Granite mountains with a cloudy blue sky and green and yellow trees and plants in the foreground
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Grand Teton National Park Photography Guide

National Park · Wyoming

  • Bortle 1
  • 85 photo spots
  • Clearest: July
Photo: NPS Photo/Tobiason · Public domain (NPS)

Grand Teton National Park is a National Park in Wyoming. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and 85 photo locations inside or next to the park.

Soaring over a landscape rich with wildlife, pristine lakes, and majestic alpine vistas, the Teton Range stands as a testament to generations of stewards. For over 11,000 years, communities have thrived in the valley known as Jackson Hole, turning these mountains into more than just peaks—they embody imagination and enduring human connection.Description: National Park Service (public domain) — nps.gov
Photo spots
85
matched locations
Sky darkness
Bortle 1
Excellent dark-sky site
Clearest month
July
38% cloud
Milky Way peak
June
Mar–Sep
Nearest town
Driggs
34 km (21 mi)

Light at Grand Teton

Live
Sunrise
7:44 AM
Sunset
6:32 PM
Golden hour AM
7:26 AM – 8:24 AM
Golden hour PM
5:53 PM – 6:50 PM
Blue hour AM
7:15 AM – 7:26 AM
Blue hour PM
6:50 PM – 7:02 PM
Full darkness
8:08 PM – 6:09 AM
Moon
Waxing Gibbous · 71%
Moonrise / set
3:59 PM / 1:34 AM
Day length
10h 48m
Sunrise azimuth
104°
Sunset azimuth
256°
000306091215182124
NightTwilightBlue hourGolden hourDaylight

Times in America/Denver. Golden hour = sun −4° to +6°; blue hour = −6° to −4°.

Clouds at sunrise & sunset

NWS

Hourly sky cover from the National Weather Service. 20–60% cloud often gives the most colorful sunrises and sunsets.

Best photo spots in Grand Teton

We matched 85 named overlooks, waterfalls, peaks and other features to Grand Teton. Each has its own page with sun directions and a monthly golden hour table.

Scenic Viewpoints (9)

Blacktail Ponds OverlookScenic Viewpoint
Blacktail Ponds OverlookTeton County · 1,988 m
Albright View TurnoutScenic Viewpoint
Albright View TurnoutTeton County
Scenic Viewpoint
Bar BC OverlookTeton County
Scenic Viewpoint
Emma Matilda OverlookTeton County · 2,350 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Gros Ventre OverlookTeton County · 2,126 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Jackson Lake OverlookTeton County · 2,138 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Jackson Point OverlookTeton County · 2,307 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Snake River OverlookTeton County · 2,106 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Willow Flats OverlookTeton County · 2,087 m

Waterfalls (11)

Hidden FallsWaterfall
Hidden FallsTeton County · 2,278 m
Shoshoko FallsWaterfall
Shoshoko FallsTeton County · 2,736 m
Waterfall
Broken FallsTeton County · 2,434 m
Waterfall
Bannock FallsTeton County · 2,373 m
Waterfall
Cleft FallsTeton County · 2,625 m
Waterfall
Columbine CascadeTeton County · 2,569 m
Waterfall
Glacier FallsTeton County · 2,335 m
Waterfall
Ribbon CascadeTeton County · 2,309 m
Waterfall
Spalding FallsTeton County · 3,049 m
Waterfall
Wilderness FallsTeton County · 2,856 m
Waterfall
Cascade Canyon TurnoutTeton County

Mountain Peaks (23)

Grand TetonMountain Peak
Grand TetonTeton County · 4,200 m
Mount MoranMountain Peak
Mount MoranTeton County · 3,837 m
Mount OwenMountain Peak
Mount OwenTeton County · 3,934 m
Middle TetonMountain Peak
Middle TetonTeton County · 3,904 m
South TetonMountain Peak
South TetonTeton County · 3,801 m
Buck MountainMountain Peak
Buck MountainTeton County · 3,627 m
Teewinot MountainMountain Peak
Teewinot MountainTeton County · 3,733 m
Mount Saint JohnMountain Peak
Mount Saint JohnTeton County · 3,469 m
Bivouac PeakMountain Peak
Bivouac PeakTeton County · 3,296 m
Mount WoodringMountain Peak
Mount WoodringTeton County · 3,514 m
Disappointment PeakMountain Peak
Disappointment PeakTeton County · 3,529 m
Elk MountainMountain Peak
Elk MountainTeton County · 3,268 m

