Epic Guide to Moose Wilson Road in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Exploring Moose Wilson Road is one of the highlights of visiting Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. This road is known for wildlife and gorgeous views along the Teton Range.

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Moose Wilson Road - Grand Teton National Park

One thing to know about driving the Moose Wilson Road is it is popular with both visitors and locals. Be prepared for local drivers to not be very happy if you are driving slowly or in their way in their minds. They are used to the wildlife and really want to get to their destination.

That being said you do need to keep an active lookout for wildlife. It is not uncommon to see bears, moose, elk, deer, and other wildlife along the road.

Over the past few years, the National Park Service has blocked off the majority of pull-outs so there really aren't many spots to actually stop and view the wildlife. You will want to plan to be watching for wildlife while driving down the road.

There are multiple hiking trails that can be accessed from the road. Make sure to fully pull off the road and use the parking areas/pull-outs to safely park.

Where is the Moose-Wilson Road?

The road runs from the town of Moose, Wyoming to Wilson, Wyoming, and on a map is labeled as Wyoming Highway 390.

On the Grand Teton National Park map, it is labeled as Moose Wilson Road.

The road is approximately 14.6 miles one-way.

Most people explore the 8 miles that run between Moose and Teton Village, Wyoming.

The Moose-Wilson Road provides access to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, and the Granite and Death Canyon Trailheads.

Moose Habitat Overlook

The Moose Habitat Overlook is one of our favorite places to enjoy a car picnic. There is a great gravel parking lot with a fair amount of room so you don't feel crowded.

From the overlook, we have seen grizzly bears, deer, and other wildlife.

Rockefeller Preserve

The Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center offers trail information, weather, and other general information.

This may sound a bit crazy but the preserve has really interesting toilets. The Preserve Center is LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) certified at the platinum-level, the highest level of green building certification.

From the preserve, you can take an easy hike to Phelps Lake or enjoy a strenuous trek into Granite or Death Canyon.

You will want to be prepared for the parking lot to be incredibly busy. Every time we have visited a ranger has been monitoring and directing traffic to help with parking levels.

What to bring with you

Binoculars - A good pair of binoculars will make it easier to spot wildlife in the distance

Patience - I know I mentioned above that you will be tailgated by locals and seasonal employees but I want to mention it again. Please do not let their aggressive driving influence the time that you have looking for wildlife. Trust me they will pass you the first chance they get. Please do not speed up or try to slow them down. They drive the road multiple times a day and just want to get to work or get home.

Camera Gear we use

We are big fans of using great camera gear to get amazing photos while traveling.

Canon R5 - We recently upgraded to the R5 after using a Mark 5 for years. We are loving the camera shutter speed and quality of images.

Canon 100 - 500mm - We use the Canon 100-500 for wildlife photography.

Camera Rain Cover - A rain cover will help protect your camera during rain showers but also when photographing waterfalls.

Camera Cleaning Kit - Cameras can get dirty, beat up, and dusty while in the parks. We like having a cleaning kit with us so we can do on the spot touch ups.

Extra Camera Batteries - We suggest always having one or two extra camera batteries with you. There is nothing worse than going to take a shot and the battery dies.

Extra Memory Cards - We use Extreme PRO SanDisk cards

Things to know

Road Conditions - Check road conditions before heading to the park by calling 307-739-3682 or check road conditions online The road can be closed for dust abatement along with for wildlife protection.

RVs - The Moose-Wilson Road is closed to RVs and trailers (vehicles over 280 inches/23.3 feet in length) and is a dirt road for 1.5 miles.

Pets - Pets are allowed in vehicles and parking lots. Pets must remain on a leash whenever out of a vehicle.

Entrance Fee - The entrance fee to Grand Teton National Park includes this portion of the park.

Winter - The Moose-Wilson Road is closed November 1 until mid-May based on conditions and unplowed from Death Canyon Road to Granite Canyon Trailhead. It is open to skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking.

Closest Park Visitor Center - Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center

Closest Campground - Jenny Lake Campground or Gros Ventre Campground

Closest Grand Teton Lodge - Jenny Lake Lodge, or outside of the park, the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Additional Grand Teton National Park Information & Resources

National Park Lodges Available in Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park has several National Park lodges, including Signal Mountain Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge, Jackson Lake Lodge, Headwaters at Flagg Ranch, Triangle X Dude Ranch, and Colter Bay Village Cabins.

⭐️ 4.6 of 5 Stars - Signal Mountain Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.

One of only two lodges sitting directly on the shores of Jackson Lake inside Grand Teton National Park, and the only one where many rooms and cabins face the lake with unobstructed views of the Teton Mountain Range! Book a Lakefront Retreat and step onto your private balcony to watch the sunrise paint the jagged Teton peaks gold while Jackson Lake shimmers in the foreground. It is one of the most breathtaking views in all of America, and it is yours with your morning cup of coffee. The lodge offers a variety of accommodations including country rooms, lakefront retreat suites with kitchenettes, and cozy log cabins, some with gas fireplaces. . Free WiFi throughout the property.

Open early May through mid-October only, so reservations go fast and advance booking is strongly recommended!

⭐️ 4.5 of 5 Stars - Jenny Lake Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.

