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Grand Teton National Park is a photographer’s dream! The scenery is so dramatic with the craggy peaks rising above the flat plains and Snake River winding its way through the pine forests and lush meadows. If you love taking photos, you will not be able to stop! Here are the best photography locations in Grand Teton National Park.

INTREPID’S PRO TIP: If you are currently planning a trip to Grand Teton, then the best way to get started exploring the park is to take the 42-Mile Scenic Loop Drive in Grand Teton National Park (24 Stops You Can’t Miss), which winds around the park and takes you to some of the best viewpoints.

Grand Teton National Park At-A-Glance

Before diving in, here are a few highlights to help you plan your trip:

  • Best Time to Visit Grand Teton National Park

Hands down, summer is the best (and most popular) time to visit Grand Teton National Park. The weather is warm and all park facilities are open. However, my favorite time to visit is early to mid-September. The weather can be awesome in the fall and it is a great time to avoid the crowds and find some solitude on the trails.

  • Where to Stay In or Near Grand Teton

Nothing beats staying inside the park! There are several great lodges inside the park. However, you need to make reservations well in advance. If all the lodges are booked, then there are a few places that I stayed at, and I highly recommend them. In addition, there are great campsites inside the park as well. To sum up, before you make any reservations, make sure to check out my post Where to Stay in Grand Teton: 7 Amazing Places to Stay.

  • How to Get to Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is located in northwestern Wyoming and the closest airports to Grand Teton National Park are Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) – 8 min, Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) – 2 hours, and 11 min, Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – 5 hours. Now, Salt Lake City International Airport is a major airport and all major airlines fly into this area from large cities all over the U.S. and internationally. Use Skyscanner to browse flights and find the best price.

  • How to Get Around in Grand Teton National Park

There is no shuttle service in the park and the best way to get around is by having your car. I use dicovercars.com to browse deals on rental cars or rent an RV or campervan with Outdoorsy!

  • Intrepid Scout’s Tip:

It costs $30 to enter the park. The entrance pass is good for 7 consecutive days. If you are visiting several national parks then make sure to get America the Beautiful National Park Pass. This $80 pass is valid for 12 months and gets you into all 400+ national park sites!

6 Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton

Map of the Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton

NUMBER 1

Mormon Row - The Most Famous Sunrise Photography Location in Grand Teton

Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton

Map of Mormon Row Historic District. Image Credit: National Park Service / Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton

Mormon Row is a famous spot for sunrise photography in Grand Teton National Park. I have to honestly say that it is one of my favorite spots to photograph the Teton Mountain Range bathed in the morning sunlight!

Thomas Alma Moulton Barn with the pointed roof is no doubt one of the most photographed barns in the world!

Mormon Row in Grand Teton

Thomas Alma Moulton Barn with the pointed roof / Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton

John Moulton Barn with the rounded roof in front of the towering Tetons is one of the most iconic sights.

GOOD TO KNOW: When the first rays of the sun start peeking above the horizon, they bring out the historic barns’ most beautiful shades of gold. The barns create a stunning image with the Tetons in the background!

Mormon Row in Grand Teton

Mormon Row in Grand Teton / Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton

How to Get to Mormon Row in Grand Teton

To get to Mormon Row in Grand Teton National Park, start driving north from Jackson on Hwy 191/89/26 past Moose Junction and turn right onto Antelope Flats Road.

Follow the road for about 1.5 miles until you see a north-south running dirt road marked by a distinctive pink stucco house on the left with a small dirt parking area. A trail brochure and interpretive sign can be found in the parking lot.

NUMBER 2

Oxbow Bend Turnout - The Most Iconic Photography Location in Grand Teton

Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton National Park

Map of Oxbow Bend Turnout. Image Credit: National Park Service / Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton 

Oxbow Bend is one of the most iconic photography locations in Grand Teton National Park.

You get to photograph the Grand Tetons and Mount Moran reflected in the Snake River.

Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton

Oxbow Bend Turnout / Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton 

Oxbow Bend is a great location to capture both great sunrises and awesome sunsets. My recommendation is to be at Oxbow Bend about 30 minutes before sunrise. You will get to see how the light gradually changes the view. It is pretty spectacular!

