Grand Teton National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the U.S. The park’s towering mountain peaks, glittering alpine lakes, and abundance of wildlife make it a big draw for people from all over the world. But the park’s popularity can make it difficult to enjoy its natural beauty without crowds and high costs. If you’re looking for an experience with fewer tourists, budget-friendly options, pet-friendly trails, family-friendly hikes, or rugged outdoor adventures, these five destination dupes are excellent alternatives.
Crowd-Free Alternative: Wind River Range, WY
The Wind River Range covers more than 100 miles from north to south. This Wyoming range is part of the Rocky Mountains – just as the Teton Range in Grand Teton National Park is part of the Rockies. The Bridger-Teton National Forest and the Shoshone National Forest are both part of the Wind River Range as well, promising some amazing views.
The highest peak in the Wind River Range is Gannett Peak at 13,804 feet. You’ll find glaciers, alpine lakes, and more than 40 mountain peaks that tower above 13,000 feet. Make sure to check out the Cirque of the Towers, an alpine valley in a semi-circle of granite peaks. There’s a backpacking loop that’s between 25-45 miles long, depending on the route you want to take. You can also take a shorter day hike from the Big Sandy Trailhead to Big Sandy Lake, or hike a shorter section of the trail.
The best time to visit the Wind River Range is from July to mid-September. Hiking trails in the park are mostly free from snow by that point, so you should be able to go hiking and backpacking. However, snow is possible at any time of year, including the middle of summer. You’ll also want to watch for thunder or lightning when hiking – plan hikes for earlier in the day and keep an eye on weather reports. August and September tend to have fewer mosquitoes and fewer summer storms.
Several smaller highways off I-80 can take you into the Wind River Range including Highway 372 or Highway 287/789. If you want a shorter road trip, you can fly into Jackson Hole Airport and rent an RV nearby to drive to the area.
If you want to camp in the area, you’ll find lots of campgrounds in Jackson, Wyoming.
Why It’s a Great Alternative
- offers soaring mountain peaks, alpine lakes, and beautiful backcountry hikes
- considerably fewer visitors than the 3.6 million people who went to Grand Teton National Park in 2024
- a remote, secluded experience
- visitors can still enjoy hiking, climbing, fishing, whitewater rafting, and the other outdoor activities you can experience at Grand Teton
Selection Methodology
- selected a place with views and geological features similar to Grand Teton
- analyzed traveler reviews and saw that many of them emphasized the solitude and fewer crowds in this region
Budget-Friendly Alternative: Sawtooth Mountains, ID
The Sawtooth Mountains are in the Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho and are part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Unlike a national park, the Sawtooth Mountains don’t have an entrance fee, and there are lots of options for cheap campgrounds. You can even find some free dispersed camping options in the area.
You’ll find gorgeous mountain peaks jutting into the sky, sparkling lakes, and pine tree forests. You can watch for wildlife, and go hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and camping in the area.
Also, check out El Capitan – a 9,901-foot mountain in the Sawtooth Range. Experienced hikers can summit the mountain, or you can admire it from across Alice Lake where you’ll see the mountain reflected in the crystal clear water. The hike to Alice Lake is a strenuous one that will take you all day, or you can make it part of a longer backpacking trek on the Alice-Toxaway Loop.
The best time to visit the Sawtooth Mountains is during the summer, from June through September. There may still be lots of snow on the higher mountain trails until mid-July. If you’ll be at high elevations, you may want to wait until late July or August.
You can access the area via the stunning Sawtooth Scenic Byway, where you’ll get amazing views of the mountains and wilderness. Nearby towns include Stanley and Ketchum, where you can find restaurants, supplies, and campgrounds. The Friedman Memorial Airport serves Sun Valley and is about 65 miles south of the Sawtooth Mountains. If you want a shorter drive, you could fly here and rent an RV in Ketchum or another nearby city to use.
Why It’s a Great Alternative
- soaring mountain peaks similar to those you’ll see at Grand Teton National Park
- no expensive park entrance fees or costly lodging
- same kinds of opportunities for camping, backpacking, hiking, fishing, and other outdoor recreation
Selection Methodology
- researched entrance fees, nearby accommodations, and travel expenses
- evaluated how easy it is for budget travelers to access the Sawtooth Mountains, looking at access to nearby major cities and road trip routes
- compared landscapes to see if scenery and geological features were similar
Pet-Friendly Alternative: Bridger-Teton National Forest, WY
Many national parks including Grand Teton only allow pets in developed campgrounds, picnic areas, and on roads where cars are allowed. They are not allowed on hiking trails or beaches and are not allowed to swim in the water, although they are allowed to be on boats on Jackson Lake.
If you’re looking for an alternative to Grand Teton National Park that allows a lot more freedom for your pet, consider the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming. Pets in this national forest are allowed on trails and in the backcountry. You’ll need to clean up after your pet, and use extra caution during hunting season from September to December. You’ll also want to watch for animal traps, which are legal in the forest.
The forest is 3.4 million acres, making it one of the largest national forests in the US. It’s next to Grand Teton National Park, so you’ll get a lot of the same scenery and activities, but outside of park boundaries. A variety of wildlife lives in the area including elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and grizzlies.
You can also go rafting through the Snake River Canyon in this national forest. Rafting allows you to look for bald eagles, osprey, and other wildlife in the canyon.