Lakes (16)

Jenny LakeLake
Jenny LakeTeton County · 2,069 m
Leigh LakeLake
Leigh LakeTeton County · 2,097 m
Two Ocean LakeLake
Two Ocean LakeTeton County · 2,103 m
Jackson LakeLake
Jackson LakeTeton County
Phelps LakeLake
Phelps LakeTeton County · 2,023 m
Emma Matilda LakeLake
Emma Matilda LakeTeton County · 2,096 m
String LakeLake
String LakeTeton County · 2,097 m
Bradley LakeLake
Bradley LakeTeton County · 2,142 m
Taggart LakeLake
Taggart LakeTeton County · 2,105 m
Trapper LakeLake
Trapper LakeTeton County · 2,109 m
Bearpaw LakeLake
Bearpaw LakeTeton County · 2,089 m
Holly LakeLake
Holly LakeTeton County · 2,870 m

Canyons (13)

Avalanche CanyonCanyon
Avalanche CanyonTeton County
Open CanyonCanyon
Open CanyonTeton County
Cascade CanyonCanyon
Cascade CanyonTeton County
Death CanyonCanyon
Death CanyonTeton County
Moran CanyonCanyon
Moran CanyonTeton County
Garnet CanyonCanyon
Garnet CanyonTeton County
Paintbrush CanyonCanyon
Paintbrush CanyonTeton County
Snowshoe CanyonCanyon
Snowshoe CanyonTeton County
Webb CanyonCanyon
Webb CanyonTeton County
Granite CanyonCanyon
Granite CanyonTeton County
Leigh CanyonCanyon
Leigh CanyonTeton County
Canyon
Valhalla CanyonTeton County

Hot Springs (1)

Hot Spring
Jackson Lake Hot SpringsTeton County

Rock Formations (1)

Blacktail Butte Pathway HubRock Formation
Blacktail Butte Pathway HubTeton County

Glaciers (6)

Schoolroom GlacierGlacier
Schoolroom GlacierTeton County
Skillet GlacierGlacier
Skillet GlacierTeton County
Triple GlaciersGlacier
Triple GlaciersTeton County
Falling Ice GlacierGlacier
Falling Ice GlacierTeton County
Petersen GlacierGlacier
Petersen GlacierTeton County
Teton GlacierGlacier
Teton GlacierTeton County

Mountain Passes (5)

Hurricane PassMountain Pass
Hurricane PassTeton County · 3,151 m
Paintbrush DivideMountain Pass
Paintbrush DivideTeton County
Static Peak DivideMountain Pass
Static Peak DivideTeton County
Mountain Pass
Mount Meek PassTeton County · 2,962 m
Mountain Pass
Moose Basin DivideTeton County

Sunrise, sunset & golden hour

At Grand Teton the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 56° (NE) at the June solstice and 123° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 305° (NW) in June to 238° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 70° in summer but only 23° in winter.

NESW60°30°
June solsticeEquinoxesDecember solstice
Month (15th)SunriseGolden hour endsGolden hour startsSunsetSunset az.Daylight
January7:54 AM8:40 AM4:26 PM5:11 PM241°9h 17m
February7:23 AM8:03 AM5:13 PM5:53 PM253°10h 30m
March7:36 AM8:14 AM6:51 PM7:29 PM268°11h 53m
April6:40 AM7:19 AM7:28 PM8:06 PM285°13h 26m
May5:58 AM6:40 AM8:01 PM8:42 PM298°14h 44m
June5:41 AM6:25 AM8:23 PM9:07 PM304°15h 27m
July5:55 AM6:38 AM8:21 PM9:04 PM302°15h 08m
August6:28 AM7:08 AM7:49 PM8:29 PM291°14h 01m
September7:03 AM7:41 AM6:57 PM7:35 PM275°12h 32m
October7:38 AM8:17 AM6:02 PM6:41 PM259°11h 03m
November7:18 AM8:02 AM4:15 PM4:58 PM245°9h 40m
December7:51 AM8:38 AM4:00 PM4:47 PM238°8h 56m

Computed for the park's reference point (43.8185, -110.7055); large parks span several minutes of difference.

