Grand Teton National Park might be the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Driving into the park for the first time had my jaw literally dropping to the floor and asking myself if this place was real. And that’s not an exaggeration.
The rugged peaks, stunning alpine lakes, and wildlife make the Tetons a hugely popular area for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers.
My husband and I visited Grand Teton for 3 full days combined with 5 days in Yellowstone National Park.
We woke up early to catch the sunrise each morning and visited many viewpoints at different times during the day. We watched a storm roll in at Schwabacher Landing, braved the mosquitoes for sunset views over Jenny Lake, and photographed the iconic sunrise over the T.A. Moulton Barn on Mormon Row.
Now, I am no professional photographer by any means (most of the photos on my blog are taken from my iPhone 11 and edited in the free Lightroom app), but these are the viewpoints that I found were the most beautiful for taking photos in Grand Teton National Park.
These photos are now framed on the walls in my home, used as my desktop background at work, etc. You will not regret planning a trip to admire the scenery here!
Keep reading for the 9 best Grand Teton viewpoints for sunrise, sunset, and photography!
The Best Time to Visit Grand Teton National Park
The best time to visit Grand Teton National Park is in the late summer through early fall. You’ll avoid the summer crowds, still have nice weather, and start to see some fall colors.
Late spring and summer is still a good time to visit, but you will be dealing with a lot of crowds.
Over the last few years, Grand Teton National Park has become a very popular summer destination. You can still have a pleasant experience in the summer, it just takes a bit more planning, patience, and early starts!
In order to access all of the Grand Teton viewpoints on this list, you will have to visit between May and November as many of the park roads leading to the viewpoints close during the winter. Check the NPS website for the most up-do-date information on road closures before planningy your trip!
Related: The Ultimate 1, 2, or 3 Day Grand Teton National Park Itinerary
Grand Teton Viewpoints Map
I’ve listed all of the best Grand Teton viewpoints in this post on the map below. There are obviously more turnouts and scenic overlooks besides these 9, but the map will help orient you with where the top viewpoints are.
Each viewpoint is located on the 42-mile scenic drive in Grand Teton National Park.
9 Best Grand Teton Viewpoints
All of these Grand Teton viewpoints are located on the 42-mile scenic drive. There are plenty more scenic areas along with the viewpoints I’ve listed below, and I highly recommend taking your time and doing the entire drive!
If you’re looking for a spot to take photos, watch the sunset, or catch a famous Grand Teton sunrise, these 9 viewpoints are ones that you can’t miss!
1. Schwabacher Landing
Schwabacher Landing is one of the most famous Grand Teton viewpoints, known for the reflection of the mountains in the water. There is an easy, 0.5-mile walk along the Snake River with slightly different views along the way.
If you want the best photos of the reflection of the Tetons in the water, come early in the morning when the river is calmer. We were here in the afternoon right before a storm, so the water was choppy but we had some interesting cloud formations and great lighting for photos!
This viewpoint can be easy to miss, since you have to turn off Highway 191 onto Schwabacher Landing Road (it’s a dirt road but you’ll be fine in any car) to get to the parking lot. There is a small sign pointing to the road, so make sure you’re looking out for it!
Related: 13 Best Easy Hikes in Grand Teton National Park
2. Mormon Row (T.A. Moulton Barn)
Mormon Row is world famous for sunrise photography. The structures remaining here are from the Mormon pioneers that settled here in the 1890’s from Idaho.
Despite the harsh weather conditions in the Jackson Hole Valley, the Mormon homesteaders used irrigation to grow their crops.
The two picturesque barns were built by John and Thomas Alma (T.A) Moulton on their adjacent homesteads. They make the perfect backdrop for iconic Grand Teton photography, especially at sunrise.
It’s best to get here about 30 minutes before sunrise so you don’t miss the red and purple colors lighting up the mountains as the sun rises over the horizon. You will be accompanied by other photographers, as this is one of the most popular places in the park.
3. Teton Point Turnout
Teton Point Turnout was the first viewpoint that had me literally speechless!
You get an uninterrupted view of the entire Teton Range and see where the mountains come up out of the ground.
You can literally see for miles at this viewpoint and it really gives you perspective for how flat the Jackson Hole Valley is as the Tetons jump out of the ground!
Teton Point Turnout is located on Highway 191 almost halfway between Moran and Jackson. There is a small parking lot and plaques explaining some of the geology of the area.
This viewpoint is more of a quick stop for visitors doing the 42-mile scenic drive, so it can be a relatively quiet place to hang out for an evening to enjoy the view.
4. Signal Mountain Overlook
The Signal Mountain Summit is a narrow, winding road that climbs 800 feet up to an overlook of the Tetons, Jackson Lake, and the Jackson Hole Valley.
Signal Mountain Road spurs off of Teton Park Road and is closed seasonally from November – May. Trailers and RV’s are also prohibited on this road.
The view at the top is absolutely stunning- the Tetons look like something out of a painting.
This overlook will be busy midday and it might be tough to find parking, so I’d recommend going in the morning or early evening. Morning and evening is better lighting for photos anyway!
The Signal Mountain Boat Launch along Jackson Lake also makes a great photo spot as well. It’s located near the lodge and there is parking by the lake. There were a ton of mosquitoes when we were here for sunrise one morning, so bring bug spray!
