Grand Teton in May: 3 Amazing Advantages & 4 Challenges to Prepare For

Grand Teton in May: 3 Amazing Advantages & 4 Challenges to Prepare For

– Updated: April 3, 2025 –

Grand Teton Sign at the southern park entrance with a snow-capped, mid-May Grand Teton in the background

Considering Visiting Grand Teton in May?

May is officially a springtime month on the calendar, but in Grand Teton National Park, the weather is still cold with lows in the 30s and highs in the 60s.

This means cold, COLD early mornings, warmer afternoons, chilly evenings, and back to cold-cold at night.​

Yep. Brrrrrrrrrrr…..

And if you are camping…. double…. TRIPLE….. BRRRRRR!!!!!!

BUT…

…May in Grand Teton National Park also means fewer people, smaller crowds, better lodging availability, and more wildlife activity.

So, YAY!!!!!

If you are considering visiting Grand Teton in May, this article may help you decide.

Grab a warm beverage, retrieve that winter coat you prematurely put away and read on to know all the advantages, challenges, and possible solutions to the challenges of visiting Grand Teton in MAY.

Article Contents

Advantages of Visiting Grand Teton in May
Fewer People / Smaller Crowds
More Wildlife Activity
More Availability for Lodging
Challenges to Prepare for in May
Cold Weather
Not All Roads Open
Not All Park Services Available
Snowy, Muddy Hiking Trails
Know Before You Go
Best Activities for May
Packing List for May

Article Contents

Advantages of Visiting Grand Teton in May
Fewer People / Smaller Crowds
More Wildlife Activity
More Availability for Lodging
Challenges to Prepare for in May
Cold Weather
Not All Roads Open
Not All Park Services Available
Snowy, Muddy Hiking Trails
Know Before You Go
Best Activities for May
Packing List for May

1. Advantage: Fewer People / Smaller Crowds

Jenny Lake Scenic Lake Cruise – third week of May 2024

May is one of the least crowded months in Grand Teton National Park, making it a fantastic time to visit for those who prefer a quieter, more peaceful experience.

Compared to the summer months, May sees fewer visitors.

Significantly fewer.

Grand Teton National Park Monthly Visitation

* Numbers affected by COVID-19 Pandemic
**The park was closed from May 1 – 17, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Attendance Numbers provided by Integrated Resource Management Applications

Factors that contribute to lower visitation in May include:

Colter Bay Marina in Grand Teton – closed in May

• Cooler temperatures
• Schools are still in session
• Some roads, services, and activities are not fully open and available

What this means for you:

Teton Park Road (the inside road of Grand Teton’s 42 Mile Drive) with a snowy Mt. Moran in mid-May 2024

• Shorter wait times at popular spots like Jenny Lake and Hidden Falls
• Less traffic on scenic drives like the 42-Mile Drive, Jenny Lake Scenic Drive, and the Moose-Wilson Road
• Easier parking at busy areas like Jenny Lake, String Lake, and Taggart Lake

However, having fewer people around does not mean fewer wildlife encounters or animal jams!

The next advantage explains why May is one of the best months for spotting wildlife…

2. Advantage: More Wildlife Activity

Bear 399 & her cub, Spirit, crossing a road in May of 2023 while many, many people take pictures  — photo credit: C. Adams

Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth, especially so in Grand Teton, so you may see more park animals with their newborns.

In May, bears, bison, moose, elk, and pronghorn emerge throughout the park with their babies in tow.

AND your chances of seeing them are increased as they are all on the move, looking for food and heading to their summer spots in the park.

For example, elk and bison spend the winter on the National Elk Refuge near the town of Jackson. At the beginning of May, you may still see them there.

As May goes on, the elk and bison start leaving the refuge and moving north into the park.

Elk on the move on an early morning in mid-May

Check out these places to increase your chances of seeing wildlife:

NOTE: Wildlife in Grand Teton National Park can appear anywhere at any time.

