Best Photography Spots in Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is a paradise for photographers, offering stunning vistas, wildlife, and diverse landscapes. Here are some of the best photography spots in Grand Teton National Park:

Snake River Overlook

• Location: Along US Highway 191, about 12 miles north of Jackson.
• Features: This iconic location offers a classic view of the Teton Range with the Snake River winding through the foreground. The view is particularly breathtaking during sunrise and sunset when the mountains are bathed in soft, golden light.
• Best time to photograph: Early morning or late evening for beautiful light and colors.

Schwabacher’s Landing

• Location: Off Teton Park Road, approximately 8 miles north of Moose Junction.
• Features: This spot provides one of the most picturesque reflections of the Teton Range in the calm waters of the Snake River. You can capture mirrored images of the mountains, especially during sunrise when the light is magical.
• Best time to photograph: Sunrise for calm waters and optimal lighting conditions.

Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point

• Location: Accessed via the Jenny Lake Loop Trail, starting from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center.
• Features: The trail to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point winds through beautiful forests and alongside the scenic shores of Jenny Lake. Hidden Falls is a picturesque waterfall cascading over rocks, providing a serene and photogenic subject. Inspiration Point offers a panoramic view of Jenny Lake and the surrounding mountains, including the Grand Teton. The combination of waterfalls, lake vistas, and mountain scenery makes this area a photographer’s dream.
• Best time to photograph: Early morning or late afternoon for softer light and fewer crowds. Hidden Falls may be best photographed in the morning when it’s backlit by the rising sun, while Inspiration Point is stunning during sunset when the mountains are bathed in warm light.
• Busy Bee Tip: These points are at the beginning of Cascade Canyon Trail. After you reach Inspiration Point, continue on to Cascade Canyon for even more views. Visiting this area also allows you to visit Jenny Lake, as you’ll need to either hike around the lake or take a boat over it, to reach the trailhead.

Oxbow Bend

• Location: Along US Highway 191, about 20 miles north of Moose Junction.
• Features: This location offers a classic view of the Teton Range reflected in the still waters of the Snake River, often with wildlife like moose, elk, or bald eagles in the foreground. The scene is particularly stunning during sunrise when the mountains are bathed in warm light.
• Best time to photograph: Sunrise for the best light and potential wildlife sightings.

Jenny Lake

• Location: Accessible via Teton Park Road or Jenny Lake Loop Trail.
• Features: Jenny Lake provides a variety of photo opportunities, including reflections of the Teton Range, scenic hikes, and wildlife sightings. You can capture stunning images of the mountains mirrored in the lake, especially during calm weather conditions.
• Best time to photograph: Early morning or late evening for serene reflections and fewer crowds.
• Busy Bee Tip: You’ll need to either hike around or take a boat across Jenny Lake to reach Cascade Canyon Trailhead, so if you plan to hike that trail, you can visit multiple photography spots in one go! I highly recommend the Jenny Lake Boat. It’s beautiful & a fun way to here history and info about the park.

String Lake

• Location: Accessible via Teton Park Road, just north of Jenny Lake.
• Features: String Lake offers beautiful reflections of the Teton Range, as well as opportunities for kayaking and hiking. The clear waters and surrounding forest make for picturesque compositions.
• Best time to photograph: Early morning or late afternoon for calm waters and beautiful light.

Taggart Lake

• Location: Accessed via the Taggart Lake Trailhead near the Moose Entrance Station.
• Features: Taggart Lake is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and offers reflections of the Teton Range. The hike to the lake is relatively easy and provides opportunities for capturing wildflowers, wildlife, and reflections.
• Best time to photograph: Early morning or late afternoon for serene reflections and golden light.
• Busy Bee Tip: This is one of my favorite spots in the park! It’s an easy trail, but super beautiful. Even the parking lot has gorgeous mountain views. You can also access Bradley Lake from this hike, allowing you to see two photo spots in one go!