The best time to visit the forest is in summer when the snowpack is gone and you can camp, hike, fish, and raft. However, there is lots to do in the winter as well, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
The forest is easily accessible by car, and there are lots of RV campgrounds available nearby. You may want to make campground reservations during the peak summer season. The area is less busy than the national park, but it can still attract lots of campers. Jackson, Alpine, and Afton, Wyoming are all nearby towns where you can find supplies, restaurants, and other campgrounds and lodging.
Why It’s a Great Alternative
- allows dogs on most trails and campgrounds, unlike the restrictions at Grand Teton National Park
- features stunning mountain landscapes, rivers, and open wilderness
- plenty of pet-friendly cabins, campgrounds, and dispersed camping options are available
Selection Methodology
- analyzed park and national forest policies on pet accessibility
- reviewed pet-owner testimonials for trail difficulty and safety
- compared the scenic appeal of the forest to the national park, focusing on the rugged beauty of the area
Family-Friendly Alternative: Custer State Park, SD
It can be hard to travel to a crowded national park with a family! From finding bathrooms to waiting in lines to having to pay for meals and amenities in popular parks, the cost and the frustration can add up. Custer State Park in South Dakota is a family-friendly park that has a lot of activities similar to what kids could do at Grand Teton but with fewer crowds and lower prices.
You can go hiking, fishing, swimming, mountain biking, or take the family or a horseback ride in the park. In fact, you have five lakes to choose from for swimming or fishing. There is also a variety of ranger programs, guided hikes, and other planned events for visiting families. One especially popular event is the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup each September. You can watch as cowhands bring a herd of 1,300 bison through the park.
The best time to visit depends on what you want to do at the park. Summer is a great time for families, and you can enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is in South Dakota in August of each year, and this can be an especially crowded time in and around the park. If you visit in early October, you’ll find fewer crowds and you can see beautiful fall foliage. In winter you can go ice fishing and snowshoeing in the park.
It’s easy to get to Custer State Park by car – Highway 16A will take you there and it’s a popular road trip stop or destination. The park is also near the towns of Custer, Rapid City, Keystone, and Hermosa. If you want to shorten your driving time, you can fly into Rapid City Regional Airport and rent an RV to use on your trip.
You’ll find lots of options for campgrounds in Rapid City, South Dakota as well.
Why It’s a Great Alternative
- Custer State Park features scenic drives, lots of wildlife, and easy hikes that are suitable for people of all ages
- the park is home to iconic rock formations, rolling hills, and pristine lakes that are reminiscent of Grand Teton’s mountain lakes
- this park is less physically demanding than Grand Teton, so it’s a great choice for families with kids who may not be ready for more strenuous mountain hikes
Selection Methodology
- evaluated park accessibility and the difficulty of hiking trails to make sure they’re suitable for families
- reviewed family travel blogs and visitor testimonials on whether the park had kid-friendly experiences
- compared the scenic and historical value of the park compared to Grand Teton, focusing on cultural enrichment and learning opportunities for kids
Outdoor Adventure Alternative: Elk Mountains, CO
The Elk Mountains in Colorado are near several mountain towns including Aspen, Crested Butte, and Gunnison. They’re a striking mountain range in Colorado, with rugged peaks, pristine lakes, and lots of wildlife. You can even hike into Conundrum Hot Springs and enjoy a soak. You’ll find family-friendly trails, but you’ll also find backcountry adventures that will test your stamina and mountaineering skills. Climbers can summit the Maroon Bells – two mountain peaks that rise above 14,000 feet above sea level. This is a challenging hike that requires a lot of training and preparation, but it’s popular among outdoorsmen.
You can enjoy views of the Maroon Bells without hiking to the top of them, however. In fact, the best view of the Maroon Bells is just a short trail from the parking lot, where you can photograph them reflected in Maroon Lake. These are the most photographed mountains in Colorado. Because of this, you’ll also need a reservation to park in the lot near the mountains.
The Elk Mountains also have skiing, hiking, fishing, climbing, camping, and more.
The best time to visit the Elk Mountains is in summer for hiking, fishing, and climbing. In winter, you can ski at Aspen Snowmass Resorts, Crested Butte Resort, or Sunlight Mountain Resort near Glenwood Springs.
You can drive to the Elk Mountains via Independence Pass in Aspen, or Highway 133 in Carbondale. The West Elk Loop Scenic Byway is a 205-mile drive that goes through Carbondale, Hotchkiss, Gunnison, Crested Butte, and other mountain towns. You’ll stop at historic sites, and you’ll be close enough to visit Colorado’s least-visited national Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Because these are mountain drives, some of them have length restrictions and larger RVs may need to use alternate routes.
If you want to shorten your drive, you can fly into the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport and rent an RV to use while you explore the mountains.
You’ll find plenty of campgrounds near Gunnison, as well as in Aspen.
Why It’s a Great Alternative
- features rugged peaks, challenging trails, and gorgeous alpine wilderness
- offers world-class climbing, backpacking, and mountaineering opportunities
- many areas of the mountains are less crowded than Grand Teton but still deliver stunning views
Selection Methodology
- evaluated outdoor activities beyond sightseeing
- compared the scenery and geological features to those at Grand Teton
- analyzed reviews from outdoor enthusiasts seeking intense experiences
Grand Teton National Park is definitely a national park worth visiting! But summer crowds and increasing prices can sometimes make a trip to the area a challenge. Hopefully, these destination dupes have given you some ideas for road trips that will share spectacular scenery, exciting outdoor adventures, and interesting wildlife – giving you the same overall experience as Grand Teton with fewer crowds and lower price points. Be sure to check out all of our destination dupes for more alternatives to popular destinations.
