What is the Best Entry to Grand Teton? Grand Teton’s 4 Entrances

If you have never been to Grand Teton National Park, you may be wondering, what’s the best entrance to use? In fact, you may not be aware that there are multiple entrances! But don’t worry! We have been visiting Grand National Park for years and are here to help!

Grand Teton National Park has three main entrances, the Moose Entrance (South), the Moran Entrance (East), and the Granite Canyon Entrance (Southwest), plus a lesser-known one in the north that connects Yellowstone to Grand Teton via the John D Rockefeller Memorial Parkway. As far as which one is best, it really depends on where you are coming from and it is almost always more efficient to drive through the park than around it to get to where you want to go. Grand Teton is a small national park that only takes one hour to drive from end to end, regardless of which entrance you use. The most popular entrance, by far, is the Moose Entrance because it is the closest entrance to Jackson, WY.

In this post we will be discussing each of the entrances, where they are located, and what you can access from each one, including hikes, camping, scenic drives, and more.

VISITING GRAND TETON AND NEED A GAME PLAN? CHECK OUT OUR ITINERARY.

A Quick Lesson on the Roads in Grand Teton

There are two main roads that run through the park. However, they are often called by different names which makes talking about them confusing. Let me take a minute to clarify.

Inner Road is the road that runs closest to the Teton Mountain Range. Jenny Lake, Leigh Lake, and String Lake are all along this road. It is also called Teton Park Road. I’ll call it Inner Road in this blog post.

Outer Road. This road is part of 3 US highways 191, 26, and 89. It is super confusing when looking at a map. For this reason, I will refer to it as the Outer Road in this blog post.

1. Moose Entrance (South Entrance) – The Main Gateway

The South Entrance is by far the most popular entrance of Grand Teton National Park, and as such, sees the most crowds.

Located just 12 miles north of Jackson, this entrance leads you straight to the Inner Road, which provides access to some of the park’s top attractions, including Jenny Lake, Cascade Canyon, and Signal Mountain. It is also closest to the park’s historic districts and Taggart Lake, one of the best hikes in the park.

Who Should Use It?

Anyone who is coming from Jackson, WY. This is the most convenient entrance, that’s why it is so popular! Whether you are camping or staying in hotels outside of the park, this is your best bet.

What to Expect

It’s very common for there to be a line at this entrance, especially if you are arriving between 9 am – 12 pm. Sometimes, you can wait in line 15-20 minutes. Once you get in the park, there is a steady stream of traffic along the Inner Roqe. It may surprise you that the traffic can get backed up exiting the park as well.

Hikes and Activities Near This Entrance

Inside the park

• Jenny Lake. The most popular spot in the park. There is a visitor center, lodge, boat rides, and the incredible Inspiration Point/Hidden Falls hike.
• Menors Ferry Historic District. This cute little district includes the photo-worthy Chapel of Transfiguration. It is also where people used to pay to have their wagon shuttled across the Snake River.
• Taggart Lake Trail. Arguably one of the best hikes in the park, this easy, 3-mile round trip hike takes you through the wet meadows to the beautiful Taggart Lake with views of the stunning Tetons in the background.
• Mormon Row Historic District. Farmers and ranchers used to inhabit this valley, and there are a few historic buildings left behind, including the most photographed building in Grand Teton, the Moulton Barn. This is also a great spot to see Wildlife.
• Visitor Center. The South Entrance is home to one of the nicer visitor centers in the park, the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center. This is a great place to speak with rangers if you have any questions about trail conditions, what to do while you are visiting, or if there have been any wildlife sightings. We especially love the horn and antler display. You can pick up and touch the horns and antlers of deer, elk, bison, mountain goats, mountain sheep, and even moose. You’ll be shocked at how heavy the moose antlers are!

Outside the Park (on your drive to the Moose Entrance on US HWY 191/26/89 from Jackson)

• National Museum of Wildlife Art. The free sculpture walk will only take you 40 minutes. It’s free and worth a stop. The sculptures are really cool. The art inside is nice too, but you have to pay an entrance fee.
• Jackson National Fish Hatchery. This may not be your highest priority in Grand Teton, but this is a great little stop, especially if you are traveling with children. It’s a nice little museum and free tours are offered.
• Jackson Hole Airport. Jackson has an airport and it’s right on the way to the Moose Entrance.

