Before the Park: Native Peoples and Mormon Row
Long before Grand Teton was ever set aside as a national park, people called this valley home. Native tribes such as the Shoshone and Bannock moved through the area for centuries, following the rivers, hunting game, and living off the land. Their connection to this place runs deep, and many of the trails we use today follow the same routes they once traveled.
By the mid-1800s, Mormon settlers began homesteading in the valley. They built farms, raised families, and carved out a life in the shadow of the Teton Range. The remains of those early days can still be seen at Mormon Row, where weathered barns and wooden fences stand framed against the mountains. It’s one of the most photographed spots in the park today, but it also tells the story of how people lived here over a hundred years ago.
The move to preserve this land began in the early 20th century. Mountaineers, conservationists, and wealthy philanthropists such as John D. Rockefeller Jr. recognized the importance of protecting the Tetons and surrounding valley from unchecked development. Tensions arose between locals, who worried about losing ranching land, and those pushing for conservation. After years of heated debate, Grand Teton National Park was officially created in 1929, protecting the Teton Range and several nearby lakes. Later, in 1950, Jackson Hole National Monument was added to the park, expanding its boundaries to what we know today. This long fight for protection is a reminder that the park’s beauty wasn’t guaranteed—it was safeguarded through vision and persistence.
S. Zenner, NPS
Highlights of the Park
Grand Teton is filled with places that stop you in your tracks. Jenny Lake is one of the most popular—and for good reason. Formed by glaciers, it sits right at the base of the peaks and offers incredible views. Many visitors take a short boat ride across to start hikes into Cascade Canyon, where waterfalls and steep cliffs make it feel like another world.
Jackson Hole, just outside the park, adds another layer to the experience. The town blends a western heritage with modern comforts—art galleries, restaurants, and plenty of cowboy character. It’s a natural base for exploring the park and a fun stop in its own right.
And of course, the Tetons themselves are the stars. With no foothills leading up to them, the mountains rise dramatically straight from the valley floor. Sunrise and sunset bring out their best colors, and no matter how many times you see them, the view never really gets old.
Wildlife and Visiting Today
One of the most exciting parts of being in Grand Teton is the chance to see wildlife. Moose are often found feeding in the willow flats and along streams, their broad antlers cutting a striking silhouette against the sky. Elk migrate through the valley in large herds, especially in fall when the sound of bugling echoes across the meadows. Bison roam in family groups, grazing the sagebrush plains much like they did hundreds of years ago.
Bears also make their home here—both black bears and grizzlies—following seasonal food sources from spring berries to autumn trout runs. Visitors may also spot pronghorn, the fastest land mammals in North America, which migrate through the park each year. Overhead, bald eagles, hawks, and even the occasional osprey patrol the skies, while trumpeter swans glide across the waters.
What makes Grand Teton so special is the rhythm of these seasonal changes. Spring brings young calves and cubs, summer is alive with activity in meadows and rivers, autumn showcases the great migrations, and winter turns the valley into a quiet stage for hardy wildlife like bighorn sheep. Every season tells a different story.
Today, the park draws travelers from around the world who come for these views and encounters. Each season offers something unique—wildflowers, high mountain hikes, golden aspens, or snow-capped peaks. For many visitors, joining a guided tour adds a deeper connection: not just seeing the highlights, but also learning the stories, history, and natural rhythms that make this place unlike anywhere else.
Cody Hoagland - SWAT Tour Guide
Whether it’s the history of Mormon Row, a quiet moment along Jenny Lake, or the thrill of spotting a moose in the willows, Grand Teton offers something unforgettable for every traveler. Our Grand Teton & Yellowstone Explorer Tour is designed to showcase the very best of this landscape, with small-group experiences that bring you closer to the stories, scenery, and wildlife that make this corner of the Rockies so extraordinary.
