Kendra Leah Fuller | Author & Freelance Writer
Destination Relaxation: Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks
Towering more than a mile above the valley of Jackson Hole, the Grand Teton rises to 13,770 feet. Twelve Teton peaks reach above 12,000 feet and support a dozen mountain glaciers. This nature lover's paradise is home to many species of wildlife and birds. Visitors who take the time to hike the mountain trails will discover the many hidden attributes of the park. With over 200 miles of mountain trails, these excursions range from easy, brief hikes to strenuous backcountry day trips.
Hikers should be aware of the rapidly changing weather conditions and pack gear accordingly. Surprise snowstorms can occur September through June and afternoon rain showers during the summer months are a common occurence.
One popular trail in the park takes the hiker to Hidden Falls (left) via a moderate, mostly flat two-mile hike around the south end of Jenny Lake. From there the trail climbs steeply for about a mile to the mouth of Cascade Canyon. Then the route flattens and once again offers easier hiking for the next several miles. Park for this trip at the Jenny Lake Ranger Station on the east side of the lake. If you prefer, a boat shuttle carries hikers across the lake every 15 minutes from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, dropping you within a half mile of Hidden Falls.
Click Here for an excellent listing of area trails, difficulty, length and suggested gear. The 2 mile Colter Bay Nature Trail is a relaxing walk providing beautiful views and the chance to see various wildlife including these trumpeter swans.
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Yellowstone National Park is just a short drive away and no trip would be complete without a visit to Old Faithful (right) and Yellowstone Falls (left). Old Faithful was named for its regularity. On average it erupts every hour, lasting from two to five minutes. The grand eruptions vary between 110 and 180 feet - that's 11 to 18 stories tall. The Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls plunge over 400 feet to the flooor of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This is truly a magnificent site, one you won't want to miss. There is so much more to see and do in Yellowstone, that you'll want to set aside a whole day for a scenic driving trip through the park. Plan to stop frequently to take pictures or wait for wildlife to cross the road! |
 Old Faithful's intervals between eruptions vary from 30 to 120 minutes, averaging pretty close to an hour. |
More To Do in Grand Teton National Park
Snake River Raft Ride
Enjoy a gentle ride down the Snake River past some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States. Keep your eyes open for moose, elk and other wildlife. Bird life abounds with eagles, hawks, storks, herons, and migratory birds flying alongside the raft. The water of the Snake River are so clear, you�ll see trout swimming below! For the more adventurous at heart, head down to Jackson and take a White Water Rafting trip through the canyons!
Reservations & Info
Horseback Riding For a feel of the real West, try a guided horseback rides of varying duration through Grand Teton National Park. Breakfast, dinner and wagon rides are also available. Reservations, Rates & Info |
Golf & Tennis Golf & Tennis Round out your vacation at Wyoming�s top-ranked course � the Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club. Reservations, Rates & Info |
Jackson Lake Cruises Enjoy a breakfast of lake trout, scrambled eggs, flapjacks and more, cooked over a campfire in this beautiful setting. Choose from a narrated scenic cruise, a breakfast cruise, or an evening cookout on Elk Island in the middle of Jackson Lake. Rates & Information |
Guided Fishing Tours Home to Cutthroat, Brown and many Lake Trout, a guided fishing trip on Jackson Lake is an experience of a lifetime! Experienced guides can also take you fly fishing on Snake River. Rates & Information |
Where to Stay
Whether you're looking for the luxurious or the rustice, there are many different places to stay in the park that will suit every style. A personal favorite is Jackson Lake lodge due to the wonderful accomodations, fine dining, reasonable rates and convenient location to Yellowstone National Park.
View from the lobby of the Grand Tetons and Jackson Lake
The upper lobby features 60 foot picture windows framing the Teton Mountain range as well as a collection of Native American artifacts and Western art.
Jackson Lake Lodge is situated on a bluff with spectacular views across the water of Jackson Lake to the skyline of the Tetons. There are 348 guest cottage rooms located on either side of the lodge as well as 37 guest rooms in the main lodge building. Meals are memorable in the Mural Room with its Rocky Mountain cuisine and breathtaking panoramic Teton views, open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Pioneer Grill offers counter service of light meals, snacks and soda fountain treats, open daily from 6:00 am to 10:30 pm. The Blue Heron Cocktail Lounge features live entertainment, your favorite beverage and snack along with spectacular views. Hint: After dinner let the kids explore the marsh are below the lodge, they�ll delight in watching the beavers go about their business and so will you! Guest facilities include gift and apparel shops, a large heated outdoor swimming pool, horseback riding, scenic Snake River float trips, lake cruises on Jackson Lake, bus tours of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, lake and river fishing, a service station and a medical clinic.
Reservations & Rates
Jenny Lake Lodge
This small, rustically elegant retreat sits quietly tucked amongst fragrant pines in the shadow of the Tetons. Situated at the base of the Tetons, Jenny Lake Lodge has provided a unique experience to travelers since the 1920s as well as the finest in service. The 37 Old Western style historic cabins that make up Jenny Lake Lodge are beautifully appointed with down comforters, hand made quilts, no televisions or radios, with telephones upon request. The view of the mountains from the main lodge is spectacular with hiking trails and three lakes within easy walking distance.
Reservations & Rates
Nightly rates at this 4 diamond, 4 star property include breakfast, dinner (pre-fix 5 course), horseback riding, and bicycling.
Colter Bay Village
Tucked along the shores of Jackson Lake, the Colter Bay Village is just that, a whole village. Accommodations range from cabins to an RV park. Cabins do not have televisions, radios or telephones.
There are two restaurants, launderette and showers, a grocery store, gift and apparel shops, corrals, service station and a full service marina.
Rates & Reservations
Recently renovated, the Snake River Lodge & Spa is Jackson Hole�s only full-service ski-in hotel. The Lodge boasts 88 beautifully appointed guest rooms, as well as 40 luxury condominiums. The Lodge is located in Teton Village, at the base of the Jackson Hole Ski Resort, and enjoys spectacular views of the Gros Ventre Mountain Range.
The property also features a 17,000 square foot Avanyu Spa, complete with spectacular indoor/outdoor pool, hot tubs, sauna, treatment rooms, private men�s and women�s floors and an extensive range of fitness and exercise equipment.
Reservations & Rates
Snake River Lodge & Spa
Come back to reality refreshed and relaxed with many wonderful memories to savor for years to come.