The following lists highlight areas where you’re most likely to spot specific animals based on typical sightings.

However, these locations are not guarantees—grizzly bears may be commonly seen near Jackson Lake Dam, but that doesn’t mean they won’t show up elsewhere in the park.

Always stay alert and be prepared for wildlife encounters no matter where you are.

Wildlife Safety

Always keep a safe distance when viewing wildlife. You must maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from all other wildlife. Animals in the park are wild and may act aggressively if approached.

Learn More About Wildlife Safety

Grand Teton’s Wildlife Management Teams on the Moose Wilson Road, protecting the bears and the humans — photo credit: Adams @ nps.gov

Pro Tip: Respect and follow instructions from the on-site Wildlife Management Teams.

They are there to protect you and the animals.

They are not trying to be “jerks” by asking you to stay in your car or move along.

They really want you to see the animals!

They know how thrilling that is!

They just want to do everything possible to keep the animals safe and alive, as a human mistake can result in an animal being put to death.

3. Advantage: More Lodging Flexibility and Availability

Signal Mountain Cabin #141

With schools still in session in May, you won’t have to compete with the “family vacationers”.

Fewer people in May gives you more choices of lodges and rooms to pick from and a wider range of dates.

For the lodges that open in May inside the park, it is easier to book rooms for May dates in comparison to high visitation months like July and August.

BUT, most lodges inside the park don’t offer discounts. They set their rates for their rooms for the season.

The exception is Dornans Spur Ranch Cabins (located inside the park but outside the Moose entrance gate). They rent their 12 cabins at a lower rate from May 1st to May 14th than from May 15th to August 31st.

Willow Cabin at Dornans Spur Cabins in Grand Teton National Park

You are more likely to find discounts at lodging outside the park, including rentals through Rendezvous Mountain Rentals and Outpost.

NOTE: As the month of May progresses, demand increases, and flexibility/availability decreases both inside and outside the park.

NOTE: If you are thinking of lodging in Teton Village in May, know that the Moose-Wilson Road’s scheduled May 1st opening is sometimes delayed until mid-May due to snowpack. Those staying in Teton Village will need to access Grand Teton National Park via HWY 390 – HWY 22 – through Jackson and up HWY 191 when the Moose Wilson Road is closed.

Section of the Moose Wilson Road that is closed from Nov. 1st to mid-May. When open, it is an easier way to access the park if staying in Teton Village.

Camping

Gros Ventre campground — photo credit: NPS-Tobiason

All campsites inside Grand Teton National Park are reservation-only and must be reserved through Recreation.gov.

You can make reservations up to 6 months in advance. Sign up for a free recreation.gov account to make your reservation.

Camping Note

Of Grand Teton National Park’s nine campgrounds, only five are open in May.

Campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park that are open in May.

Of the five campgrounds that open in May, not all campsites are available to reserve right away due to lingering snow and snowmelt.

Below is a list of the five campgrounds open in May, along with how many campsites become available to reserve as the month progresses:

Gros Ventre Campground – Opens April 26, 2025

Total campsites: 322

• April 26 – May 2nd: 134 sites
• May 2nd – 9th: 209 sites
• All sites open after May 9th (snowmelt dependent)

Colter Bay RV Park – Opens May 3rd

Total campsites: 112

• May 3rd – 7th: 69 sites
• May 7th – 10th: 95 sites
• All sites open after May 10th (snowmelt dependent)

Signal Mountain Campground – May 9th

Total campsites: 80

• May 9th – 23rd: 34 sites
• All sites open after May 23rd (snowmelt dependent)

Colter Bay Campground – May 22nd

Total campsites: 373

• May 22nd: 191 sites
• May 23rd: 234 sites
• May 24th: 245 sites
• May 31st: 307 sites
• All sites open after May 31st (snowmelt dependent)

Pro Tip: Colter Bay RV Park does fill up quickly as soon as it opens in May. It has full hookups. Reservations are required through recreation.gov.

