Beyond the Boundaries
From glacial lakes at the foot of mile-high peaks to alpine basins crowned by ancient glaciers; from sweeping wildflower meadows split by gin-clear rivers to landscapes teeming with iconic western wildlife — it's easy to understand why Grand Teton National Park sits high on so many bucket lists.
It's beyond beautiful. It's a national park showcasing a mountain range unlike any other.
But a quick glance at a map, a conversation with a local, or simply turning your head in almost any direction reveals another truth: Grand Teton National Park may be the centerpiece of Jackson Hole, but it's only a drop in the bucket of the incredible mountain landscapes & public land our area boasts.
Whether you're searching for wildlife encounters, jaw-dropping scenery, unforgettable hikes, rushing rivers, hidden hot springs or mountains to climb, incredible experiences extend far beyond the park's boundaries. In fact, the opportunities surrounding Jackson Hole are so vast that seeing and doing it all in a lifetime would be nearly impossible.
As the park approaches its centennial in 2029, Grand Teton National Park is undertaking significant improvements to roads, trails, and visitor facilities to support future generations of visitors. These projects will bring construction activity and periodic travel impacts throughout several areas of the park. For the latest information, visit the park's official website.
None of this is meant to discourage a visit to Grand Teton National Park. Quite the opposite. The Tetons remain every bit as spectacular as ever. But potential traffic delays and construction impacts may inspire a little creativity when planning your time in Jackson Hole.
Consider this your guide to the best experiences beyond Grand Teton National Park — along with a few alternative ways to access and enjoy the park itself.
The Teton Range
The Tetons stretch roughly 40 miles from north to south, while much of Grand Teton National Park encompasses only a portion of the range—primarily its eastern flank. In other words, there are thousands of square miles of mountains, forests, rivers, canyons and high-alpine terrain to be explored outside the national park. It also means there are countless ways to experience the Tetons without ever passing through a park entrance station.
Whether you're looking to avoid traffic, discover a new perspective of the range or simply venture beyond the park's most popular corridors, these are some of the best ways to get into the Tetons from outside Grand Teton National Park.
The Aerial Tram
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort sits along the southern edge of Grand Teton National Park, offering one of the most unique ways to access the Tetons. With a sightseeing ticket, the Aerial Tram whisks you more than 4,100 vertical feet to the 10,450-foot summit of Rendezvous Mountain in just 12 minutes.
Nowhere else in the Teton Range can you begin a hike from the summit of a major peak.
Whether you're content to soak in the panoramic views stretching across Jackson Hole, the Tetons, and surrounding mountain ranges, or you're setting out on an alpine adventure, the summit provides the perfect launching point. Grab a world-famous waffle, a cold drink, and take a moment to appreciate the scenery before hitting the trail.
From the top of the Tram, hiking routes extend into both Grand Teton National Park and Bridger–Teton National Forest, accessing some of the most spectacular high-alpine terrain in the region. Here are some of the best hikes in the Tetons that begin from the top of the Aerial Tram:
Tram out Granite Canyon
What goes up must come down. That's one of the biggest advantages of starting your hike from the Aerial Tram—especially on this route. While the journey covers 12.6 miles, nearly all of it is downhill, making it one of the most rewarding ways to experience the Tetons without spending the entire day climbing.
The trail winds through sprawling alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers, follows crystal-clear streams and passes beneath towering granite walls that define the rugged beauty of the range. The scenery is exceptional from start to finish and delivers the kind of experience many envision when they picture a classic Teton hike.
Wildlife sightings are another highlight. Granite Canyon is prime habitat for moose and black bears, and it's not uncommon to encounter wildlife along the way.
For a deeper dive into this adventure, check out our Trails from the Tram blog, which features everything you need to know before hiking Granite Canyon.
Cody Peak
The Teton Range has long been regarded as one of North America's premier mountaineering destinations. Home to some of the largest and most dramatic peaks in the Lower 48, these mountains draw climbers and hikers from across the world, looking to conquer some of the most iconic peaks out there.
