No matter what time of year, Grand Teton National Park is perfectly picturesque. But in fall the park is particularly a magical time with its colorful fall foliage, snow-capped peaks, and its abundance of wildlife. Read below to discover more about Grand Teton National Park in the fall and start planning your mountain getaway today!
Idyllic landscape
The Teton Range is host to a large population of deciduous trees that turn yellow, red, and orange along the steep and rugged slopes of the Tetons. From aspen groves along the park’s wavering hillside filled with vibrant yellows to the cottonwoods that line the banks of the Snake River with shades of yellow and red, plus various other shrubs and ferns that offer colorful ground coverage during fall there are plenty of reasons to love Grand Teton National Park in the fall.
Note: The best time to see the fall colors in Grand Teton National Park is between early September through mid-October.
Hiking
Discover the beauty of fall on foot with the various hiking trails in the park. Plan a visit to Jenny Lake or Jackson Lake for beautiful fall reflections. Swift Creek is one hike that provides a pallet of colors during the fall but one of the best parts about this hike is the chance to soak in the Granite Hot Springs post-hike.
Biking
Another great way to see the pageant of fall colors is by biking. A 20-mile scenic stretch that is found within the borders of the park offers front row seats to the colorful show of the Tetons in the fall. A 12-mile stretch between Moose Junction and the shores of Jenny Lake offers one of the best scenes in the park and a particularly spectacular show in the fall.
Abundance of wildlife
While any time of year you are bound to encounter some form of wildlife in Grand Teton National Park, fall is especially a good time of year to view wildlife as they are more active. During the fall, bears are out foraging for winter hibernation, elk enter their mating season and begin the mystic dance of the rut, and bull moose are also known to spar, creating quite the show!
Ride the aerial tram
Gain a unique perspective of Grand Teton National Park in the fall with a ride on the aerial tram. The view from the tram offers a distinct vantage point to see Yellowstone National Park, Snow King Mountain, and the Gros Venture mountain Range running across the valley.
Clash of the seasons
Fall and winter collide in the Grand Teton National Park when the first snow lands on the peaks and leaves a light dusting atop the colorful leaves that have made their presence. It can often be the most picture-perfect moment to see this clash of the seasons and is often a favorite to photograph. While the first snowfall is unpredictable, it typically happens around late October into early November.
Stay at the Pony Express Motel
Experience the best of the Grand Teton National Park in the fall with a stay at the Pony Express Motel in Jackson Hole, WY. We are a short 15-minute drive to the Grand Teton National Park and five minutes from downtown Jackson Hole. Browse our accommodations and book your stay with us for your next mountain getaway!