An Easy Grand Teton 2 Day Itinerary with Kids
Looking for a Grand Teton 2 day itinerary with kids? While there is so much to see in this beautiful park that requires long trails, there is plenty to see with kids as well. If you’re spending 2 days in Grand Teton National park with kids, I’ve got you covered with all the best things to do, trails to explore, and places to see.
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Is 2 days in Grand Teton enough time? When you’ve got kids in tow, I’d say YES, it’s plenty of time. We spend 2 full days in Grand Teton recently and saw so much. The kids got tired, but never pushed too hard. They enjoyed the diversity of the park and diversity of activities and honestly, 2 days was the perfect amount of time.
All the kid-friendly things to do in Grand Teton are easy to reach and perfect, whether you’re visiting with toddlers or older kids.
We had kid ages from 8-14 when we went. If you’re traveling with toddlers in Grand Teton (or babies), I highly suggest checking out the best baby carriers to bring so that you don’t miss anything, and the kids don’t get worn out.
If you’re not sure what to do in Grand Tetons for 2 days, here’s a free plan.
Get ready for an epic trip as you spend 2 days in Grand Teton with the kids. You’ll see lakes, waterfalls, have some time hiking and relaxing, and be able to take in some incredible views that only Teton offers.
Table of Contents
Where to Stay in Teton
I’ll note really quickly a few places to stay.
IN The park is the most convenient place to stay. Try a cabin in Colter Bay Village, which is right at Jackson Lake. The village area has a small general store and other amenities.
Jackson is the most convenient outside the park, though it’s also the most expensive place to stay. If you can afford, it, stay here. It’ll save you lots of driving.
Wyoming Inn in Jackson Hole is a 4-star hotel in Jackson offering bike rentals, fitness facility, hot tub, and a restaurant on site.
Idaho is the next best place to stay, offering more affordable options. You can grab one of many rentals in the area for extra space and a kitchen space to make your own meals and have plenty of space if you’ve packed a lot, or check out the Super 8 if you want a hotel that’s affordable.
If you need somewhere affordable, check out these options in and near Grand Tetons.
2 Days in Grand Teton with kids- Day 1
Colter Bay Village
Start your 2 day trip to Grand Teton with a visit to Colter Bay Village. Here you’ll find a small village of stores, restaurants, and one of the Grand Teton visitor centers.
Colter Bay is a great place to grab some snacks for the day, buy a souvenir, grab boat/water craft permits (even for SUP), and browse through exhibits to learn more about the park.
Lakeshore Trail
Once you’ve explored the village, head past the visitor center to access Lakeshore Trail. This trail is an easy 2.2 miles that takes you along the shoreline of Jackson Lake. While you are in the trees for a lot of it (great for shade!), you’ll also have amazing snapshots of the Teton range standing tall behind the lake.
The trail begins flat and wide, with packed dirt and gravel. It then turns into a natural surface dirt and rock trail.
This is a great trail for kids in Grand Teton as it is fairly flat, minimal elevation gain, and bottlenecks you at one point where you’ll have the lake on both sides of you. This is a great place to splash, throw a few pebbles (with caution of course), and enjoy the crystal clear water.
The Lakeshore Trail will take you right back to Colter Bay Village.
Lunch at the Pizzeria
When you come back to Colter Bay Village, head to the pizzeria in the village. It’s one of the more affordable options in the park and offers great kid-friendly options like pizza and sandwiches.
Oxbow Bend
Oxbow Bend is one of the most classic, scenic spots in Grand Teton. It’s a photographer’s dream as it combines the bend in the Snake River, the Grand Tetons behind, and a chance of seeing some wildlife among it all.
There are also many wildflowers in early summer, adding some spectacular color to it all.
Oxbow Bend is a quick, easy stop. You can park right there and take just a few steps to the edge of the water to get the whole picture.
If you’re in an RV, there are a few spots along the road for larger vehicles.
Schwabacher Landing
Schwabacher is another great scenic spot great for photographers. The great thing about this spot is that is does require a little effort. But just a little.