CHECK OUT: 10 Can’t Miss Hikes in Grand Teton National Park

Lodging and Camping Near This Entrance

• Gros Venture Campground. This is our favorite place to camp at Grand Teton and has over 300 sites, accommodating both tents and trailers. We like it because of how close it is to some of our favorite sites in the park and because moose frequent the area.
• Atherton Creek. This Forest Service Campground is about 25 miles outside of Grand Teton National Park and has 22 sites. A good back if you can’t get a site in the park or if you want a more peaceful experience.
• Jackson, WY. There is no shortage of hotels, motels, and private campgrounds. The one thing they have in common… they are all expensive! You can count on a standard room costing $300 a night.

For more information on where to stay in Grand Teton, check out our blog posts 9 Best Areas to Stay When Visiting Grand Teton and Camping in Grand Teton and Jackson Hole: What You Need to Know.

For ideas of fun things to do when visiting Jackson Hole, check out 10 Things You Can’t Miss On Your First Trip to Jackson.

Pro Tip: Get to this entrance early in the morning (before 8 AM) to avoid long lines, especially in the summer.

2. Granite Canyon Entrance (Southwest Entrance) – Best for Teton Village Visitors

The Granite Canyon Entrance is located at the southwestern edge of the park and is less crowded than the Moose and Moran Entrances. It’s the best option for visitors staying in Teton Village, providing direct access to Death Canyon Trailhead and Granite Canyon.

Who Should Use It?

• Visitors staying in Teton Village or near Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
• People coming from Wilson, WY
• People who are coming from Victor and Driggs, ID
• People staying in Jackson who want to avoid the crowds at the Moose Entrance.

What to Expect

You will drive the windy and narrow Moose-Wilson Road to access this entrance. It’s only 8 miles long but takes about 30 minutes to drive it. Most of the road is paved but some parts are gravel. RVs over 23 feet in length are not allowed because of all the sharp turns.

I like this drive into the park because it’s pretty and drives near the Snake River. It’s also pretty common to see wildlife too.

Hikes and Activities Near This Entrance

Inside the park

• Granite Canyon Trail. This is a strenuous, 13.4 mi (21.6 km) round trip hike with 2,190 ft (670 m) of elevation gain and an average slope of 8%. The trail is often narrow, steep, and includes steps and switchbacks. 
• Taggart Lake Trail. Arguably one of the best hikes in the park, this easy, 3-mile round trip hike takes you through the wet meadows to the beautiful Taggart Lake with views of the stunning Tetons in the background.
• Phelps Lake Trail. Farmers and ranchers used to inhabit this valley, and there are a few historic buildings left behind, including the most photographed building in Grand Teton, the Moulton Barn. This is also a great spot to see wildlife.
• Laurance S Rockefeller Preserve. There is a very nice visitor center here with displays for children.

Outside the Park (on your drive to the Moose Entrance on HWY 191/26/89 from Jackson)

• Teton Village. The main thing to do here is to ride the gondola or tram up to the top of the mountains for excellent views of the Jackson valley. There are also mountain biking trails, rock climbing, trampolines, restaurants, and shopping. You can learn more about it on our blog post, Teton Village in Grand Teton National Park.

Lodging and Camping Near This Entrance

• Teton Village. This is a ski resort area. There is tons of lodging and it is EXPENSIVE ($400 a night and up!)
• Wilson, WY. This is a small community just a few miles away from the town of Jackson. It’s pretty and has some really nice B&Bs.
• Victor and Driggs, WY. About an hour away, west of the park, are these two small cities. They are a great place to stay if you are looking to save some money and don’t mind driving Teton Pass (avoid this if you have an RV). For more information on where to stay when visiting Grand Teton, check out our blog post, 9 Best Areas to Stay In Grand Teton and Jackson Hole: A Complete Guide.

Pro Tip: This entrance is not always staffed, so if you arrive early or late, you may need to use a self-pay station.

3. Moran Entrance (East Entrance) – Best for Travelers From the East

The Moran Entrance is located on the East side of the park and is less crowded than the Moose Entrance. You’ll enter Grand Teton through this entrance at the junction of Highway 89 and Highway 26/287. This entrance puts you near Jackson Lake and offers the best glimpse of the Tetons. It’s the best option for visitors who are entering the park from the east and for people who like a remote setting. The Moran Entrance also has the most beautiful views of the Tetons (in my humble opinion).

