The Perfect 1 Day in Grand Teton National Park with Kids
Looking for how to spend 1 day in Grand Teton National Park with kids coming along? We just took our kids to Grand Teton and were left with our jaws hanging open. I now see why many people call this the most beautiful national park. The scenery, the wildlife, the plants and winding rivers, pristine lakes… There is a lot to enjoy here.
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But if you only have one day in Grand Teton, I’ve put together my absolute must-see stops that are great for the whole family.
We spent a few days in the park and saw a lot (including a family of bears!), though there’s always more to see. I’m sure we’ll go back again to see some more. But if you are shorter on time, here is the best, 1 day itinerary for Grand Teton that is family-friendly!
Note: This itinerary recommends you have your own SUP to bring. But don’t worry, there is an alternative if you don’t have one!
Morning
- SUP inspection (if you brought one)
- Colter Bay Village visitor center
- Lakeshore Trail
- Lunch at Pizzeria
- SUP permit (if you brought one)
Before you go anywhere, head to whichever is closest: the Moran Entrance or Moose entrance (Craig Thomas Discovery center, to be specific) to get your paddle board inspected. This saves you having to drive back and forth later (like we had to do). *Don’t worry if you don’t have a paddle board, there is an alternate activity for this.
To start your family trip to the Tetons, head to Colter Bay Village. This gives you a chance to stop at a visitor center for souvenirs and exhibits.
But the main feature here is to take the kids on an easy stroll on Lakeshore Trail. This trail takes you along Jackson Lake through the trees. It’s EASY for kids and has great scenery along the 2.2 miles of trail.
Next, grab some lunch at the Cafe Court Pizzeria, which is right in Colter Bay Village. This place offers pizza, sandwiches, and salads right in the park!
After lunch, walk over to the permits window (near the visitor center) and purchase a permit for your stand-up paddle board.
*No paddle board? No worries, just skip that step 🙂
Afternoon in Grand Teton
- SUP on String Lake OR
- Kayak on Jackson Lake
With a SUP:
SUP is one of our favorite things to do when we visit different mountain towns, so we packed accordingly to be able to fit this in the car with us!
When you finish your lunch, head over to String Lake. Your paddle board will need to be inspected and have a permit purchased (as mentioned in the morning itinerary), so make sure you have done those things already!
Once you’ve got those two things, park and inflate your SUP. There is just a small shore area at String Lake, but it’s big enough if it’s not terribly crowded. That is why I saved this for afternoon. Mornings at String Lake can be very busy.
Take the afternoon to enjoy this incredibly scenic lake. The water is pretty calm to paddle on. It’s also very clean and clear, albeit a bit chilly, for you to get in and swim. The only hard part was there were a bit of rocks on the floor as you enter. The farther out you go, there are less rocks.
String Lake doesn’t get deep quickly. There are no drop offs like in some lakes, so it’s a great place to take the family.
We hung out in the water while a few others would take the paddle board out. Then we’d switch.
It was really easy to spend a few hours here.
Without a SUP:
No paddle board? No problem.
After lunch, stay at Colter Bay and head to the marina where you can rent a kayak or canoe to hang out on Jackson Lake. You can rent by the hour, with a minimum 2-hour rental.
There is just something about being ON the water, instead of next to it, that is magical when you visit a place. Taking in the shoreline all around you gives a great perspective.
Plus, you can really appreciate the crystal clear waters and even splash a little to cool down.
Want to buy a paddle board to bring?
I recommend the ROC paddle board for a couple reasons.
- Highly rated– over 17 thousand people have bought this SUP, with over 90% giving it 5 stars.
- Kayak conversion– This depends on what color/style you get, but you have the options to grab a SUP with a seat you can attach. Now you’ve got both a SUP and a kayak-style board.
- Double-sided oar– again, great for kayak-mode. Instead of having to switch handgrip each time, you’ll have an oar on each side to paddle with.
- Dual-action pump– this means you’ll be inflating the board whether you’re pumping up or down. No need to waste your energy, and it inflates twice as quickly.
- 3 year warranty– these are made pretty sturdy, but if for some reason you have a problem, take advantage of the included 3 year warranty. Customers have noted that the customer service was helpful and easy to reach.
