Seven Thousand Feet of Granite Rising Straight from the Valley Floor

This 42-mile loop through Grand Teton National Park is one of the most visually staggering drives in the American West, circling beneath a wall of peaks that rise nearly 7,000 feet from the valley floor with no foothills to soften the blow. Starting from Moose Junction, the inner leg follows Teton Park Road north along the base of the Teton Range, passing glacial lakes, wildflower meadows, and the iconic Cathedral Group — the trio of Grand Teton, Mount Owen, and Teewinot that inspired Ansel Adams and generations of photographers since. At Jackson Lake Junction the route turns south on US-89/191, the outer leg, which runs through broad sagebrush flats offering panoramic views of the entire range from a distance, with turnouts at Snake River Overlook and Teton Point that frame the mountains in full grandeur. Moose, bison, elk, and pronghorn are routine sightings along the way, and the park's roughly 700 grizzly bears are a reminder that this landscape remains deeply wild.

Key Stops

Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center (Moose) Begin at the park's main visitor centre near Moose Junction, open May through October. Interactive exhibits explain the geology behind the Teton fault — the mountains are still rising while the valley floor drops — and a large-format park film sets the scene. Pick up maps, check road conditions, and get bear safety information. Rangers are available for trail recommendations and wildlife sighting updates.

Teton Glacier Turnout Heading north on Teton Park Road, this pullout offers a clear view of the Teton Glacier clinging to the east face of Grand Teton — one of ten named glaciers in the range, all shrinking measurably with each passing decade. On a clear morning, the ice catches the light against dark metamorphic rock nearly three billion years old. Timbered Island, an oasis of evergreens amid sagebrush, sits in the foreground and is a favourite feeding spot for elk at dawn.

Jenny Lake The jewel of the park. This glacially carved lake sits at the foot of Cascade Canyon, its cerulean waters reflecting the Cathedral Group on still mornings. A shuttle boat (adults $20 round trip, running every 10–15 minutes from mid-May to late September) crosses the lake to trails leading to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. The 7.1-mile lakeshore trail is an alternative for hikers. String Lake, connected to Jenny Lake's north end, offers warmer swimming and an easy 3.5-mile loop trail through calypso orchid habitat.

Cathedral Group Turnout Just off the one-way scenic road at North Jenny Lake Junction, this is arguably the single most dramatic viewpoint in the park. Grand Teton (13,775 feet), Mount Owen, and Teewinot rise so abruptly from the valley that they appear to have erupted from the earth — their granite spires echoing the symmetry of a Gothic cathedral. The Teton fault, one of the most active in North America, is responsible for this sheer vertical drama.

Signal Mountain Summit Turn east onto Signal Mountain Road for a 5-mile climb to a summit roughly 1,000 feet above the valley floor. The Jackson Point Overlook, half a mile below the top, is where photographer William Henry Jackson captured his famous 1878 image of Mount Moran reflected in Jackson Lake. From the summit, views extend north to Yellowstone, east across the Snake River to the Gros Ventre Range, and west to the full sweep of the Tetons. The road is typically open late May to November 1.

Oxbow Bend Just east of Jackson Lake Junction on US-89, this slow-moving meander of the Snake River is the park's premier wildlife viewing and reflection photography spot. Arrive at dawn for mirror-still water reflecting Mount Moran's flat summit. Moose wade the shallows, beavers and otters work the banks, and pelicans, great blue herons, and bald eagles fish the pools. Grizzly bears are frequently spotted in the surrounding willows, particularly in spring and autumn.

Snake River Overlook Perched atop a glacial moraine on US-89/191, this is the viewpoint Ansel Adams made famous with his 1942 photograph of the Snake River winding toward the Tetons — an image that later travelled aboard the Voyager spacecraft as a representation of Earth. The serpentine river, lined with cottonwoods and willows, stretches across the valley below. Nearby Hedricks Pond is a nesting site for rare trumpeter swans.

Teton Point Turnout Six miles north of Moose Junction on US-89, this overlook presents the full Teton Range spread across the horizon. Look across the sagebrush flats for bison herds and pronghorn. Interpretive signs explain the three distinct geological terraces visible from this spot and note that during the last ice age, glacial ice filled this valley to a depth three-quarters of a mile above where you stand.

Mormon Row Historic District A short detour east on Antelope Flats Road leads to the T.A. Moulton Barn and John Moulton Barn — among the most photographed structures in America. These 1910s-era homestead buildings stand against the full Teton Range in a composition that defines the frontier West. Bison and pronghorn graze the surrounding flats. Free to visit; best at sunrise.

Menor's Ferry Historic Site Near Moose Junction, this preserved homestead dates to 1894 and includes a replica of the cable ferry that once crossed the Snake River. More significantly, it was at this site in 1923 that a pivotal meeting of conservationists planted the seed for Grand Teton National Park's creation.

Driving Tips

• Teton Park Road season: The inner road (Taggart Lake Trailhead to Signal Mountain Lodge) is closed November 1 through late April. US-89/191 is open year-round. Check conditions at (307) 739-3614 before visiting.
• Wildlife on roads: Speed limits range from 25 to 55 mph; a 45-mph nighttime limit applies on US-89/191. Animals — especially moose and bison — routinely cross roads at dawn and dusk. Slow down and never approach wildlife on foot (100 yards minimum from bears and wolves, 25 yards from all other animals).
• Bear safety: Both grizzly and black bears are active throughout the park. Carry bear spray in an accessible holster and store all food in vehicles with windows closed or in bear-proof containers at campsites.
• Fuel: Available at Signal Mountain Lodge, Colter Bay Village, and Headwaters Lodge at Flagg Ranch. No fuel at Moose or Jenny Lake.
• Cycling: Teton Park Road is popular with cyclists. In April, the road is car-free and snow-cleared — a local favourite. The paved Multi-Use Pathway runs from Moose to Jenny Lake. Cyclists must pay the park entrance fee.
• Cell service: Reliable only south of Colter Bay (Verizon/T-Mobile). Download offline maps before entering the park.
• EV charging: Level 2 chargers available at Signal Mountain Lodge; Jackson, WY has 60+ charging stations.
• For more information visit: Grand Teton National Park (NPS)