Explore Jackson Lake by Boat – 3 Different Ways

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Explore Jackson Lake by Boat – 3 Different Ways

Jackson Lake, in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP), is a great place to get away from the crowds, get a closer view of the Tetons, and for boating.

…and you don’t have to have your own boat (but lucky you if you do!)to get on Jackson Lake.

Colter Bay Marina gives you three different boating options to explore Jackson Lake.

1. Rent a Canoe or Kayak

The nice thing about renting a canoe or kayak at Colter Bay is that they are already in the water. You don’t have to load them up and transport them anywhere. You just put on your life jacket, grab your paddle and go. The marina staff will give you a map and instructions.

Canoe Rental from Colter Bay

Kayak Rentals

First come, first serve
No reservations needed or taken
Single and double kayaks
2 hour minimum for rental
Prices

Canoe Rentals

First come, first serve
No reservations needed or taken
3 people maximum per canoe
2 hour minimum for rental
Prices

Rental Tip: If you have small children with you, a canoe might be the better way to go, as they can sit farther down in the boat and hang on to the bars that go across.

2. Take a Scenic Cruise

If you’d rather relax, get closer to the Tetons, and leave the navigating to someone else, a scenic cruise is a good option.

Colter Bay offers cruises throughout the day with and without food options.

Colter Bay Scenic Evening Cruise

All cruises take you over to the west side of the lake closer to the Tetons. Along the way, a narrator gives you information on John Colter, who Colter Bay was named after, and other history of the area. As you get closer to the Tetons, they give you more information on the geology of the area. If there is extra time (there usually is), the narrator will ask the audience what subject they want to know more about.

If you sign up for a food option: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner… the boat will take you to the west side of the lake and then go to Elk Island to eat the meal. You can explore Elk Island, just make sure you are back in time for when the boat departs.

Scenic Cruise with Food Tip: On food cruises, the boat banks on Elk Island where you will depart from the boat to eat. Depending on where you are on the boat, and how many boats there are, the line for food may be long. You might want to consider one of two strategies:

Skip waiting in line and make the most of your time by exploring the island first then eating. The risk being that there ends up being less food to pick from or they run out of some items when you arrive at the buffet.
Or you can ensure you get the good pickings of the food by eating first and then use what time you have left over to explore.

In the end, it probably depends on the line and how hungry you are!

3. Rent a Motorboat

If you are comfortable operating a small, 15ft boat powered by a 9.9 horse engine, this is the option for you. You can go farther in a shorter amount of time than kayaks and canoes, and you are not tied to any schedules like with the scenic cruises.

Motorboat Rental from Colter Bay - www.exploregtnp.com

Motorboat from Colter Bay

The marina will give you a boundary map of how far to go, and you will need to wear life jackets they give you. This is our family’s favorite of the three options as it is just us, we can go as long as we want, and we like going along the bank looking for wildlife. We also bring our own snacks and water for the full experience.

Motorboat Rentals

Max of 6 guests per boat
Children must be able to fit into an infant life jacket, which is typically around 12 months or older
Motorboat drivers must be 18 years or older
2 hour minimum
Prices

Whichever way works for you and your group have fun and follow all safety guidelines. Enjoy the scenery and the distance from the crowds!

Which option appeals to you most? Have questions? Let us know in the comment section!

Keep Your Eye Peeled for a Moose!

Jenn Cunningham
Founder, Explore GTNP

3 DAY Itinerary for the Top 12 Things to do in Grand Teton National Park

Want to do the Top 12 Things in Grand Teton National Park and squeeze in a few more? We have a 3 DAY Itinerary that lays out the best time-efficient way to fit them all in while you are here.

All the best places to see, hikes to do, places to dine, and the fun to have organized into this 3 DAY Itinerary.

Learn More

Hi, I'm Jenn, pictured here on Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park. I am a Wyoming native and have vacationed every year of my 40+ years in Grand Teton National Park. I know this park inside and out, so use my years of experience and knowledge to plan, go, and do your perfect Grand Teton National Park vacation!

