When I was in my 20’s my favorite National Park was the Grand Tetons – spending the last few days here I remember why.
The Tetons are amazingly beautiful with the towering peaks, mountain lakes and wildlife.
My basecamp for the Tetons was the Virginian RV Park in Jackson. A standard RV park that packs in the RV’s and provides all the amenities. The cost was very high at almost $100 per night even with the Good Sam discount but the location was good and it had decent Internet access.
The first stop is always a visitor center to find out the best plan for seeing the area. There is a great VC in Jackson that houses the Chamber, Forest Service and National Park Service. Armed with a pile of information and some good advice I was ready to see the area. The first day (after a 3000 yard swim in the community pool) I headed for the Leigh Lake Trailhead for a 10-mile (round-trip) hike to Trapper Lake. The trail was relatively flat and skirted four lakes at the foot of the mountains. A great hike I highly recommend.
Day two was an opportunity to get out my road bike and see the park on two wheels.
There is a great bike path here that gets you off the road and you can see so much more when you travel at that slower speed.
I was able to spot some pronghorn antelope in the meadow alongside the path as well as enjoy great views of the mountains.
That afternoon was spent walking the town of Jackson and doing the typical tourist stuff like photographing the antler arches and
poking my head in at the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.
Jackson seems much bigger and more populated than I remember!
The last full day I headed to the North part of the park and took a narrated boat tour of Jackson Lake. There is a fire burning (one of several) in this area, which created smoky conditions.
The boat captain and narrator were both very good and interesting and seeing the mountains and park from the lake was a good choice.
Fall is approaching and the aspen are just starting to turn colors at this elevation. Great time of year to be here!
As most of my readers know, National Parks are not very dog friendly. Dogs are allowed only in your vehicle, parking lots and campgrounds. Don’t even think of taking them on the trails or you will certainly meet up with one of the stern Park Rangers protecting our resources.
Fortunately for Cory there is a great trailhead just outside Jackson on National Forest land. Not only are dogs allowed but they can enjoy the walk off-leash (as long as they respond to voice commands).
A nice hike up Cache Creek rounded out the visit to the area. Saying goodbye to the Tetons for now and heading north to Yellowstone National Park.
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