Grand Teton National Park in the winter is honestly something else — quiet, calm, and completely magical. The Tetons look even more dramatic covered in snow, the crowds disappear, and the whole park feels like you’ve stepped into a postcard. Even though many of the inner roads close for the season, you can still see so much of this iconic park in just one day.

There’s plenty of activities to be done in winter in Grand Teton – snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, etc., but this itinerary if for the people who are like me – wanting to get the views of winter in the Tetons, without heaps of effort :). I’m talking about stopping at all of the viewpoints, going on small walking hikes, and most importantly, staying close by the warmth of the car!

If you’re already staying in Jackson Hole, this is the perfect half-day or full-day add-on to your trip.

Planning a bigger trip to the Jackson Hole area? My complete Jackson Hole Travel Guide breaks down where to stay, how to get around, and the best things to do, or use my 4-Day Jackson Hole Itinerary for a step-by-step guide of what to do.

Quick Deets: Winter in Grand Teton

• Best For?
  • Snowy sightseeing, photography, wildlife, and scenic drives.
• Where To Start?
  • If you’re looking to roadtrip Grand Teton, you’re likely staying either in Jackson or Teton Village, which will be your best bet for this itinerary.
• What Roads Are Open?
  • Highway 191 is fully open – this is the main park road, which is plowed all winter.
• What Roads Are Closed?
  • Teton Park Road, Moose-Wilson Road (mostly), and most interior routes. These are closed between November – May, but check the National Park website to confirm before you head out!
• Time Needed?
  • You’ll need about 4 – 6 hours total to hit all of the stops.
• Best Time of Day?
  • Morning for wildlife, sunset for mountain glow
• What Will The Weather Be Like?
  • Coming to Jackson Hole & the Tetons in the winter means you’ll need to be prepared for potentially very cold temps (negative degrees likely). The pullouts are likely to be icy, too, so trek carefully!
• What Will You See?
  • Mormon Row, Snake River Overlook, Glacier View, Teton Point, and hopefully lots of wildlife – moose, elk, bison.

Your One-Day Winter In Grand Teton Route

This route follows Highway 191, which stays open year-round and gives you access to the park’s best winter overlooks. It’s the perfect route for stopping at plenty of plowed turnouts, scenic viewpoints, and a few easy walking areas.

9:00 AM: Coffee & Breakfast at The Bunnery

Start your morning in downtown Jackson with breakfast at The Bunnery — warm pastries, hot coffee, and plenty of cozy options before heading out into the cold. It’s quick, easy, and right on the way out of town. Get their homemade O.S.M. Granola pancakes, which is their speciality blend of oats, sunflower seeds, and millet. It’s delish, and you can even bring some home with you!

This is also a great place to fill up on caffeine since once you’re in the park, it’s mostly scenic stops until lunchtime.

10:00 AM: Stop at the Grand Teton National Park Sign

Just after leaving Jackson, pull over at the Grand Teton National Park sign for a quick photo. In the winter, the snow-covered backdrop makes it even more dramatic — an easy, scenic stop before the main route begins.

10:30 AM: Taggart Lake Trailhead

Start your morning by driving about 8 miles north of Jackson, then turn left onto Teton Park Road toward the Moose Entrance. You can pick up your park pass here if you need one.

The open road ends at the Taggart Lake trailhead, where the parking lot is usually plowed and a ranger is often around to help with directions.

This area has over 20 miles of snowshoe and XC ski trails, but you can absolutely explore a bit in just snow boots. We walked about a mile out — enough to get those dreamy winter forest views — before turning back so we could hit more stops & warm up.

It’s peaceful, quiet, and SO beautiful in the snow.

11:45 AM: Drive to Mormon Row

From Taggart, head toward Mormon Row to see the iconic John Moulton Barn.
This spot is stunning year-round, but in the winter with the snow-covered fields and Tetons behind the barn… it honestly looks like a painting.

The road closes partway in winter, so you’ll park at the closure line and walk about 1 mile to the barn. If it’s really cold (when we were there it was about 5°F), this walk feels VERY long — but it’s so worth it.

You can continue farther along Mormon Row if you want, but we turned back once our faces froze :).

12:45 PM: Snake River Overlook

After warming up in the car, continue north along Highway 191 and stop at Snake River Overlook, one of my absolute favorite winter viewpoints.

Mormon Row was the last of the “hikes” we chose to do, and spent the rest of the exploring checking out overlooks & turnouts along the way north – all showcasing the beautiful Teton Mountains. 

