15 Top Grand Teton Photography Spots (For Iconic Images)
Grand Teton National Park has been inspiring stunning landscape photography for generations. The iconic locations in this park keep people coming back year after year chasing that perfect shot. These are the best Grand Teton photography spots.
In this article, I cover the best locations along with a few you might not have considered.
Even the average person armed with just their phone can capture beautiful photos of these amazing places.
I am not a professional photographer. I’m not even a good amateur photographer. But I do enjoy trying to capture the most beautiful photos that I can of the places I visit so that I can share them with you and keep them as special reminders of all my travels.
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Map of the best photography spots in Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton is a pretty easy National Park to navigate by car, and it’s not very large (unlike its more famous cousin to the north, Yellowstone). Many, if not most, of these photo spots have a parking lot or ample turnout space for several people.
I recommend that you pick up a paper map of the park at the entrance station or at a Visitor Center. Not all of these locations are marked on the official park map, however.
So, I created a Google Map for you to easily get to each of these Grand Teton photo spots. Click on the image of the map below to go to the shared map in Google Maps or go to the map here.
Oxbow Bend
Oxbow Bend is one of the best places in Grand Teton National Park to get a beautiful photo.
On a quiet morning, you can see Mount Moran, at the northern end of the Teton Range, reflected in the water of the Snake River.
Oxbow Bend can also be a prime wildlife viewing area. It’s popular with moose, river otters, pelicans, and trumpeter swans.
Snake River Overlook
Ansel Adams immortalized this spot, so of course it’s a favorite spot from which to get a great photo. You’ll be looking out through trees to see the bend in the Snake River.
In addition to being a great photo opportunity, this is also a great place to just slow down and enjoy a beautiful view of the beautiful natural scenery.
Schwabacher Landing
Schwabacher Landing is another one of the most iconic spots to take photos in Grand Teton National Park. It’s also a good place to try your luck with wildlife viewing.
You’ll find this area down a short road off US 26/89/191 (the outer loop road) and it’s well worth the stop. It’s worth walking away from the area closest to the parking to find the best photo spots.
On a quiet morning, you can see the Tetons and pine trees perfectly mirrored in the calm waters of the Snake River.
Mormon Row Historic District
I think that the John Moulton Barn and T.A. Moulton Barn are something like the two most photographed barns on the planet. Photographers come to this area from literally all over the world to capture images of these barns with the beautiful Tetons behind them. They will undoubtedly be a part of your Grand Teton National Park itinerary.
The early morning sun shines on the front of the barns and the west side of the Teton Mountains, so sunrise is a very popular time to try to photograph these iconic sites in the best possible light.
To get to the Mormon Row Historic District, turn down Antelope Flats Road off 26/191, the outer road of the scenic loop drive. You’ll take Antelope Flats Road for about a mile and a half until you reach the north/south dirt road. John Moulton Barn is on the north side of Antelope Flats, and T.A. Moulton Barn is on the south side.
This area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 as an historic district.
Jenny Lake
You’ll find Jenny Lake just off Teton Park Road, which runs through the park nearest to the Teton Range.
There are a lot of things to see and do in the Jenny Lake area including hiking, boating, and shopping at the Jenny Lake store (which totally counts as an activity). Three of my favorite locations for Jenny Lake photos are
- At the end of the pathway from the Jenny Lake parking/Visitor Center area
- At the Jenny Lake Boat Launch water’s edge (accessible from the Jenny Lake Loop Trail or by car from Lupine Meadows Road)
- Jenny Lake Overlook (accessible from the Jenny Lake Road scenic drive)
This stunning lake is one of the most popular places in Grand Teton National Park. Expect large numbers of people in midday, especially on weekends.
String Lake
Like Jenny Lake Overlook, you can get to the beautiful String Lake from Jenny Lake Road. This road is a 4-mile loop off the Teton Park Road. There is a beautiful view from the shore or out on the lake. Another option is to hike around the lake for additional photo opportunities.
String Lake Loop is one of the most popular hikes in the park. This is also the area where you would start your hike to Leigh Lake, which is only accessible on foot or by non-motorized boat.
Jackson Lake Dam
This is a great place to get a broad view of the north end of the Teton Range along with Jackson Lake. It’s the views FROM the dam, rather than views OF the dam, that make for some really stunning photos.
When the first dam here failed in the early 20th century, the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation completed a concrete dam. The dam was upgraded in the 1980s.
