Nestled in the ruggedly beautiful landscape of western Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park is often viewed as an adventurer’s playground. A place with epic hikes, adventures and incredible landscape views. But you don’t need to be an extreme adventure junkie to immerse yourself in the beauty of its snow-capped peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and abundant wildlife. And we can’t think of another National Park that is full of more soft adventures than Grand Teton National Park. So we’ve put together a list of 10 soft adventures in Grand Teton National Park to make your trip as enjoyable as possible!
WHAT IS A SOFT ADVENTURE?
First, let’s talk about what a soft adventure is. Are you new to this term or phrase? If so, that’s ok. Let us enlighten you!
The term or phrase “soft adventure” may mean something slightly different to everyone. But the way we’ve defined it for ourselves, is hikes that are suitable for most people (typically less than 4-5 miles), kayaking or paddle boarding, hikes and activities that are dog-friendly so we can bring Junior, and scenic drives, overlooks and viewpoints. And if there is a brewery, winery, distillery or delicious restaurant to be enjoyed post soft adventure, even better! You probably won’t find us skydiving, bungee jumping, bouldering, or rock climbing. Not to say we’d never, but they’re just not our preference.
For you it may be different. Maybe it’s going to a theme park, or sunbathing at the beach or pool, or going for a picnic. At the end of the day, a soft adventure is just that, soft. Let us know down in the comments below what your ideal favorite soft adventure activity is!
MAP OF SOFT ADVENTURE LOCATIONS
LIST OF 10 SOFT ADVENTURES IN GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK
We mentioned above that Grand Teton National Park is one of, if not the best soft adventure National Park in the U.S., but why is that? When we look for places rich in soft adventures, we really try to find places that check off as many of the soft adventures boxes as possible. And in the case of Grand Teton, the only thing missing is dog-friendly activities. Which is largely to be expected at any National Park. But we’re not here to focus on that, so let’s get in to these 10 soft adventures in Grand Teton National Park!
DRIVE THE GRAND TETON SCENIC DRIVE
Let’s start off this list with one of THE most soft adventure activities: scenic driving! Prior to visiting Grand Teton, we very much expecting many of the best views to only be accessible by hikes, or driving up in to high elevations. Oh were we wrong! The 42-mile scenic drive around and through Grand Teton National Park, is one of the best scenic drives we’ve ever driven. Along the drive, you’ll find a number of different viewpoints and overlooks, with what we think are THE BEST views in the park. And some are just outside of the park boundaries, so no entrance fee needed to visit them! And most require very little effort to see. It doesn’t get much more soft adventure than that.
You’ll want to plan out a full day for the drive, as you’ll likely want to stop at a few of the overlooks. And if you’re lucky, you may even find some wildlife roaming freely. We’ll get more in to the specific overlooks we’d recommend stopping at below, as well as the wildlife viewing. But trust us, make this scenic drive a priority for your visit.
EXPLORE THE MORMON ROW DISTRICT AT SUNRISE
When you visualize what you think Wyoming, big sky and farm country look like, Mormon Row probably fits the bill. This area of Grand Teton National Park is a historic settlement that holds significant cultural and architectural importance.
Originally settled by Mormon pioneers in the late 1800s and early 1900s, this iconic area is known for its well-preserved homesteads and barns. One of the most famous structures on Mormon Row is the Moulton Barns, which have become an iconic symbol of the park, frequently photographed against the backdrop of the majestic Teton Range. This historic sites provide visitors with a glimpse into the past, offering a unique opportunity to connect with the pioneering spirit that shaped the region’s history and contributed to the preservation of the American West. And one of the best things about this area, is that it is technically located just outside of the National Park, so you do not need to pay an entrance fee to visit.
Our recommendation would be to visit Mormon Row at sunrise. The weather can be unpredictable, but if you can visit on a morning with a largely clear and sunny sky, you will be treated to some incredible views!
SUNRISE AT SCHWABACHER LANDING
Are you ready for one of THE best views in the park? We mentioned this above in the scenic drive section, but there are quite a few different viewpoints and overlooks in and around the park. What makes Schwabacher Landing so special, is its location along the Snake River that runs through the park. Just off of the main scenic highway, is a short road, parking lot and hiking trail. But on a clear day, you can get some incredible glass-like reflection views off of the Snake River of the Teton Mountains. Stopping here off the scenic drive, can take as little time as a few minutes, or if you decide to hike some of the trail, 30 minutes. Either way, it’s an incredible soft adventure with an amazing payoff.
This is one of the viewpoints that is located outside the park boundaries, so no fee required to visit. Our recommendation is to visit this spot just after the sun has risen you you can get the sunlight mountains in the reflection.
