4 Advantages to Visiting Grand Teton in June and 3 Challenges

Updated: January 28, 2024

Four Advantages to Visiting Grand Teton National Park in June – and Three Challenges

Wildflowers at Schwabacher Landing in June in Grand Teton National Park — Photo Credit: Canva

Most of the month of June lands in “Spring” on the calendar, but in Grand Teton National Park, the month of June means SUMMER!

June in Grand Teton is the beginning of summer and that means the park is officially open for business!

Everything is open!

Lodges, campgrounds, restaurants, roads, services, and most recreational activities and their providers are open and ready by June 1st (some exceptions noted below).

And those are just the basics.

Moose and her two babies at Schwabacher Laniding– photo credit Inna Sherman

June is also a month for wildflowers, baby animals, lush green grass and trees, and snow-tipped Tetons.

And as great as all that is, the wildflowers, baby animals, and stunning scenery, there are a couple of challenges to visiting Grand Teton in June to know about too.

I’ll tell you all about the advantages, prepare you for all the challenges, and suggest a couple of solutions to the challenges here.

Article Contents

Crowds
Weather
Advantages of Visiting Grand Teton in June
Everything is Open
Baby Animals
Wildflowers
Scenery
Challenges of Visiting Grand Teton in June
Mosquitoes
High Elevation Hiking
Water Temperature
Last Tips

Table of Contents

Crowds
Weather
Advantages of Visiting Grand Teton in June
Everything is Open
Baby Animals
Wildflowers
Scenery
Challenges of Visiting Grand Teton in June
Mosquitoes
High Elevation Hiking
Water Temperature
Last Tips

Crowds

Before getting into the advantages of visiting Grand Teton in June, a note about crowds.

The crowds in June don’t quite fall under advantages, nor is it a terrible disadvantage.

June, overall, is less crowded in Grand Teton National Park than in July and August.

* Numbers affected by COVID-19 Pandemic
** Total Solar Eclipse
***The park was closed May 1- 17 in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic

So while there are slightly fewer people in June than in the other two summer months (advantage), know that the park will still be busy and crowded (challenge).

Popular places like Jenny Lake, Taggart Lake, and the Laurance Rockefeller Preserve will be full by mid-morning with parking spilling out of the parking lots.

Note: The crowds really start picking up in the Jackson Hole area the second week of June.

Bison at Elk Ranch Flats – Who is not intimidated by being one vs many…

Here are a few tips for handling crowds.

Pro Tip:  Allow extra time to get to places, in case of traffic or if there is an “animal jam”.

Pro Tip: If there is an animal jam, prepare your spirit! Having patience will go a long way to keeping everyone calm and safe.

Pro Tip: The key to beating the crowds at the park entrances and popular destinations (Jenny Lake, Hidden Falls, Taggart Lake, and Laurance Rockefeller Preserve) is to go early in the morning. I’m talking 7:30 am. (I know…and if you have kids, good luck to you!)

Weather

The weather in June in Grand Teton National Park is another item that isn’t clearly considered an advantage or a challenge (Although, I personally think it leans toward being more of an advantage).

The early mornings and late nights can get down into the 30s. That is winter clothes weather!!

Grand Teton Reflecting in Ponds at Schwabacher Landing at Sunrise

I am often up before dawn staking out a place to take sunrise pictures and it is COLD, usually in the 40s. I have my winter coat, hat, and gloves on. So if you are up early (as suggested to beat the crowds and see more animals) you may want to have these on hand.

As the day goes on, it does get warmer, with highs being in the 70s in the afternoon.

70-degree weather in Grand Teton is wonderful!

Like Goldilocks wonderful!

Not too hot, not too cold.

You will be shedding layers from that early morning – but keep them on hand as evening and night approach.

Pro Tip: Carry a backpack to store layers. I carry one throughout the day so I always have what I need on hand and have a place to store what I don’t, and more importantly, I don’t waste time by having to go back to the car or campground.