Just 1.5 miles from the summit of Rendezvous Mountain, accessed via the Aerial Tram, stands Cody Peak. Famous among skiers as one of the most legendary backcountry zones in the Tetons, Cody Peak receives most of its attention during the winter months. Come summer, however, it transforms into an outstanding hiking objective.
The route features a bit of exposure, some light rock scrambling, and all the excitement that comes with standing atop a true Teton summit. At roughly three miles round trip from the Tram, it's an approachable introduction to peak-bagging in the Tetons, offering a big-mountain experience without requiring a full-day commitment.
The reward is extraordinary. Expansive views stretch across the Tetons, Jackson Hole, and surrounding wilderness, while the alpine environment provides opportunities to spot marmots, pikas, ermine, and other high-country wildlife that thrive in this rugged landscape. For hikers looking to check off a summit and experience a taste of classic Teton mountaineering terrain, Cody Peak is hard to beat.
Rock Springs to the Cirque
For those seeking a more relaxed alpine adventure, the Rock Springs Loop via the Cirque offers an exceptional way to experience the high country without committing to a major summit. This roughly five-mile excursion begins at the top of the Aerial Tram and descends into the basin beneath Cody Peak, where towering cliff bands rise overhead and ancient marine fossils can often be found scattered among the rocks
Rather than climbing the entire way back to the Tram, the route connects with the Cirque, a scenic trail that traverses beneath craggy cliffs and passes below the legendary Corbet's Couloir. Along the way, expansive views stretch across the valley & wildflowers cover the mountainside.
The trail eventually leads to the top of the Bridger Gondola, home to The Deck, where hikers can celebrate their adventure with live music, cold drinks and mountain-inspired fare. When you're ready, simply board the gondola for a relaxing ride back to the base—making this one of the most rewarding and accessible alpine loops in Jackson Hole.
Nearby Mountain Ranges & Beyond
Some of the best Teton views aren’t in the Tetons - witnessing the entirety of the Teton Range from another peak or vantage point is a humbling experience. Here are the best hikes outside of the Teton Range
Josies Ridge
On the edge of the Gros Ventre Range and perched above the town of Jackson lies one of the most rewarding viewpoints in the region. From here, sweeping vistas unfold across the Teton Range, the Snake River Range, the Absaroka Range, the entire Jackson Hole valley, and the town of Jackson itself.
This 3.6-mile trail climbs via steady, switchbacking ascent—often lined with vibrant wildflowers in early summer. As you gain elevation, the town below gradually shrinks, replaced by ever-expanding views in every direction. The higher you go, the more the landscape opens up, culminating in a panoramic summit experience that feels fully immersive in the surrounding mountain world.
With the trailhead located right in town, this is an ideal adventure to approach by bike or e-bike. Stop by Hoback Sports or Teton Village Sports, pick up a ride, and enjoy a scenic pedal to the base of the trailhead. From there, it’s a classic local favorite—equal parts accessible, challenging, and unforgettable, and loved by both visitors and longtime Jackson residents alike.
The Wedding Tree
Well, it’s exactly as it sounds. This picturesque overlook—where the Teton Range is perfectly framed by stands of pine—has quietly become one of the most beloved ceremony spots in the valley, hosting countless weddings over the years.
A short stroll of just a hundred yards or so leads you to the viewpoint, making it one of the most accessible—and memorable—scenic stops in Jackson Hole. Despite its simplicity, the payoff is huge: a clean, iconic view of the Tetons that feels almost perfectly composed, especially in soft morning or evening light.
It’s a true Jackson classic, and for good reason—an easy walk with one of the most rewarding perspectives of the range.
Grand View Point
While this trail sits within Grand Teton National Park, it may not feel like it at first glance. Set away from the busier trailheads, it lies near the edge of the Absaroka Range at the northern end of the park, offering a quieter, more remote-feeling experience.
