Off The Beaten Path: Hidden Gems in Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park should be on everyone's bucket list. With 310,000 acres of majestic mountains and incredible landscapes and lakes, there's a little bit of everything for everyone to enjoy. The awe-inspiring views will leave you breathless at the beauty and wonder of nature.

Getting to Grand Teton

A lot of people fly into Salt Lake City, Utah and rent a vehicle to make the 4 1/2 hour drive to Grand Teton. The drive goes through Utah, Idaho, and finally Wyoming. The Salt Lake City airport is the closest one for an inexpensive option. The other option, which is typically more expensive, as it is smaller, is Jackson Hole Airport. It's 4.5 miles away from Grand Teton and about a 10 minute drive from Jackson.

Hotels/Lodging

Inside the park there is Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge, and Signal Mountain Lodge. Outside the park, in nearby Jackson, there are plenty of hotels to choose from.

The Hidden Gems of Grand Teton

·      Hidden Falls

Easily accessible via a 4.9 mile loop with beautiful views of Jenny Lake or via a boat shuttle for a 0.5 mile excursion to a secluded waterfall tucked away in the mountains. This trail is a remarkable way to see the sights Grand Teton has to offer and experience the tranquility of nature without committing to more lengthier hikes. Kid-friendly, family friendly. Highly underrated, this path will take you through the pine-scented woods while listening to the birds singing. The ideal way to connect with nature.

Hike Hidden Falls and be rewarded with this beautiful waterfall waiting at the end. The sound of rushing water and bird song creates a relaxed atmosphere that everybody will enjoy.

·      Lunch Tree Hill

A beautiful panoramic half mile trail with stunning views of the Teton Range located directly behind Jackson Lake Lodge. This historical path is named because of a lunch President Franklin D. Roosevelt had there in 1937, which influenced him into establishing the area as a national park. This easily accessible idyllic hike is perfect for everyone looking for an awe-inspiring moment and reflection of the beauty of nature. Educational and informative signs are stationed throughout.

A slight incline to the top of Lunch Tree Hill leads to this gorgeous panoramic view well worth every visitor’s time.

·      Signal Mountain

Well worth a trip, this scenic 5 mile paved road (also accessible via a 6.8 mile roundtrip hike) leads to breathtaking panoramic views of Jackson Lake, Snake River, Teton Range, and the valley. A humbling experience, this is good for all ages and perfect for nature photography. Head to the top for a unique yet stunning perspective and don’t forget to stop at Jackson Point Overlook on the way back down for more exhilarating landscape views.

A 10 minute drive up Signal Mountain leads to this stunning 360 view of the valley.

Jackson Point Overlook can also be found on Signal Mountain.

·      String Lake

This lesser known gem is perfect for families. Located in between Jenny Lake and Leigh Lake with its crystal-clear water and mountain backdrop, String Lake is a wonderful place to go swimming in its calm water while also enjoying the spectacular scenery. Take some photos and bring a picnic along. Also an ideal spot for kayaking and paddle-boarding, this place has a little of everything with its nearby String Lake Trailhead, a 3.7 mile hiking path winding around the lake for a serene experience.

String Lake warms faster than other alpine lakes making it an ideal spot for water activities. Its magnificence really captures the spirit of the Teton mountains.

Also, it is important to include the need to carry bear spray. Be bear aware! Black bears and grizzly bears live inside the park. Bear spray is easily accessible, plentiful and can be bought or rented both inside and outside the park. If purchased, note that it cannot be taken on the plane, instead it can be donated. These donations go to the park rangers. There are places inside Grand Teton to donate, The Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center for one. Conviently, The National Elk Refuge Visitor Center, located 5 minutes away from the park in Jackson, also accepts bear spray donations. It is along the way to downtown Jackson.