A possible downside of the weather in June in Grand Teton National Park is that there is still a possibility of snow and even more of a possibility of rain and thunderstorms.

Mt. Moran at Oxbow Bend – looking moody with a storm rolling in

Thunderstorms are usually not all day long and blow through in the afternoon. Check the weather forecast before your day’s outing and follow all safety suggestions.

Pro Tip: After rain and thunderstorms, the colors in the park are bright and vibrant. A good time and opportunity for stunning photos!

Grand Teton National Park’s southern entrance at Moose Junction

Now that you are aware of the crowds and weather, let’s move on to the advantages of visiting Grand Teton in June.

Advantage: Everything is Open

Grand Teton National Park is officially open 365 days a year and can be accessed any day of the year.

It is the roads, lodges, campgrounds, restaurants, services, and service providers that are not open year-round.

By June 1st almost all roads, lodging, campgrounds, and services are up and running, and waiting for you – with a few (very few) exceptions. Please note the exceptions below.

Grand Teton

Roads

Roads that may not be open by June 1st include:

• Pilgrim Creek Road – is sometimes closed due to bear activity
• Cattleman Bridge Road – sometimes closed due to bear activity
• Signal Mountain Summit Road – often opens by June 1st – but can be delayed if there is still snowpack
• Grassy Lake Road – usually opens June 1st

The good news here is that these four roads are all “side roads” or “optional” roads, meaning they are not main roads and their closure will not impede your ability to move around the park.

View on Signal Mountain Summit Road – from Jackson Point Overlook

Although… the Signal Mountain Summit Road is a drive that I highly recommend doing to get a panoramic view of the Tetons and the Teton valley.

If this drive is on your list of things to do, plan your trip a little later in June to make sure the road is open when you are there.

You can also call Grand Teton National Park at 307-739-3399 and speak to a Park Ranger to ask if it is likely the road will open by June 1st.

Note: Signal Mountain Summit Road is often called a “scenic drive”, but it really isn’t scenic on the way up or down. The scenic parts are the two overlooks towards the top of the mountain, with the panoramic view of the Tetons being at the first overlook – Jackson Point Overlook.

Pro Tip: During the ride up and down, keep your eye peeled for elk and bears. I have seen many black bears on this drive.

Grand Teton Map of Roads in June

Lodging

Following is a list of the lodges and cabins INSIDE Grand Teton National Park and their opening dates for 2023.

Note: All lodges are open by June 1st with Headwaters Lodge opening on June 1st.

• Signal Mountain Lodge Cabins – May 12th
• Jackson Lake Lodge – May 19th
• Triangle X Ranch – May 22nd
• Colter Bay Village Cabins – May 25th
• Headwaters Lodge and Cabins – June 1st
• Jenny Lake Lodge – June 1st

Jenny Lake Lodge Cabin With A View of Grand Teton

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

Pro Tip: Make your reservations as early as possible as they fill up quickly.

Pro Tip: For Jenny Lake Lodge, you may have a better chance of reservations if you call: 307-543-3100, instead of online.

Campgrounds

There are eight different options to camp INSIDE Grand Teton National Park. Reservations are required and can be made six months in advance at recreation.gov.

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

Gros Ventre campground is usually the first campground to open in Grand Teton — photo credit: NPS-Tobiason

The following are the posted opening dates for each campground INSIDE Grand Teton National Park for May 2023.

Note: Please note that all campgrounds are open by mid-June with Headwaters Campground for tent camping opening on June 1st and Lizard Creek Campground opening last on June 9th.

• Gros Ventre Campground – April 28th
• Colter Bay RV Park – May 4th
• Jenny Lake Campground – May 5th
• Signal Mountain Campground – May 12th
• Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch – for RV Park Only – May 12th
• Colter Bay Campground – May 25th
• Colter Bay Tent Village – May 26th
• Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch – for tent camping – June 1st
• Lizard Creek Campground – June 9th

Restaurants

Trapper Grill at Signal Mountain Lodge is open well before June 1, 2023.