INTREPID’S PRO TIP: If you miss the sunrise, then get to Oxbow Bend as early as possible to make sure that the waters of the Snake River are perfectly still. It usually gets windy later on in the day and it is hard to capture these reflections.

Also, if you are visiting in the fall, then you will get a chance to photograph the gold, yellow, and orange colors of the trees, which contrast beautifully with the mountains in the background.

Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton

If you are visiting in the fall, then the colors of the changing leaves contrast beautifully with the mountains in the background / Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton 

GOOD TO KNOW: Oxbow Bend is a great place to see bald eagles, trumpeter swans, and osprey. In addition, you might get a chance to see otters, beavers, and muskrats swimming in the waters of the Snake River.

Fingers crossed, Oxbow Bend is a perfect location to see and photograph moose!

How to Get to Oxbow Bend Turnout

Oxbow Bend Turnout is located on highway 191/89/26 between Jackson Lake Junction and Moran Junction. Specifically, it is located about 3 miles from Moran Junction, and about 2 miles from Jackson Lake Junction.

NUMBER 3

Schwabacher Landing - The Best Sunrise Photography Location in Grand Teton

Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton National Park

Map of Schwabacher Landing. Image Credit: National Park Service / Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton 

Schwabacher’s Landing is another very popular spot to photograph the Grand Teton Mountains.

My recommendation is to take time and find your perfect spot!

GOOD TO KNOW: There is a trail that starts at the parking lot and goes along Snake River. So, plenty of great photo opportunities to photograph Tetons reflected in the water.

At about two-tenths of a mile from the parking lot, you will get to a beaver dam. This spot is the best place to see some wildlife. Be on the lookout for moose, elk, and bison that like to graze in the grassy meadows along the river. It is a perfect place to see bald eagles, osprey, and great blue herons.

Schwabacher Landing in Grand Teton

Schwabacher’s Landing is another very popular spot to photograph the Grand Teton Mountains / Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton 

Schwabacher Landing is a very popular place to photograph the Grand Teton Mountains at sunrise.

You will have a lot of company at that location at aunrise!  Make sure to arrive early so you can claim the best spot.

Schwabacher Landing in Grand Teton

Schwabacher’s Landing is a popular spot to photograph the Grand Teton Mountains at sunrise / Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton 

How to Get to Schwabacher Landing

Schwabacher’s  Landing is located about 4 miles north of Moose Junction on HWY 191/89/26.

It is easy to miss the turn-off HWY 191/89/26 that leads to the trailhead. So, make sure to slow down and be on the lookout for the sign pointing to Schwabacher Landing.

Once you make the turn, continue for about 1 mile. Unfortunately, it will be just a dirt road, so slow down and watch out for potholes.

The parking area is a good size, so you should have no problems finding a spot to park your vehicle.

NUMBER 4

Snake River Overlook - The Most Famous Photography Location in Grand Teton

Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton National Park

Map of Snake River Overlook. Image Credit: National Park Service / Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton 

Snake River Overlook was the shooting location for Ansel Adams’ famous black-and-white photo which he took in 1942. It is one of the best-known and most critically acclaimed photographs.

Now, the tree growth obstructs the view of Snake River. However, no matter whether the view of the river has changed since 1942, it is still one of the most iconic views of the Tetons.

INTTEPID’S PRO TIP: It is a very popular spot at sunrise. So, make sure to arrive early and get the best view. Also, plan on staying for a while, because the colors are constantly changing as more sunlight hits the mountains.

Snake River Overlook in Grand Teton

View of Tetons from Snake River Overlook / Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton 

It is amazing how the view changes from before sunrise to during sunrise.

Snake River Overlook in Grand Teton.

View of Tetons from Snake River Overlook during sunrise / Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton 

How to Get to Snake River Overlook

Snake River Overlook is located just off Hwy 191/89/26 between Moran Junction and Moose Junction. Specifically, it is located about 11.3 miles south of Moran Junction, and about 9 miles north of Moose Junction.