MAP OF GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK MAP

Hike Lunch Tree Hill – Short Hike with a Big View

Hiking, Kids, Things To Do

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Hike Lunch Tree Hill – Short Hike with a Big View

Lunch Tree Hill hike is one of the shortest and easiest hikes in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) with one of the biggest views. AND… it’s less than .5 mile round trip.

Less than half a mile.

That is perfect for those under a time crunch, for families, and/or for little or unenthusiastic kids.

.5 mile, the kids won’t have enough time to complain. Win-win!

And while this hike is shorter and easier than most, don’t equate it with being boring or one to skip.

While you aren’t going to get a high-calorie burn or workout, you are going to get:

Fantastic Views
History
GTNP Geology
GTNP Animal Info
Possible Wildlife Viewing

That’s a lot for a half-mile hike!

The Hike

You can find the beginning of Lunch Tree Hill Trail off the northern edge of the back viewing area of Jackson Lake Lodge. The easiest way to get here is to go through the lodge and turn right.

The beginning is a little steep, but the trail is paved and short at two-tenths of a mile.

The sign will say “Lunch Tree Hill Loop Trail” but I highly recommend skipping the loop and just going up to the Rockefeller Monument and back. You’ll know you have reached the top when you get to the large rock with a plaque dedicated to Rockefeller.

View

The entire Teton range will be in full view, unobstructed, going up and back on this trail. The lake in the background is “Jackson Lake” and the island you see on the lake is “Donoho”.

The View from Lunch Tree Hill – Photo by: Richard Lee

Sprawling in the foreground to Jackson Lake and the Tetons are the green, wet, marshy Willow Flats.

History

Okay, here is why this hike is such a big deal.

In 1926, if Horace Albright, the superintendent of Yellowstone National Park hadn’t brought John D. Rockefeller and his family to the top of Lunch Tree Hill for a picnic lunch, Grand Teton National Park might not exist.

It is reported that John and his wife, Laura, fell in love with the Tetons and the landscape they viewed on this picnic, but were appalled by the encroaching commercialization of the area. Dance halls and gas stations littered the area. After the picnic with Albright, the Rockefellers eventually bought up the entire valley and gifted it to the U.S. Government to be placed under the National Park Service.

Thank you Horace Albright, and to the Rockefellers for giving us the Grand Teton National Park we have today.

At the top of the hill, is a large rock with a plaque marking the spot of “THE Picnic”. Don’t be surprised if kids want to climb on the rock.

Dedication to John D. Rockefeller

Photo idea: Have people sit on the rock and get the Tetons in the background. The plaque won’t show, but you can get that in a separate photo.

Geology

Along the path, you will find short, informative plaques every few yards. Two of the plaques are focused on the geology of the Tetons.

One plaque helps onlookers identify the “Grand Teton”, the tallest peak in the Teton mountain range, at 13,770 ft elevation.

View from Lunch Tree Hill. Photo: © Karen Phillips http://wishuponanrvstar.blogspot.com

The other is dedicated to Mt. Moran, the large, flat top mountain in direct view.

Mt. Moran was named after the artist, Thomas Moran, whose paintings and drawings of the mountains and surrounding landscape in the 1870’s helped convince Congress to make Yellowstone the first National Park.

Animals

There are also plaques identifying the animals that can be found in the Willow Flats. Moose, beaver and sandhill cranes especially love the wetlands, but any animal can roam through here including elk, deer, and bears.

Animal Info along Lunch Tree Hill Trail - www.exploreGTNP.com

Animal Info along trail

And while the Willow Flats is a good place for animals, you will need binoculars to see them from this vantage point.

This hike is perfectly named as it is a short jaunt to take the family and picnic at the top with a stunning view.

Go Back the Way You Came

As mentioned earlier, the best use of time is to go back the way you came instead of doing the full loop. The top of the trail is at the Rockefeller rock. When ready, retrace your steps back down the hill to the viewing deck of Jackson Lake Lodge.

Hope you see some wildlife, with or without binoculars!

If you have any additional questions, feel free to put them in the comments section.

Keep Your Eye Peeled for a Moose!