5. Jenny Lake Overlook
The Jenny Lake Overlook is a classic Grand Teton Viewpoint that you cannot miss. Follow the one-way Jenny Lake Scenic Drive off of Teton Park Road, and you’ll see the turnout for the Jenny Lake Overlook shortly after.
This viewpoint gives you a gorgeous view of Cascade Canyon in the Teton Range across from Jenny Lake. Again, morning or early evening is best for this viewpoint as it gets really crowded midday!
We visited this viewpoint near sunset and it was absolutely gorgeous. Be prepared for a lot of mosquitoes though!
Related: Hiking Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park: A Complete Guide
6. Oxbow Bend
Oxbow Bend is a popular place to hang out and watch for wildlife. People have seen moose, herons, otters, muskrats, and other birds and animals here. We saw a pelican and an otter almost immediately during our short visit here!
On calm days, you can see the reflection of Mt. Moran in the water.
It’s called “Oxbow Bend” because the viewpoint is located along a crescent-shaped bend in the Snake River. It’s located along Highway 191 between the Jackson Lake and Moran junctions.
I will admit that I didn’t get the best photos of the scenic part here since we were focused on watching for wildlife. You’ll have to take my word for it and go for yourself to see the views (Mt. Moran is peeking out in the middle of the photo below).
7. Jackson Lake Overlook
If you’re coming to Grand Teton National Park from Yellowstone to the north, Jackson Lake will be the first scenic view you come to after entering the Grand Teton park boundary. Jackson Lake is the largest lake in Grand Teton National Park.
Highway 89 hugs the eastern boundary of Jackson Lake, and there are gorgeous views the entire way. You might even see a few brave people swimming along the shore of the lake! The water is super cold year-round, so swim at your own risk.
There are a handful of picnic areas right off of Highway 89 along the shore of the lake. Any of these spots is a great place to watch the sunrise or enjoy a picnic dinner near sunset!
Related: The Ultimate 9-Day Yellowstone and Grand Teton Road Trip Itinerary (+ Maps, Photos, & More!)
8. Jenny Lake Road
Anywhere along Jenny Lake Road is unbelievably gorgeous. This road is the closest you can get to the base of the Tetons without hiking, and the size of the mountains is completely magnified and mesmerizing!
The Jenny Lake Overlook mentioned above is located on this list above, but honestly the entire one-way road is just as amazing. There are areas to pull off to take photos, watch wildlife, and admire the view along the way.
We saw tons of elk, a mama grizzly bear, and 2 cubs while driving this road around sunset!
Wildlife Tip: Animals are most active in the early mornings and late evenings. Plan your wildlife viewing excursions then to maximize your chance of seeing animals. Don’t forget your binoculars!
9. Snake River Overlook
The Snake River Overlook is not only famous for its gorgeous view, but also because Ansel Adams photographed this iconic view in 1942. It is known as one of his best and most famous photographs.
The Snake River Overlook gives you a wonderful vantage point of the Teton Range with the Snake River and sagebrush in the foreground.
It’s located along Highway 89, just north of Schwabacher Landing. We unfortunately missed taking photos at this viewpoint because it started to storm as we were doing the scenic drive.
Grand Teton Viewpoints FAQs
What is the Best Time of Day to Photograph the Grand Tetons?
The best time to photograph the Grand Tetons is at sunrise, hands-down.
Since the Tetons are located to the west of the main park roads, the sun rising in the east illuminates the mountains with a reddish-purple glow. The views at sunrise are truly unmatched!
However, if you only have a couple of days to spend at Grand Teton National Park, your sunrises are probably pretty limited. Lighting near sunset can also be great for photography since the sun will be behind the mountains and the lighting will be softer.
Midday sun creates really harsh lighting for photos, so I’d prioritize your photography excursions at sunrise, sunset, or during a cloudy day. Midday photos can still come out great though (at least in my non-professional photographer opinion), so don’t sweat it too much if your only time to visit the viewpoints is midday.
Where is the Best Place to Watch the Sunset at Grand Teton National Park?
You can’t go wrong with a sunset location at Grand Teton National Park. I personally loved driving the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive at sunset and watching for wildlife at Oxbow Bend.
The Signal Mountain Overlook would be breathtaking as well, as you will get to watch the sun set behind the Tetons from a bird’s eye view.
Where is the Best Place to Watch the Sunrise at Grand Teton National Park?
The most iconic place to watch the sunrise at Grand Teton National Park is Mormon Row.
However, if you have multiple chances to watch the sunrise, I’d recommend somewhere with water since it will be calmer in the morning and give a better reflection of the mountains. Schwabacher Landing, Snake River Overlook, or along Jackson Lake make great options!
Where is the Best View of the Grand Tetons?
In my opinion, the best view of the Grand Tetons is a toss up between Mormon Row and Schwabacher Landing. These views offer a fantastic view of the mountains, along with an interesting foreground (barns, sagebrush, water, etc) that makes for jaw-dropping photos.
Where is the Most Photographed Place in the Grand Tetons?
The most photographed place in Grand Teton National Park is Mormon Row. Although the Snake River Overlook is a close second, due to the famous Ansel Adams photograph taken here!
Did this post help you plan out your sunset and sunrise spotting trip to the Grand Tetons? Which of these 9 Grand Teton viewpoints is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
-Megan
More Info on Grand Teton National Park
Check out my other posts on Grand Teton National Park below to make the most of your trip! I also have a ton of posts on Yellowstone National Park as well, if your visit to Grand Teton involves a road trip to Yellowstone as well.