The most luxurious place to stay inside Grand Teton National Park, a AAA Four-Diamond resort tucked beneath towering spruces at the foot of the Teton Range! The 37 historic log cabins blend Old West charm with modern comfort, and the Signature Stay package includes gourmet breakfast, a nightly five-course prix fixe dinner, horseback riding, cruiser bicycles, and daily complimentary activities. The Dining Room at Jenny Lake is housed in a 1930s-era log cabin and offers a culinary experience unlike any other found inside a national park. Jenny Lake, its famous hiking trails, and three glacial lakes are steps from your door.

Open early June through early October, book up to a year in advance!

Jackson Lake Lodge

⭐️ 4.5 of 5 Stars - Jackson Lake Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.

Step inside the main lobby and be stopped in your tracks by the iconic 60-foot floor-to-ceiling windows framing a jaw-dropping panoramic view of the Teton Range! This full-service historic resort perched on a bluff above Jackson Lake offers 385 rooms, suites, and cottages, with pet-friendly options available. Amenities include four on-site dining options ranging from the famous Mural Room to the Poolside Cantina, a heated outdoor pool with summer BBQ nights and live music, free WiFi, three gift shops, plus a Native American artifacts and Western art exhibit in the lobby.

Open mid-May through early October, book up to 12 months in advance!

⭐️ 4.2 of 5 Stars - Headwaters at Flagg Ranch - Click here for Rates and Availability.

The ultimate two-park basecamp, sitting just 2 miles from the south entrance of Yellowstone and minutes from the north border of Grand Teton, all on the banks of the Snake River! Cozy log cabins sleep up to 5 guests, with some positioned right on the river, and premium cabins feature a mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. On-site amenities include Sheffield's Restaurant and Saloon for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a gift shop, convenience store, gas station, free WiFi, and complimentary campfire s'mores and nature talks.

Open early June through late September!

⭐️ 4.0 of 5 Stars - Colter Bay Village Cabins - Click here for Rates and Availability.

The most affordable way to sleep inside Grand Teton National Park, with charming historic log cabins sitting right on the northern shores of Jackson Lake! Colteb Bay village features two restaurants, a coffee bar, pizza cafe, grocery store, gift shops, full-service marina, laundry facilities, and a gas station. Free WiFi available at the lodge and cabins.

Open late May through late September

Lodging near Grand Teton National Park

⭐️ 4.7 of 5 Stars - Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole - Click here for Rates and Availability.

A Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond ski-in/ski-out luxury resort sitting at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort with direct access to 13 lifts and jaw-dropping Teton views! Rooms and suites feature gas fireplaces, private balconies, and dark wood and natural stone finishes, while the full-service alpine spa offers 16 treatment rooms, a heated outdoor pool, and three hot-spring style outdoor whirlpools. Dining includes the acclaimed Westbank Grill and The Handle Bar slopeside pub from the Michael Mina team. Additional amenities include free WiFi, valet parking, ski concierge, ski rentals, fitness center, Kids Club, game room, complimentary shuttle to Jackson, and over 2,000 pieces of museum-quality art throughout the property. Open year-round.

⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Fireside Resort - Click here f o r Rates and Availability.

Jackson Hole's most unique lodging, a collection of LEED-certified modern rustic cabins tucked in the Teton wilderness just off Moose-Wilson Road, only 15 minutes from Grand Teton National Park! All 20 cabins feature a fireplace, full kitchen, separate bedroom and living room, private furnished deck with grill, flat-screen TV, and free WiFi. The resort also offers a communal hot tub, laundry facilities, free parking, and on-site Jeep Grand Cherokee rentals for exploring the parks in style. Pet friendly with doggie beds provided by the fire. Open year-round!

Click on this link or the map below to see additional vacation rentals and lodging options near the park.

Grand Teton National Park Guided Tours

Tetons and Snake River Scenic Float Trip in Jackson Hole
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 3 hours | 🛶Check Rates and Availability

This would be, without a doubt, the tour I would choose! Take a relaxing rafting trip from Jackson Hole, drift down a scenic section of Wyoming's wildlife-laden Snake River, where moose, deer, river otters, and eagles can be seen from your raft. Be sure to bring your camera to photograph any wildlife that appears on the banks, and also capture the stunning landscape extending out from the Tetons.

Grand Teton Wildlife Safari in an enclosed or Open-Air Vehicle
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability

Join a local naturalist and guide for a ride in an open-air safari vehicle (seasonal) on dirt roads and on paved highways within Grand Teton National Park, where you scour the landscape at dawn or dusk for wolves, moose and elk. Look for eagles soaring overhead or deer walking through the woods, and there's even a chance that you can spot a bear roaming near the road. The guides also discusses the areas ecology, history, geology, and culture, and also stops so that you can take photos.

Grand Teton Half-Day Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability

Explore the highlights of Grand Teton National Park from either Jackson or Teton Village. Travel along the Gros Ventre River to the Mormon Row Historic District, Moose Junction, and other places where wildlife roam. Use the provided spotting scope and field glasses to get a close look at the animals like moose, elk, and eagles.

Grand Teton National Park Entrance Fee

Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.

Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.

$25.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)

$125.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats

$200.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats

$300.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats

Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.