Grand Teton National Park: Hike First
Jenny Lake, Cascade Canyon, Taggart Lake and those abrupt, enormous mountains: this is where we would prioritize hiking.
Our take: Yellowstone is about exploring; Grand Teton is where we would prioritize hiking. The mountains seem to rise straight out of the valley, and even the lower-effort lake hikes deliver huge scenery.
Jenny Lake → Inspiration Point → Cascade Canyon
This was our big Teton hiking day. Taking the Jenny Lake shuttle boat was part of the fun and let us get quickly to the west side of the lake. Inspiration Point has a beautiful view back across Jenny Lake, but we kept going into Cascade Canyon. That continuation is what turned it into one of our favorite days: mountains close on both sides, changing views the whole way and enough distance to feel like a real adventure.
Read our full Cascade Canyon hiking guide →
Taggart Lake: enormous payoff for less effort
Taggart Lake was stunning. Reflections of the Tetons in the water, rocks along the shore and a route that did not require an all-day commitment made this one of the easiest hikes to recommend. We did it as a loop and spent time by the water rather than treating the lake as a turnaround checkpoint.
Read our Taggart Lake hiking guide →
Mormon Row + Antelope Flats
Mormon Row is iconic for a reason. If you like classic Western landscape photography—or the Ansel Adams view of the Tetons—build in time here. The historic barns against the mountains make a completely different experience from being on the trails.
Where we stayed: Driggs
We rented an Airbnb in Driggs, Idaho. It meant more driving than staying in Jackson, but it was more affordable and gave our family considerably more space. For a family trip, that tradeoff worked well for us.
Worth it?
Absolutely. If you are combining Grand Teton and Yellowstone, resist treating the Tetons as merely the scenic drive on the way north. Give the park a real hiking day.