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

Note: All restaurants will be open by mid June, with the Pool Cantina at Jackson Lake Lodge being the last to open on June 10, 2023.

• Trapper Grill at Signal Mountain Lodge – May 12th
• Blue Heron Lounge at Jackson Lake Lodge – May 19th
• The Mural Room at Jackson Lake Lodge – May 19th
• Pioneer Grill at Jackson Lake Lodge – May 19th
• Ranch House at Colter Bay Village – May 25th
• Café Court Pizzeria at Colter Bay Village – May 26th
• Leek’s Pizzeria at Leek’s Marina – May 26th
• Jenny Lake Lodge – June 1st – (lunch reservations recommended, dinner reservations required)
• Sheffields at Flagg Ranch – June 1st
• Pool Cantina at Jackson Lake Lodge – June 10th

Visitor Centers

The following are projected dates for 2023. Official dates have not been posted yet, they will be updated here when published.

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

• Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center – May 1st
• Jenny Lake Visitor Center – May 14th
• Colter Bay Visitor Center – May 15th
• Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center – parking area is open May 1st, the actual center’s open date is June 5, 2023.

Note: The Laurance Rockefeller Preserve building opens on June 5, 2023, but the parking lot opens around May 1st. You can park in the parking lot beginning May 1st to access the hiking trails to Phelps Lake.

Marinas

All marinas open in May, with the exception of Colter Bay Marina.

Colter Bay Marina is the marina that is the most dependent on Jackson Lake’s water levels. In 2022, Jackson Lake’s water level was way down and Colter Bay didn’t open at all that season. The only one of the four marinas that didn’t open.

Jenny Lake Boating – Shuttle Service

Grand Teton’s four marinas and their open dates for 2023.

Jenny Lake Boating – May 15th

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

Signal Mountain Marina – May 20th

• Pontoon and Runabout Boat Rentals – May 20th
• Kayak Rentals – available early to mid-June – water temperature dependent

Colter Bay Marina – June 1st

• Boat Rentals – June 1st
• Jackson Lake Scenic Cruises – June 10th

Leek’s Marina – (no boat rentals or cruises) May 20th

Baby moose at the Moose Habitat on the north end of Moose Wilson Road (mama near by)

Advantage: Baby Animals

June in Grand Teton National Park is the month for babies and lots of them!!

Large park animals and small critters alike are having babies with bison and bears getting a head start in May.

Bison and bears are the first of the big animals to have babies, followed by moose, elk, and deer. Pronghorns (antelope) are usually the last of the big animals to have babies in Grand Teton.

Bear cubs — photo credit: nps.gov

When To See Wildlife – Tips

Again, early morning is the name of the game to increase your chances to see wildlife.

We’re talking about 6:00 am.

I know. That is early.

As the day gets warmer, the larger animals seek shade and start bedding down to escape the heat. As the month of June goes on, temperatures are getting warmer and warmer earlier in the day causing the animals to bed down about mid-morning. Unfortunately, that is when a lot of people are just getting out to look for them.

So, if seeing animals is at the top of your list, it’s the crack of dawn for you!

If this is bad news for you, I may have a tip to make you feel better.

Bears start their days a little later than the rest of the big animals in the park. It’s not clockwork, but bears tend to start moving around a little later in the morning, around mid-morning.

So, it is still early, but not crack of dawn early.

Two bears sitting by the road

Pro Tip: Go at dawn to find moose, elk, and deer, then as the morning goes on, switch your focus to bears. Bison are some of the easiest to see in the park as they are out most of the day. Look for Bison around Elk Ranch Flats and Antelope Flats Road.

Also, please note that early-early morning isn’t the only time to see animals in the park. You can see just about any animal at any place at any time in the park.

I’m just giving you tips to “help increase your chances” of seeing animals and going early in the morning is one of them.

Animals are also more active in the evening when it is cooler. So you can try your luck then too.

