These thrilling wildlife tours to Grand Teton National Park are the best chance at sightings of some extraordinary fauna.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Grand Teton is home to 61 species of mammal and over 300 species of bird. Grizzly and black bears, wolves, mountain lions and eagles are all common sightings in these wild spaces, making it an ideal place to take a wildlife tour with a guide’s trained eye to help you spot more. And let’s not forget the iconic American bison, which can be found grazing the sagebrush flats of the park, particularly in the fall. Often operating out of Jackson or Teton Village, here are the best Teton tours out there.
Grand Teton National Park Guided Wildlife Adventure
A great tour that runs daily throughout the year is this four-hour excursion to seek out bighorn sheep, bison, pronghorn and elk, among many other mammals, both great and small. Ride along in a van or open-sided safari truck with a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope (provided) to get a closer look at the wildlife with the minimum amount of intrusion into their daily lives. Guides all have expertise in the ecology and geology of the park. Please note that the price doesn’t include entrance fees to the national park. From $139 per person.
(Photo: Viator.com)
Half-Day Wildlife Safari Tour in Grand Teton National Park
The four-hour safari is a popular tour option around these parts. Virtually all tours are well loved by guests, but none to quite the degree of this offering from Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris. The onus is primarily on spotting elk and moose in the National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park, although you’ll also get good photo opportunities of bison and pronghorn deer, too. This tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Jackson Hole, which is around ten miles from the national park’s entrance. Park entry fees aren’t included in the price. From $165 per person.
Sunrise 4-Hour Grand Teton Wildlife Adventure
It’s a well-known fact that a great deal of wildlife is more active in the hours around sunrise and sunset. For early birds who don’t mind the fresh, cool air of dawn, you’ll be rewarded with fewer people in Grand Teton, which is bathed in the warm glow of the rising sun, and more opportunities to see mammals and birds. Guests on this tour are also rewarded for their early start with complementary breakfast and hot drinks. Sightings, as with all Grand Teton wildlife tours, are dependent on the seasons, with some creatures being more active in warmer months. From $170 per person.
Grand Teton NP Wildlife Tour and Sleigh Ride
Although there are some mammals and birds that may not be present in the colder months of the year, one benefit when the snows return to Grand Teton is the ability to reach previously inaccessible corners of this protected environment by sleigh. Passing through the National Elk Refuge, you’ll see elk and bighorn sheep from the horse-drawn sleigh (weather permitting). Wolves, foxes and eagles are also common sightings in Grand Teton. This eight-hour tour is excellent value. The price includes national park entry fees, use of binoculars and lunch. From $250 per person.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Grand Teton & Yellowstone 4-Day Wildlife Adventure
An ultimate wildlife adventure in Grand Teton cannot be had without a deep dive into the area’s remoter parts. That is something that requires time. And with Yellowstone National Park lying relatively close to Grand Teton, why not combine them both into one ultimate wildlife tour? This allows time for exploring the various loop drives of Grand Teton NP, plus a detailed itinerary including all the major landmarks in Yellowstone. Three nights’ accommodation and some meals are included. Tours run every Tuesday and Friday from late April to early October. From $1,999 per person.