninities, there are plenty of excellent choices.

Here’s a breakdown of the best places to stay in and around Grand Teton National Park.

Should You Stay Inside the Park?

If it’s you are planning to spend the majority of your time exploring Grand Teton and your budget allows, I highly recommend staying inside the park.

Grand Teton may look compact on a map, but driving times add up quickly—especially when you factor in traffic, wildlife + all the scenic stops you will want to make.

By staying inside the park, you’ll spend less time driving to and from the park each morning and evening, and more time exploring. You’ll also have more flexibility to get up early and stay out late, which is the best way to avoid crowds and spot wildlife.

If you’re combining Grand Teton with Yellowstone, splitting your stay between the two parks is one of the best ways to maximize your time.

Best Place to Stay: Colter Bay Village

If we were planning this trip again tomorrow, we’d book Colter Bay Village without hesitation.

Located on the shores of Jackson Lake in the middle of Grand Teton National Park, Colter Bay is the perfect balance between convenience, scenery, and family-friendly amenities. We loved being able to wake up surrounded by the Tetons and start each day without a long drive into the park.

colter bay cabins
Colter Bay cabin

The village offers a variety of lodging options, including rustic cabins, campsites, RV and tent sites, which makes it a great fit for different travel styles and budgets.

One of our favorite things about staying here was that it truly felt like a little village tucked inside the national park. The marina, swimming beach + lakeshore, restaurants, general store, and visitor center gave us plenty to do during downtime, and the location made it easy to reach both Grand Teton’s highlights and Yellowstone’s South Entrance.

colter bay cabin
Colter Bay cabin

Why Families Will Love Colter Bay Village

  • Central location for exploring both Grand Teton and Yellowstone
  • Comfortable cabins perfect for families
  • Marina with boat, kayak, and canoe rentals
  • Easy access to Jackson Lake
  • Restaurants, grocery store, and gift shop
  • Visitor center and Junior Ranger activities
  • Beautiful lakeshore trails
  • Tons of wildlife right here – we saw multiple deer and even a bear!

If you’re planning to spend multiple days in Grand Teton, I truly think Colter Bay Village is one of the best places to stay.

Signal Mountain Lodge

Located along the eastern shore of Jackson Lake, Signal Mountain Lodge is another excellent choice for families who want to stay inside the park.

The location provides easy access to Jenny Lake, Jackson Lake, Signal Mountain, and many of the park’s most popular scenic drives. Accommodations range from lodge rooms to cabins, and many offer incredible views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

The lodge also offers on-site restaurants, marina, and nearby hiking trails.

Best for: Families looking for a quieter in-park stay with beautiful lake views.

Jackson Lake Lodge

If you’re looking for iconic mountain views, it’s hard to beat Jackson Lake Lodge.

The massive picture windows in the main lodge frame the Tetons in spectacular fashion, and it’s one of the best places in the park to soak in the scenery.

This is a larger, more upscale property than Colter Bay, with multiple restaurants, shops, and organized activities available throughout the summer.

While it tends to be one of the more expensive lodging options, many families feel the views alone are worth it.

Best for: Families wanting full-service amenities and unforgettable views.

Jenny Lake Lodge

For travelers looking for a more luxurious experience, Jenny Lake Lodge offers cabins tucked into a peaceful wooded setting near one of the park’s most popular attractions – Jenny Lake itself.

It does have a higher price point than many of the other in park lodging, so I wouldn’t say it’s a great option for families looking to stay within a budget. But if you are looking for a great splurge to explore the park, this is it.

Best for: Families looking for a splurge.

where to stay in grand teton national park
Jenny Lake

Staying in Jackson, Wyoming

If lodging inside the park is unavailable—or outside your budget—the nearby town of Jackson, Wyoming makes an excellent home base.

Located just a few minutes south of Grand Teton National Park, Jackson offers the widest variety of hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants, grocery stores, and shops.

We loved exploring Jackson during our visit, and it’s a fun town with lots of things to see and do.

The biggest trade-off is the daily drive into Grand Teton, especially if you’re hoping to catch sunrise or spend time in the northern sections of the park.

Best for:

  • Families wanting more dining options
  • Travelers using hotel points
  • Visitors who enjoy shopping and local restaurants
  • Families wanting to do other things besides just the national park
  • Longer stays

There are so many options of places to stay in Jackson, but these are my top recommendations for families:

Staying in Teton Village

Located near the southern entrance to the park, Teton Village is home to several of the areas more upscale resorts, such as Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

During the summer, families can ride the aerial tram or gondola, enjoy hiking trails, mountain biking, scenic chairlifts, and a variety of outdoor activities.

If your itinerary includes several days in the southern portion of the park—or you’re planning to spend time at the resort—it can be a fun place to stay.

Best for: Active families who want to mix national park adventures with resort activities.

My top recommendations:

Staying in Driggs

If you want to stay close to Grand Teton without paying Jackson prices, Driggs Idaho is another great option. Located just under and hour from the parks south entrance, this makes a great option for families looking to keep their budget down.

You’ll find a handful of lodges, cabins, and vacation rentals just outside the park boundaries, with easy access to both Grand Teton and Yellowstone.

Because it’s much quieter than Jackson, it offers a more peaceful experience while still being centrally located for exploring.

Best for: Families looking for convenience + lower prices without the crowds.

My recommendations:

Camping in Grand Teton National Park

For families who love camping, Grand Teton offers several options:

Popular options include:

Reservations often fill months in advance, especially during the summer, so make sure to plan ahead.

Which Home Base Is Right for You?

Still can’t decide where to stay in Grand Teton National Park? Here’s a quick comparison:

Choose Colter Bay Village or in park lodging if…

  • You want to wake up in the heart of the Tetons
  • You’re splitting your time between Tetons & Yellowstone
  • You are ok with simple accommodations with minimal amenities
  • You want to minimize daily driving time + distance

Choose Jackson if…

  • You prefer a traditional hotel
  • You want more restaurant and shopping options
  • You’re using hotel rewards points
  • You want to do other things outside of the national parks

Choose Teton Village if…

  • You want a more luxurious stay with resort amenities

Choose Driggs if…

  • You don’t mind some extra drive time to keep costs lower

Final Thoughts

If you are trying to decide where to stay in Grand Teton National Park, I can assure you that your time here will be magical no matter what you pick. Towering mountain peaks, crystal-clear lakes, incredible wildlife, and unforgettable hikes are around every corner, no matter which part of the park you are exploring.

For our family, waking up at Colter Bay Village each morning surrounded by the beauty of the Teton range was truly a magical feeling. We spent less time driving, more time exploring, and truly felt immersed in one of the most beautiful national parks in the country.

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