I have been to Yellowstone/Grand Teton 5 times now, with a 6th coming a week from Sunday. Every trip I leave wanting to spend more time in Yellowstone and lackluster about needing to return to Grand Teton. My ratio of time spent between the two is 5:1, firmly in Yellowstone, yet I see a solid minority of posts by folks leaning towards far more than a day in Grand Teton.I enjoy Grand Teton, and the views are spectacular, but its one dimensional. So what am I missing?What I've done* soaked in the stunning mountain views* two scenic floats on the Snake in the park* two hikes to Hidden Falls via boat ride & hike back.* camped at every campground in the park including freezing rain in a tent at Jenny.* nature trails & visitor centers* moose, far easier to fine moose in GT* strolled Jackson squareI don't want this to start a heated exchange on Yellowstone vs Grand Teton, just am I missing with regards to GT?

Six summers out here...same opinion. Unless you seriously hike/climb, a couple of days will do it. :) If you just want laid back real camping lots of surrounding NF provide a much better experience IMHO.

I live 60 miles from there and after reading some of these posts am asking myself, "What am I missing?.

We got home last Friday after a 2 week stay in Yellowstone followed by a 2 week stay in Grand Teton. We have been to both Parks about 13 times since the 70's, but this was our longest stay in the area.Here's a few things which you didn't include in your list:- Take the Hidden Falls hike again, but continue to Inspiration Point and on into Cascade Canyon. Shortly after Inspiration Point the trail levels out and the views open up with the high mountains on both sides. If the snow hasn't melted yet, there will be string falls cascading down the mountain sides. Hike in as far as you can, but don't miss the last boat back.- The rodeo in Jackson- White water rafting on the Snake River- Take the Tram at the Teton Village ski area for great views of the Jackson Hole valley and to the west to the high peaks in Idaho.- Have lunch on the outside deck at Dornan's just across the river from the Moose Visitor center- Drive to Schwabacker Landing and hike along the side channel of the Snake to see the several Beaver dams and the beaver lodge.- Between the pull out for Oxbow Bend and Jackson Lake Junction there is a one mile side road that will take you to Cattleman's Crossing. This is a boat launch location which will allow you to paddle around Oxbow Bend.- Paddling a boat around on String Lake is also great. Look for fish in the crystal clear water.- Go to Leeks Marina to have great pizza on the porch overlooking Jackson lake.- Take Pacific Creek Road up to Two Ocean Lake for a hike away from the crowds.- A few miles outside the Park is the Gros Ventre slide and Slide Lake. There is a trail on the slide itself and a 1/2 mile further on is the Forest Service Atherton Creek Campground and also a boat launch on the lake.- About a mile beyond Atherton Creek is a pull off with a stunningly beautiful view of a valley surrounded by red cliffs with the green fields of a horse ranch at the bottom.- About 4 miles further on is the Forest Service Crystal Creek Campground at the junction of Crystal Creek with the Gros Ventre River. Views of red cliffs and white cliffs across the river. We had site 4, about 15 feet from the rushing river.- Continue driving as far as you are comfortable on the gravel/dirt road for more great views.

I agree with Dornan's for lunch, and especially Leeks Marina for pizza, the latter is a gem, worth seeking out, have enjoyed both.Will check out the Two Ocean Lake hike.Also will look into the Tram @ Teton Village and the Gros Ventre slide area, both outside the park proper.Thanks for the nice list of extras.

Drive to the top of Signal Mountain. At the top, there's a small parking area and a few steps up to a viewing platform. You can see for miles. Last time, I watched a hot air balloon go by - below me.Drive the Jenny Lake Loop Road. There's a turnout that holds about 6 cars. Walk over to Jenny Lake (about 20 feet), sit on a big boulder, just stare at the lake and mountains, and feel your blood pressure drop about 50 points. Even if there are others there, everybody whispers. Maybe the calmest I've ever been.Yellowstone is great, but very commercial when compared to the Tetons.

