Summer Day Trip to Grand Teton National Park

If you’re staying in Teton Valley Idaho this summer and need some itinerary ideas, we’ve got what you need. How about a day trip from Teton Valley to Grand Teton National Park? (With a little bit of fun in Jackson Hole, too!)

Grand Teton National Park Itinerary

Morning: Start with an early breakfast at Butter in Victor. They are open daily at 8 a.m. and you can either eat there, or order ahead through their website for breakfast to go.

*Pro Tip: Once you’re in Grand Teton, options for lunch are slim pickings, so do what the locals do: Take your lunch with you! After your breakfast at Butter, walk 2 blocks down the street to Victor Valley Market where you can order freshly-made sandwiches or burritos to go. Head to the back of the store to the deli counter to place and pick up your order. Grab some chips, fruit, water, and treats while there and you’ve got lunch taken care of!

Drive to Grand Teton: After you’ve got your food situation handled, jump in your car for the 1-hour drive to Grand Teton National Park (GTNP). This is a beautiful drive, so be sure to have your camera ready and watch for moose, deer, eagles, bear and stunning mountain views along the way. Also, be sure to stop at the peak of the Teton Pass for a classic photo with the iconic “Yonder Lies Jackson Hole” sign.

Driving directions from Victor, Idaho to Grand Teton National Park:

1. Take Hwy 33 toward Wyoming where it will turn into WY-22 as you go over the pass.
2. Continue driving through the town of Wilson, then take a left toward Teton Village on Moose-Wilson Road.
3. Stay on this road, passing Teton Village and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on your left, until you come to the Granite Canyon Entrance of GTNP. You’ll need to show your park pass or pay for entrance here.
4. Continue driving along Moose-Wilson Road. It’s a twisty road through deep forest and next to the mountains, but worth the drive. Bear and moose are often spotted here, so stay aware as you’re driving.
5. When you come to the end of Moose-Wilson Road, take a left on Teton Park Road and you’ll be at the Moose Entrance. You can show your pass here and continue into the park.

*Pro Tip: If you need to visit the facilities or stretch your legs, turn right and go to the visitor’s center just a block over.

Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Once you enter the park, there are a number of parking areas with trailheads where you can enjoy the scenery or take a hike into the mountains. You can stop at the Taggert Lake Trail for a quick hike, or proceed to the Jenny Lake Visitors Center. There you’ll find lots of parking, the visitors center, trails, and Jenny Lake Boating.

This is a great place for lunch, hiking, and if you have the time, you can take a scenic boat tour as well. Jenny Lake Boating operates from mid-May to late September, depending on the weather. Be sure to check their website for details.

Wrapping Up the Day

The afternoon is winding down and it’s time to start back. Drive back the same way you came into the park, taking Moose-Wilson Road back, BUT stopping at Teton Village. Here’s where you can have the ultimate Jackson Hole experience. These are a good number of restaurants you can visit for dinner, depending on your tastes. Some we recommend include:

1. Mangy Moose
2. Corsa
3. Steadfire Chophouse
4. Spur Restaurant
5. Teton Thai

After dinner, it’s time to head back to your vacation rental home in Teton Valley to relax, revisit the day’s adventures, and congratulate yourself on a day-trip done well.

The best rental homes near Grand Teton National Park

The best experience starts with a great home base, so when you plan your trip to visit Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, or Teton Valley, be sure to check out our website to see the beautiful vacation rentals we offer.

We have a wide range of more than 100 vacation rentals around the valley, giving you access to all that the Teton Valley and Jackson Hole, Wyoming region have to offer. We’re within an hour drive to Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park. And it’s a easy day trip to visit Yellowstone from here, too.

The best way to make your trip unforgettable is to set up your own home base with the privacy and amenities you want, creating an excellent place to call home for your stay. So be sure to check our website to find exactly what you need and book soon as we expect the rodeo weekends to fill up fast. Questions? We’re here to help at 208-354-3431.