Reasons to explore Grand Teton National Park in the winter

Dominating the Jackson Hole valley in northwestern Wyoming, the jagged spine of the Teton Range serves as the centerpiece of Grand Teton National Park.

In the height of summer, the national park can attract over 800,000 visitors. However, those who venture into the chill and snow are treated to a much more personal experience. In February of this year, the park welcomed just over 53,000 visitors.

There are certainly obstacles to consider. Most park facilities remain closed in winter, and many roads are inaccessible to vehicles, designated instead for recreational use and wildlife. Nevertheless, many adventurers find that these challenges are overshadowed by the chance to cross-country ski and snowshoe in the Tetons, and the opportunity to spot moose, wolves, and elk against a brilliant white landscape.

If you're gearing up for winter escapades, here are compelling reasons to explore the alpine beauty of Grand Teton National Park this winter.

Top activities and sights to explore in Grand Teton National Park during winter

While many envision winter in Jackson Hole as a time for skiing at nearby resorts, it's also a fantastic starting point for a winter adventure in Grand Teton National Park.

Here, you can glide on cross-country skis or snowshoes along snow-laden roads and trails, or delve into the winter wilderness for permitted backcountry camping. Numerous guides offer thrilling backcountry skiing or snowboarding experiences in the Tetons, and mountaineering programs attract those eager to hone their alpine skills.

On my March visit to Grand Teton National Park, I participated in a snowshoeing tour to the frozen Taggart Lake with The Hole Hiking Experience. It turned out to be quite a workout, and as the afternoon sun began to warm the air, we were all ready to shed our jackets and hats. The tours come complete with snowshoe rentals, snacks, and other amenities.

While the program was suspended for the 2020-2021 winter season, visitors can typically arrange snowshoeing tours with a park ranger.

Snowmobiling remains a favored winter activity for guests in Jackson Hole and the Tetons, though you'll need to book a tour with a licensed concessioner. You can also snowmobile through Togwotee Pass, which separates the Gros Ventre and Wind mountain ranges, and travel from Wyoming to Yellowstone National Park.

In fact, snowmobiling is one of the few ways to reach certain locations during winter, such as the Granite Hot Springs in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. (Otherwise, these hot springs can only be accessed via cross-country skis, fat bikes, or dog sleds.)

Dog sledding tours that start with a scenic drive through Grand Teton National Park are also popular among visitors seeking to enjoy the mountainous vistas while staying cozy and relaxed. Many of these tours traverse the Bridger-Teton and Shoshoni National Forests.

Against the stunning backdrop of pristine snow, winter is an ideal time for wildlife watching and photography in Grand Teton National Park. Guests can look for elk (thousands of which belong to the Jackson elk herd on the National Elk Refuge), moose, bison, deer, bald eagles, swans, and wolves.

How to reach Grand Teton National Park in winter

While winter air service to Jackson Hole (JAC) may be reduced, direct flights from major cities nationwide remain readily available.

Delta generally offers daily nonstop flights from Atlanta (ATL), Los Angeles (LAX), Minneapolis (MSP), and Salt Lake City (SLC). American Airlines provides daily nonstop service from Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York (LGA), and Charlotte (CLT) in North Carolina. For United Airlines fans, daily nonstop flights are easy to find from Chicago, Los Angeles, Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), New York (EWR), and San Francisco (SFO).

Alaska Airlines has also launched ski-season flights from San Jose (SJC), Seattle (SEA), and San Diego (SAN).

Typically, winter flight schedules start in mid-December and run through late March or early April, with a few exceptions.

Jackson Hole Airport is unique as the only commercial airport entirely situated within a national park, offering stunning views of the Tetons during takeoff and landing. There are also several on-site car rental options, including Hertz, Alamo, Enterprise, and National.

Accommodations near Grand Teton National Park

Since no park lodges operate during the winter months, those wishing to experience Grand Teton National Park in the off-season should consider staying in nearby towns such as Jackson and Teton Village.

For those intending to spend more time skiing or snowboarding than exploring Grand Teton National Park, Teton Village might be a preferable option, though it tends to be pricier.

The Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole typically charges over $2,500 per night during winter. While rates are rarely low, they can fall to around $475 during the shoulder season.

In Jackson, where hotels primarily cater to national park visitors rather than skiers, the Category 6 SpringHill Suites Jackson Hole can easily command over $500 (60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) in summer. However, room rates in December can drop to about $150 (or 40,000 points).

The Cloudveil, a Category 7 Autograph Collection property that opened in Jackson in May, currently requires 50,000 points on off-peak dates (more readily available in winter) and 70,000 on peak dates, typically during the busy summer season.

This trend is also evident at the luxurious Amangani, where winter rates can fall to $800 per night, but rarely drop below $1,600 during summer.

This year, you can also reserve a luxurious chalet from onefinestay, which has expanded to the ski town of Jackson Hole this season.

Final thoughts

If you're heading to Wyoming this winter, be sure to pack your warmest layers and best boots. The rewards—a peaceful afternoon in Grand Teton National Park, abundant wildlife sightings, and significantly reduced hotel rates—make it worth leaving some space in your suitcase.

However, similar to national parks nationwide, winter visitation to the Tetons is increasing. In December 2020—possibly influenced by the pandemic prompting Americans to seek outdoor activities—Grand Teton National Park recorded 61,416 recreational visitors, breaking the previous record set in 2002. The numbers climbed even higher in January 2021, with 66,585 visitors braving the chill.

So if you’re envisioning snow-covered peaks and tranquil, frozen forests, don’t hesitate to plan your visit to Grand Teton National Park.

Feature image by Melanie Lieberman/Dinogo