The Perfect Tetons Winter Itinerary
Guest Author: Hannah Mather from Ready Jet Away
I don’t know about you, but I go stir-crazy in the wintertime.
So I hit up my friends at Wandervans and decided to take a winter road trip to one of my favorite national parks, the Tetons. It’s truly a magical and peaceful time of year to experience Jackson Hole, the mountains, and all the wildlife in the park. In this post, I’m going to share my recommendations for the perfect winter road trip to the Tetons.
1) Take a sunrise/sunset drive through the park
The main road through the park (Teton Park Rd) is closed during the winter, but Highway 89 is open all year and you still have a beautiful view of the Teton range.
Here are some of my favorite winter spots where you can park and enjoy the sunrise/sunset views:
Albright view turnout
Glacier view turnout
Snake river overlook
Oxbow bend
Personally, I prefer sunrise over sunset in the Tetons because the sun will light up the range and it is nothing short of magical to see the alpenglow.
2) Cross-country ski or snowshoe to Taggart Lake
Do you want a closer look at the mountains in the winter? Let me recommend snowshoeing (or cross-country ski, if that’s your thing) to Taggart Lake! The road is plowed up to the Taggart Lake trailhead. You’ll need a national park pass to park there. A week pass is $30 per vehicle, but I highly recommend purchasing the $80 annual pass that will get you access to ALL the national parks for 12 months.
If you need to rent snowshoes, you can head to Jackson and check out Skinny Skis or Teton Backcountry Rentals.
Once you arrive at the trailhead, it’s an easy 3.8-mile roundtrip hike to the lake. Please use caution if you decide to walk out on the frozen lake, and definitely don’t try if you are alone.
Things to bring with you:
Lots of layers
Gloves or mittens
A beanie
Water
Snacks
Hothands (I like to stick one in each glove and sock)
3) Photograph wildlife at the elk refuge
Besides the gorgeous mountains, of course, the Tetons are perhaps best known for its wildlife. Head over to the National Elk Refuge with a pair of binoculars and enjoy the views! The elk are usually visible on the plians from mid-December through early April before they migrate.
4) Explore Jackson Hole
When you’re finished cruising around the park, head over to Jackson to enjoy some good food and shopping! Here’s my foodie itinerary for Jackson Hole:
After you finish your sunrise drive through the Park, head back to Jackson and visit Cowboy Coffee Co. for a cup o’ joe and some delicious pastries. For lunch, I would recommend the Teton Tiger and ordering Mama’s Ramen to warm you up! In the afternoon, take a stroll down Broadway and check out some shops, like Lee’s Tees and Overland Sheepskin Co. Finally for dinner, head over to the Sidewinders Grill for some brews and apps.