SUNRISE AT OXBOW BEND
Similar to Schwabacher Landing, Oxbow Bend is known for being one of the other spots to get incredible reflection views of the Teton Mountains. This viewpoint is even easier to access than Schwabacher, as there is literally a pullout and parking lot right at the viewpoint. Park, step out, and enjoy the view. And similar to Schwabacher, we’d recommend visiting this location at or around sunrise to get the best views.
Unlike the previous two locations, Oxbow Bend is located inside the park boundaries, so there will be an entry fee required to visit. You can get more info on the entrance fees on the Grand Teton National Park website.
HIKE TO LEIGH LAKE
Just before visiting Grand Teton National Park, Katy had a large rock fall on one of her feet, leading to a black and blue toe. And while we were already looking for soft adventure activities, this unfortunate injury lead to us having no choice but to do activities that wouldn’t worsen her injury. And Leigh Lake was a perfect hike for such an occasion.
The Leigh Lake Trail is technically 7mi / 11km long if you want to do the entire hike, but that doesn’t sound very soft adventury. So we opted to simply hike to the lake and back which ended up being just under 3mi / 4.8km. The trail is almost entirely flat, and unless you’re visiting in the winter or late spring, kept up well and easy to hike. And the views not only at Leigh Lake itself, but the connecting waterway between it and String Lake are absolutely beautiful. So if you’re looking for a fun and easy hike with some lake and mountain views, Leigh Lake is the perfect option.
HIKE TO TAGGART LAKE
Similar to Leigh Lake, Taggart Lake is another great hike that can be a soft adventure, or if you choose to extend, can be a bit more of a medium or moderate adventure. The looped trail is just under 4mi / 6.4km, but if you simply hike to the lake and back, and get you just over 3mi / 4.8km. The trail crosses over the Taggart Creek, which in the spring time can be flowing quite heavily, and is absolutely beautiful. And again, similar to Leigh Lake, the views at the lake, with the Teton Mountains in the background, is absolutely breathtaking.
EXPLORE JENNY LAKE
Jenny Lake, a sparkling gem, is one of the most iconic and popular lakes in Grand Teton National Park. Surrounded by towering mountains and lush forests, the lake’s crystal-clear waters mirror the awe-inspiring Teton Range, creating a picturesque setting that seems almost surreal. The lake is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a myriad of activities such as hiking the scenic loop that leads to nearby waterfalls and hidden gems, kayaking or canoeing on its peaceful waters, or simply basking in the serenity of its shores.
To get to the lake, you simply need to drive the Jenny Lake Road which leads to a parking lot with direct access to the lake. From here, you can choose your own adventure, and make it as soft, moderate or difficult as you want. As you can imagine, with a bum toe, we opted to park, enjoy the incredible views, and walk some of the Jenny Lake Looped Trail. Should you want to increase your adventure level, the looped trail around the lake is roughly 7.2mi / 11.6km long. No matter what you decide, you cannot go wrong.
HIKE AROUND JACKSON LAKE
Jackson Lake is an expansive glacial lake in Grand Teton National Park, and is one of the largest lakes in the state. Stretching more than 15 miles, the lake not only offers more mirror-like views, but also a plethora of hiking trails, short and long, that wrap around the lake. So whether you’re looking for a short and easy adventure, or something a little more challenging, there are a ton of options.
Our recommendation would be to start at the Signal Mountain Lodge. From here, you’ll find a small gift shop and cafe to get your morning coffee or breakfast fix, the South Landing Trail which runs along the shores of Jackson Lake, as well as the the Trapper Grill if you’re looking for a place to enjoy a nice dinner with incredible views.
WILDLIFE VIEWING
Grand Teton National Park is known for being a safe haven for wildlife. But never did we expect to see the amount of wildlife, and the different types of wildlife that we did. From bison, coyotes, and moose, to bald eagles, grey owls and more. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot a family of bears or wolves (disclaimer below).
As incredible as it is to witness all this wildlife, roaming freely, it is an eye opening experience that makes realize just how much the homes and lands of these beautiful animals have been taken over by humans. Leaving them few places where they can live and roam freely. And thankfully, Grand Teton is one of those places.
Along the scenic drive, you can absolutely expect to see bison roaming all over the park, and maybe even some coyote. In the early morning hours of the day, you might catch a moose feeding near a riverbed. But animals like bears, wolves, owls and eagles take some level of luck and patience to witness. So our recommendation, if you see a long line of cars parked along the side of the road… pull over and see what it’s about. You will undoubtedly find a bunch of wildlife photographers with their massive cameras and lenses sitting patiently as they try to capture that perfect shot.