Colter Bay RV Park in Grand Teton National Park

1. Challenge: Cold Weather

What to Expect

As mentioned before, Grand Teton in May, the lows are usually in the 30s and highs are in the 60s.

Snow is still possible in May, and dare I say it is PROBABLE, especially in early May.

Snow in Grand Teton National Park in May – photo credit: nps.gov – A. Falgoust (taken 5/4/2022)

And if it doesn’t snow, expect some rain as May is the 4th highest in amount of precipitation after Dec, Nov, and Jan.

How to Prepare

1. Bring your cold-weather clothes and prepare to dress in layers.

Cold-weather clothes include hats, gloves, waterproof shoes, winter jackets, and rain gear.

Pro Tip: Have a good backpack that you can use to store shed layers and cold-weather gear. As the day goes on, you will most likely shed and reapply layers a couple of times. Carrying a backpack makes the items easily accessible, saves trips back to the car/lodging, and removes the possibility of “choosing poorly” (regretting not bringing items).

Rollerskater in Grand Teton National Park (with a backpack!!) — photo credit: nps.gov/A. Falgoust

2. Choose lodging over camping.

This may seem obvious, I know, and no shade to experienced campers who have all the correct gear to stay warm, but if you are new to Grand Teton and are not familiar with how 30 degrees feels here, choosing a cabin or lodge with a heater is a good choice.

3. Start activities later in the day and take advantage of the evening sunlight hours.

Early to mid-May is about the only time you will ever hear me give this advice as the summer months are so busy it is almost imperative to get to some places and do some activities at the earliest part of the day as possible.

In May, the days are long, as the sun rises at 6:00 am and sets around 9:00 pm.

That is 15 hours of daylight!

Beginning your activities later in the morning and making the most of the warmer afternoon temperatures, then concluding them after dinner before sunset, ensures you remain active during the warmest parts of the day, as the evening daylight hours tend to be warmer than the early crack-of-dawn hours.

Here are the differences in temperature between 6 am, 7 am, 7 pm, and 9 pm.

Source: Weatherspark.com

Note: At this altitude, the air is thinner and drier, and it warms up and cools off quicker than at lower altitudes.

2. Challenge: Not All Roads Are Open

Jenny Lake Road is open in May

Main Roads that Stay Open Year Round

The park’s main roadways, Highway US 89/191 and Highway US 26/287, are open year-round from the town of Jackson to Flagg Ranch, just south of Yellowstone National Park (weather permitting).

Roads That Open in Early May

Most main roads, including Teton Park Road, open by May 1st. Teton Park Road is crucial for anyone planning to drive Grand Teton’s 42 Mile Scenic Loop.

Map of roads in Grand Teton National Park – Open Dates

Side Roads That Sometimes Stay Closed Longer

While main roads open early, several side roads remain closed past May 1st due to lingering snow or wildlife activity.

These roads include:

• Schwabacher Landing Road – Usually opens in early May.
• Pilgrim Creek Road – Often closed throughout May due to bear activity.
• Cattleman Bridge Road – May remain closed well into May due to bear activity.
• Flagg Ranch to South Gate of Yellowstone – Typically opens by mid-May. (Scheduled for May 9, 2025 – weather dependent)
• Signal Mountain Summit Road – Usually opens around June 1st, depending on snow conditions.
• Grassy Lake Road – Typically opens June 1st.

For the most up-to-date information, check the Grand Teton Road Status Map before your trip.

3. Challenge: Not All Park Services Are Open Yet

Closed Sign

This challenge is one of the reasons fewer people visit Grand Teton in May—there is a risk that amenities and services are not open for the season yet.

Solution:

The later in May you go to Grand Teton National Park, the more likely roads and services will be open and available.

The following is a list of when amenities and services will be open in May 2025.

Lodging

Signal Mountain Lodge with Mt. Moran in the background

Most of the lodges take reservations a year in advance and online.

