So, you’ve got a long weekend coming up and you’ve decided to spend it exploring Grand Teton in 3 days! First, excellent choice; Grand Teton National Park is one of the most scenic and unique parks that we have been to. Second, how the heck are you going to see the whole park with only a long weekend to spare? Unfortunately… you won’t see it all BUT using this itinerary you will at least get a little taste of the Teton magic. I can assure you that you will be planning your next trip to the Tetons by the end of the weekend.
Fair warning: this is a weekend packed FULL of sunrises, sunsets and the best hikes that the park has to offer! If that’s not your thing, then you may want to modify this a bit. Otherwise, you’re in for some fun!
Fair warning #2: The Tetons are home to both grizzlys and black bears so make sure you know what to do if you encounter a bear on the trail.
Alright, let’s do it!
Contents
Day 1: Sunrise, Delta Lake, Dinner
Schwabacher Landing
Let’s start our day off bright and early by waking up before the sun does. Grab your headlamp and begin the short hike to Schwabacher Landing where you will be greeted with a glorious mountain sunrise. Nothing better than starting day 1 in the Tetons with the full range being reflected in the lake.
Delta Lake
After the show is over, hike back out to your car and enjoy coffee with a big breakfast. Once finished eating you will want to prep for your hike to Delta Lake! Be sure to pack some lunch pb&j’s and something salty as this is one of the more difficult hikes!
Begin your hike to Delta Lake via the Lupine Meadows trailhead. The hike is a 7.4 mile out and back trail with ~2,400 ft elevation gain. It is a relatively steady incline up until the last half mile where it becomes a steep and rocky terrain. Take a lot of breaks here but KEEP GOING! You are so close, and it is so worth it! Once to the Lake, enjoy your lunch with the draw dropping views of the jagged peaks surrounding the lake.
Depending on your speed, it may take you 4-6 hours to complete (or longer) and by the time you get finished you will probably be ready for a hot meal! Head over to the popular Dornan’s, located right outside of the entrance to the park, for a large pizza and some beer!
***Make sure you have sturdy hiking boots and a good day pack! We love these men’s and women’s Solomons for boots, and we both have this Ortovox day pack.
Mormon Row Historic District
After a full belly, it’s time to catch the sunset at Mormon Row Historic District, which is just an 8-minute drive from Dornan’s! The old barn with the Teton mountains behind it creates a beautiful scene to watch the sun set at the end of the day!
Day 2: Lake Solitude, Snake River Sunset
While there is no sunrise viewing today, you will still want to get an early start on day 2. Wake up and head over to Jenny Lake where you will prep your lunch and snacks for hiking.
Check out what to bring on a day hike so that you don’t miss anything!
Lake Solitude via Jenny Lake Shuttle
Once you’re ready to go, head down to the boat dock where you can purchase tickets for the scenic Jenny Lake boat shuttle. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes from 7 am-7 pm (in the summer), but you will want to try to hop on the boat around 7-730 AM to beat the crowds and get an early start for your long hike!
The hike to lake solitude is a solid 20 miles out and back from the Jenny Lake parking lot… BUT by taking the shuttle you cut out a total of 5 miles, making it a 15-mile day and MUCH more do-able!
Once you make it across the lake you will begin the trail towards Lake Solitude! On the way, you will pass Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point! You get a three-for-one with this hike!! Epic views the entire way, and relatively chill terrain. The whole day has about 2,300 ft elevation gain, but fair warning- the final push to the lake is the steepest part!
Once at the lake, enjoy your lunch and if you’re up for the challenge you can take a cold alpine dip in the water! If that’s not your thing, then just enjoy watching everyone else jump in and freeze, HA! Either way, spend as much time lounging by the lake as you please, before heading back down the trail and catching the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle back to the car.
Snake River Overlook
Enjoy a dinner of your choice before heading to Snake River Overlook for sunset! The Snake River Overlook perfectly frames the Teton mountains behind the winding turns of the snake river. The overlook is right off the road, so be sure to bring your camp chair and a beer or two (if you’re not the driver) and enjoy watching the incredible day come to an end.
Day 3: Sunrise, Taggart/Bradley Loop, Water
Oxbow Bend
The last day is an easier day than the two previous; but that still doesn’t mean that we’re not going to wake up early to catch a sunrise! Your body won’t want to but DO IT ANYWAY! Head out to Oxbow bend for a magically still and serene morning. This one is right off the road, so if you’re struggling to wake up, make sure to bring your coffee with you!
Taggart/Bradley Loop Hike
After sunrise head over to the Taggart/Bradley Loop Trail where you will embark on a 6.0-mile loop with ~750 ft elevation gain. This is a much easier and still very scenic day hike!
After Hiking, I would suggest one of two options- either Phelps Lake rock jump or kayaking/canoeing at the Colter Bay Marina!
Phelps Lake Rock Jump
For the adventurous souls, you can drive to Phelps Lake where there is a 20 ft rock feature (depending on water levels) that is protruding over the water! The water below the rock is deep, making it the PERFECT place to take an epic alpine plunge!
Colter Bay Kayaking
For those looking for a more relaxing afternoon, head over to Colter Bay and rent a kayak or canoe and paddle the lake! It’s such a great way to enjoy the park with little effort. Whenever you are finished enjoying your day, head back to Jackson and grab a bite to eat. There are so many good restaurants and brewery’s so take your pick based on what you’re craving!
What to Pack for Grand Teton National Park
Shoes: We LOVE these Salomon’s in women’s and men’s!
Pack: A good day pack makes ALL the difference! We both use this 30L Ortovox pack. It’s the perfect size for day hiking and we love that it unzips all of the way down the front!
Sun protection: a brimmer hat and sun hoodie (women’s and men’s) are essentials in the sun!
Cooler: Keep a few snacks and drinks cool in the car with this affordable soft sided cooler! It’s a game changer on a hot day!
Water: Be sure to bring a water bladder for your daypack. Plus this packable water cube and a reusable water bottle are great to keep in the car!
Snacks: Make sure to pack some trail snacks too! We love these meal replacement bars (although we use them as a snack not a meal!)
First aid kit: Just this standard first aid kit should suffice if anything were to happen on the trail!
Light: A headlamp and extra batteries are important to carry in case you are out hiking later than you suspect.
OF COURSE you should always carry the 10 essentials as appropriate to your hike & environment! 🙂
Final Thoughts on Grand Teton in 3 Days
While three days in Grand Teton National Park doesn’t seem like a lot of time, you can see so much if you plan accordingly! By taking advantage of every ounce of every day you will go home with incredible memories and a LONGING for more! Don’t worry though, I am SURE you will be back soon!
Happy Weekend!
