Paddling in Grand Teton National Park
- National Park
- Open 24 hours
- Lakes
- 49
- Rivers
- 35
- Access
- 8
- Boat Ramps
- 12
- Shops
- 0
Grand Teton sits in northwest Wyoming, directly south of Yellowstone, where the Teton Range rises abruptly from a broad valley floor.
The paddling here splits cleanly between two kinds of water: a braided, wildlife-dense river winding across the flats, and a collection of cold, clear mountain lakes pressed up against the range.
Of the park's more than 100 lakes, only ten are open to boating — and of those ten, only two allow motors. That ratio tells you something about the character of paddling here.
Jackson Lake is the largest and most open of the park's lakes, with Colter Bay Village Marina serving as the main hub for rentals and launches.
It's big enough to generate serious wind and chop, especially in the afternoon — morning paddles are the standard advice, and it's good advice. The lake sits at elevation, the water stays cold, and conditions can change quickly.
Overnight backcountry camping on Jackson Lake is possible, but requires advance permits; one authorized concessioner holds permits for kayak-access-only campsites.
String Lake is a quieter, shallower option — the kind of place where a solo kayak or SUP feels right. Jenny Lake draws more visitors but rewards early starts with calm water and a direct view of the Cathedral Group.
Both are non-motorized, which keeps them peaceful even in the peak of July and August.
July through September is the window when water temperatures and weather are most stable across the park's lakes; early July and September tend to be less crowded than the height of summer. The Snake River is a different discipline entirely.
It winds across the valley floor in a tangle of braided channels that shift year to year, with logjams that require reading well ahead. The park's own guidance is direct: this is a river that demands navigation skills, not just paddling fitness.
A beginner stretch exists — calmer water with fewer obstructions — but the river as a whole is not casual. The NPS maintains a river map with known features; check it before launching.
Every vessel on park water — canoe, kayak, SUP, raft, driftboat — requires a Grand Teton Boat Permit purchased annually through Recreation. gov or at the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center, Jenny Lake Ranger Station, or Colter Bay Visitor Center.
You'll also need a Wyoming Aquatic Invasive Species decal from Wyoming Game and Fish, and all watercraft must stop at AIS inspection stations at the Moose and Moran entrance areas.
The inspections exist because zebra and quagga mussels are a real threat to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem — treat them as part of the trip, not an inconvenience. The crowds that fill the trailheads and overlooks mostly miss the water.
That's the paddler's advantage here: the same peaks, the same light, the same moose in the willows — just a lot fewer people between you and it.
Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to paddle Grand Teton National Park and check the forecast before you go.
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Park alerts & road status
Closures and conditions Grand Teton National Park has posted, from the National Park Service.
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Hours & fees
When Grand Teton National Park is open and what it costs to get in, from the National Park Service.
Hours
Open 24 hoursVisitors may enter the park at any time, but visitor services and motor vehicle access vary throughout the year.
Entrance fees
- Entrance - Private Vehicle$35
- Park entrance fee for 7 days for a private, non-commercial vehicle.
- Entrance - Motorcycle$30
- Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
- Entrance - Per Person$20
- Park entrance fee for 7 days for each visitor 16 years and older entering by foot, bicycle, ski, etc.
- Commercial Entrance - Sedan$25
- A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. The cost is $25 + $20 per person. Pass is good for seven days as long as it's the same passenger group.
- Commercial Entrance - Van$125
- Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 7-15 passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Pass is good for seven days as long as it's the same passenger group.
Parking & getting around
Where to leave the car in Grand Teton National Park. Lots fill early on busy days, so plan where you will park before you head for the water.
Colter Bay Main Parking Lot
ClosedColter Bay Village parking lot is a paved 464-car lot with 18 designated handicapped parking spaces. The lot has 68 oversized spaces for RVs, boats, and buses. Restrooms are located at the visitor center, general store, and marina. The parking area provides access to the general store, visitor center, marina, amphitheater, and several trailheads. Wait time for spaces is minimal. No overnight parking allowed.
Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center Parking Lot
Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center parking lot is a paved 180-car lot with designated handicapped parking spaces. The lot has 20 oversize spaces for RVs, boats, and buses. Restrooms are available inside the visitor center. Wait times for spaces are minimal. No overnight parking allowed.
Jenny Lake Parking Lot
Jenny Lake parking lot is a paved 414-car lot with 17 designated handicapped parking spaces and nine RV only spaces. Restrooms are available in the parking lot and by the visitor center. Wait times for spaces are high at peak. Overnight parking is only allowed for those with a backcountry permit.
Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center Parking Lot
ClosedLaurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center parking lot is a gravel 50-car lot with two designated handicapped parking spaces. A restroom is available at the parking lot. Rangers and volunteers are generally available from June-September to provide information and queue vehicles for the next available space. Wait times for spaces can be up to two hours at peak. No overnight parking allowed.
Lupine Meadows Parking Lot
Lupine Meadows Trailhead parking lot is a gravel 106-car lot. Restrooms are available in the parking lot. Wait times for spaces are high at peak. Overnight parking is only allowed for those with a backcountry permit.
Mormon Row Parking Lot
North parking lot closed through mid-summer. Mormon Row parking area has two gravel lots with designated handicapped parking spaces. A bus turnaround is located near the gravel lots. Restrooms are located at the south parking lot. The parking areas provide access to Mormon Row and the Moulton Barns. No overnight parking allowed.
Accessibility: Gravel parking lot and road.
Signal Mountain Boat Launch Parking
The Signal Mountain Boat Launch is a paved 24-car lot with a designated handicapped parking space. Restrooms are available in the parking lot. Oversized and additional parking can be found up the road in the boat trailer lot. Wait times for spaces are low at peak.
String Lake Parking Lot
String Lake parking lot is a paved 226-car lot with designated handicapped parking spaces. Restrooms are available in the parking lot. Buses are not allowed in the String Lake parking lot. Rangers and volunteers are generally available from June-September to provide information. Wait times for spaces are high at peak. Roadside parking is not allowed when parking lot is full. Overnight parking is only permitted for those with a backcountry permit.
Taggart Lake Trailhead Parking Lot
Taggart Lake Trailhead parking lot is a paved 59-car lot with designated handicapped parking spaces. Parking is also allowed on the west side of the Teton Park Road, where marked. Restrooms are available in the parking lot. Wait times for spaces are high at peak.
Getting around
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 on nps.govPaddle smarter with real-time insights
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Paddling near Grand Teton National Park
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Other parks in Wyoming
Gateway towns
Where to base yourself for paddling in Grand Teton National Park.
- JacksonWY
The main gateway town, just south of the park, with hotels, outfitters, guides, restaurants, and Jackson Hole Airport inside park boundaries.
Sits just outside the park's western edge and serves as a resort base with lodging and quick access to park trailheads.
- MoranWY
Small community near the park's Moran entrance on the east side, with ranch lodging and outfitter services close to Jackson Lake.
- DriggsID
Idaho-side base accessed via Teton Pass, offering more affordable lodging for visitors approaching the park from the west.
- VictorID
Small Idaho town on the west slope of the Tetons, providing budget-friendly lodging with highway access over Teton Pass into the park.
Grand Teton National Park paddling rules
The park's own rules, on top of Wyoming licenses and regulations. Limits, fees and closures change, so check the park's page before you go.
Park Boat Permit Required
Every watercraft on park waters needs a Grand Teton Boat Permit before launching, motorized or not. That includes canoes, kayaks, SUPs, drift boats, and windsurfing boards. Buy yours on Recreation.gov or at a visitor center.
Wyoming AIS Decal Needed
Most watercraft must display a Wyoming Aquatic Invasive Species decal before using any Wyoming waters. Pick one up through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website or a local vendor.
Stop for AIS Inspection
All boats must stop at an AIS inspection station when one is open, even if the boat was inspected before. Stations are at the Moose and Moran entrance areas. Boats last launched out of state or in a mussel-infested water must be inspected before launching.
PFD for Every Person
Every vessel must carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD in good condition for each person on board. Anyone under 13 must wear one on the water at all times.
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