Grand Teton National Park

The Teton Range erupts from the flat valley floor of Jackson Hole without foothills, a jagged wall of granite peaks reflected in a string of lakes below. Grand Teton is the most dramatic skyline in the American Rockies, a landscape of moose and bison in the sage, alpine trails and the reflections that draw photographers.

Background

The park covers approximately 310,000 acres, taking in the main peaks of the 40-mile-long Teton Range and most of the northern part of Jackson Hole. It was established in 1929 to protect the major summits, and in 1950 most of the land of Jackson Hole National Monument, set aside in 1943, was added. Grand Teton itself reaches 13,775 feet, more than 7,000 feet above the valley floor. Jackson Lake is 15 miles long, a dozen small glaciers survive near the highest peaks, and some of the rocks are nearly 2.7 billion years old. People have been in the region for at least 11,000 years.

Source: Wikipedia, "Grand Teton National Park"

What's there

• The Teton skyline - the jagged peaks rising sheer above the valley.
• Jenny and Jackson Lakes - the lakes mirroring the mountains.
• Wildlife in the valley - moose, elk, bison and bears in the sage and willows.
• Mormon Row - the old barns framed against the peaks, a classic photograph.

When to go

Summer for full access, trails and wildlife; September for the elk rut, golden aspens and fewer crowds. Winter is deep and snowbound, with skiing at nearby Jackson Hole.

Things to know

It sits beside Yellowstone, so many rush through, but it rewards time on its trails and lakes. Wildlife is genuinely wild, so keep a safe distance from moose and bears. Summer is busy and lodging books far ahead in Jackson.

Nearby

Yellowstone adjoins to the north; the town of Jackson and its ski resort are just south.

Key facts