- Affordable– ROC is a family business and made in America. If you look at other brands of the same description, you’ll see that ROC is a fraction of the price.
👉🏼 Buy the ROC Stand Up Paddle Board before you go!
Late Afternoon (into Evening)
- Jenny Lake
- Boat Across
- Hike to Hidden Falls
- Boat back to Jenny Lake
Now that you’ve hiked and paddled, it’s time for something slightly more relaxing. This is where you head to Jenny Lake and take an easy hike to the popular Hidden Falls.
I suggest this for later in the day due to the crowds. You hopefully won’t be standing in long lines that midday brings to the dock.
Find a parking spot at Jenny Lake and walk through the little village area. Signs will point you down to the boat.
Once you arrive at the boat dock, you can purchase your round trip tickets to the other side of the lake.
Taking the boat is a fun experience for kids and a nice relaxing way to experience the park from the water…without any effort.
Once the boat docks on the other side, you’ll get off and make just a 1/2 mile trek up to Hidden Falls.
I almost don’t want to even include a picture of the waterfall because I saw many pictures of the falls before we went and thought “cool!”
But the falls in person is SO INCREDIBLY COOL. Much cooler than the pictures.
So just know that you’re in for a real treat when you get to Hidden Falls.
If you still have some time at this point, you can also continue up to Inspiration Point, which is about a 1/2 mile farther beyond the falls, or you can just head back to the boat.
Make sure to check the boat schedule to know when the last boat ride will be available.
Tip: The mosquitos get really bad as evening approaches. Makes sure to spray up. As a girl that never uses Deet (even during our 3 weeks in Costa Rica), I was running to the store to get a deet-filled spray this time.
Evening
- Mormon Row (sunset/golden photos)
- Head back for the night
In the summertime, the sun doesn’t set till 8pm or a bit later, so that gives you a little more time to make one more stop.
Head to Mormon Row, a popular spot with a little history attached.
As Mormon pioneers came through the area, they built a little settlement. Today, the buildings remain, with some having been renovated a little to help preserve them. This is a popular spot to both learn about the area, and get some great sunset photos.
You can find Mormon Row on in the southeast area of Grand Teton.
After you check out Mormon Row, start heading back to your hotel.
Where to Stay When Visiting Grand Teton
The most convenient place to stay is in Jackson, Wyoming. This is right outside the park and will give you quick access in and out. The downside of staying in Jackson is the price tag. But if you can swing it, there are some really great places to stay.
Recommended places to stay in Jackson:
The Wyoming Inn- This beautiful mountain resort has an upscale feel to it without being in the thousands-per-night like many rival upscale properties nearby.
The Wort- Another upscale property with a beautiful mountain feel to it. The Wort offers 2 restaurants available for 3 meals per day, and is just steps from Jackson Town Square.
👉🏼 If Jackson is too expensive, check out towns in Idaho like Victor or Driggs. This adds a little drive time, but offers more options at affordable prices.
Victor is slightly closer to Teton, but Driggs is a bigger town overall. We personally stayed in Driggs and didn’t find the drive too awful.
Recommended places to stay in Victor and Driggs, Idaho
The Lodge at Bronze Buffalo Ranch– This 4-star hotel in Victor, ID is a true retreat, offering a large pool, spa, golf, and yoga on site.
Super 8 Hotel – This is the Budget-Friendly pick located in Driggs, ID. Guests were still happy staying here though! Even though it’s not a luxury resort, it offers a (more) affordable option for somewhere to stay near Grand Teton National Park.
👉🏼 Check out affordable options to lodge in or near Grand Teton.
1 Day in Grand Teton National Park
If you only have 1 day in Grand Teton, know that you’ll still be able to see some amazing things and take in the scenery!
There is so much to see in this park, but one day is totally worth a visit. You can really see the highlights of Grand Teton with some lake and mountain combos, waterfall, and most likely some wildlife.
Enjoy your Grand Teton 1 day itinerary that is great for families. Nothing is too long of a hike and there are different activities to break up the day. You’ll love your visit to this beautiful park!