Who Should Use It?

• People coming from Dubois, ID or anywhere east of the park regardless of where you are staying. It is shorter to drive through the park than around it.
• People who came from the south using the Outer Road instead of the Inner Road.

What to Expect

If coming from Dubois, ID, expect a paved road drivable in any vehicle. There isn’t much traffic on this road and the views are beautiful!

If arriving from the Outer Road you can also expect paved roads and speed limits of 55 mph (45 mph hour at night). This stretch has many scenic viewpoints along the way.

Although this entrance is less crowded than the Moose Entrance, the Moran Entrance is close to many popular attractions in the park. A line at the entrance is possible.

Hikes and Activities Near This Entrance

Inside the park

• Jackson Lake. This is by far the biggest lake in the park. Jackson Lake Lodge and Signal Lake Lodge are right on the banks of it. You can launch your boat at Leeks Marina and there are plenty of restaurants in the area. GOOD TO KNOW: The beaches are rocky and the water is really cold. Most people boat or kayak.
• Scenic Viewpoints/Scenic Loop Drive. If you enter the park on the Outer Road and stay on it (instead of turning onto the Inner Road) you will drive by Schwabacher Landing, Snake River Overlook, and the Cunningham Cabins. Continue past the Moran Entrance to see Oxbow Bend. These are all beautiful overlooks and are especially stunning at sunrise.
• Coulter Bay Village. This is the best budget lodging in the park. They also have tons of services including a gas station, restaurants, groceries, and even horseback rides. There is also great access to Jackson Lake.
• Coulter Bay Visitor Center. Here you can find displays on natural history, wildlife, and geology of the Grand Teton region as well as American Indian artifacts.

Outside the Park (on your drive to the Moran Entrance on US HWY 26/87 from Jackson)

• Dubois, ID. A little over an hour to the east of Grand Teton is the small Wyoming town of Dubois. We love this area for a day trip because of the National Military Vehicle Museum. Trust us, it’s worth the drive, and it’s appealing to everyone (including me and my mom, who usually hate stuff like this). Read all about it in 4 Great Things to Do in Dubois.

Lodging and Camping Near This Entrance

• Jackson Lake and Signal Mountain Lodge. Next to Jenny Lake Lodge, Jackson Lake Lodge is the most expensive in the park. It has a beautiful lobby (check it out even if you aren’t staying there) with views of the Tetons. It has rooms within the lodge and cabins in the surrounding area. Signal Mountain is an older lodge but does have some newer bungalows. We like the unassuming feel here. Both lodges offer excursions.
• Coulter Bay Campground and Cabins. There are over 300 sites at Coulter Bay Campground and they accommodate both RVs and tents. There are also laundry and shower facilities at the nearby Coulter Village. The cabins are rustic. Some have a private restroom and others don’t. Prices start at $150 a night and go up from there. My good friend loves to stay here because there is room for her family of six and it’s affordable!
• Ranches in Moran. Recently we spent an entire day just checking out all the places to stay in and around Grand Teton. The views from the ranches in Moran blew us away. You would need to drive about 30 minutes to get to a gas station or a grocery store, but the remoteness and rustic beauty are fantastic. I especially liked Teton Cabins (resort, 4.9, book here). But you can check out our blog post, 9 Best Areas to Stay in Grand Teton and Jackson Hole: A Complete Guide to find what would work best for you.

Pro Tip: Stop at Oxbow Bend shortly after entering – it’s one of the best spots in the park to see moose, bears, and bald eagles.

4. The Flagg Ranch North Entrance- Best For Yellowstone Travelers

The Flagg Ranch Entrance is the name we’ve given this unnamed 4th entrance of Grand Teton. It’s located at the north edge of the park and is not crowded at all. There isn’t even an entrance station here. It’s the best option for visitors who are going to or from Yellowstone, from Grand Teton. It provides direct access via the John D. Rockefeller Jr Memorial Parkway.

IMPORTANT: When leaving Grand Teton, it takes about 2 hours from this entrance to reach the Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone (where all the cool things to see are). From there, you have to drive even further to see more things in the park.

When you look at a map of Yellowstone and Grand Teton, it’s tempting to believe that staying at Flagg Ranch is the perfect homebase to visit both parks. Although we think Flagg Ranch is a great place to stay, people who stay here have to drive a long way each day to see either of the parks.

