The complete Grand Teton wildlife viewing guide is a must for anyone traveling to Grand Teton National Park! This guide will help you plan on what animals you might see, where to find wildlife, best times, etc.
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Grand Teton Wildlife
When it comes time to spot wildlife, you are going to love Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming! Many people think of the greater Yellowstone Ecosystem for wildlife viewing then forget about Grand Teton just south of Yellowstone. I have personally found that Grand Teton National Park has some of the best wildlife viewings in any national park and rivals Yellowstone once outside Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley.
Grand Teton National Park has everything Yellowstone has including Grizzly Bears, Bald Eagles, mule deer, bison, and pronghorn. They even have wolves! What sets Grand Teton over the edge is that you also get the grandeur of the Teton Mountain Range and the Snake River.
Wildlife Viewing Safety
The first tip here is to watch wildlife from a safe distance.
The National Park Service recommends that you keep a distance of at least 100 yards from bears, bison, and wolves and at least 25 yards from other large animals including moose, deer, elk, antelope, and bighorn sheep. I like to also add in to watch for behavioral changes in an animal as they can be telling you that they are not happy with you!
A great indicator is when an animal starts looking at you or they turn around and face you, this is a good time to start gaining distance between you and the animal.
My second tip is to carry bear spray when hiking or camping in grizzly country.
Whatever you do, carrying bear spray should not make you feel like you are safe or invincible outdoors. Bear Spray is for emergencies and I personally don't want to be close enough to a bear to use pepper spray!
My third tip is for people wanting a great wildlife photo.
Showing up in a park and attempting to get a close-up of wildlife requires skill and quality equipment. Cellular phones are great for landscape photos of the Tetons, Oxbow Bend, Mormon Row, and some of the other park highlights but are pretty ineffective for wildlife photography. My wildlife photos were taken with a Canon Mark 5 with a Canon EF 100-400 is usm lens. This gives me space and time to get to safety when photographing wildlife
I need to put my ranger flat hat on for a second and remind everyone to be safe and careful around wildlife. Some of the things I have seen while looking at Teton wildlife have been truly frightening.
PLEASE remember that wildlife in a National Park is wild, not zoo animals or a drive-through petting zoo!
We have seen people running towards grizzly bears and then running away from them. Please maintain a safe distance from all wildlife and remember that running towards an animal can trigger them to think they are being attacked and running away can trigger their predator instincts and chase you down for lunch!
Exercise extreme caution when crossing a highway or park road. I have seen park visitors and their kids get so excited at seeing an animal that they run across a road in front of cars as the cars go zooming by at 55 mph. I totally understand the excitement of seeing wildlife and wanting to get a great epic photo but remember the other car could be looking at the same wildlife and not see you in the road!
If you decide to park on the side of the road please make sure that you get your vehicle over as far as possible and completely off the roadway. Even pulled over fully on the side of the road we almost lost a side mirror to a rental RV driver that did not realize how close he was.
We also almost saw someone get hit in the head by an RV mirror as the driver got distracted by the bear on the side of the road. Please always remember to watch your surroundings and stay safe. I want you to enjoy your entire time in the park.
Grand Teton Wildlife Tours
A great way to see wildlife in Grand Teton NP is through an organized group tour. Organized tours in areas like Grand Teton and Yellowstone have guides familiar with the area who know where wildlife like to hang out in the park. They also have radios and communicate with several others when wildlife is spotted, giving individuals on tours the best wildlife viewing opportunities, especially for those who are not familiar with the area and do not study animal behavior. If you plan on being in the park for several days, make sure to go on your first day. This will allow you to get familiar with the park and see potential wildlife viewing hot spots to go back to the rest of your trip! Here are a few highly rated wildlife tours in the Grand Teton Area
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 discuss the areas' ecology, history, geology, and culture, and also stop so that you can take photos.
Half-Day Group Sunrise Wildlife Safari
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4-5 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
Get to know the ecosystem of the Greater Yellowstone area on the half-day wildlife-focused safari, beginning at sunrise. With a guide to show you the best wildlife spotting areas, you will have the greatest possible chance of encountering a bear, moose, pronghorn, bison, and elk. Listen to insightful commentary on the area's history and geology as you travel, learning much more than you would simply exploring on your own.
Half-Day Group Sunset Wildlife Safari
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4-5 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
Visitors flock to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks to see wildlife, but are often limited to observing from loop roads and car pullouts. This tour, which takes visitors to scout for wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem - one of the last remaining nearly intact ecosystems in the northern temperate zone - makes it easier to encounter bison, elk, bears, eagles, and, with luck, wolves.