Milky Way & dark skies

From Grand Teton, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from March through September. June gives the longest window (about 3.7 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 17° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 1 (excellent dark-sky site), which is excellent for astrophotography.

MonthCore visible (15th)HoursMax altitude
JanuaryNot visible in darkness——
FebruaryNot visible in darkness——
March5:15 AM – 5:55 AM0.714°
April3:11 AM – 4:51 AM1.717°
May1:15 AM – 3:45 AM2.517°
June11:30 PM – 3:10 AM3.717°
July11:17 PM – 1:57 AM2.717°
August10:20 PM – 11:50 PM1.516°
September9:13 PM – 9:53 PM0.714°
OctoberNot visible in darkness——
NovemberNot visible in darkness——
DecemberNot visible in darkness——

1 Estimated Bortle 1 — Excellent dark-sky site. The Milky Way casts faint shadows; zodiacal light and airglow are obvious.

Weather & best time to visit

Grand Teton National Park has long, cold winters—snow and frost are possible any month. April, May, & June - Mild days and cool nights alternate with rain and snow. July & August - Warm days and cool nights prevail, with afternoon thundershowers common. September, October, & November - Sunny days and cold nights alternate with rain and occasional snowstorms. December to April - Between storms the days are sunny and nights are frigid. Snow blankets the mountains and valley.

Weather overview: National Park Service.

Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show July as the clearest month (about 38% average cloud cover) and December as the cloudiest (71%). July is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.

Average cloud cover (%)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Average high (°F)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Photography permits, drones & fees

Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.

Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.

Entrance feeCost (USD)
Entrance - Private Vehicle$35.00
Entrance - Motorcycle$30.00
Entrance - Per Person$20.00
Commercial Entrance - Sedan$25.00

Fees as published by the NPS when this page was built — confirm on nps.gov before you go.

Getting there

Grand Teton National Park is located in northwestern Wyoming; north of the town of Jackson, Wyoming and south of Yellowstone National Park. By car from Salt Lake City, Utah is approximately 300 miles and about 5-6 hours from the park and from Denver, Colorado is approximately 550 miles and about 8-10 hours from the park. Grand Teton National Park is unique in that it is the only national park that has a commercial airport within its border, Jackson Hole Airport (JAC). For current road info:

Directions: National Park Service.

Activities

  • Arts and Culture
  • Cultural Demonstrations
  • Auto and ATV
  • Scenic Driving
  • Biking
  • Road Biking
  • Boating
  • Motorized Boating
  • Sailing
  • Boat Tour
  • Camping
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Canoe or Kayak Camping
  • Car or Front Country Camping
  • Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
  • Group Camping
  • RV Camping
  • Climbing
  • Rock Climbing
  • Mountain Climbing
  • Ice Climbing
  • Fishing
  • Freshwater Fishing
  • Fly Fishing

Nearby parks

Yellowstone National ParkID/MT
Yellowstone National Park88 km away · National Park

FAQ

When is the best time to photograph Grand Teton National Park?
July has the clearest skies on average; june is best for the milky way core. For light, plan around the first and last hour of sun. Spring and autumn usually bring softer light and fewer crowds; check the monthly table for sunrise and sunset times.
Do you need a photography permit in Grand Teton?
Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Can you fly a drone in Grand Teton?
Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
Can you see the Milky Way in Grand Teton?
Yes — from March to September, best in June. Estimated sky: Bortle 1.
What time is sunset in Grand Teton?
On the 15th of October the sun sets at about 6:41 PM local time; see the live widget for today.