Who Should Use It?

People who are coming from or heading to Yellowstone National Park.

What to Expect

This scenic 27-mile drive usually takes 45 minutes to an hour to drive. The road is paved and accessible by regular vehicles. It isn’t plowed in the winter, so plan an alternate route if there is snow. It runs next to the Snake River and it’s common to see wildlife as you drive.

Hikes and Activities Near This Entrance

Inside the park

The activities close to the Moran Entrance are also close to this entrance. These include the viewpoints and scenic drive, Coulter Bay Village, and Jackson Lake.

Outside the Park (on your drive to the Flagg Ranch Entrance on the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway)

• Headwaters Lodge and Cabins at Flagg Ranch. This is the main stop along the route. There is hiking, horseback riding, lodging, a restaurant, a gas station, and a grocery store.
• Polecat Creek Loop Trail. A short, easy 2.5-mile loop that takes you through wetlands, meadows, and forest with views of the Teton Range. Wildlife sightings are common here.
• Grassy Lake Road. For those with extra time, this gravel road leads to waterfalls, lakes, and primitive campsites. Regular cars can access parts of this road, though high-clearance vehicles are recommended for the full drive.

Lodging and Camping Near This Entrance

• Headwaters and Cabins at Flagg Ranch. Matt once stayed here as a boy in the winter time and rode snowmobiles and saw the elk. He loved it.
• Grant Village in Yellowstone. This is the closest lodging area to Grand Teton in Yellowstone. Grant Village has a campground and lodge and is close to Yellowstone Lake.
• Sheffield and Lizard Creek Campgrounds in Grand Teton. These are smaller campgrounds (Sheffield 5 sites, Lizard Creek 60 sites). You can learn more about these campgrounds and other places to camp at Grand Teton on our post Camping in Grand Teton and Jackson Hole: What You Need To Know.

PRO TIP: I can’t emphasize this enough, if you are visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone in one trip, switch lodging locations for each park. You’ll be able to enjoy the parks so much more because you won’t spend so much time driving.

Which Entrance is Best for You?

Entrance	Best For	Closest Town	Key Attractions
Moose (South)	First-time visitors, Jenny Lake	Jackson, WY	Jenny Lake,Taggart Lake, Craig Thomas Visitor Center
Moran (East)	Travelers from the East	Colter Bay	Oxbow Bend, Jackson Lake, Colter Bay
Flagg Ranch Entrance (North)	Yellowstone visitors	N/A	John D Rockerfeller Memorial Parkway, Flagg Ranch
Granite Canyon (Southwest)	Teton Village visitors	Teton Village	Phelps Lake, Granite Canyon

Can You Drive Through Grand Teton Without Paying?

Sort of. You can travel on Highway 191, which skirts the park’s eastern edge, and then bear right onto US Route 26/287 (Outer Road) and head east to Dubois free of charge. To access major park attractions, you have to go through an entrance station and must pay the entrance fee:

• $35 per vehicle (valid for 7 days in both Grand Teton and Yellowstone)
• $20 per person (if entering on foot or bicycle)
• $80 for an America the Beautiful Pass (best deal if visiting multiple national parks in a year)

LEARN: Driving in Grand Teton: 10 Things You Need To Know

Final Thoughts

No matter which entrance you use, the most important thing to remember is to use the most convenient entrance for where you are coming from. Because Grand Teton is a small national park and only takes an hour to drive from one end to the other, it’s more efficient to drive through the park instead of around it.

Most people use the Moose Entrance because it is the most efficient if you are coming from Jackson. If you’re coming from Yellowstone, Flagg Ranch is your best bet. The Moran Entrance is good for travelers coming from the East, and Teton Village visitors should use Granite Canyon.

Anything Else I Should Know?

Although Grand Teton is small, it gets almost as many visitors as Yellowstone! It’s one of the hardest national parks to find parking and deal with crowds. Plus it can be expensive.

We have created a step-by-step itinerary that gives you a game plan of how to see the best sites in the most efficient order to help you stay ahead of the crowds. Plus we give star ratings, time frames, and estimated costs so you can make the most of every dollar and minute of your vacation.

Are you visiting Yellowstone, too? Check out our Yellowstone + Grand Teton Bundle.