In fact, it is to your great advantage to make your reservations at lodges inside the park a year in advance.

Following is a list of the lodges and cabins INSIDE Grand Teton National Park and their Opening Dates for 2025.

• Signal Mountain Lodge Cabins – May 9th
• Jackson Lake Lodge – May 16th
• Triangle X Ranch – May 22nd
• Colter Bay Village Cabins – May 22nd
• Jenny Lake Lodge – May 30th
• Headwaters Lodge and Cabins – June 1st

Campgrounds

There are nine campgrounds inside Grand Teton National Park. Reservations are required and can be made six months in advance at recreation.gov.

(As mentioned previously, only five of the nine campgrounds are open in May.)

Find out more details on all the campgrounds (like sizes for RVs and tents, available electricity, amenities, restrictions, etc) in Grand Teton.

Colter Bay Campground opens May 22, 2025.

The following are the posted opening dates for each campground INSIDE Grand Teton National Park for May 2025.

• Gros Ventre Campground – April 26th
• Colter Bay RV Park – May 3rd
• Signal Mountain Campground – May 9th
• Colter Bay Campground – May 22nd
• Colter Bay Tent Village – May 23rd
• Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch – for RV Park Only – June 7th
• Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch – for tent camping – June 7th
• Lizard Creek Campground – June 13th
• Jenny Lake Campground – July 1st

Restaurants

Restaurants throughout Grand Teton National Park open at different times in the month of May.

If restaurants are not open inside Grand Teton National Park when you visit, know there are solutions.

Solutions

Dornans Pizza Pasta Company Restaurant’s upper, outside deck with a Teton view

1. Dornans Village

Dornans’s Pizza Pasta Co Restaurant and Trading Post and Deli (grocery store) are open year-round except for the months of April and November. (Dornans Village is inside Grand Teton National Park, but outside the Moose Entrance Gate).

2. Restaurants in Jackson, Wilson, and Teton Village

Also, you will find plenty of restaurants open in Jackson, Teton Village, and Wilson, WY.

3. Grocery Stores

A third solution would be to hit a grocery store in the Jackson Hole Valley and have your food and snacks with you.

Pro Tip: Save time by ordering your groceries online and picking them up curbside.

Trapper Grill at Signal Mountain Lodge is set to open May 9, 2025.

The following is a list of all the major restaurants inside Grand Teton National Park and when they are open to the public.

• Trapper Grill at Signal Mountain Lodge – May 9th
• Blue Heron Lounge at Jackson Lake Lodge – TBD
• The Mural Room at Jackson Lake Lodge – TBD
• Pioneer Grill at Jackson Lake Lodge – TBD
• Ranch House at Colter Bay Village – TBD
• Café Court Pizzeria at Colter Bay Village – TBD
• Leek’s Pizzeria at Leek’s Marina – May 23rd
• Jenny Lake Lodge – Early June – (lunch reservations recommended, dinner reservations required)
• Sheffields at Flagg Ranch – TBD
• Pool Cantina at Jackson Lake Lodge – TBD

Visitor Centers

The following are open dates for 2025.

Jenny Lake Visitor Center – A good place to chat with a ranger — photo credit: nps / Adams

• Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center – May 1st
• Colter Bay Visitor Center – May 3rd
• Jenny Lake Visitor Center – May 12th
• Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center – June 3rd

Marinas

Early May usually sees some ice on the lakes, but the marinas start opening about mid-May, offering buoys and some motorized boat rentals.