What is the best time to see wildlife?
There is a little luck in wildlife viewing, after all, we don't release wildlife from cages every morning! More importantly, is knowing about wildlife. Knowing an animal's habitat, if they hibernate or not, and what they prefer to eat, etc. can help you locate wildlife.
Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to see wildlife as this is when they are most active.
The best time of year to see birds is during the spring and fall migration. I prefer spring for birdwatching, also a great time of year to see wildlife with babies. Now I personally prefer photographing big game in the fall. This is because antlers have become larger by the fall and it's a special moment to hear an elk bugling!
Grizzly Bears
One of the highlights of any trip to Grand Teton is seeing Grizzly Bears! Grizzlies are common in Grand Teton National Park and are most commonly seen in the northern end of the park, especially around Pacific Creek Road and Pilgrim Creek Road.
One of the most famous grizzly bears in Grand Teton was #399, also known as the "Queen of the Tetons". She was thought to have lived over 24 years old and had 18 cubs throughout her lifetime. We had the chance to see her along Oxbow Bend in 2020, and it was amazing.
Keep an eye out for people with huge camera lenses set up along the side of the road, and you may be able to see one of the park's grizzly bears, perhaps even one of her cubs!
Park Ranger John Pro Tip
Bears will be tagged and monitored for their health and safety. Locals and photographers become very familiar with these bears and oftentimes have fun stories and fantastic photos.
Black Bears
Black Bears are smaller than Grizzly Bears and tend to be seen in more forested areas throughout the park. Black bears are commonly seen in Pacific Creek Road. Keep an eye out for them along the sides of creeks and in the wooded areas of the park. Just because black bears are smaller doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give them the same respect and space as a Grizzly Bear.
One thing about wildlife viewing in Grand Teton is it is not always close by. As you can see from the black bear picture above which was taken with a telephoto lens from a ways away.
Moose
Moose are amazing creatures that are bigger than you expect them to be. They are also highly adaptable and can be seen not only in rivers and lakes but in the forest too! The most common places to see Moose is moose browse is along the beaver ponds along the Moose-Wilson Road and along the Gros Ventre River.
We saw 3 large bull Moose in the Gros Ventre campground and another along the Moose-Wilson road during our last trip to the park. Keep an eye out in marshy areas for the moose to be chewing on leaves.
Bison
You can see Bison graze near the Elk Flats Overlook most of the time. This large spread of open grazing area also has pronghorn antelope, cows, and horses.
Please remember that even though bison look like fluffy cows they are actually up to 2500 pounds, more than a Nissan Versa! Bison can also run up to 35 mph which is faster than Usain Bolt who is the fastest human on record who reached 27.8 mph for a 100-meter sprint. Most average humans can maybe hit 10 mph on a short sprint.
The moral of my story, is that you wouldn't run in front of a car driving 35 mph., so why jump in front of a Bison?
Pronghorn Antelope
Keep an eye out for the furry white butts of pronghorn antelope as you drive down Elk Flat Overlook, antelope flats road, or other pasture areas and throughout the park. The furry white butt is a warning mechanism as the white hair will rise when startles and can be seen for miles. It is always amazing to see these animals run along the pastures and can reach speeds of up to 65mph!
For being so fast, they are not good jumpers and will usually slow down and crawl under a fence instead of jumping over one.
Pronghorn Antelope are herbivores and can be seen in grasslands throughout central and western North America.
Elk
Similar to the pronghorn antelope I have to admit that most of the time what you will see first when looking for elk is their butts. LOL! They have an almost heart-shaped white fur area around their butt that stands out in the trees.
From the front elk can blend in really well but when they turn around it is hard to miss their butts.
We have seen elk throughout Grand Teton National Park including the wooded areas along Moose-Wilson Road and also in more open pasture areas along some of the side roads.
If you are visiting Grand Teton in the winter make sure to plan time to explore the National Elk Refuge just south of the park heading to Jackson Hole. During the winter, more than 15,000 elk winter in this wildlife refuge.
Deer
Deer seem to pop up when you least expect them. They are known for darting across the road during dusk or popping out of trees just by the side of the road. We have seen mostly blacktail deer in Grand Teton.
Chipmunks/Squirrels
You will see quite a few chipmunks and squirrels darting around parking lots and camping areas within the park. They are super cute but please give them a safe distance. I know many of us grew up being told that chipmunks were great to feed our extra food to but now as adults we know that this is not healthy for the chipmunks or squirrels.