What am I missing in Grand Teton? | Good Sam Community

Lauren
Explorer
Feb 22, 2015
HOW close to the edge? :-)

I am experienced mountain driver but edges bother me more these days if not protected.

Sounds like a great place for some photo work for me.
j3ff9ack
Explorer
Feb 22, 2015
Mountain Mama wrote:
Our tow vehicle is 4WD dually. Would it be ok for this road or is it more like jeep riding?

Lauren wrote:
Thanks for the question, Mountain Mama, I was going to ask the same thing as we have a Chebby 3500 SRW long bed. And is it much of a shelf road? Have learned I am not as good at cliff hanging with a vehicle as I used to be (maybe I am just smarter!)

I have a post going as well seeking info (Y GT G) as, God willing, we will make the trip again in a year. Have been to them all several times but want one more shot at it.

The road is not truly 4wd worthy, but you need to have higher clearance than a car. The road runs along the edge of the plateau above the Snake River and is fairly flat. A few rocky outcroppings, but no Jeep only areas. Lots of good places to stop and use the binos or spotting scope to look for animals along the river banks. Mountain Mama, your 4wd dually will work fine as will the 3500 SRW, Lauren. We took our 2500 Duramax the entire length with no problem.
Busskipper
Explorer
Feb 21, 2015
vermilye wrote:
Here is the reason I love the view of the Tetons from Mormon Row:

X2

I will never - Never miss the chance to see those rocks.
tatest
Explorer II
Feb 21, 2015
I don't think you should let if bother you that you no longer find any particular place compelling after six visits. Maybe you are getting burned out on the Western Rockies. Many people have no interest in visiting the Rockies even a first time, or seeing any wilderness anywhere.

There are people who won't visit anywhere twice, once it is checked off their list, it is done. There are other places to go.

Other people will go to the same place year after year, they are happy with whatever it is they do there. And then there are those who have no need to ever leave home.

I find there are many places, once visited, that I care not to see again, others that I absolutely must go back to. But even I've visited several times, I get to a point "that's enough for now."
vermilye
Explorer
Feb 21, 2015
Here is the reason I love the view of the Tetons from Mormon Row:
Lauren
Explorer
Feb 21, 2015
Thanks for the question, Mountain Mama, I was going to ask the same thing as we have a Chebby 3500 SRW long bed. And is it much of a shelf road? Have learned I am not as good at cliff hanging with a vehicle as I used to be (maybe I am just smarter!)

I have a post going as well seeking info (Y GT G) as, God willing, we will make the trip again in a year. Have been to them all several times but want one more shot at it.
Mountain_Mama
Explorer
Feb 21, 2015
j3ff9ack wrote:
Mountain Mama wrote:
Where does one find info about the 4WD trail?

It's on the park map here listed as River Road. Some great views of the Snake River with wildlife most of the time.

Our tow vehicle is 4WD dually. Would it be ok for this road or is it more like jeep riding?
Padlin
Explorer
Feb 21, 2015
Twomed wrote:
If you just want laid back real camping lots of surrounding NF provide a much better experience IMHO.

This is why we liked GT better, you have NF's to go hide in. We found great hiking with the Tetons as a back drop. But then we've only been to them once.
j3ff9ack
Explorer
Feb 21, 2015
Mountain Mama wrote:
Where does one find info about the 4WD trail?

It's on the park map here listed as River Road. Some great views of the Snake River with wildlife most of the time.
CVD
Explorer
Feb 21, 2015
YNP has more to see, probably should be first on the list, but you can’t beat GTNP for the wildlife viewing. With a 2 – 3 hour drive, you can see antelope, bison, & elk by the dozen and a couple moose. The back road from Moose to Jackson in late afternoon is a great place to kill an hour or two. Further south, from our site at Gros Ventre CG, I can fish and DW can watch moose walk through camp.

Here a fishing spot 5 min walk from camp:

Here is an ~16” Cutthroat (close to where I saw the moose):

Here is a cow walking thru camp:

Wife and brother looking for wildlife near Ox Bow (saw golden and bald eagles that afternoon):

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