Heading to Grand Teton National Park this year? Are you wondering if it’s possible to plan a trip that everyone in your family will enjoy? Well, you’re in the right place! Grand Teton National Park with kids is not only achievable, but it might just be one of the best trips you’ll ever go on. I know it was for my family!
Since we had just adopted our girls this year, this was going to be our first family trip together. Stan and I have always had a tradition of taking a long road trip to a new National Park every summer, and we were anxious and excited to see how bringing the kids along would change how we travel.
Luckily, our kids are 11 years old, so we don’t have to worry about nap schedules or stroller-friendly hikes, but they had never traveled before so we kept our schedule pretty simple.
The trip was a huge success for us parents and the kids. Everyone had such a great time, and it was actually one of the best trips I’ve ever had. Grand Teton National Park might just be my new favorite National Park! (That’s saying a lot, considering I never thought anywhere would beat Zion National Park.)
Keep reading to find out:
- What you need to know + safety
- Hikes
- Sights
- Swim locations
- Secret must-see spots!
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What you need to know before visiting Grand Teton National Park:
Location:
The Grand Teton National Park is in a pretty great location compared to other National Parks I’ve been to. It feels very secluded, but it’s still near a town (Jackson, WY) if you need anything.
The closest airport is the Jackson Hole Airport which is only about a 10 minute drive from the entrance to the park.
In Jackson you’ll find a bustling town full of anything you want to do. Full of hotels, restaurants, and shops.
Safety:
You are almost guaranteed to see wildlife while you visit Grand Teton National Park. Make sure your kids know wildlife safety. If they’re too young to understand, make sure they’re by your side at all times.
We got to see moose, bears, elk, and even a fox that stole my shoe! Know wildlife safety before you go, and have this bear spray with you while hiking.
Visit the NPS website for a full list of safety tips. If your kids are old enough, talk to them about how to remain safe in the park.
Fees:
It’s $35 to enter the National Park, which gives you a pass for 7 days.
Camping:
I suggest camping if you’re considering it, for a few reasons:
- Jackson Hole (the town closest to GTNP) is pretty expensive. Camping costs anywhere from $20-$40 per night, which cuts costs tremendously.
- The campsites in GTNP are absolutely beautiful.
- It gives you more time in the park & immerses you in nature.
We camped at Colter Bay campground and loved it. Deer wandered the campground, and you could hear animals at night. Colter Bay also had a general store, laundromat, and nice showers.
If you prefer a more luxurious stay, there are some very cool Airbnbs in Jackson Hole!
Does knowing what to pack for camping feel intimidating? Get access to my free printable packing checklist when you opt-in to my newsletter below!
Extra tip: Have your child become a junior ranger! When you arrive, go to the visitor center and get a junior ranger packet for your child. It gives them a bucket list of things to complete while they visit, like finding an acorn, picking up 5 pieces of trash, and asking a ranger a question. It keeps them entertained and gets them interested in the Nation Park! Once your child completes the list, they get their very own junior ranger badge!
Let’s get into hikes!
Taggart Lake Trail:
Taggart Lake hiking trail is technically rated a “moderate” trail, not “easy” so I recommend this trail for older kids, or kids you’re planning on carrying on your back. It was very easy for us, but probably wouldn’t be suitable for toddlers. It’s about a 4 mile loop, and there’s plenty to see along the way. It starts with wooded mountain views, and eventually leads to beautiful lakes.
When we got to the split of Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake Trail, a hiker informed us there was a grizzly bear with two cubs up ahead on Bradley Lake, so of course we had to go see! We hadn’t seen a bear yet, so we cautiously went searching to find her.
We hiked about half a mile until we saw her, where we got to stand (at a far distance) and watch her and her cubs play!
I don’t have great photos of the bears due to staying a safe distance away. Make sure you give wildlife plenty of space- especially mama bears!
We returned to Taggart Lake Trail and explored around the lakes for a while longer before heading back.