Signal Mountain Summit

• Location: Signal Mountain Summit Road, accessible via Teton Park Road near Jackson Lake Junction.
• Features: From the summit, you’ll have panoramic views of the Teton Range, Jackson Lake, and the surrounding valley. This spot is excellent for capturing expansive landscapes, especially during sunrise or sunset when the colors are vibrant.
• Best time to photograph: Sunrise or sunset for dramatic lighting and colors.

Mormon Row

Delta Lake

• Location: Accessed via the Lupine Meadows Trailhead.
• Features: Delta Lake is nestled in a rugged cirque beneath the Grand Teton, offering stunning reflections of the mountain and surrounding cliffs. The hike to Delta Lake is moderately difficult but rewards photographers with unparalleled alpine scenery, especially during early morning when the light illuminates the peaks.
• Best time to photograph: Early morning for calm winds and beautiful reflections, or late afternoon for softer light.

Mount Moran Turnout

• Location: Along Teton Park Road, approximately 20 miles north of Moose Junction.
• Features: This turnout provides a stunning view of Mount Moran towering over Jackson Lake. The peak’s reflection can often be seen in the calm waters of the lake, especially during early morning or late evening when the light is soft and the winds are calm. Mount Moran’s distinctive shape, with its prominent Skillet Glacier and rocky cliffs, creates a dramatic focal point for photographers.
• The Mount Moran Turnout offers a less crowded alternative to some of the more popular spots in the park, allowing photographers to enjoy the beauty of Mount Moran in a quieter setting.
• Best time to photograph: Early morning for calm waters and beautiful reflections, or late afternoon for warm light and alpenglow on the mountain.

Cunningham Cabin

• Location: Off Antelope Flats Road, approximately 8 miles north of Moose Junction.
• Features: The Cunningham Cabin is a well-preserved homestead built in the late 19th century by John and Margaret Cunningham, early settlers in the Jackson Hole area. The cabin, surrounded by sagebrush and with the Teton Range as a backdrop, provides a rustic and picturesque subject for photography. The weathered logs and simple architecture offer a glimpse into the region’s pioneer history.
• Best time to photograph: The cabin can be photographed at any time of day, but early morning or late afternoon light can cast warm, soft hues on the structure, enhancing its character. Additionally, capturing the cabin with the Tetons in the background during sunrise or sunset can create stunning compositions.

Bradley Lake

• Location: Accessible via the Bradley Lake Trailhead near Taggart Lake.
• Features: Bradley Lake offers serene reflections of the Teton Range and opportunities for wildlife photography, including moose and waterfowl. The easy hike around the lake provides various vantage points for capturing the mountains mirrored in the water.
• Best time to photograph: Early morning or late afternoon for calm waters and beautiful light.
• Busy Bee Tip: Bradley Lake is accessible by hiking to Taggart Lake and then continuing on. By doing this hike, you can hit two popular photography areas.

Trails

Grand Teton is a beautiful park and you can’t go wrong with any of the trails. The mountain views & opportunites for wildlife spotting make this park a photographers dream. My personal favorite, scenic trail to photograph is Cascade Canyon due to both the scenery and wildlife abundance. Be sure to check out my post about the Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park & Hiking Cascade Canyon for more info! As always, be sure to check the Grand Teton NP website for trail conditions and updates!

Busy Bee Tips:

• A popular way to hit alot of these spots is by doing a scenic drive along the main park road. This is a great activity for families, or those who aren’t inclined to spend their time doing large hikes.
• Bring a tripod with you to capture photos of you in them! I love my cheap, travel tripod from Amazon, that holds my iPhone. It comes with a remote to take the photos, making it super easy! It also collapses down pretty small & fits super easily into my hiking backpack. Most of the photos on my blog are taken using just my iPhone and this tripod!
  • Click here for the tripod link!
  • Tip: Even when using the remote, use the 3 second self timer. This allows you time to click the capture button and pose before the photo is captured!
• Look up poses on Pinterest & create a board, so you have some inspiration once you’re out. It can feel awkward taking pictures of yourself and can be hard to figure out what to do at first.