If you’re planning a family-friendly trip to Grand Teton National Park, there are lots of places to get tips. And one of those helpful places is Reddit forums. Reddit advice comes from other families who have experience traveling to Grand Teton. They can give you real-world tips for your own trip.
When you’re looking at Reddit advice, look at when it was posted. Often, you can get very recent advice from families who have just been where you’re headed.
So here’s advice on how to plan the perfect family road trip – in this case, to one of the most beautiful spaces in the entire United States.
Advice From Reddit Travelers for Planning a Family-Friendly Trip to Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park can sometimes be overshadowed by nearby Yellowstone. But there’s lots to do at this scenic national park, and there are plenty of kid- and family-friendly activities. Most people spend about 2-3 days at Grand Teton, and then spend several more days at Yellowstone.
There’s lots of Reddit advice for kid-friendly hikes in Grand Teton. There are also visitor centers, museums, and other nearby attractions in case you have a rainy day or need a break from outdoor activities.
Several Redditors mentioned that Grand Teton has bears, moose, and other wild animals. Be sure to keep kids close, and don’t let them run ahead on trails. It’s always a good idea to practice the “Rule of Thumb.” Extend your thumb in front of you, over the animal you see. If any part of the animal sticks out around your thumb, you’re too close.
Some Reddit writers advised carrying bear spray. They said that instead of buying it, you can rent it for less money. It’s a better option if you’re flying home, since you can’t bring it on the plane. If you’re staying at a hotel, you can also ask if they have any – sometimes people will turn theirs in before flying home.
Check the weather before you head to Grand Teton. The area gets lots of snow (it’s why nearby Jackson, Wyoming is such a winter ski destination!) If you want to spend a lot of time outdoors with kids, the snow can be a challenge. For that reason, late June through early September is the best time to visit the park with kids. You’ll have warmer weather for hiking, fishing, boating, swimming (although the water will still be cold!), and other outdoor activities. There are also Junior Ranger programs throughout the summer, with storytimes, nature walks, and other activities for kids.
Best Family-Friendly Activities in Grand Teton National Park
Here are some of the family-friendly activities that Reddit users recommend at Grand Teton National Park.
Best Hikes
There are a few kid-friendly hikes you can do in the park. Redditors recommended the following:
- Bradley Lake Trail – This is a more challenging trail at 5.2 miles and 649 feet of elevation gain, but it’s suitable for older kids. Consider doing the hike counter-clockwise to get the best views of the mountains. This hike is especially scenic in the fall.
- String Lake Trail to Leigh Lake Trailhead – This is a very short, flat trail that’s less than a mile long. It’s a pretty spot with picnic tables near the Leigh Lake Trailhead. It’s a great option to let toddlers and preschoolers stretch their legs and enjoy the view without being strenuous. You can also swim in String Lake, although it’s very cold!
- Lunch Tree Hill Trail – This is a half-mile-long trail that overlooks Willow Flats and Jackson Lake. Willow Flats is a popular area for moose, so keep an eye out for them from your overlook.
- Inspiration Point via Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle – The hike around Jenny Lake is more than 7 miles long. You can shorten it, and take a fun boat ride, by using the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle. This particular hike is just 1.8 miles out and back, but it does include 419 feet of elevation gain. It’s doable for kids, especially those used to hiking, although younger children may need lots of breaks for water and snacks.
- Taggart Lake Loop – A 3.8-mile trail with views of the Tetons reflected in the scenic lake. This is one of the most popular hikes at the park. It’s considered an easy trail, with 423 feet of elevation gain.
Kids activities
If you’re looking for activities beyond hiking, Redditors have recommendations for other exciting outdoor activities, along with some indoor spots to explore on a rainy day or when everyone just needs to slow down.
- The National Museum of Wildlife Art – This museum has a Children’s Discovery Gallery where kids can draw in the Artist’s Studio, play in the Puppet Theater, and grab some materials to help kids explore and understand the museum better. There is an outdoor sculpture garden trail that’s 3/4 of a mile long. The whole family can also see local artists’ paintings and drawings of wildlife, along with animal art from around the world.
- Teton Scenic Float Tours – Float along the Snake River in Jackson Hole for a unique view of the mountains and scenery in the area. Guides add to the experience by explaining geological features in the area, and by helping to spot wildlife as you head down the river.
- Wildlife Viewing – If you’re hoping to spot animals on your trip, there are a few spots in the park to stop. Willow Flats, String Lake, Moose Pond, and Gros Ventre Road from the campground to the roundabout are good places to view moose at Grand Teton National Park.
- Teton Raptor Center – There are presentations throughout the year at the raptor center, where you can learn about raptors and their importance in the Yellowstone area (which includes Grand Teton). You’ll see the birds, learn how those at the center are working to keep them safe and healthy, and learn what you can do to preserve an environment where these birds of prey can survive and thrive.
