GRAND TETON HIKING
Grand Teton National Park is an outstanding Grand Teton hiking destination. Upon first witnessing the reaching panoramas, many have described the park as a powerful, life-changing experience.
Grand Teton hiking will take you through some of the most exquisite and pristine trails to hike in the United States, with a variety of terrain types ranging from easy to very challenging. Hikes in Grand Teton can have you winding many miles alongside babbling streams or making a sharp ascent onto the peaks of the Teton’s atmosphere-piercing mountains. Some of the best Teton hikes are very kid-friendly, or you can opt for challenging multi-day excursions that may tickle the fancy of more experienced climbers.
All will find trails that will allow them to witness the breathtaking mystique of America’s old West. The Cathedral Group, as it’s known, is a group of the tallest mountains in Grand Tetons, many of which are over 12,000 feet in elevation. The views of these peaks are visible from multiple trails all over the area.
The hiking and climbing opportunities in Wyoming are almost without equal, with miles of pristine well-marked trails weaving through much of the land in two of America’s largest National Parks. Temperate weather from spring to fall makes for some beautiful days and temperatures that are perfect for hiking. Yellowstone National Park spans an area of 2.2 million acres with over 1,000 miles of hiking trails within. Yellowstone National Park possesses nearly 50% of the geothermal pools in the world, waterfalls, whitewater rivers and expansive canyons. It is a sanctuary for native wildlife, large and small, like the largest herd of free-roaming bison in North America. The well-thought-out network of roads throughout the expansive park makes it a place suited to viewing wildlife from the roadside or your vehicle.
Grand Teton National Park’s 310,000 acres contain 250 miles of trails winding through and up craggy peaks, past the 12 active glaciers that feed the pristine turquoise glacial lakes and into lush valleys of wildflowers. Compared to Yellowstone, the sights in Grand Teton are more condensed, making it possible to see more landmarks in less time than a hiking trip through Yellowstone. The glacier melting from the surrounding mountains provides plenty of fresh water for refilling your water bottles, and the lush foliage provides plenty of shade. During the summer months, Grand Teton hiking is warm and temperate. However, the harsh winter months in Wyoming result in trails that are impassable for all but the most devoted ice climbers. Though both parks are open seven days a week year-round, the most popular times to go are from May to September, when the snow cover is minimal or nonexistent. The entrance fee for both parks is $35 per vehicle.
If you want to get the most out of your hiking trip, it makes sense to leave as much time for the actual hiking as possible. There is, quite simply, no better way to maximize your time in the Grand Tetons than by reserving an all-inclusive glampsite. Most camping offers the obvious benefit of being able to begin your hike the second you step foot out of your tent, but all of the arrangements needed to keep you alive and well out there mean that camping is also a lot of work. With glamping, you have no responsibilities for setting up and maintaining a camp, cooking meals, or figuring out the logistics of your stay. You’ll wake up warm and well-rested on a bed with fresh linens and a hardwood floor underneath your feet. You can pack as lightly as you want with just a few days worth of hiking clothes (we provide laundry service), some toiletries and a couple books.
Hiking in the Tetons is a rewarding experience that the whole family can enjoy. Make sure to pack comfortable shoes that are already broken in. Developing blisters from the first day in a new pair of hiking boots will really suck the fun out of your experience. There are significant elevation gains, so be sure to pace yourself and drink lots of water if you aren’t used to hiking in higher elevations. If you start to feel altitude sickness, slow down, drink some water and rest until you feel better. Bring sunscreen, bug spray and wear layers that you can unpeel and pack away easily as you warm up. Keep in mind that cell service is unavailable or fleeting in areas such as these. For lovers of nature and the outdoors, Grand Teton hiking is an experience not to be missed.
There are almost too many hikes to count in the area but there are definitely a few that stand out for their breathtaking views:
About 7.5 miles into Grand Teton National Park, it is fairly flat and easy for most people to handle and offers excellent views of Cascade Canyon, the Cathedral Group and Jenny Lake.
Quite possibly the most iconic hike in the area, it’s rated as easy to moderate difficulty and takes about 1-2 hours for this 2.2-mile round trip hike. It’s accessible via the Jenny Lake boat shuttle. Hike here for a gorgeous view of Jenny Lake and the Cathedral Group. Just park at the large lot at Jenny Lake Visitor Center and the shuttle will take you from the dock. If you want to avoid taking a boat, you can access it via the Jenny Lake Trails from String Lake (making the trip 5.7 miles round trip).
This 42-mile trail is usually accomplished in a two-to-three-day backpacking trip and provides views of some of Grand Teton’s most famous sights.
Beginning along the Eastern shore of Jenny Lake, the Leigh Lake trail is about 3 miles long and will provide you with views of Rockchuck Peak, Mt. Woodring, Thor Mountain, Falling Ice Glacier, and Skillet Glacier.
This more challenging trail climbs to the peak of Greyback Ridge in the Little Greys Mountains in Star Valley, featuring the quintessential landscapes that make Wyoming such a magical place. It features lush forests, winding trails and an elevation gain of 7,000 feet.
An easy 4.5-mile trail from Glamping on the Greys campsite to Bailey Lake where you can have a swim or take a turn on the rope swing.
A 2.1-mile loop that takes you around Colter Bay. Colter Bay was named after John Colter, a legendary trapper who took part in the Lewis and Clark expedition. Find the trailhead at the Colter Bay Visitor Center and expect to see a variety of animals, from elk, osprey, cranes, otters and more.
9 miles out and back, this modestly challenging trail takes you through the glacially carved Cascade Canyon. It provides an excellent view of the mountains without climbing much elevation. Moose, bears and pikas can often be spotted along the trail.
Hike through some of America’s most iconic trails and take a step back in time as you experience parts of Earth unaffected by human inhabitation. Glamping on the Greys has everything needed to make your hiking trip to the Grand Tetons a comfortable, fun and rewarding experience.
If not everyone in your group enjoys hiking, we have plenty of other fun activities to enjoy at Glamping On the Greys, like horseback riding and fishing. You couldn’t ask for a better basecamp from which to embark upon the endless trails in the Grand Teton National Park and the Little Greys mountains in Star Valley. Build memories, share experiences and enjoy scrumptious meals by the campfire before getting a good night’s rest on a bed with fresh linens in your luxury canvas tent. Contact us today about planning your next Grand Tetons hiking adventure.