From here, sweeping views stretch across Two Ocean Lake, Emma Matilda Lake, and Jackson Lake, with the full spine of the Teton Range rising dramatically in the distance. Despite its short length—just 0.75 miles—this hike delivers an outsized reward, with ever-changing perspectives that make it hard to look away. If you’re looking for a further hike, proceed on and take the trail down to the lakes below.
This is also prime grizzly bear habitat, so proper precautions are essential. Carry bear spray and stay aware of your surroundings, as wildlife sightings are always a possibility in this part of the ecosystem.
Take Adventure to the Next Level
The Tetons are a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds—mountaineering, climbing, big-mountain skiing, mountain biking, fly fishing and everything in between. For many, this is less a destination and more a year-round basecamp for adventure, where world-class terrain and wild landscapes converge in one extraordinary place.
To truly experience the Jackson Hole lifestyle is to really indulge in the different forms of recreation. If you’re ready to trade traffic & driving tours for a truly epic adventure, here are some options:
Via Ferrata
Scale cliffs, cross sky bridges & experience the Tetons from the granite walls they’re famous for. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is home to the largest and most comprehensive Via Ferrata network in North America, combining hiking, climbing and traversing along iron rungs, suspended bridges & interesting rock features. This is a safe, beginner-friendly immersion into the climbing culture in the Teton Range & it provides unique views that cant be seen any other way.
Paragliding
The views from the valley floor are unforgettable—but imagine experiencing them from the sky. Launch from the summit of Rendezvous Mountain and soar above rugged ridgelines, alpine terrain, and the valley below, with sweeping views of the Tetons and Grand Teton National Park unfolding beneath your feet.
Mountain Biking
Pick up the pace and experience flow state on two wheels. With lift-served access to miles of purpose-built trails, it's all downhill from there. Whether you're a first-timer cruising beginner-friendly green trails, building confidence on flowing singletrack or an experienced rider tackling technical features and legendary downhill terrain, there's a ride for every skill level. Surrounded by towering peaks and endless mountain views, there's no better way to experience the Tetons than from the seat of a mountain bike. Check out Sunday Funday, where lift tickets are only $20, rentals are 50% off & you can jam to live music beneath the Tetons.
Fly Fishing
It is no secret that our region is full of legendary trout fishing. Boasting incredible populations of wild & native trout species across all of the rivers, lakes and streams, there is truly nowhere better to cast a line. The mighty Snake River flows through the center of Jackson Hole, where it veers far from roads and through remote sections of the valley only accessible by driftboat. Teeming with native Snake River Fine Spotted Cutthroat Trout, a species only found here in this region, the consistent dry fly action in the summertime can create a dilemma of where to keep your eyes pointed; on your fly, where they should be, in preparation for an exciting eat, up at the unique view of the Tetons, or along the banks in search of iconic wildlife. Grand Fishing Adventures can accommodate for anyone—beginners to lifelong anglers. This is an incredible way to ditch the crowds and experience the Tetons and Jackson Hole in an intimate setting with the flora and fauna.
Pathway Bike & E-Bike Rentals
Skip the traffic and explore Jackson Hole at your own pace. With an extensive network of paved pathways connecting Teton Village, Wilson, Jackson and Grand Teton National Park, you can spend less time sitting in your car and more time soaking in the scenery. Cruise through wide-open valleys, spot wildlife along the way or stop for coffee and lunch without worrying about parking. Whether you choose a traditional bike or the extra boost of an e-bike, it's one of the easiest and most relaxing ways to experience the valley while avoiding the summer traffic that builds around the national park.
For even more flexibility, take advantage of one-way rentals from Hoback Sports or Teton Village Sports. Ride from Teton Village to the Town of Jackson—or the other way around—and return your bike at the opposite location. Every one-way rental includes a complimentary START Bus pass, making it easy to enjoy a scenic ride in one direction and a stress-free trip back without ever needing to move your car.
