Grand Teton Self-Guided Driving Tour

Welcome to the Grand Teton Tour

Discover one of America’s most awe-inspiring national parks at Grand Teton with this self-guided driving tour. These impressive sawtooth mountains conceal all sorts of hidden treasures, from deep glacial lakes to historic homesteads. Drive through beautiful mountain passes, dig into the storied past of this mountain range, and go on hikes you’ll never forget. Plus, get to know the local wildlife on a real-life elk refuge on this Grand Teton tour!

About the tour

Your Grand Teton tour begins at the Jackson Hole Visitor Center, with everything you need to start your journey. From there, you’ll head toward Teton Village while you learn about the unusual history of the Jackson Hole and the formation of the Tetons themselves. Your drive will take you through the Laurence S. Rockefeller Preserve—and yes, it’s named after those Rockefellers!

One of the first landmarks you’ll see is the Chapel of the Transfiguration, a relic of a bygone era. After that is Taggart Lake Trail, a splendid hike that loops around a pristine glacial lake, then it’s on to the Teton Glacier turnout, where you’ll get a spectacular look at the park’s largest and most impressive glacier.

After that, you’ll see the shores of Jenny Lake, one of the clearest lakes in the whole country. If you’d like, you’ll have the option to take a ferry across the lake to a lovely overlook.

Next, you’ll see Mount Moran, rising a staggering 6,000 feet above the lake at its base. Then you’ll cross over the Jackson Lake Dam, which gives you a great look at just how big that mountain really is!

If you’re planning on sticking around overnight, you’ll be particularly interested in the next stop: Colter Bay. Home to hundreds of campsites, this is one of the premier spots to camp in Grand Teton National Park. Past that, you’ll find Cattleman’s Bridge, a remnant of the days when ranchers grazed cattle in these mountains. Then you’ll reach Oxbow Bend, one of the best overlooks in the whole park. Don’t forget to snap some photos here!

As you cross the Pacific Creek, you’ll enter the Teton Wilderness, officially the most remote place in the contiguous US. Here you’ll find Snake River Overlook, where one of the most famous photographs of all time was taken.

Looking for more glaciers? You’ll find them up next at Glacier View Turnout. Finally, you’ll arrive at the National Elk Refuge, home to the biggest herd of elk on earth. Your tour concludes here.

Starting Address: Jackson Hole Visitor Center

Reverse Tour: Grand Teton National Park Sign, Moran, WY 83013

2022 Road Update

One of the park’s main entrances is currently closed for maintenance on weekdays. If you’re visiting on Saturday or Sunday, you don’t have to worry about it! Just take a left out of the Visitor Center parking lot. If, however, you’re here on a weekday, turn right and follow the detour route. Don’t worry, we’ll still get you into the park!