The Complete Guide to Grand Tetons with Kids, Tweens and Teens (18 Things to Do and More)

Rising from the nearby hills, the Grand Tetons stand sentinel over midwestern Wyoming. Visiting the Grand Tetons with kids, tweens and teens is an epic, and awe-inspiring vacation. You can find general information below on the best best hikes in Grand Tetons, fun activities, the best places to stay at Grand Tetons, and more.

We visited the Grand Tetons during the a month long summer road trip and loved the incredible mountain views and wildlife.

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A Quick Overview: What to do in Grand Tetons with Kids

While it is possible to drive through the Grand Tetons and see some of the scenery, chances are that if you are visiting the Grand Tetons with your teens, tweens, and kids, you will want to do some outdoor activities. You should definitely plan to do some hiking in Grand Tetons National Park and you can find a list below of our favorite hikes in Grand Tetons to do with kids.

The Grand Tetons are home to a range of wildlife including bear, moose, and trout. Get out to do some fishing, biking, or other tours and capture some amazing photographs of the jagged mountains. The spacious mountain views of the Grand Tetons is almost unmatched and when you combine your trip to the Grand Tetons with a few days in Yellowstone National Park you have an amazing week long vacation.

When to is the Best Time to Visit Grand Tetons National Park?

When you choose to visit Grand Tetons depends on your travel flexibility and what you hope to see. During the winter months, parts of the park are impassible, but you can still drive the Outer Park road and many people enjoy snowshoeing and cross country skiing.

The summer months are excellent for hiking, backpacking and exploring but will also be crowded. If you can visit in the shoulder seasons including Sept, Oct, and May. Winter typically starts in November and many service close down, so check ahead to make sure things are open.

How Many Days Do You Need in Grand Tetons?

With just one day the Grand Tetons you will be able to see the mountains and do an activity off the list below. This may work well if you are just driving through on your way to Yellowstone or another destinations. If you have the flexibility, you should plan to spend 3-4 days in Grand Tetons National Park. This gives you time to get out into the mountains, try some activities and still have enough time to relax.

Check out this article for the best ideas for a Grand Tetons Itinerary for 1-4 days.

15 Things to Do in the Grand Tetons with Kids, Teens and Tweens

Read below for our favorite things to do in Grand Teton National Park with kids, tweens and teens.

Best Hikes in Grand Tetons with Kids: Taggart Lake

A relatively easy 4.1 mile hike with only about 430 feet of elevation gain. This is a popular hike and a good introduction to the Grand Tetons and can be done quickly.

Best Hikes in Grand Tetons with Kids: Inspiration Point, Hidden Falls and Cascade Canyon

We loved this hike and since it’s an out and back you can go as far as you like. If you want to make it to the end of Cascade Canyon, the total mileage is about 10 miles. The best way to do this hike is to take the ferry across Jenny Lake. You will need to purchase tickets, and since lines can get long midday, it’s best to go early (before 8 am).

If you are just visiting Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls it’s just a short hike but you do almost all the elevation for the entire hike at the beginning. The falls are pretty and Inspiration Point has a great overlook of Jenny Lake.

We loved hiking through Cascade Canyon and it was an easy hike for my 13 year olds. The Canyon makes its way up a narrow river valley. Bring your bear spray as we saw a moose and a black bear on our hike.

If you are looking for an even more epic day with older kids, you can do the 20 miles Cascade Canyon and Paintbrush Canyon look or do it as a 2 day backpack if you get permits for camping.

Check out the short video below for amazing views in Cascade Canyon, or see a video of our family hiking Cascade Canyon.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CYy4AU4lqof/

Best Hikes in Grand Tetons with Kids: Hike Around Jenny Lake

Another way to see Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls is to hike around Jenny Lake. If you do the entire hike, it’s about 5 miles and mostly flat. You can also hike one way around the lake and take the ferry back. The best views on the hike are at Inspiration Point, so don’t miss climbing up to this overlook.

Best Hikes in Grand Tetons with Kids: Phelps Lake

This 7 miles loop hike is great for adventurous kids. You get to visit beautiful Phelps Lake and can even take a jump off a rock into the clear water.

Drive the Grand Tetons Loop

There are 2 main roads through Grand Tetons that make a great drive and is just over 40 miles. You can do it in either direction, but if you start in Moose and drive on 26/89/191 and finish on Teton Park Road, you can hit some of the overlooks in the morning when the sun is good for photographs.

Signal Mountain

You can drive right up Signal Mountain. This is a great place to get full views of the Grand Tetons range and is worth the drive. There is a short walk to the Jackson Lake overview as well if you want to stretch your legs after the drive.