To get to Schwabacher’s Landing, you’ll turn west onto Schwabacher Road. This will dead end you into a gravel parking area. From here, it’s just a 1/2 mile to get to the viewpoint.
You may see companies launching rafts or people jumping in to fish. You’ll definitely see a lot of cameras trying to take in the reflection of Grand Teton in the water.
Mormon Row
Continue south from Oxbow Bend to the southeast section of the park. Here you’ll find the historic Mormon Row.
Previously named Grovont, Mormon Row is an area of preserved barns and homesteads from the Mormon Pioneers. The people came through and built a settlement among the Tetons, leaving behind 6 homesteads.
Today, this is a historic district and was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in the 1990’s.
It’s one of the iconic places to photograph in the park with the old Moulton Barn resting in front of the mountain range.
Day 2 in Grand Teton
Taggart Lake Hike
Start your day with a nice hike to Taggart Lake. This gorgeous lake in Teton isn’t too tough to get to, making it a great hike for kids in Grand Teton National Park.
The round-trip trail is 3 miles with an elevation gain of 360 feet. You’ll go through bushes and trees on a dirt trail, filled with peeks of mountain peaks along the way.
At the end, Taggart Lake will slowly come into view beyond the trees. And once you arrive, it’s gorgeous.
There are a few large boulders to sit and relax on. Eat a snack responsibly and enjoy the views of Taggart.
Some people even wore their swimsuit and hopped into the water for a refreshing swim. While you can paddle board here, that would be quite the load to carry for 3 miles. So I recommend just dipping your toes or going for a chilly swim.
Lunch
If you’re hiking with kids, Taggart Lake will probably be the bulk of your morning. Now it’s lunchtime!
I always suggest packing in lunch for a couple reasons. First, it’s more affordable. Second, you can eat anytime, anywhere. Sometimes this ends up being in the car, sometimes it’s at a scenic picnic table. We’ve done both many times.
If you don’t pack your lunch, no problem. Grand Teton offers many places to eat in the park. Today I recommend heading to Jackson Lake Lodge to dine at Pioneer Grill. Yesterday was pizza at Colter Bay, today is burgers, hot dogs, salads, sandwiches, and more options at the Pioneer Grill.
Pioneer Grill is another of the more affordable options in the park. This casual diner offers variety without the steep, fancy price.
Open seasonally.
String Lake
This next stop is one of my favorite places in Grand Teton National Park to take the family. String Lake is located near Jenny Lake, but it has its own parking area.
String Lake is the best place to swim in Grand Teton National Park. There isn’t a huge shoreline, but it’s enough and visitors are friendly.
You can walk out into the water quite a ways and still reach. This gave some reassurance for letting my kids go in and swim.
The bottom can be rocky, so I suggest keeping some sandals or water shoes on to make it more comfortable.
Other than that, this is an incredible lake to swim in with some incredible backdrops.
👉🏼 If you want, you can even bring your paddle board (many people do) to get out farther on the water. Just know that you need it inspected (near the Moran entrance or near the Moose entrance) and a permit (Moose or Colter Bay Visitor Centers, or online at recreation.gov)
ROC Paddle Board
- Affordable
- Highly Rated
- Dual Action Pump (quick inflation)
- Wide Platform
- 3 Year Warranty
- Kayak Seat (optional)
Hidden Falls / Jenny Lake
After a couple hours enjoying String Lake with the kids, pack up and make the short drive over to Jenny Lake.
Find a spot to park and then set off on a 2 mile hike to Hidden Falls.
Walk through the village area and make your way down to the boat dock. But don’t get on the boat! This beautiful hike can be a one-way endeavor, so we’ll come back to the boat later.
From the boat dock to Hidden Falls is 2 miles. This will take you around Jenny Lake and deeper into the woods (just a tad). As you get close, the elevation starts to increase.
You’ll eventually start to hear the crash of the falls before you get there. And once you’ve arrived, it’s incredible.
The mist from the falls will hit you, cooling you down from a long hike. The sound is immense and much louder than you expect. And while I’ll include a picture, it doesn’t do it justice. The falls is really much larger than the picture conveys.
