Grand Teton National Park: Getting there & around

If you're flying into the region, the Jackson Hole Airport (tel: 307 733 7682) is just over 11km (7mi) north of Jackson off US Hwy 26/89/191, within Grand Teton National Park. Daily flights serve Denver, Salt Lake City, Dallas and Houston, while weekend flights connect Jackson with Chicago. Gray Line (tel: 800-443-6133; www.graylinejh.com) provides airport shuttles to Jackson.

The park begins 7km (4.5mi) north of Jackson. Three main roads lead there: US 26/89/191 from Jackson to the south, US 26/287 from Dubois to the east, and US 89/191/287 from Yellowstone National Park to the north. The least-used entry is the very rough gravel Grassy Lake Rd from Ashton, Idaho, to Flagg Ranch in the Rockefeller Memorial Parkway. This route is not recommended for RVs. There is no entrance station along this road, so you'll eventually find yourself in the park for free, though there is an entrance station on the way north into Yellowstone Park.

The park has three entrance stations: one at Moose (south) on Teton Park Rd west of Moose Junction, another 5km (3mi) inside the park at Moran (east) on US 89/191/287 north of Moran Junction, and a third (southwest) a mile or so north of Teton Village on the Moose-Wilson road.

To drive on Teton Park Rd, park entrance permits are required. Valid for seven days for entry into both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, they cost US$25 per vehicle, US$20 per motorcyclist and US$12.00 for cyclists or hikers on foot.

The main north-south route through the park is US Hwy 26/89/191, contiguous with the east bank of the Snake River between Jackson and Moran Junction. At Moran Junction US 89/191 joins US 287 heading north along Jackson Lake to the Rockefeller Memorial Parkway; US 26 joins US 287 heading east to Dubois via Togwotee Pass. Teton Park Rd links Moose Junction to Jackson Lake Junction and US 89/191/287 via Jenny and Jackson Lakes. The 8km (5mi) Jenny Lake Scenic Drive connects North Jenny Lake and South Jenny Lake Junctions. Gros Ventre Rd heads east from US 26/89/191 at the south end of the park to Kelly and out of the park into the Gros Ventre Valley. Antelope Flats Rd is 1.6km (1mi) north of Moose Junction, east of US 26/89/191.

The speed limit on US 26/89/191 is 55mph; elsewhere it's generally 45mph. Gas stations are open year-round at Moose and Flagg Ranch Resort, and summers only at Colter Bay, Signal Mountain and Jackson Lodge.

There are some excellent guided tours available - both on foot or by coach - check with one of the local visitor centers or lodges for details. You'll find useful maps and information on all sorts of Grand Teton hiking trails and scenic drives at the visitor centers too.

Grand Teton National Park can also be explored on two wheels - indeed, cyclists are in less danger from motorists here than in Yellowstone because the roads are wider and more open, but it's still best to venture out early to avoid traffic. There is little traffic from September to early October, and the cool temperatures make for pleasant pedaling. In April, Teton Park Rd is open only to cyclists and pedestrian traffic.