Snake River Overlook was one of my favorite, where you could see the river peaking through the snow, with stunning snow-covered trees surrounding the area.

1:15 PM: Cunningham Cabin Turnout

A quick but worthwhile stop.

Pull over to check out the historic Cunningham Cabin with the Tetons perfectly lined up behind it. Even if you don’t walk out to the cabin itself, the views from the turnout alone are stunning.

1:30 PM: Elk Ranch Turnout

Another easy spot where you can hop out, grab a photo, and keep going.
Wide-open fields + snowy mountain backdrop = classic winter Teton views.

Sometimes you can spot elk herds in the distance, especially earlier in the day.

1:45 PM: Oxbow Bend

Head farther north to Oxbow Bend, one of the most photographed spots in the entire park.

In winter, the scene completely changes — the river is usually covered in snow or ice, so instead of a reflection shot, you get a minimal, soft winter landscape that’s surprisingly beautiful.

This one feels very quiet and still in the colder months.

2:00 PM: Jackson Lake Dam

Your last stop is Jackson Lake Dam, where you can park and walk around for sweeping lake and river views. And, to your left, you’ll likely see a few people ice fishing on the frozen lake! Be prepared for some really strong winds, but it’s a lovely final stop before heading back toward Jackson.

Teton Park Road is closed just a bit further past Jackson Lake Nov-May, but you can make it a bit further to Signal Mountain Lodge, which is closed for the winter, but will have you drive past the Chapel of the Sacred Heart. It’s also closed in the winter, but a pretty sight in the snow. You’ll also have some snowy overlooks of the lake, and just generally gorgeous, quiet, snow covered roads.

You technically can drive further North on the 191 if you have more time. We knew we were going to be doing the full drive North to snowmobile the next day, and we’re getting a bit chilly, so this was where we decided to turn around!

2:45 PM: Late Lunch Back in Jackson

After finishing the route, head back to Jackson for a warm, cozy lunch – the perfect way to thaw out after a cold morning of winter sightseeing.

Great Lunch options:

• Hand Fire Pizza (wood-fired, super comforting)
• Persephone Bakery (soups, sandwiches, pastries)
• Picnic (casual + quick)
• Local (burgers + hearty plates)

Grand Teton Winter Wildlife

Winter is one of the best times to spot wildlife in Grand Teton, especially since snow pushes animals down to lower elevations.

What you might see:

• Moose: commonly near Moose Junction, Taggart, and Moose–Wilson Road
• Elk: often around Elk Ranch Turnout or near the Elk Refuge
• Bison: grazing along Highway 191
• Bald Eagles: perched near Oxbow Bend or Jackson Lake Dam
• Foxes + Coyotes: easy to spot against the snow

You’ll also pass the National Elk Refuge on your way back into Jackson – one of the best places to see huge elk herds in winter. You can even take a sleigh ride! Read more about this highlight of our trip with my National Elk Refuge Guide.

What’s Closed in Winter In Grand Teton

A few major parts of Grand Teton close for winter, which is why this route focuses on Highway 191 and the easy-access turnouts.

Closed from roughly Nov-May:

• Teton Park Road past Taggart Lake
• Jenny Lake Scenic Drive
• Most of Moose-Wilson Road
• Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point
• Signal Mountain Summit Road
• Lake access roads + boat ramps

This keeps the winter route simple – but still incredibly scenic.

What to Wear for Winter in Grand Teton

• Warm base layers
• Fleece or wool mid-layer
• Waterproof boots with traction
• Puffy insulated jacket
• Warm hat + gloves

If you want to snowshoe, you can rent gear from shops in Jackson or Teton Village.

If You Have More Time

If you want to explore even more of the area (or extend your trip past a half-day in the Tetons), here are a few easy winter add-ons:

• National Elk Refuge Sleigh Ride – such a fun, unique winter activity
• Snowshoe farther out from Taggart Lake if you have the gear
• Astoria Hot Springs for a warm soak after a cold morning
• Explore the town of Jackson for shops, drinks, and cozy café stops

Need more ideas for your trip? I also put together a full list of the Best Winter Activities in Jackson Hole – from skiing to hot springs to wildlife tours.

Is Winter in Grand Tetons Worth it?

Absolutely! A winter day in Grand Teton feels like stepping into another world — quiet, calm, and full of unreal mountain views. Even with limited road access, you can still see so much, and it’s the perfect addition to any Jackson Hole winter trip.

Looking for more Jackson Hole tips? Check out my other post HERE for more details on where to eat, stay and explore.