Note: If you are hoping for a photo of an animal with the Tetons in the background, the evening will be more difficult as the light will be behind the Tetons, and that casts shadows – making the Tetons not very defined in your photo.

Pro Tip: Morning and early morning are ideal for Teton photos as the Tetons are in the west and face east and the morning light hits them from the east. If you get an animal in the foreground – huge bonus!

Two grizzly bears wrestle as onlookers capture it on their cameras

Where to See Wildlife – Tips

Places to increase your chances of seeing wildlife:

Note: Always keep a safe distance when viewing wildlife. Whether you are in your vehicle or on foot, 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. More Animal Safety

Pro Tip: Respect and follow instructions from the on-site Wild Life 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.

Purple Lupin — photo credit Bonney nps.gov

Advantage: Wildflowers

If you are someone interested in all things flowers and vegetation – June in Grand Teton National Park is the month for you!

Get your notebooks and cameras ready and have a ball!

Luckily, for the rest of us, you don’t have to know all about flowers or their names (I tend to refer to flowers by their color and add the word “pretty”….) to enjoy the beauty they bring or the color they add to the already stunning park scenery.

In Grand Teton National Park, wildflowers start appearing in late May and begin to cover the valley floor in June.

Wildflowers tend to bloom around the first of June in the southern parts of the park (Antelope Flats Road) and show up soon after in the northern part of the park as the snow melts. (Southern part of the park is at a slightly lower elevation than the northern part).

Many hiking paths will have wildflowers present in June, especially the lower elevations and front country hikes. In higher elevations, the flowers bloom a little later in the summer. Again, this is due to snow melting later at higher elevations.

The following are some of the wildflowers you may see in June and where to see them.

Note: Do not pick nor eat any of the wildflowers as for some it is illegal, and some are poisonous.

Scenery in June in Grand Teton has snow-capped Tetons-with-a-foreground-of-vibrant-green-grass-and-trees– photo credit: canva

Advantage: Scenery

Q: “The scenery is already stunning in Grand Teton National Park, why would this be considered an advantage in June over any of the other months?”

A. The month of June has two things that other months in Grand Teton National Park don’t have that improve upon the scenery: green grasses and snow-tipped Tetons.

In June the snow melt makes all the grasses green throughout the valley and the valley runs the length of the park in the foreground of the Tetons. Green grass may be something that is obvious and expected, but actually, it is something not to be taken for granted in Grand Teton, because as the weather continues to warm up in summer the vivid green grasses dry out and turn brown.

Also as the summer continues to warm up, the snow melts from the tips and high elevation of the Tetons. And while the Tetons are stunning anytime, snow-tipped adds a heightened contrast to the mountains.

The colors and contrast of green grasses and trees and snow-tipped Tetons enhance the views and photographs!

Throw in the colorful wildflowers blooming and you have color bursting everywhere you look!

Wildflowers along Antelope Flats Road with Tetons in the background — photo credit: nps.gov/ O. Bonney

Pro Tip: Go to Antelope Flats Road to take photos of wildflowers contrasting with the green grasses of the valley and snow-tipped Tetons in the background. (This is just one place to go for this combination – keep an eye out as you explore the park for many more!)

Challenges of Visiting Grand Teton In June

As great as the advantages of visiting Grand Teton in June are, there are some challenges.

Challenge: Mosquitoes

No matter what time of summer you go or where you go in Grand Teton National Park, there will be mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes like water and in Grand Teton you are in the mountains with many sources of water, including rivers, lakes, ponds, waterfalls, and streams, not to mention snow melt and post-rain puddles.

I don’t have any scientific proof for what I’m about to say about mosquitoes, I can just share my experience. It seems like the earlier in June you go, the more mosquitos there are.

I am one of those people mosquitoes love to feast on – so while others may see them as bothersome, I see them as a challenge. A big challenge.

Grand Teton National Park in summer – there will be mosquitos — photo credit: Canva

Solutions

Thankfully, there are two easy solutions to handle this challenge: clothing and bug spray.