Visit Jenny Lake

Whether you plan to hike or get out on the water, it is worth visiting Jenny Lake. It’s a short walk from the parking lot to the lake and it’s a beautiful place for a picnic. There is also information here about the park as well as the start of many hikes. You can rent kayaks and canoes here or just relax near the water. This is a great thing to add to your list of things to do in Grand Tetons with kids.

Get out on the Water

Renting kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards is a great way to get out on the water and see the Tetons from a different perspective. You can even just take the ferry across Jenny Lake. There are several places in the park to rent kayaks and paddleboards including Moose and Jenny Lake.

Mormon Row Historic District

This is a row of 27 historic buildings settled in the 1890s and is on the National Registry of Historic Places. It makes a dramatic place for photos with the backdrop of the Grand Tetons.

Take Epic Photographs

Grand Tetons National Park is a photographer’s dream with dramatic mountains hanging over lakes and rivers. Some of the best places to capture some epic photos include Oxbow Bend, Snake River Overlook, and Schwabacker Landing. If you are looking for places for the best Grand Tetons photography check out this article by Jackson Hole Traveler.

Take a Wildlife Tour

The Grand Tetons is home to so much wildlife but sometimes it takes an expert to show you the best places for viewing wildlife. A guide can also give you information about the park and the animals you are seeing. You can find a variety of wildlife tours here, or if you want to DIY to find Grand Tetons wildlife, make sure you get out hiking early in the morning or late in the day.

Visit the Visitor Center

There are several visitor centers in the Grand Tetons and you should definitely plan on visiting one of these centers soon after you arrive. They are packed full of information and it’s always helpful to get up to date suggestions on activities.

Go to Teton Village and take the Gondola

Although technically not in Grand Tetons National Park, it’s definitely worth it to take a drive over to Teton Village and take a ride up on the free Gondola. This is part of the winter ski resort and is a fun place to stay as well.

Find a place to go Swimming

If you are visiting Grand Tetons with kids in the summer , then swimming should definitely be on your list of things to do. Between lakes and rivers, there are lots of spots to cool off. Our favorite place to swim was right at our campground at Gros Ventre. You can also swim at Leigh Lake, Colter Bay, and most parts of the Snake River.

Go Horseback Riding

I’m including this on the list even though we didn’t get a chance to do it! This was high on our list, but the timing just didn’t work out. You can find a few places online to go horseback riding, or check out this one.

Visit the Elk Refuge

This is another activity that isn’t within the bounds of Grand Teton National Park. You can drive into the refuge and they offer sleigh rides in the winter. This is a great time of year to see them as they migrate down during these months and can number over 5,000! This is a fun thing to do near Grand Teton with kids.

Go Biking

There are several trails that are great for biking in the Grand Tetons and you can even rent bikes to use on the trails. We parked near the southern gate and biked from there to Jenny Lake which was a relatively easy bike.

Explore Jackson

Even if you aren’t staying in Jackson Hole, it’s worth taking time to visit the town, check out some shops and see the town center. Jackson Hole can get crowded, so if you’re eating out here, it’s worth planning ahead. If you need more Jackson Hole kids activities, you can see some ideas here.

Go Rafting

Rafting or tubing in the Grand Tetons is a great activity to do with teens and older kids. The rafting here on the Snake River is less white water and more scenic. This is a great chance to see wildlife and catch some amazing views of the mountains. You can find a tour here.

Explore Grand Tetons in the Winter

If you are able to visit in the winter, this is a great time to see the Grand Tetons with kids. You can ski, snowshoe, explore the Elk Refuge and check out the scene at Jackson Village. Taggart Lake is a great destination for skiing or snowshoeing. Remember that many of the amenities and roads are closed in the winter, so check before you go! Also remember that winter starts in November and run through into late spring.

Where to Stay in Grand Tetons with Kids

If you are camping with kids in Grand Tetons, there are a number of options for places to stay. You can find lots of information on cabins and campgrounds in the park at the National Park Service website.

Another great option is to stay in Jackson Hole. From here it is just a 30 minute drive into many of the sites in Grand Tetons. A few of the best options for places to stay with kids in the Grand Tetons include:

• The Lodge at Jackson Hole: rooms sleep 4 and there is a swimming pool, breakfast and more
• Elk Country Inn: some rooms sleep up to 6 in cabins with a kitchen
• Wyoming Inn at Jackson Hole: Just outside of the city this is Inn is spacious and comfortable
• Hotel Jackson: A cute hotel close to downtown.

Hopefully you have some great ideas of fun things to do in Grand Teton National Park with kids. You might also like:

The 10 Best US National Parks for kids in the US

10 Amazing Hikes for Teens in the US