Hidden Falls is definitely a highlight of your 2 days in Grand Teton with kids. It’s a great, easy hike that’s not too long and not too hard.
But at the end of the day, the kids may be wiped out. If this is the case, leave the falls and follow the signs to the boat dock. This is roughly 1/2 mile of a walk to the dock (and downhill!).
Ride the boat back to the other side of Jenny Lake, and pay your 1-way fare when you get off.
2 Days in Grand Teton with Kids – graphic
Are There a lot of Bears at Grand Teton National Park?
Yes. Yes there are. While I couldn’t find an exact number, everything I found showed there were hundreds of bears within the park, both black bears and grizzlies.
I thought I’d be terrified seeing a bear, but we happened to come across a mama and her two cubs as we went from Hidden Falls to the boat dock.
There were so many people on this trail that they were stopped and told us what was going on. People before us said the bears crossed right in front of them on the trail. We definitely weren’t 100 yards away, but luckily the bears were doing their thing and walking farther away. We probably would have not even known they were there if someone hadn’t shown us as we were in a forested area with lots of people and noise.
While I was grateful these bears weren’t aggressive (especially considering there were babies), the park highly encourages everyone to carry bear spray. This is for your protection and the bears’ protection to limit/correct aggressive behavior.
And yes, almost everyone we saw had bear spray on a holster. I suggest it on any and every trail you go on.
A few bear tips:
- Make noise as you hike. Talk a lot in your group. Don’t be silent and don’t surprise anything.
- Carry bear spray and learn how to use it. Experts suggest an EPA approved spray that has a spray time of at least 6 seconds. After researching a bit, this is the one we got that matched those recommendations. If that’s sold out, this is another great brand (designed by a survivor of a Grizzly attack). YES, get a holster.
- Don’t Run. There are actually signs on the trails saying running isn’t allowed. So if you were hoping for a trail run in the park, you’ll have to find somewhere else. Running can surprise a bear, and make it feel defensive. Likewise, if you encounter a bear, don’t run. Face it and back away slowly, making noise and trying to appear big.
- Keep Your Distance. At least 100 yards for bears. If you see one, don’t approach it. Trying to get a picture for Instagram is how people get attacked and mauled by wildlife.
- No Pets. Sorry, fido will have to stay behind. As with most national parks, dogs are not allowed on the trails. This helps protect the park environmentally, and also keep curious animals away.
- Don’t Leave Food Out. Any unattended food must be securely in your car or in a bear-proof container (like for food in the bed of pick-up trucks or the like where it’s not secured). There are signs in all the parking lots about this.
Where to Stay (more detail)
I listed a few quick options above, but if you want to research a little further, here are some great places to stay.
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.
We personally stayed in Driggs, Idaho and drove over to Teton each morning. Driggs offers more affordable options and plenty of rental options.
Recommended places to stay in Driggs, ID
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.
Cozy Affordable Condo– This is where we stayed! One bedroom with two beds, pull out sofa in the family room, full kitchen, and 1 full bathroom.
Spacious Modern Home- this is a great, standalone home, especially for families! This modern home comes with a game area featuring an arcade game, foosball, and shuffleboard. You’ll get a hot tub, large yard, deck, gas fire pit and great service from the hosts. Guests loved how spacious and clean it was!
Grand Teton 2 Day Itinerary with Kids
I keep mentioning this is a Grand Teton 2 day itinerary with kids because everything in here is family-friendly. The hikes aren’t too long. The sights are beautiful. And the kids will have fun.
This 2 days in Grand Teton is geared for families who want to see a lot, but may not have 10 miles in them to see it all. You’ll still get to see beautiful lakes, do fun activities, ride a boat, and take some incredible pictures with this itinerary.
From seeing historic sites to crashing waterfalls, there’s no guessing what to do in Grand Teton for 2 days. It’s all right here and easily organized for you!
Enjoy your next family trip to Grand Teton and make sure to slow down, enjoy, and soak it all up.
👉🏼 Only have one day in Teton? Check out the highlights of the park with this
1 day family-friendly plan!
