The Grand Tetons: America's Best Kept Secret!
Written: Feb 07 '01
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Pros: Most beautiful place I have ever seen. Unlike other parks, solitude can be found!
Cons: Relatively none; although a couple of spots here and there can get crowded.
The Bottom Line: No one in their lifetime should miss visiting this absolutely spectacular National Park. One of the most beautiful spots in the United States AND there is lots to do.
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| broddybounce's Full Review: Grand Teton National Park |
Wow! I just read some of the other epinions on the Tetons and the enthusiasm for the park is just great.
But I'm not surprised because I know for a fact that Grand Teton National Park is one of the most picturesque, beautiful, spiritual and awe-inspiring of all the National Parks. Also, I guess it makes sense that there aren't nearly as many epinions on this park as there are for Yellowstone. Yellowstone has its wonders, but this jewel to its south still remains relatively anonymous to quite a number of people.
These are truly majestic peaks that you may have in the past only seen in magazines or books (or cigarette commercials!). Well, actually, these mountains have also been featured prominently in some famous movies like "Shane," and "Spencer's Mountain" with Henry Fonda (Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce has an entire list of movies filmed there).
It is very difficult, especially when you're driving, to take your eyes off the Tetons. They draw you in, they heighten your sense of wonder, they ignite your passion for nature, they make you more aware of your spirituality, they take your breath away.
I have visited this very special place just about every summer since 1991, sometimes twice per summer. It never gets old. I've still yet to hike many of its trails.
What can you do at Grand Teton National Park? Hike, whitewater rafting, scenic rafting, rowboating, motorboating, inflatable boating, climb mountains, go to a chuckwagon dinner, see its internationally renowned classical symphony orchestra (Grand Teton Music Festival), visit the world-famous National Museum of Wildlife Art, spend an afternoon in the town of Jackson -- a very Old West-style town with very modern conveniences, art galleries, etc., take the tram up Rendezvous Mountain, go on a wildlife watching tour (there is A LOT of wonderful wildlife -- moose, elk, bear, muledeer, pronghorn antelope, bison, eagles and more!), stay at a dude ranch, take the boat ride to the beautiful Hidden Falls, ride horseback, spend the day taking pictures from dozens of different scenic spots, fish, take ranger-led tours of varying activities (including the "Fire and Ice" boat ride where the ranger explains how the Tetons were formed!), golf at one of two award-winning courses with mountain views in the background, eat at some of the finest restaurants ever -- or sample some of the best "down home" cooking you've ever had at the little mom & pop places around the valley, picnic on one of the lakes, drive up Signal Mountain and get a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire valley floor, visit the historic hotels Jackson Lake Lodge with its mural-sized windows overlooking the Tetons, or Jenny Lake Lodge nestled among the trees (have a meal in its too quaint all-wood dining room), visit the Native American Museum at Colter Bay, camp in the wilderness.
I'm sure I've left out at least a dozen other great things to do there. But I just wanted to emphasize the amount of activities you can do at Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole overall. (I apologize for not giving a better rating to the one Epinioner who gave this park a "thumbs down," but I think they missed what this park has to offer and what it's all about.)
On the other hand -- keeping Grand Teton a secret isn't the worst thing in the world either. There are actually plenty of visitors and it doesn't necessarily need more. But despite that, there are MANY MANY places within the park that you can find great solitude (there's even a Lake Solitude). This is because Grand Teton is, for most people, just a pass-through point for going to Yellowstone. People are either driving through Grand Teton on the way to Yellowstone, or they fly into Jackson Hole Airport (the only airport in the US located within a National Park) to get to Yellowstone. And the majority of people go to the all-too familiar spots, such as the above-mentioned boat ride to Hidden Falls. LOTS of easy-to-get-to spots are people-free.
If you're thinking about visiting this area, if you're thinking about a Yellowstone vacation, think about this: I would make your base at Jackson Hole for most of your trip and make Yellowstone a day activity! I have heard time and time again how people plan a Yellowstone trip, and on their way there pass through Grand Teton and are absolutely awe-struck -- and then wish they had planned the trip around Grand Teton instead. And, in a practical sense, if you're going between July 4th and Labor Day, Jackson Hole is the better place to stay because Yellowstone is CROWDED! Actually, a very nice time of the year to visit Grand Teton AND Yellowstone is in the few weeks after Labor Day. The weather is still good and the crowds are greatly diminished.
Sorry to have gone on and on, but this is truly a special place, and you will not regret going. See it at least once in your lifetime!
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: September-November
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Overview
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Epinions.com ID:
broddybounce
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Reviews written: 10
Trusted by: 2 members
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