Grand Teton National Park
When we plan our trips, we choose key places we want to visit and then try to decide how we can see the most with the time that we have. #1 on our list this year was Grand Teton National Park!
This was our second summer planning an RV vacation. Last year we had a great experience with Cruise America so we opted to use them again- they have locations all over the US. TheΒ first stop this year was going to be Grand Teton National Park, followed by Yellowstone National Park. I found that the closest Cruise America RV location was in Rexburg, Idaho,Β which was about 25 minutes outside Idaho Falls Regional Airport.
Once we picked up the RV it was about 2 hours to get to Grand Teton. We entered through Jackson Hole, WY (more about this later, LOVED Jackson Hole).Β
**TIP- Teton Backcountry Rentals right in Jackson Hole has bear spray that you can rent! It’s a little cheaper to rent especially when you know you can’t take it on an airplane. Check out their website for additional pick up and drop off locations. We absolutely recommend spray although you probably wont use it but it’s better to be looking at it than looking for it! FYI These parks are in the heart of Bear Country.**
Immediately upon entering Grand Teton you are welcomed with breathtaking views. We were staying in the only full hookup RV campground in the park – Colter Bay RV Park, so after entering the park, we stayed on North Park Road (Highway 89/126/191) all the way to the campground. Be sure to stop at some of the lookouts along the way!
We highly Recommend: Mormon Row Historic District, Teton Point Turnout, Snake River Overlook, Elks Ranch Flats Turnout and Oxbow Bend. Although we didnβt see any wildlife at any of these spots (many people do)- the views are pretty incredible!
We had no complaints about Colter Bay RV Park – we stayed for 3 nights and really enjoyed it. There is a restaurant on site, as well as a convenience store, laundry, showers and a gift shop.
If you do plan on camping in the park- reservations fill up fast so be sure to book early. Reservations for Colter Bay open 6 months in advance.
Day 1
On our first full day we headed to Jenny Lake. This is a very popular location in the park so we suggest getting there early- (when we left after the hike the parking lot was full and people had to park along the road pretty far down).Β
While driving there we spotted a moose calf nursing on mom in a small river off the road! 
That made our day and it wasn’t even 8 AM! We started the hike around Jenny Lake (stay left at the first lake lookout) and started to make our way to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. (There is a boat shuttle that can take you across the lake that cuts off about 2 miles of hiking each way. From the boat, the trail to hidden falls is about 1/2 mile and to inspiration point is about 1 mile). There are no reservations as the boats run continuously throughout the day.
The views of the lake are spectacular pretty much the whole way. There were always people around although it never felt crowded on the trail. Most of the viewpoints did have a decent amount of people at them but thatβs to be expected.
From Hidden Falls, it’s about half a mile to Inspiration Point. Right before you get to Inspiration point, the final part is the steepest and does include some narrow sections. We never felt unsafe, but if you have a fear of heights this section may make you nervous.
After Inspiration point we headed towards String Lake. This part of the trail has basically no shade for at least 2 miles. This trail was much less crowded than the Jenny Lake Loop- it was very peaceful. This is not a very difficult trail and once you get about 2 miles around the lake, it is pretty flat.
String Lake
When we started approaching the picnic area we started to see a lot of people hanging out at the little beaches along the lake. Everyone was swimming, kayaking, etc. It looked like a lot of fun- so if you had time another day, It would be nice to park at the String Lake picnic area and hang out there along the lake.
We did eat lunch at the Picnic area and refilled our waters (so nice to have these around!). When we left there, we had about 4 miles until we wereΒ back at the Jenny Lake Trailhead. Luckily, it was mostly flat and you are walking close to the lake so the views are awesome!
Overall this was about 12.5 miles.Β
Jenny Lake Loop: 7.5 milesΒ
Jackson HoleString Lake Loop: 3.8 miles
After we finished we headed back into Jackson Hole. There are so many restaurants and cool shops – you could definitely spend a few hours walking around.Β
Make sure to head to Moo’s Gourmet Ice Cream and try their Huckleberry Ice Cream- SO GOOD!Β
Day 2
I read that the Lakeshore Trail from Colter Bay was a really beautiful hike. Since we were staying at Colter Bay, it was nice to get up and not have to drive somewhere right away.
This did end up being beautiful but getting there was a challenge. Not because of difficulty, the trail was actually very well maintained and it was pretty flat the whole way, but the MOSQUITOS!Β
Lakeshore Trail
Bug Spray is a must on this trail but don’tΒ let that scare you – once you get to the lake there are stunning views of the mountains.Β
After the Lakeshore Trail we drove up to Signal Mountain via Signal Mountain Summit Road. The road is about 5 miles long – itΒ climbs about 800 ft and at the top are panoramic views of the Teton Range, Jackson Hole, and Jackson Lake.
It takes about 20 minutes to get to the top. The road is very windy and narrow, for that reason trailers and RV’s are not permitted.
We then headed to Jackson Lake Lodge to check it out. There were some nice shops inside and some nice looking restaurants. The one lounge restaurant has outdoor seating and you face the Teton Mountains so we knew we would be heading back there around dinner time. (Blue Heron)Β
We asked a nice lady working at the lodge for her recommendation on a hike in the area. She recommended Grand View Point. She talked about how nice the trail was, how pretty the views were and how it’s not usually very busy.. so no brainer-we wereΒ headed there!Β The parking area was this very little unmarked parking area about 1 mile up the road from Jackson Lake Lodge. There were 2 other cars in the lot at the time – such a difference from the other trailheads we’ve been to!Β
From the parking lot we saw the sign that said “Grand View Point” so off we went. The first mile was very flat. We didn’t see anybody and it was very heavily wooded. I thought for sure we’d be walking into a bear (spoiler- we didn’t).
Grand View Point
After the first mile the trail continued right and we started walking on the tiny trail that looked like it hadn’t been walked on in months! It was very narrow, the mosquitos were insane and it just didn’t seem right. we ALMOST turned around at one point. We finally got out of the heavily wooded area and it said .9 miles to the top. This .9 was all uphill. There were switchbacks that felt like they were never ending… we finally made it to the to the top and the women was right.. the views were amazing.On one side you were overlooking Emma Matilda Lake and Two Ocean Lake and on the other side was an awesome view of Jackson Lake.
There was a sign at the top that showed Jackson Lake Lodge was 3 miles “further”. From looking at an all trails map we figured out that if we continue on the trail instead of going back the way we came, it would bring us back to the parking lot.
While we started to descend we figured out that THIS must be the trail the lady recommended. We were greeted with beautiful wildflowers and a lovely view of the mountains. Sure enough it brought us back to the parking lot, just on the opposite side.Β
This ended up being one of our favorite hikes of the whole trip, it was about a 4.2 mile loop.Β
Jackson Lake Lodge – Blue Heron Lounge
Afterwards we headed back to Jackson Lake Lodge. We ate at the Blue Heron Lounge for a much needed beverage and dinner.
This was our final night in Grand Teton. The next morning we headed to Yellowstone!