It may also not be healthy for your fingers as chipmunks and squirrels BITE! Most of the wildlife issues that I encountered as a 20-year law enforcement park ranger were people getting bit by a chipmunk.
They may look cute and cuddly but their bites are not fun and can bring with them disease and other issues. It is best to keep space between you and the furry chipmunk and just enjoy the view.
Viewing wildlife in Grand Teton can easily be the highlight of your Wyoming adventure! There is nothing quite like watching grizzly bears walk down the road in front of you or a moose lifting its head out of the water to make you gasp in awe.
Even after many trips to Grand Teton NP, I am still always in awe of the animals that make this park their home.
If you are looking to track the wildlife you have seen or want an easy way to identify all of them make sure to check out these great resources:
Wildlife Viewing spots near Grand Teton National Park
Epic Guide to Yellowstone Animals- Yellowstone Wildlife Guide
Lamar Valley - Yellowstone National Park
Hayden Valley - Yellowstone National Park.
Additional Grand Teton National Park Information & Resources
Grand Teton National Park Lodging Options
Lodging 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.
Signal Mountain Lodge
🏨Ready to Book the Signal Mountain Lodge -> Click Here
Why Book here? How about rooms with jaw-dropping EPIC Views of Jackson Lake in the foreground and the Tetons in the background! There is nothing quite like sitting on the deck with a cup of coffee watching sunrise. The Signal Mountain Lodge is open from Early May to mid - October.
Jenny Lake Lodge
🏨Ready to Book the Jenny Lake Lodge -> Click Here
Why stay here? This is by far, the closest accomodations to Jenny Lake and all of its wonders! Now you can get to the parking lot early and beat the insane crowds trying to get to this piece of heaven. The cabins are secluded and located east of Jenny Lake, this resort is a high-class destination for the well-pampered traveler. The dining room offers a prix fixe menu with a local and international flair. Open Early June to Early October.
Jackson Lake Lodge
🏨Ready to Book the Jackson Lake Lodge -> Click Here
Why stay here? The main lodge area is absolutely EPIC with sweeping panoramic views of the Teton Range and Signal Mountain from the full wall of windows! Don't forget to hang out by the fireplace and stop in a restaurant to enjoy the full lodge experience.
With spectacular dining in the world-renowned Mural Room, shopping opportunities in its three gift shops, guided activities, and a comprehensive conference facility. Its easy to see why this lodge draws thousands of guests from May through October each year.
Headwaters at Flagg Ranch
🏨Ready to Book the Headwaters at Flagg Ranch -> Click Here
- Season - Early June to Late September
Why stay here? Location, Location, Location! The Headwaters Lodge at Flagg Ranch is actually located on the Rockefeller Memorial Parkway just South of Grand Teton National Park, and just North of Yellowstone National Park. The cabins are very nice and makes it easy to explore both parks in one convient location.
Colter Bay Village Cabins
🏨Ready to Book the Colter Bay Village Cabins -> Click Here
Why stay here? these cabins are so cute and give the log cabin feel! They also provide easy access to the Colter Bay Marina and village. The historic cabins are over 90 years old and feel like you are stepping back in time but still have modern amenities. Open from Late May to Late September.
Lodging near Grand Teton National Park
Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole
🏨Ready to Book the -> Click Here
Do you want to stay in a hotel with 5-star old luxury charm, phenomonal spa treatments, concierge, and delicious dining? Consider a stay at Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole and take advantage of the nightclub, and a terrace. Yoga classes are offered at the health club. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with a hair salon and an arcade/game room.
Fireside Resort
🏨Ready to Book the Fireside Resort -> Click Here
Why Stay here? Super cute small cabins right off the Moose-Wilson Road! Cabins feature a spa tub, coffee/tea in a common area, and concierge services. Free Wi-Fi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, laundry facilities, tour/ticket assistance, and a garden are onsite. All 20 cabins boast fireplaces and offer free Wi-Fi and kitchens. Patios and living rooms are standard, as are flat-screen TVs with cable channels.
Click on the map below to see additional vacation rentals and lodging options near the park.
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.
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 five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
National Parks Near Grand Teton National Park
John D Rockefeller National Parkway
Fossil Butte National Monument
Craters of the Moon National Monument
Make sure to check out all the Wyoming National Parks, Montana National Parks, Idaho National Parks, and National Parks in Utah!
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