Moose Ponds Trail:
Moose ponds trail was super easy and equally as beautiful. It’s a 3 mile loop, and for part of the hike you have views of Jenny Lake. Obviously look out for moose on this trail- but we didn’t see any. We took our time on this trail, and found a spot to eat lunch in the wooded area.
Sights:
A lot of the beauty at Grand Teton National Park can be found steps away from your car. If you’re wanting to stop and see some landmarks and beautiful views without the hike, here are the sights we loved the most!
Mormon Row Barn:
Chances are you’ve seen this barn in photos, movies, or history books. Mormon Row’s barn is a really cool sight to see, and there’s information you can read about the history while you’re there.
My kids really enjoyed looking through the windows of each building, while I sat and watched these cute little prairie dogs pop up!
Schwabachers Landing Trail:
This is a 2 mile trail, but all of the popular views are within the first half mile if that’s what you’re looking for. This spot is known for its mountain reflections on the ponds, making it a great spot for sunrise, and a perfect photo opportunity.
Snake River Overlook:
Made famous by the photo Ansel Adams took, this view is still just as beautiful. This is really a stop you should see as you’re passing by, as there’s not hiking trails or anything around.
Swimming:
I’m a sucker for swimming in beautifully clear mountain lakes, and I was not disappointed with our options on this trip. Some might think we’re crazy for wanting to swim in some of the coldest waters, but it’s something my family really loves. There’s just something about taking a dip in ice cold water, surrounded by an amazing landscape. Also, it kept the kids busy and entertained as they swam, played in the water, dried off for a while, and repeated that almost all day.
String Lake:
String lake is a sandy, shallow lake perfect for swimming with kids. You can park right next to this lake at the picnic area, making this spot a pretty popular area. We swam here one day, and planned to go find a more secluded place to swim the next day.
Our (sort of) secret beach on String Lake:
The next day we started hiking at the Leigh Lake Trailhead planning to find a spot on the shoreline we could have to ourselves.
To our surprise, we only hiked (on a clear, flat path) for about half a mile before we found our spot. On the left side of the path there was a little clearing of trees, making a beach the perfect size for a family. There was a patch of sand great for sunbathing that led right up to the lake.
We spent most of our day at our new secret beach. The water was freezing (even in July) but worth getting in and swimming. With goggles on, we could see clearly underwater. This whole lake is pretty shallow, so it was nice not having to worry about the kids swimming out pretty far.
The shore isn’t as sandy here as it is in the more crowded area. You might want water shoes or sandals since it’s a bit more rocky near the shore.
Now it’s time for the most beautiful thing you’ll ever see…
So this spot is technically right outside of the National Park itself, but it’s worth the drive if you want to see the most beautiful sunrise scene you’ll ever see. Maybe it’s the childhood horse-girl in me and I’m biased, but this spot actually brought tears to my eyes. Watch this little clip below to get an idea.
It’s called Triangle X Ranch. It’s a horse ranch you can actually stay at and ride horses through the mountains if you’re interested. We didn’t do that, we drove to the horse field before the sun was up, and watched them herd the horses at 6 am. Every morning, the cowboys come and herd all of the horses (and there’s a loooot of horses) to get them to the other side of the street to begin their day.
You might be thinking “You want me to go watch horses get herded…?”
YES. Just trust me. The sun rises and shines right on the mountains behind the horse field, making it look like a beautiful western movie. When the herding starts, you can stand right on the fence line and the horses will run right by you.
My kids loved it so much we watched it happen two mornings in a row.
How to get there:
If you’re coming from Moran on highway 191, Triangle X will be on your left, but you’ll pull off to the right in the little pullout spot. If you’re coming from Moose, it’s the opposite. Triangle X will be on your right, but you’ll pull off to the left, directly across from the ranch.
When you arrive, you can walk along the fence line and wait for the herding to begin. They begin to herd soon after the sun rises, which was 6-6:30am when I was there in July.
I hope you found a few ideas in this post worthy of adding to your itinerary! I will always remember going to Grand Teton National Park with the kids as one of our best trips ever, and I hope you get to do the same.
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