Willow Flats
The Willow Flats Overlook provides beautiful views across wet meadows to Jackson Lake and to the Tetons beyond. Willow Flats Overlook is the only photo stop on this list which is not along the Grand Teton scenic loop drive.
To get to Willow Flats, you’ll turn left off the Teton Park Road at the Jackson Lake junction if you’re following the loop in a clockwise direction. If you follow the loop in a counterclockwise direction, you’ll follow U.S. 89/191/287 north to the northern section of Grand Teton National Park and toward Yellowstone National Park.
Blacktail Ponds Overlook
Not necessarily one of the most famous Grand Teton photo spots on this list, nevertheless I really felt like I needed to mention it because it’s different from every other view.
It’s a great spot to see beaver dam work and its effect on the surrounding landscape that makes up the wet meadows on the Snake River. This area was named for the blacktail deer (now called mule deer) which are frequent visitors.
Mount Moran
Easy to spot because of its basically flat top, Mount Moran is the dominant peak of the northern Tetons.
While you can see Moran from almost everywhere on the northern end of the Grand Teton scenic loop, one of the best views of Mount Moran in the park is from the Mount Moran Turnout. Mount Moran is also a star at Oxbow Bend (see above).
Cunningham Historic Site
While not talked about nearly as much as other Teton photo spots, I personally think the Cunningham Cabin is worth a stop.
This historic homestead, built in 1890 by J.P. Cunningham, is just a short drive off the main scenic loop and it’s interesting to see. It looks lovely against the backdrop of the beautiful mountains.
This cabin is one of the few remaining structures in the Jackson Hole area from the homesteading era, and it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
A split rail fence runs behind the cabin, which I think makes a great place for taking more photos or even personal shots.
Chapel of the Transfiguration
Chapel of the Transfiguration is a log Episcopal chapel that was built in 1925 so that those who lived in the area wouldn’t have to go all the way into the town of Jackson to be able to attend church.
It makes an idyllic photography location. To get there, turn on Menors Ferry Road off Teton Park Road. Menors Ferry Road is near the Moose Entrance to Grand Teton National Park. The small church still holds services during the summer months. All are welcome to worship there.
Elk Ranch Flats
Get a great, wide-open view of the Teton Range from Elk Ranch Flats. If you enjoy panorama shots, this is a wonderful spot to get one, since the view of the Teton Mountains is so very unobstructed.
And in late May, when these photos were taken, there was still quite a lot of snow on the mountains, which I think makes the view just that much prettier.
Where to stay at Grand Teton National Park
Visitors to Grand Teton have many lodging options to choose from. Some of the most popular places to stay are inside Grand Teton National Park or in the town of Jackson, Wyoming, nearby.
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Staying in Grand Teton National Park
There are several options perfect for those who want to stay in the Park.
- Jenny Lake Lodge
- Signal Mountain Lodge
- Jackson Lake Lodge
- Colter Bay cabins
- Camping (there are nine campgrounds inside the park)
Staying in Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson has plenty of hotels and inns to choose from with a wide variety of amenities and fitting a range of travel budgets.
- The Lexington at Jackson Hole is conveniently located just blocks from the famous Jackson town square (you know, with the elk antler arches). It’s less than 5 miles from Grand Teton National Park and you can get a suite with a kitchen or a fireplace.
- Cowboy Village Resort is a popular option for families. They offer western-themed cabins with kitchenettes near the center of Jackson.
- Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole is located a little outside of the center of Jackson, but it is closer to the Albertson’s, Target, and Whole Foods stores, so that’s a plus. Guests love the spacious rooms and comfortable beds.
Motels between Jackson and Grand Teton National Park
You can get a lot of hotel room for the money staying outside of Jackson in the area between the town and the park entrance.
We chose to stay at Flat Creek Inn, which is directly across the highway from the beautiful National Elk Refuge.
The Flat Creek Inn offers a variety of room configurations. We loved having a large room with a seating area, a king-size bed, and a full kitchen. This allowed us the ability to cook a full breakfast before exploring the park for the day. Plus we had a full-size refrigerator/freezer to keep our picnic supplies for lunches. After a long day in the Park, it was nice to have the ability to cook an easy meal ourselves instead of venturing into the busy center of Jackson.
They also have a gas station and convenience store with free coffee for guests.
Another motel in this area that’s popular with guests is the Elk Refuge Inn.
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