Teton: Hiking Trails, Wildlife, and Culture

Explore Teton through a range of themes: the landscapes of the Teton Range, hiking and cycling trails, wildlife viewing, and places rich in history. To help plan your trip, start with a simple question: Would you mainly like to spend time outdoors, or also make time for museums, art, and culture? The destinations and activities below offer concrete ideas for both.

Landscapes and Trails

Grand Teton National Park is located in Teton County, Wyoming. At Jenny Lake, hikers can walk around the lake and hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Another option is the shuttle boat service; you can also bring your own boat or rent a canoe or kayak. Boat services are seasonal and may change, so it’s worth checking the schedule and availability before your visit. Seasonal conditions should be taken into account when hiking on trails by the lake.

Different routes suit different time budgets. An easy one-mile loop leads from the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center to the historic Murie Ranch; trail conditions may vary. A paved, multi-use pathway runs from the town of Jackson to South Jenny Lake and is 20.5 miles one way. This is a very different distance and type of route from the short loop: one figure describes a round trip, while the other gives the one-way length of a connection. Some sections of the multi-use pathway are subject to seasonal closures.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort offers another hiking option, with trails accessible from the base of Teton Village or by gondola. Gondola access and summer operations are seasonal. In winter, the resort is a skiing and snowboarding area with more than 2,500 acres of skiable terrain. These experiences differ both by season and by type of activity.

Wildlife and Nature Experiences

Wildlife viewing is the main activity at the National Elk Refuge. Refuge Road is the official entrance to the protected area; road conditions may vary. A five-mile section of a multi-use pathway also runs through the refuge, stretching from the area north of the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center on Flat Creek to the Gros Ventre River. Check connections and possible closures locally.

Art offers another way to explore the theme of wildlife. Founded in 1987, the National Museum of Wildlife Art houses more than 5,000 works of art depicting animals from around the world. The museum also has a three-quarter-mile Sculpture Trail that climbs a sagebrush-covered hillside. The artworks in the galleries and the outdoor trail offer different ways to engage with the theme of wildlife.

A ride on the Snow King Gondola climbs nearly 1,600 feet and offers views of the Grand Tetons, the National Elk Refuge, and Jackson. The Signal Mountain Summit Road offers a different kind of view. It leads to panoramic vistas, but runs along steep, narrow, winding roads and is suitable only for small vehicles and drivers who can safely navigate them. Keep this restriction in mind when deciding whether to take the drive.

Historic Sites and Culture

At Mormon Row, you can take in the landscape and its architectural history together: the T. A. Moulton Barn is a frequently photographed sight against the backdrop of the Teton Range. The Mormon Row Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. The Menor’s Ferry Historic District was also added to the Register, in 2011. The Menor’s Ferry Trail, less than half a mile long, leads to Bill Menor’s historic cabin and general store, as well as a replica of the ferry that crossed the Snake River around the turn of the 20th century. Access may vary with seasonal conditions.

Murie Ranch offers another historic connection: it was once home to Olaus and Mardy Murie, two influential figures in the American conservation movement. The easy, one-mile loop to the ranch starts at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. The route’s length and the historic significance of its destination make this walk a different kind of outing from the longer connections between Jackson and South Jenny Lake.

The History Jackson Hole campus includes two exhibition galleries, an archive center, historic cabins, and an outdoor program area. The Museum Mural presents the Shoshone language, Newe Daygwap. The campus is also home to a historic log cabin associated with the classic Western Shane, which was filmed in Jackson Hole. These different stops offer points of interest for visitors curious about the area’s history and culture.

The Indigenous Arts and Cultural Demonstration Program shares Indigenous culture through demonstrations of painting, weaving, pottery, beadwork, and musical instruments; participating artists vary. Public performances and talks take place at the Colter Bay Amphitheater, seasonally and depending on the program. In Jackson, the Center for the Arts presents live music and performing arts every week at the Center Theater. It also offers visual art exhibitions and classes; exhibitions on campus can be seen both indoors and outdoors.

Winter and Local Life in Jackson

Winter activities in Jackson include skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and night skiing at Snow King. At each corner of Town Square, officially George Washington Memorial Park, stand arches made of elk antlers from the nearby Elk Refuge. In winter, there is also an ice-skating rink. In summer, the Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum leads walking tours of Jackson. Seasonal differences mean that nature, activities, and local history come together in different ways depending on when you visit.

Explore more destinations: Jackson, Teton Village, Wilson, Alta, Moran, Weston County, Big Horn, Campbell.

View the main travel guide: Wyoming.