The mild temperatures in June make it easy to wear lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants. This clothing choice not only keeps skin covered but keeps you warm without getting too warm when the temperature rises in the afternoon.

But the best defense I have found is bug spray.

Buy it, have it, use it.

You’ll get used to the smell.

You’ll get used to the kids complaining about the time it takes to put it on.

Wearing clothes that covers skin and using mosquito spray are your best defenses against mosquitoes – those little…. photo credit: Canva

And when I say “put it on” I mean even if you are wearing pants and socks, be sure to spray your ankles for when that small strip of skin that is exposed when walking and or sitting. Spray your hands and neck if you are covered everywhere else.

Even, spray in front of you and walk into the mist for your face.

Spray all exposed skin.

The mosquitoes are the heaviest in the mornings and evenings and around water. Be prepared to apply a couple of times a day, even after you shower, and feel clean for the first time that day (or a couple of days 😉 ). It’s difficult, but you’ll eventually learn to get over “I just took a shower, I’m clean, and the last thing I want is to smell like bug spray.”

Trust me, the LAST thing you want is to lay down at the end of the day to sleep only to be kept awake itching “why did they bite me there?” places. And if you’re with kids, save yourself from spending the rest of the vacation saying “don’t scratch.”

Pro Tip: Have an after-bite stick, just in case. If one of those pesky mosquitoes gets through, using an after-bite stick will provide some relief. Worth. Every. Penny. Maybe worth even more after 10:00 o’clock at night.

Snow on trail to Surprise Lake

Challenge: High Elevation Hikes

In early June, most front country hikes and viewpoints will be accessible. They may still have some snow melt, water, and mud on the trails. As the month of June goes on, these trails will dry out considerably.

As for high-elevation hikes – it is no surprise that the higher you go, the more likely you will encounter puddles, snow melt, mud, and actual snow. It is not uncommon for Lake Solitude to still be frozen over in June.

Lake Solitude – Ice and snow on the lake and parts of the trail to Lake Solitude

Solutions

Check with a park ranger for up-to-date trail conditions.

If you are doing more high-elevation hikes, do check in with a visitor’s center or ranger station to talk with a ranger about the latest hiking conditions. They will have the most up-to-date information on conditions and will let you know if crampons and ice axes are required and/or have suggestions on what trails to do and how to stay safe.

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

Do lower elevation, front country hikes.

You don’t have to do high-elevation hikes to get a good workout or to get a good view.

In fact, there are plenty heart pumping hikes in the front country that have stunning Teton views!

Here are a few ideas:

• Four Scenic Day Hikes in Grand Teton Under Four Miles
• Taggart Lake Hike
• String Lake Hiking Trails
• Hiking in Grand Teton
• Hidden Falls

Taggart Lake Hike in Grand Teton National Park

Challenge: Cold Water Temperature

Your visit to Grand Teton may include hopes of water activities such as swimming, paddle boarding, and/or renting kayaks and canoes.

Just know that the water in the lakes and rivers will be COLD.

So cold that some marinas on Jackson and Jenny Lakes will require a minimum water temperature to be reached before they will rent out canoes and kayaks.

Kayaks at Signal Mountain Marina in Grand Teton — photo credit: canva

Solutions

Call the marinas that rent kayaks and canoes.

Call the marinas to ask if they are renting equipment out or when they expect to start rentals.

Jenny Lake Boating – (307) 734-9227

• Kayak and Canoe Rentals – available end of June or beginning of July – water temperature dependent

Signal Mountain Marina – (307) 543-2831

• Kayak Rentals – available early to mid-June – water temperature dependent

Colter Bay Marina – (307) 543 -2811

• Kayak and Canoe Rentals – water level permitting

Pro Tip: Calling the marinas will give you the most up-to-the-minute information on water temperature and rentals, marina websites are not updated as regularly.

Scenic Boat Cruise on Jackson Lake — photo credit: gtlc.com

Opt for water activities that do not require getting in the water.

There are some scenic lake cruises and motorized boat rentals available that don’t require getting in the water.

