Grand Teton and Yellowstone Tips and Tricks! 2021
While on my solo travels through Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone, I picked up some information I want to share with you. These tips and tricks should help make your experience even more fulfilling.
Passes
The first thing you need to get is a National Park Pass. I highly recommend getting one before going to any National Park; it will save you time and money!
This pass costs $80 for one year and allows you to enter all parks for free. Most parks will be either 25 or 40 dollars to enter, valid for seven days if you don't have a pass. You can buy it at the specific National Park, the National Park Service’s website, or REI.
Campgrounds/Hostels I Stayed at or Went To:
**Note all campgrounds registration must be done on https://www.recreation.gov/
Cache House — a hostel in Jackson Hole, Wy
Jenny Lake — Grand Teton National Park, Wy
Gros Ventre Campground — outside Grand Teton National Park
Colter Bay Campground — another campground, but I only went here to take a hot shower and do my wash
Rental:
Dodge Durango, the cheapest rental company in Utah- Rugged Rental
Hikes:
Grand Teton National Park
Taggart Lake Loop- is 3.8 miles round trip. You can make this hike longer by adding in Bradley Lake Loop, which is 6 miles.
Phelps Lake- is a moderate 6.4 miles around. You can extend this by adding Aspen Ridge or Boulder Ridge trails.
Hidden Falls Inspiration Point Via South Jenny Lake Loop Trail- is a 5.7-mile roundtrip hike.
Cascade Canyon Trail- is 9.1 miles out and back.
Yellowstone National Park
Mud Volcano- is a 0.6-mile (1 km) loop trail of boardwalks and pavement.
Artist Point- is 2 miles long with a 50-foot elevation change.
Lower Falls Viewpoint- is .25 miles hike.
Grand Prismatic Springs- is 0.8 miles hike.
Things to See and Do:
Grand Teton National Park
Jenny Lake Ferry -Located at the base of Mount Teewinot, This ferry provides shuttle services across Jenny Lake. You can use the boat to get to trailheads like Cascade Canyon, Hidden Falls, or Inspiration Point. Or take the Ferry back instead of hiking the 2 miles each way.
J. P. Cunningham Cabin - The Cunningham Cabin stands as one of the valley’s few remaining structures from the homesteading era when settlers filed nearly 400 claims in Jackson Hole.
T.A. Moulton Barn - is an iconic structure at Jackson Hole.
Jackson Dam Overlook - Jackson Lake is a 400-foot-deep natural lake with a dam added on top.
Grand Teton Loop- This loop comprises two main roads. The "Inner Road" (Teton Park Road) runs along Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake. The "Outer Road" (Highway 191/89/26) follows the Snake River, another popular place to camp if you have a higher clearance vehicle. It gives you epic views of the mountains. The whole loop is closed part of the year due to the snow. During the winter, the Inner Loop Road is closed. Typically, this road is open from May 1st to October 31st.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone Lake - Situated at 7,733 feet above sea level, Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-elevation lake in North America. It is roughly 20 miles (32.2 km) long and 14 miles wide, with 141 miles of shoreline.
Hayden Valley - This was once an ancient lake, but Hayden Valley is now a wildlife paradise and the location of the largest rut of free-roaming bison in the world.
Old Faithful - This is one of the most, if not the most popular, geysers in the first National Park. Discovered in 1870 by the Washburn Expedition, Old Faithful was named for its frequent, consistent eruptions.
Places to Eat at Grand Teton:
Dornan’s Pizza and Pasta Company- known for their beers and pizza!
Teton Village - is home to great shopping, dining and engaging cultural options.
At first, solo traveling through the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone can feel overwhelming. But having a good idea of what you’re interested in, where to go, and what to do can make everything much easier and less stressful. Hopefully, these tips and tricks will help give you an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life.