DISCLAIMER
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, DO NOT walk up to any wildlife. Do not be one of those people who ends up in a viral video on social media or the news for trying to capture a selfie, photo or video of an animal up close. These are wild animals, and you are in their home. So please adhere to the guidelines and recommendations of the National Park Service, and keep proper distance from them. And particularly in places like this which are bear country, you will want to make sure you are hiking and exploring safely, with the proper protection and gear to keep yourself and the wildlife safe.
If you are unsure what you should have, or what you should do, check out the Grand Teton National Park website for more info!
RELAX AND ENJOY A CRAFT BEVERAGE OR MEAL IN JACKSON
Just outside of Grand Teton National Park, on the southern end of the Jackson Hole Valley, is the town of Jackson Wyoming. Here you’ll find shops, restaurants, breweries, distilleries and more. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a day or hiking or exploring, with a delicious beverage or meal. Whether you drink alcohol, or prefer something else, there is absolutely something to enjoy in Jackson. And if you come with your own grub, maybe enjoy a picnic in the Town Square Park. No matter what tickles your fancy, the town of Jackson is a place you should absolutely visit and spend some time exploring.
If you are someone who enjoys a good beer, glass of wine, or something a bit stronger, we’d recommend checking out Road House Brewery, StillWorks Brewery, Snake River Brewing, or Jackson Hole Still Works. You can’t go wrong!
TINGGLY EXPERIENCES
Looking to do something more fun, or unique? If you aren’t familiar with Tinggly, they are a company based on gifting experiences over stuff. Helicopter tours, sunset cruises, horseback riding, ATV tours, and so so much more. So for that next birthday, or gift-giving holiday, instead of gifting stuff, give the gift of an experience. Memories that will last forever. Click on the banner to check them out, or read our full review of Tinggly HERE.
HARVEST HOST
Do you have a RV or a camper? Then Harvest Hosts is easily the best $100 spent. Harvest Host is a network of over 2,500 locations around the U.S., Canada and Mexico that allow you to stay at overnight at no additional cost*. The best part? These locations are wineries, breweries, distilleries, farms, museums and more! Imagine opening the door to your camper or RV to morning views over a vineyard. Or sipping delicious beer at a local brewery. This is the life you could be living. So if you aren’t already a member, trust us, click on the banner and sign up!
*It is highly recommended and encouraged to spend at least $20 when staying at a winery, brewery, or distillery to help support the business
LEAVE NO TRACE & 10 HIKING ESSENTIALS
So many of the places listed above are full of unique landscapes and fragile environments, both for plant life, and animals alike. So it is incredibly important to practice the 7 Principles Of Leave No Trace, and follow the posted signage and guidelines of the area. If you aren’t familiar with Leave No Trace, here’s a breakdown:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impact
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
There are additional and more in-depth details of what each of these means on the LNT website, so make sure to take a look at that!
Similarly, because of how volatile the weather conditions can be, and the sometimes lack of cell-phone service, it is important to explore with the 10 Essentials of Hiking. Even if you aren’t necessarily hiking. If you aren’t familiar, here’s a breakdown:
- NAVIGATION – maps, guides, compass, GPS locator
- HEADLAMP – flashlight and extra batteries or charger
- SUN PROTECTION – body sunscreen, lip sunscreen, and clothing protection
- FIRST AID – including animal and bug repellents
- KNIFE – as well as knife repair kit
- FIRE – matches, lighter, tinder and striker
- SHELTER – tent, cover, or anything to protect and cover you
- FOOD – snacks and extra meal
- WATER – more than the minimum recommended amount
- CLOTHES – enough to handle night-time elements
Interested in knowing what gear we use for all our adventures? Check out our Rock Porch lockers which list all of the gear we use, and where to shop it!
10 SOFT ADVENTURES IN GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK
Scenic drives, viewpoints with breathtaking mountain views, epic hiking trails, paddle boarding, kayaking or canoeing, Grand Teton National Park is full of soft adventures. So no matter what type of adventures you prefer, we’re confident this park has something for you. We hope this list of 10 soft adventures in Grand Teton National Park has given you some inspiration, and reason to visit this very special park.
Let us know what you thought of this list, if we missed anything, and if you plan on visiting one of these epic places at some point, down below in our comments!
And if you’re looking for some additional soft adventure inspiration, check out some of our other articles:
- 10 OF THE MOST EPIC U.S. SOFT ADVENTURES
- ULTIMATE GUIDE TO GLACIER NATIONAL PARK IN MONTANA
- ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK
- ULTIMATE OREGON ROAD TRIP ITINERARY
- ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK
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Thanks for stopping by!
Ryan & Katy
