Great Western Road Trip: The Best of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming

Beautiful, lush scenery. Towering mountains rising above pristine lakes. Hidden waterfalls. Grand Teton National Park in northwestern Wyoming is truly a monument to natural beauty. The Grand Tetons are located just south of Yellowstone National Park and the entrance fee for one will provide you with access to both.

The Grand Tetons is really a park of contrasts in perfect harmony. The park lies along the flat valley of Jackson Hole. With very few hills to obstruct the view, the Grand Teton mountain range rises straight up out of the landscape. In the valley are thick forests and green plains; on the Teton mountain tops are jagged peaks and blankets of snow. It's hard to find a more perfect combination of mountains and valleys.

Within Grand Teton National Park, there are plenty of recreational activities. The most adventurous can have their try at reaching the peak of any of the mountains in the Teton Mountain range, but most will probably want to spend some time along the park's many lakes and rivers. Whatever you do in the park, you're always provided with a great view of the spectacular Grand Tetons.

Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park has several marinas for larger boats and even allows waterskiing and windsurfing. Many of the smaller lakes permit kayaks, canoes, and rowboats. Fishing is permitted (with a license) throughout the park. A popular and enjoyable adventure can be had floating down the Snake River that runs through the park. String Lake is one of the best spots for swimming and there's a great waterhole just where String Lake connects with Jenny Lake.

There are plenty of wonderful hiking opportunities throughout Grand Teton National Park. The short loops around Swan Lake provide some excellent natural scenery. A very short hike from Jackson Lake Lodge will take you to the top of Lunch Tree Hill, a very relaxing and peaceful spot with a great panoramic view of the Grand Tetons. The longer several-mile hike from String Lake around the backside of Jenny Lake is and incredibly pleasant walk through forests, along streams, and at the edge of Jenny Lake. It also provides great wildlife viewing opportunities (we saw a bald eagle and a yellow-bellied marmot, while others told us they saw a young deer near the trail).

Whether you take the String Lake trail or the boat across Jenny Lake, you won't want to miss your chance to see the Hidden Falls. In all our journeys across the west and out of all the many and famous waterfalls we've had the opportunity to see, none of them were as spectacular as the Hidden Falls. The Hidden Falls is nestled between two jutting tree-covered ridges of rock and are a series of long drops and shorter cascades that the rushing water flows down. Though the half-mile from the Jenny Lake dock to the Hidden Falls can be a steep hike, it's not worth missing on a trip to the Grand Tetons.

But, if you absolutely don't want to hike or take part in any water activities at Grand Teton National Park, you can still see plenty from your car. Take the scenic route from Jackson Lake to the south end of the park and you'll be sure to catch some great views. The Signal Mountain Summit Road takes you up 800 feet above the valley for a great overlook of the surrounding area. Finally, the Oxbow Bend turnout is a very short detour that takes you by some great wildlife viewing areas.

Grand Teton National Park has the standard complement of hotel-style lodges, tent and RV campsites, and backcountry hiking and camping. However, with the popularity of both the Tetons and Yellowstone, campsites fill quickly and you'll want to reserve one early if you'll be there during the busy season. If you can afford it, you can even stay just south of the park in the celebrity retreat town of Jackson, Wyoming.

Whatever your recreational interests are, I can tell you that the Grand Tetons are probably the single most beautiful mountain range in the contiguous United States. If all you have time for is a quick drive through, it'll be worth every minute.