There are so many places to see and visit in the Grand Teton National Park that it is hard to hit them all in a single vacation. Taking a Grand Teton Tour is a great way to see the best places in the park in a short amount of time. With a guide, you’ll have a better opportunity to spot wildlife and learn about the interesting features of this great national park.
Grand Teton tours run both summer and winter. Here are some of the tour options available.
National Elk Refuge
The refuge is actually located just outside Grand Teton National Park, near the town of Jackson. However, it is a must see on your visit to Jackson Hole. It was created in 1912 to protect the elk habitat and provide a sanctuary for the large elk herds that came, and still do come, to this region. In winter, it is home to over 7000 elk. In addition to elk, there’s a wide variety of animals including bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, trumpeter swan, bald eagles and coyotes.
Antelope Flats
Many of the Grand Teton National Park tours go to Antelope Flats which is between the towns of Kelly and Moose. It is an interesting place to visit because of the historic buildings, the incredible views of the Teton Range, and the herds of bison that reside there.
It is also known as Mormon Row, because Mormon homesteaders came here in the 1890s from Idaho, creating a total of 27 homesteads. The Mormons settled into clustered communities which were very different in comparison to the isolated homesteads more typical of the west at the time. The Mormon Row Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the late 1990s.
The Shane Cabins
These cabins are original homestead structures. This is an opportunity to step back and take in a little western history. Seeing the cabins gives you a feel for how life must’ve been for the original homesteaders in the west. These cabins were named after the 1953 motion picture Shane, which was filmed on location here.
Moose-Wilson Road
This road is an 8-mile scenic drive between Moose and Teton Village. This area offers some of the best wildlife viewing in the park, due to marsh lands and dense vegetation. Grand Teton tour guides are very helpful in helping guests to spot animals.
Jenny Lake
If you were only going to see one place when you visit Jackson Hole, it should be Jenny Lake. It is a geological wonder that was formed over 10,000 years ago by the glaciers that pushed rocks carving out Cascade Canyon which eventually formed a deep moraine where Jenny Lake resides today. There are plenty of hiking trails and a scenic ferry that crosses the lake to the entrance to Cascade Canyon.
Oxbow Bend
Oxbow Bend is recognized as one of the most beautiful locations in Grand Teton National Park. It is set along with Snake River that is perfect for picture taking and spotting wildlife. Many bald eagles are found in this area. Oxbow Bend offers one of the best sunsets you will find anywhere.
Summary
Grand Teton is a majestic national park with thousands of square miles of terrain to explore. Come join us on a Grand Teton tour and let us help you get the most out of your national park experience.