NUMBER 5

Hermitage Point - The Most Spectacular View of the Grand Tetons

Easy Hikes in Grand Teton National Park

Map of Hermitage Point Trail in Grand Teton National Park. Image Credit: National Park Service / Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton 

Hermitage Point offers unsurpassed views of the Teton Range! You will not get the better views of the Tetons anywhere else!

GOOD TO KNOW: It is a bit of a hike to get to Hermitage Point. However, it is a fairly easy and fun hike with lots of opportunities to take great photos along the way.

To top it off, Hermitage Point Trail passes by Heron Pond and Half Moon Bay Overlook.

Heron Pond is quite a sight when it is covered with lilies. Moreover, it is an awesome area to spot some wildlife.

And, Half Moon Bay Overlook offers some best views of the Teton Mountains.

When you are hiking between Half Moon Bay Overlook and Hermitage Point, you will have endless opportunities to capture the most incredible photos of the Teton Range!

Jackson Lake in Grand Teton

The view of the Teton Range on Hermitage Point Trail / Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton 

Jackson Lake in Grand Teton

The Teton Range from Hermitage Point Trail / Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton 

How to Get to Hermitage Point in Grand Teton National Park

The hike to Hermitage Point begins from the Hermitage Point Trailhead.

The Hermitage Point Trailhead is located at the south end of the Colter Bay Visitor Center. To get to the trailhead, drive about 5.4 miles from the Jackson Lake Junction to the Colter Bay Visitor Center.

NUMBER 6

Signal Mountain - The Best Sunset Photography Location in Grand Teton

Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton National Park

Map of Signal Mountain in Grand Teton National Park. Image Credit: National Park Service / Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton 

The observation area at Signal Mountain Summit offers some incredible views of the Tetons at sunset.

GOOD TO KNOW: By the way, there are two parking lots. I always head straight to the second one and then, I make my way down to capture some awesome photos!

42 Mile Scenic Loop Drive in Grand Teton National Park

View of the Teton Range from Sunset Mountain at sunset / Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton 

How to Get to Signal Mountain in Grand Teton National Park

First of all, turn left off Teton Park Road into Signal Mountain Road. Next, drive for about 5 miles to the summit where there is an observation area.

Signal Mountain Road is a narrow two-way traffic road with no painted lines and lots of curves that create poor visibility of incoming traffic and even wildlife.  However, it is in good condition and well-maintained.

Please make a note that trailers and RVs are prohibited on this road.

How to Take the Best Photos at Sunrise or Sunset in Grand Teton

Sunrise is the best time to photograph Grand Teton National Park. However, sunsets can be as spectacular!

GOOD TO KNOW: The best light is about 15-30 minutes before sunrise or 10-15 minutes after sunset. It is the proverbial “golden hour” during which the daylight is softer and redder. Needless to say, it is the time during which the Tetons start to glow.

So how do get the best photos of the Tetons at sunrise or sunset? Here are some recommendations:

  •  Choose a Low to Mid-Range ISO

When capturing a sunrise or sunset, use a lower ISO setting such as 200, 400, or 800. These settings compensate for reduced light during these times, allowing flexibility in choosing aperture and shutter speed while maintaining image quality. Avoid the lowest ISO (usually 100) to ensure better results.

  • Choose High Aperture

Many opt for a high aperture like f/11, f/16, or higher during sunset photography to achieve a broad depth of field, keeping both foreground and background sharply focused. Yet, there’s flexibility to lower the aperture for creative effects, as there are no strict rules.

  • Determine a Shutter Speed

With your ISO and aperture set, it’s time to choose the shutter speed that will give you the proper exposure. Keep an eye on your light meter while adjusting the shutter speed and when it reads “0,” it’s telling you the exposure is correct.

To make this simple, put your camera in aperture priority mode (if it has it) and your camera will automatically select the shutter speed that will work best for proper exposure.

Also, consider that if your shutter speed gets too low you may need a tripod to prevent blurring caused by the shake of your hands. The general guideline for determining the lowest usable handheld shutter speed is to look at your lens focal length and use a tripod for any shutter speeds lower than that number.

GOOD TO KNOW: If your lens has a focal length of 50mm, you should be able to shoot at 1/50 of a second without getting handshake blurring, but you’ll want to use a tripod for speeds slower than that.

