Grand Tetons & Jackson Hole
This summer, I had the chance to visit two incredible National Parks: Grand Teton and Yellowstone—and what an adventure! These parks are becoming more and more popular, and it’s easy to see why: majestic mountains, crystal-clear lakes, geysers, and wildlife around every corner make this region absolutely breathtaking. In this post, I’ll share how we spent a few days exploring Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons — with highlights, food stops, and tips to help you plan your own adventure!
Our itinerary
Our road trip started in Salt Lake City, Utah, and led us all the way to Wapiti, Wyoming, with a few amazing stops in between. From city vibes to mountain towns and wild national parks, this itinerary has a little bit of everything. If you’re thinking of exploring Wyoming, here’s exactly how my trip went. And if you’re curious about what I did in Salt Lake City and Yellowstone, click to read this post.
First step : Grand Teton
Day 1: Arrival & Dinner in Jackson Hole
We drove from Salt Lake City, which took about 4½ hours, and checked in at the Cowboy Village Resort. The cabin wasn’t huge, but it was perfect for three nights and conveniently located for exploring the town (fair warning—Jackson Hole is pricey!).
Since we arrived later in the day, we settled in and went into town for dinner at Roosevelt’s—the buffalo chicken burgers were amazing.
Quick Tips
Stay: Cowboy Village Resort – very well-located
Dinner: Roosevelt’s – try the buffalo chicken burger and huckleberry lemonade
Day 2: Exploring Jackson Hole
Our first full day was all about exploring Jackson Hole itself. The town has a relaxed, country-cowboy vibe, with small boutiques, gift shops, coffee spots, and cozy restaurants tucked everywhere.
Quick Tips
Breakfast: Persephone and Picnic – both have GF options
Explore: Jackson Town Square and small local shops – Also, not a small and local shop, but I think Boot Barn is a must-do!
Gift shop: Lee’s Tees is a must! You can find something for everyone here!
Coffee spot: Snake River Roasting Company and Cowboy Coffee Co. (Tahitian Vanilla Frappe was AMAZING. I got it twice!)
Restaurant: Hatch had really great chicken tacos and margaritas! Service was excellent too!
Fun spot: Million Dollar Cowboy Bar – A must-do!
Day 3: Grand Teton National Park & Wildlife
We got up early to catch the sunrise at Mormon Row, home to the iconic Moulton Barn. Seeing the first light hit the barn with the Tetons in the background was magical.
Next, we visited Schwabacher Landing for more incredible reflections and photo ops. After that, we did a short hike around Jenny Lake—even a brief walk here is breathtaking. Lunch was at Signal Mountain Lodge, which offered delicious food and unbeatable views.
In the afternoon, we drove through Elk Ranch Flats and saw tons of bison grazing in the open fields. Watching them up close in their natural habitat felt like stepping into a wildlife documentary.
Quick Tips
Sunrise: Mormon Row
Photo stops: Moulton Barn and Schwabacher Landing
Short hike: Jenny Lake Trail (1–2 hours)
Lunch: Signal Mountain Lodge – Fish and chips were amazing!
Coffee shop spot: Coffee Cart at Jackson Lake Lodge – Nice drinks and GF baked goods options
Wildlife spotting: Elk Ranch Flats – look for bison