Jenny Lake with ice and snow – May 10, 2022 — photo credit: nps.gov — A. Falgoust

Jenny Lake Boating – May 15th

• Shuttle Service – May 15th
• Scenic Boat Rides – Reservations – May 15th
• Boat Rentals – available mid June or beginning of July – water temperature dependent

Signal Mountain Marina – May 18th

• Pontoon and Runabout Boat Rentals – May 17th
• Kayak Rentals – available early to mid-June – water temperature dependent

Colter Bay Marina – TBD (Colter Bay Marina opening depends on lake levels)

• Boat Rentals – late May (water level dependent)
• Jackson Lake Scenic Cruises – mid-June

Leek’s Marina – (no boat rentals or cruises) May 18th

4. Challenge: Muddy and/or Snow-Packed Hiking Trails

Taggart Lake Trail – Snow still present in shady areas in mid-May

May is not the best month for hiking in Grand Teton after a normal winter, especially for high-elevation and backcountry hikes.

With the cold weather and the possibility of more snow in May, it probably wouldn’t shock you to know that in early May, many of the trails, including the lower, front country trails have snow on them.

The high-elevation trails?

Forget about them, they are snow-packed.

As the month of May goes on, a lot of snowmelt is possible, on the trails and on the lakes, which means the trails and unpaved areas can have a lot of water and mud on them.

People at a snowy Hidden Falls in Mid-May

It’s not my favorite type of hiking, but if you are made of stronger stuff than me, make sure you have all the safety gear needed for the conditions.

And before you hit the trail, do check in at a visitor center and talk to a park ranger. They are going to have the most up-to-date info on conditions and may have a tip or two to give you on where the best places are to hike at that moment. (Look for rangers at the visitor centers – or give them a call: 307-739-3399).

Bear and cub in Grand Teton

Also be sure to be bear aware on the trails! Snow on the ground does not mean bears are hibernating.

May is an extremely active time for bears and their new cubs. Be sure to make noise, carry bear spray, know how to use it, have it accessible (at the bottom of a backpack is not accessible).

Pro Tip: If planning to hike, make sure to check in at a visitor center and speak to a park ranger for tips on the best trail conditions and ask about bear activity on the trails.

A Few More Things to Know Before You Go

Still trying to decide if you should visit Grand Teton in May? To help, identify what you want to do while in Grand Teton – what activities you are interested in.

BEST GRAND TETON ACTIVITIES TO DO IN MAY

May in Grand Teton National Park is better for people who are more interested in:

• Sight-seeing
• Doing scenic drives
• Viewing wildlife

These activities are very May-friendly as they are self-reliant activities and are not dependent on park services (marinas, restaurants, equipment rentals) or weather.

Jeep Driving the 42 Mile Scenic Drive in Grand Teton

May is not the best option for people who want to:

• Hike
• Camp in the high/backcountry
• Water Sports and Boat Rentals
• Horseback Riding
• Have all services available, like restaurants

As mentioned previously, for hiking, you are at the mercy of how much snow has melted and the possible muddy conditions if snow has melted. And that is talking about the lower, front country hikes. Backcountry hiking and higher elevation trails will have snowpack on them.

For horseback riding, kayaking, canoeing, and boating, June, July, and August are better months as all the horse corals and marinas will be open for rentals.

Jenny Lake covered in snow in May – photo credit: nps.gov – Falgoust

To partake in eating at restaurants while gazing at a Teton view or having other amenities available (grocery store, laundry, showers, information centers) you might be able to in May if you confirm what is open the days you are there.

Again, everything is open in the months of June, July, and August.

And swimming?

Seriously, the water is cold no matter what month you go.

Sooooo….freaking….cold….

I have tried swimming at String Lake at the beginning of June and found it painful.

I find the water still cold in July and August, but not as painful.

Good luck kids!

Have any questions about services not listed here? Or any other questions? Contact me or leave a comment.

Keep Your Eye Peeled for a Moose!

Jenn Cunningham
Founder, exploreGTNP

Grand Teton National Park’s 42 Mile Drive Guide

Your Guide to Seeing All the Stops, Spots, Overlooks, and Turnouts on the 42 Mile Drive
Complete with Checklists of What You Must SEE and DO for Each Spot!!

Plus five additional points of interest that are just outside the 42 Mile Drive that we highly recommend to be included.