  • Bracket Your Exposures

Relying on your camera’s light meter to get the best shot can sometimes produce mediocre results, especially during sunrise or sunset when you’re trying to expose the bright sun on the horizon and darker subjects in the foreground. To get the best exposure, try a technique called bracketing.

GOOD TO KNOW: Bracketing involves taking several pictures exposed above and below what your camera suggests.

  • Expand Your Subject Matter

While photographing a sunrise or sunset, it’s common to focus solely on the captivating horizon. However, upon reviewing the photos, you may notice a lack of the scene’s true splendor. To enhance your images, incorporate elements that convey scale, depth, and originality, ensuring they capture the essence of the breathtaking moment as you experience it.

INTREPID’S PRO TIP: During your next photography session, step back and include elements like trees, people, rocks, or water in the foreground and middle ground.

Remember, a stunning sunrise or sunset photo doesn’t always require capturing the sun directly. Explore how the golden light spreads across the landscape or how the pink hues paint the surrounding peaks. Challenge yourself to look beyond the sun and discover creative ways to add interest and depth to your images.

Intrepid Scout's Tips on Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton

  • GOOD TO KNOW: The Teton Mountain Range faces east. With that being the case, sunrise provides the best light to illuminate the face of the mountains.

My recommendation is to rise early and head to one of the best photography locations in Grand Teton National Park to catch some awesome sunrise views of the Tetons.

  • Do not expect any solitude at these popular photography locations in Grand Teton. You will have plenty of company! So, make sure to get up early and head to one of your favorite photography locations in Grand Teton to secure your spot.
  • PRO TIP: If you plan on taking pictures at sunrise or sunset, then you need to plan accordingly. First of all, check sunrise and sunset times. Next, check the weather conditions. Finally, allow enough time to get to the best sunrise and sunset photography locations in Grand Teton National Park. My recommendation is to arrive at least 30 minutes before sunrise or sunset, just in time for the Golden Hour.
  • GOOD TO KNOW: It can be very cold in the morning even during the summer months. So, make sure to dress warmly and dress in layers. Check the weather forecast as well. The weather can change within a few hours, so be prepared.
  • Be aware and be safe! Make sure to have bear spray handy (not in your backpack!). Keep your distance from wildlife.

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Now, It Is Your Turn, I Would Like to Hear Back from You!

Are you planning your trip to Grand Teton National Park?

Please let me know! Drop me a quick comment right below!

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Comments:

10 thoughts on “6 Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton (+Useful Photo Tips)


Denise
2021-05-04

Great article with lots of very good information — thank you! Going to the Tetons in two weeks and will hit all these spots!

    2021-05-04

    Thank you, Denise! Have a great time!

James Douglas Smith
2021-06-26

Lovely photos and great advice on the history, best sights and best photo ops! We will be heading to Glacier in mid-August of 2021. Tried to do the trip in 2020 but of course, everything was canceled. Thank you for the info and I will try to get back with you on how it turned out on our return.

    2021-06-27

    Hi James,
    Thank you!
    Have a great trip. Glacier and Grand Teton are my favorite National Parks.
    Please let me how everything went. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Dave
2022-06-27

The view west from Signal Mountain is partially obstructed by grown trees. It’s beautiful but for unobstructed views of the mountains, I’d choose elsewhere. Going to check out Hermitage Point. Thanks for the info.

    2022-06-28

    Let me know what you think of Hermitage Point.

Sean Flinn
2022-09-04

Thank you for all of the great information. I will making my first ever trip to Grand Teton, September 14, to the 17, 2022. I am looking forward to this trip and will also be hitting Glacier and Yellowstone NP. As I newbie to photography, I am looking forward taking some of your advice and attempting to get great photos. Thanks again.

    2022-09-05

    Hey Sean, what a great trip you have coming up! Good luck with everything and I am sure you will come back with thousands of spectacular photos from these three national parks. The views are off the charts!

George Blank
2024-03-23

I have a trip planned there in the first week in oct 2024 and plan to shoot all of these sites.

    2024-03-23

    Excellent! It is beautiful park and lots of photo opportunities. I hope the weather cooperates. Good luck with everything!

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