Scenic Lake Cruises

• Jackson Lake Scenic Lake Cruises – Boat cruises that take you across Jackson Lake close to Mt. Moran. Guides tell you all about the history and geology of the area. There are cruises with and without meals. Cruises with meals are served on Elk Island on Jackson Lake.
• Jenny Lake Shuttle – A 12-minute shuttle across Jenny Lake. You can take the shuttle to and from the Hidden Falls Trailhead.
• Jenny Lake Scenic Boat Ride – A one hour scenic boat ride around Jenny Lake where the guides tell you about the history and geology of the lake.

Motorboat rentals 

• Colter Bay – You can rent a 15 foot aluminum craft boats with a 9.9 horse engine to explore nearby neighboring bays on Jackson Lake.
• Signal Mountain – Kayaks and canoes available to explore close by inlets and bays.

Guided Scenic River Raft Trips
Scenic River Raft Trips are not whitewater raft trips and contact with water is minimal.

Scenic Snake River Float

Authorized Scenic Raft Trip Providers inside Grand Teton National Park:

• Barker-Ewing Scenic Tours (We have used them and loved them! (We are not an affiliate) Read our review)
• Grand Teton Lodge Company
• Heart 6 Ranch, LLC
• Signal Mountain Lodge
• Snake River Angler and Float Trips
• Solitude Float Trips
• Triangle X / National Park Float Trips
• Lost Creek Ranch (Private Ranch, Floats for Guests Only)

Guided Whitewater Rafting Trips
There is a good chance you will come in contact with water while whitewater rafting, but thankfully wetsuits are provided. (I’ve worn a wetsuit on a whitewater rafting trip in July!)

Whitewater rafting on the Snake River outside Grand Teton National Park

Note: All whitewater rafting trips are OUTSIDE Grand Teton National Park.

Here are some whitewater rafting companies found in the Jackson Hole Valley:

• Barker-Ewing Whitewater
• Teton Whitewater
• Dave Hansen
• Jackson Hole Whitewater
• Lewis and Clark River Expeditions
• Mad River Boat Trips
• Sands Whitewater and Scenic River Trips

Last Tips

June is a good time to visit Grand Teton with the advantages of most everything in the park is open and available, of not only seeing animals but baby animals, and colorful wildflowers decorating the valley floor.

June is also the short time of year when the grasses in the valley are a rich, vibrant green. The green grasses and wildflowers really add a lot of color and beauty to the scenery which is already breathtaking.

It is the most colorful time of year and you’ll see many photographers out and about.

Grab your camera and join them!

Wildflowers with a snowy Mt. Moran in the background — photo credit: nps / Bonney

Don’t be discouraged by the challenges of visiting Grand Teton in June. Where there is a challenge, there are possible solutions to counteract or lessen the challenge!

The challenges of mosquitos and hiking can be lessened with good bug spray, the right clothing, and having the right equipment. A quick chat with a park ranger can go a long way to increasing your safety and enjoyment on those hiking trails.

And as for water temperature – know that the water will ALWAYS be cold!

The water is cold throughout the entire summer.

It’s just a matter of HOW COLD. A matter of degrees…

The later in June you go, the “warmer” the water gets, but to cover all bases and to plan a little more precisely if you are wanting to rent kayaks and canoes at the marinas on Jackson and Jenny Lakes, call the marinas. They are going to give you more up-to-date info than their websites.

Scenic Lake Cruise at Jenny Lake

And, if you don’t want to be at the mercy of water temperatures, you can still get on the water with guided lake cruises on Jackson and Jenny Lakes, rent motorized boats on Jackson Lake, and/or do a guided scenic and/or whitewater rafting trip.

Enjoy the advantages of June in Grand Teton and embrace the challenges armed with solutions.

Please feel free to ask any questions you don’t see answered here in the comments section.

Good luck and ENJOY! 

Keep Your Eye Peeled for a Moose!

Jenn Cunningham
Founder, Explore GTNP

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.