Jenn Cunningham
Founder, Explore GTNP

10 Tips To Help You Plan Your Grand Teton National Park Vacation

Get this FREE information for your vacation from ExploreGTNP.

MAP OF GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK MAP

Dornan’s Chugwagon Restaurant

Dining, Kids

Dornan’s Chugwagon Restaurant

Type: American, BBQ
Cuisine: Full Breakfast, Burgers, Sandwiches, Salad
Atmosphere: Old West, Picnic
Serves: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Hours: 7:00 am to 9:00 pm
(note closed daily 11:00am – 12:00pm, 3:00 – 5:00pm)
MENU

Open: Summer Only – June thru Labor Day
10 Moose Rd., off Teton Park Rd.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, 83012, USA
307.733.2415 ext 203
Directions

Officially, Dornan’s Chuckwagon isn’t inside the gated, paid part of the park, but it is inside the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park. The Chuckwagon is located right outside the south pay gate at Dornan’s, in Moose, WY.

The Chuckwagon is an outdoor, casual place to eat, great for families, and can accommodate larger groups.

Views are Fantastic, the food is average, prices are comparable for the area, and the service is self-serve.

They have common breakfast items like eggs, toast, bacon, yogurt. etc… and familiar picnic items like burgers, sandwiches, salads. The menu will have at least one option for everyone, including kids and vegetarians.

Order and pay at the cash register, grab your silverware and beverage and stake out your spot. Your food will be brought to you.

A big draw of the Chuckwagon is the opportunity to eat in a teepee! If the teepee is full, then there are many tables outside, covered and uncovered with a spectacular view of the Tetons and the Snake River.

The Chuckwagon is ideal for:

A different dining experience with an old west feel. The name alone, “Chuckwagon” conjures up images of wagons and cowboys
The experience of eating inside a teepee
Families with young kids as they have kid-friendly options (grilled cheese, hot dogs)
Kids who want to run around and play on the grass, while the adults have a moment of peace
Great view of the Tetons
A covered outdoor area

Know before you go:

They are closed daily: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, 3:00 – 5:00 pm (which can be anywhere from inconvenient to disastrous, depending on your’s and/or kid’s hunger level.)
NO Dinner served on Fridays and Saturdays (usually closed for special events)
NO Alcoholic Beverages served
Bug spray and sunscreen are a must, for every day, but do reapply both if you eat outside. You are at 6,200 ft elevation and close to the Snake River. Don’t let sunburn and mosquitoes ruin your vacation.

Our Review

To be honest, we don’t make the Chuckwagon one of our places we have to eat at while we are in the park.

If this is your first time in the park, and/or you are traveling with kids, eating in a teepee will be a memorable experience (and a good picture).

The reasons we have eaten here over the years are that my grandparents liked coming here to eat chili and it was an easy place to feed young kids with grilled cheese and hot dogs on the menu.

In addition to the grilled cheese and hot dogs, the kids liked eating inside the teepee. Well, actually we all liked eating in a teepee. Especially on socked-in rainy days when they had a fire going.

Not to sound down on the place, because the food is ok, and it’s great to eat outside on a nice day, but we prefer The Pizza and Pasta Company restaurant across the street. The Pizza and Pasta Company has more options, better food, open all day, and a full bar. Read more about The Pizza and Pasta Company.

But…you know what works really works for the Chuckwagon though?

You can go as you are.

You don’t have to dress up.

Since it is mostly outside, you can come straight from swimming, fishing, hiking, or camping, and not worry about being close enough to others that they can figure out what you came from doing!!

BONUS

In the summer, the Chuckwagon holds a “Hootenanny” on Monday nights from 6:00-9:00 pm! Cost is Free.

My best memory of the Chuckwagon: Eating chili in the teepee with a fire going, with my grandparents on a rainy day.

Have any questions about Dornan’s Chuckwagon Restaurant? Will you peek inside the teepee? Let us know in the comment section.

Keep Your Eye Peeled for a Moose!

Jenn Cunningham
Founder, Explore GTNP

MAP OF GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK MAP

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