11 Hidden Gems To Discover At Grand Teton National Park In Wyoming
By Caryl|Updated on July 02, 2023(Originally published June 30, 2023)
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Caryl
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I am a freelance writer who also has been a small business owner and worked in the fields of insurance, accounting, and education. I enjoy spending time with family, reading, writing, photography, music, running, sports, and of course traveling!
Visitors are drawn to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming for its rugged mountains, beautiful valleys, and endless wilderness. A lot of these gems really stand out, but there are still some hidden gems in the park that aren’t quite as obvious. Here are some of the lesser-visited parts of the park, some of the Grand Teton hidden gems you ought to check out as soon as you can!
If you’re planning a visit to this incredible national park, there’s no better time to visit than during National Park Week. Learn all about this celebration of America’s great outdoors — including fee-free days throughout the year!
Of all the hidden gems in Wyoming, Willow Flats is a lesser-known spot for wildlife viewing. Willow Flats is located near Colter Bay in Grand Teton National Park. During the months of June and July, Willow Flats is a great area to see grizzly bears. During these two months, the elk are calving in this location so the grizzlies congregate in this area hoping to catch a calf. Get information about the Willow Flats overlooks at the National Park Service website.
Jackson Lake and Jenny Lake are some of the more popular lakes in the park, but if you head a little ways off the beaten path, you will run across this gem. Leigh Lake is one of the prettiest lakes in the park. The lake water is crystal clear with beautiful mountain scenery and it has a beach! Leigh Lake is situated just southeast of Mount Moran. Learn more about Leigh Lake and the hike to see it.
You won't have to fight the crowds here. Located in the heart of Grand Teton National Park, Oxbow Bend of the Snake River offers panoramic views of the mountain peaks. This section of the river is located along Highway 26-287. It's one of the most beautiful and iconic photo spots in Wyoming.
4. Triangle X Ranch
Triangle X Ranch Road, Triangle X Ranch Rd, Wyoming 83012, USA
Triangle X Ranch is the only remaining dude ranch left inside the park. You can stay at the ranch in one of their rustic cabins. Meals are included and they offer excursions such as horseback riding, river floats and fly fishing. Learn more on the Triangle X Ranch website.
5. Schwabacher Landing
Schwabacher Lane, Schwabacher Ln, Wilson, WY 83014, USA
Schwabacher Landing is located along the eastern shore of the Snake River. The water here reflects the colors of the sunset and mountains. Wildlife is commonly seen in this area too. This is a very scenic gem in the park, a Grand Teton National Park must see! The Schwabacher's Landing Trail is under two miles and an easy hike.
6. Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve
Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, Jackson, WY 83001, USA
The Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve is a refuge located along the southern edge of Phelps Lake. The main purpose of the preserve is to provide a place where visitors can feel an emotional and spiritual connection with nature. Some of the natural communities here include sagebrush meadows, wildflowers, wildlife, fir, spruce, lodgepole pine, cottonwoods, aspens and sedges. Learn more about the preserve at the National Park Service website.
While the falls are pretty hidden in the park, they can get kind of busy during the summer months. Hidden Falls is located along Cascade Creek and does require some hiking to reach this beautiful spot. One of the most beautiful hikes in Wyoming, Hidden Falls Trail is only about a mile long and considered a moderately challenging route. The total height of the falls is about 100'. Read more about the falls and the trail to get there in this article.
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8. Signal Mountain Lodge
Signal Mountain Lodge Road, Signal Mountain Lodge Rd, Wyoming 83414, USA
Signal Mountain Lodge is also located in the heart of Grand Teton National Park. This lodge provides the only lakefront accommodations in the park. Here you can enjoy fishing, float trips, kayaking and canoeing in Jackson Lake and Snake River. Get more information at the Signal Mountain Lodge website.
9. Craig Thomas Discovery And Visitor Center
Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, 1 Teton Park Rd, Moose, WY 83012, USA
Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center is located at 1 Teton Park Road in Moose. It's the only visitor center in the park to be open year round. The center's exhibits include the park's natural history, mountaineering and Western artifacts. Find more information on the National Park Service website.
The Mormon Row Historic District is a row of homesteads located along the Jackson-Moran Road in the southeastern corner of the park. This is where the Mormons settled when they moved into the area. The T.A. Moulton barn is one of the most photographed barns in the nation. Just when you thought this National Park in Wyoming couldn't be more jam-packed with things to do and see... there are all these things. But wait! There's one more!
11. Chapel of the Transfiguration
Menors Ferry Road, Menors Ferry Rd, Wyoming 83012, USA
The Chapel of the Transfiguration is a small log chapel located in Grand Teton National Park. The chapel is located in Moose and was built to frame the Cathedral Group of peaks through its window behind the altar.
Do you know of any other Grand Teton hidden gems in Grand Teton National Park? Visit AllTrails for details on over 100 top trails to explore at this national treasure. What’s your favorite National Park in Wyoming? Tell us about them in the comments!
For more amazing Wyoming delights, check out this list of ten amazing spots in Wyoming that highlight the best of the state. And get all your National Park Questions answered here:
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Keyhole State Park, which can be found in Moorcroft. It’s known by the locals for its excellent fishing, beautiful lake views, and wonderful camping opportunities.
Hot Springs State Park, which is home to exactly what the name implies: an incredible natural thermal spring that spits out more than 8,000 gallons of water daily. Fun fact: Hot Springs State Park is famous for its springs AND the fascinating bison herds that roam about the area.
There are plenty more, but those ones ought to be a great start!
What are the most popular hiking trails in Wyoming?
Wyoming is a hiker’s dream come true, and with more than 1,000 amazing trails to choose from, we’re pretty sure you’ll never get bored. No matter what kind of hiker you are or how skilled you may or may not be, there’s a trail in Wyoming for you. The most popular hiking trails in Wyoming are:
The Cascade Canyon Trail, located in Grand Teton National Park and rated as moderate. It’s longer, at just over nine miles in length, but every step is worth it.
The Jenny Lake Trail and Taggart Lake Loop, also at Grand Teton National Park.
The Grand Prismatic Hot Spring trail and the Upper Geyser Basin (which has views of Old Faithful) are found at Yellowstone National Park.