- Jackson Hole Rodeo – From Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend, Jackson Hole has a rodeo every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evening. The rodeo has events for the whole family, including bareback riding, bull riding, barrel racing, mini bull riding, and more. It’s a great way to experience the vibrant Wild West culture that still flourishes in Wyoming today.
- Boating on Jackson Lake – There are several places along Jackson Lake where you can rent paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, or motorboats and enjoy a day on the lake with your family.
What Activities to Avoid
Although there’s a lot to do at Grand Teton, the park’s rugged nature, deep lakes, and towering mountains mean not every activity is suitable for every family. Some activities have age restrictions. Others may simply be difficult for children. Also, take into account your own family and their preferences and abilities. Just because an activity is suitable for the ages of your group doesn’t necessarily mean it’s suitable for everyone in your particular party. Individual abilities, experience, and personal preference are all important to take into account when planning activities at the park.
Here are a few activities you may want to avoid on a family-friendly trip to Grand Teton:
Strenuous Hikes
- The Delta Lake Trail is a kind of unofficial trail that is not maintained. It involves boulder scrambling and navigational skills to get to the destination.
- Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes Trail is just over 10 miles long and has a 3,000-foot elevation gain. It’s challenging for adults, and could be very hard for children.
- Lake Solitude via Cascade Canyon Trail is almost 14 miles long and has over 2,000 feet of elevation gain. It’s a hard hike for small children.
Other Outdoor Activities
- Horseback Riding often has a minimum age limit of 8 years old. A long family ride may not be an option if you have younger kids. However, if you have younger children, look for pony rides, which are available in places like Jackson Lake Lodge for children under 8.
- Whitewater Rafting also usually has a minimum age limit. Some outfitters allow kids 6 and older to participate, while others require children to be 8, especially on more intense trips. Scenic float trips are an alternative for younger children, and sometimes allow kids aged 3 and up.
- Fly Fishing often has an age limit if you’re going with a guide. Some outfitters require children to be 6 and up to head out in a group with adults. Other outfitters have special classes just for younger kids.
Where to Stay in an Area that is Family Friendly
There are a few areas to stay with family near Grand Teton. You can camp at Grand Teton National Park itself. Many of these campgrounds require reservations ahead of time. This is your best option if you want to be right inside the park, and don’t want to worry about long drive times to get to your activities.
Jackson is the nearest town to Grand Teton, and has a variety of options for camping and lodging. Several campgrounds in town offer upscale amenities, so you can stay at an RV resort, rather than a bare-bones campground. Jackson is also known as a resort town, and many of the places to stay are on the expensive side. However, if you’re looking for cheaper camping, there are options for dispersed camping throughout the Bridger-Teton National Forest. In fact, this area is a great destination dupe for Grand Teton and you can see a lot of similar scenery and do similar activities as you can inside the park.
Dubois is about an hour from the park and is a small town with a Wild West feel. The town has hotels, cabins, campgrounds, and ranch houses where you can stay. The Dubois KOA is a family-friendly option, with an indoor pool, gem sluicing, mini golf, and more.
Victor, Idaho is also about an hour’s drive from Grand Teton. It has campgrounds ranging from primitive to all-inclusive, and also has hotels and cabins.
RV camping in Grand Teton National Park
Staying inside the park is the most convenient option for a family-friendly trip to Grand Teton. There are several campgrounds inside the park, and there are even some RV campgrounds with hookups. All of the campgrounds in the park accept reservations, and it’s a good idea to make them as soon as you know your plans.
- Gros Ventre Campground has electric hookups and a dump station. It’s suitable for RVs up to 45 feet long.
- Colter Bay Campground has electric hookups, a dump station, pay showers, and laundry nearby. It’s suitable for RVs up to 45 feet long.
- Colter Bay RV Park has full hookups, pull-through sites, pay showers, and laundry nearby. Colter Bay Village has a visitor center, restaurants, stores, and a marina.
- Headwaters Campground and RV Park has full hookups and pull-through sites, along with showers. It’s suitable for RVs up to 45 feet long.
- Signal Mountain Campground has electric hookups, a dump station, pay showers, and laundry nearby. It’s suitable for RVs up to 30 feet long.
- Lizard Creek Campground has sites for tents or RVs. There are no hookups, and it’s suitable for RVs up to 30 feet long.
- Jenny Lake Campground is for tents only, and there are paid showers nearby.
- Colter Bay Tent Village has platform tents, and there are pay showers and laundry nearby.
If you don’t have your own RV, consider renting one from RVshare. There are lots of options near Grand Teton National Park, and some owners will deliver your rental to the park and set it up for an extra fee.
Taking a family-friendly trip to Grand Teton National Park is a great way to make family memories together! There’s so much to do at the park, and there are activities for all ages. If you need more tips for RV camping with kids, be sure to check out our Guide to RV Travel With Young Kids. Also, check out the advice other Redditors gave to families RVing to Yellowstone if you plan to visit that park on the same trip. It can take some thought and planning, but it’s so worth it to get out and explore the world with your family!
