Things to do in Grand Teton with non-hikers

My family and I spent a 1 1/2 days in Grand Teton in Aug 2007. We did the Inspiration point hike with a ranger and also went further up the trail and walked back to dock area rather than take the boat.

This time I am bringing my 79 yr old mother and a sister who does not hike to Yellowstone. I would like to stop in Grand Teton but wonder if there is much to do without hiking (or rafting). I know that in Yellowstone there are many things within a short walk from the car but do not know so much about Tetons. Any suggestions? We will be there in late June. Thanks

Things to do in Grand Teton with non-hikers

We spent a full day just driving round GTNP during our first visit, although we did the Jenny Lake boat trip and walked to Inspiration Point.

As you know it is very scenic.

You can drive up Signal Mountain Road and at the top there is a short walk to an overlook with incredible views.

The Molton Barns are worth a visit for a popular photograph with the Tetons as a backdrop, also the little church with the Tetons viewed through the window instead of stained glass. You can also do a trip out to String Lake which is pretty.

Also wildlife watching - moose, deer etc - will take time up and I%26#39;m sure there will be plenty to fill your day.

Things to do in Grand Teton with non-hikers

Take the drive up Signal Mt Road, the view is great. The Church of the Transfiguration and Manors Ferry Landing is a neat place to walk around. The visitors center at the Moose enterance is very nice. There%26#39;s a new Rockerfeller Center on Moose-Wilson road, not sure what%26#39;s there it wasn%26#39;t open yet when we were through in June but there%26#39;s usually wildlife along the road. Worth a drive. Also drive the Outter Park Road for great views and bison herds. Jackson Lake Lodge is a good stop for a break from the car and lunch at the diner.

You could check out the Gros Ventre Slide area just outside the eastern side of the park not far from the Moose/Kelly area. The drive to it is quite scenic; many spectacular pink and red cliffs.

You could walk to Leigh Lake; flat terrain, very scenic and you might see some wildlife (I saw a family of moose along the way). The view from the deck at the Jackson Lake lodge is worth checking out as well.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I think we will drive there from YNP on our last day and spend the night in Jackson. I think that will put us an hour closer to Salt Lake where we fly out of than if we left from the Lake area of YNP and headed out via the the west entrance. Does that sound right?

Stop at Jackson Lake Lodge. The views from the deck/bar area are wonderful. Early in the moring, or at dusk you are almost sure to see animals. There is a boat ride on Jackson Lake, but I am not sure where it leaves from, maybe Colter Bay? There are a few things to do in the Jackson area. The town in cute, but touristy. There are a few nice art galleries and a wildlife museum. The tram in teton village is a treat, and allows people who don%26#39;t want to, or can%26#39;t hike to get great views. There is a very nice restaurant and a snack shop on top. Just driving a looking is fun.

We visited there March 08 and I was a non-skier due to attempting to ski the week before and permanently injuring my knee. I felt better after riding the chair lift to the top of Snow King and getting to see some of the scenery my DH did skiing. I think they run the lift in the summer. They assisted you as needed in the winter and there is a lookout on top of the mountain. You can ride the town bus for free to Snow King if you are staying in Jackson.

My wife is handicapped and can%26#39;t walk more than a few hundred yards and that not on rough ground. We stayed at Signal Mountain Lodge last June and I would never consider staying at any of the other places after staying there. She enjoyed looking out from the front porch of our cabin (2 bedrooms btw) across the lake to the mountains the filled the skyline.

Even with her handicap she was able to thoroughly and safely enjoy the float trip arranged right there in the lodge. There is also sailboating and motorboating out on the lake through the concessionaire. But we spent the majority of our time just driving around, pulling off the side of the road and watching the moose, the bear, whatever it might be that we came across. Sometimes just the sunset. Not quite as much wildlife as Yellowstone, but we filled 4 days there, and still after 3 more days in Yellowstone everyone in our car wanted to stop at Grand Teton again on the way home.

Actually attending worship at the chapel, rather than just visiting it as tourists, we had a moose who joined us for communion and then posed in the middle of the picture window. Even the locals there every Sunday said THAT was a special treat.