5 Advantages to Visiting Grand Teton in September and 2 Challenges

Exploring Grand Teton in September: Advantages and Challenges

Update: March 22, 2024

Grand Teton in Fall — photo credit: For The Rock — taken 9/25/2016

September is a transitional month for Grand Teton National Park; not only weather-wise, but crowd, wildlife, and scenery-wise too.

Visiting in September, you’ll enjoy cool daytime temperatures, fall colors, and fewer people visiting Grand Teton.

But there are some challenges too, including cold morning and night temperatures, unpredictable weather, and services and conveniences shutting down as the month of September goes on.

In this article, we break it down for you – how to make the most of the advantages, how to deal with the challenges, and make suggestions on when you should go in September.

Article Contents

Advantages of Visiting Grand Teton in September
Fall Colors
Weather
Crowds
Wildlife
Hiking
Challenges of Visiting Grand Teton in September
In Park Services Closing
Last Tips

Article Contents

Advantages of Visiting Grand Teton in September
Fall Colors
Weather
Crowds
Wildlife
Hiking
Challenges of Visiting Grand Teton in September
Weather
In Park Services Closing
Last Tips

Advantage (The BIG One): Fall Colors

Trees with fall colors in front of the Grand Teton — photo credit: For the Rock – taken 9/25/2016

Let’s start with one of the biggest advantages of visiting Grand Teton in September, and the reason many people pick September: the changing of the landscape scenery with all the leaves turning a bright yellow, orange, and even some red, colors.

Put those colors in front of the Tetons – and click! – stunning photos.

Add a light high-country snow dusting on the Tetons and you’ve hit the trifecta of fall scenery in Grand Teton National Park.

Fall colors with a snowy Teton range in the background — photo credit: Adams @nps.gov — taken 9/22/2017

The turning of the leaves and fall colors is probably the biggest advantage for visiting in September. Especially if you are a photographer.

While fall foliage is a major draw for September visitors, the exact timing and intensity of the colors can vary from year to year.

The changing of the colors doesn’t happen all at the same time everywhere in the park. Elevation is a factor in when leaves start changing, and there are different elevations throughout the park.

Oxbow Bend with trees turning fall colors at the end of September — photo credit: j. bonney — photo taken 9/26/2021

Timeline of Leaves Turning in September

Historically, the timeline of trees changing color in Grand Teton in September is as follows*:

• A few trees will start to change early in September, in higher elevations,
• with the bulk of trees starting to change color mid-September,
• coming on strong the third week of September,
• with “prime” or “peak” time being the last week of September and the first week of October.*

*Note: This timeline is not a guarantee, this is an approximate timeline as the exact timing and intensity of the colors can vary from year to year. There can be “early” and “late” years, and even “brown” years (little color, straight to brown).

Pro Tip: If seeing fall colors is your priority for visiting Grand Teton in September, aim to visit in late September.

Pro Tip: Note the dates on all the photos in this article that show fall color – over the years it is usually end of September that have the strongest colors…

Fall Foliage Prediction Map

Smoky Mountain National Park provides an interactive map predicting when fall foliage will start and peak throughout the United States.

Please Note: that the Fall Foliage Prediction Map has the following disclaimer:

* The 2023 Fall Foliage Map is the ultimate visual planning guide to the annual progressive changing of the leaves. While no tool can be 100% accurate, this tool is meant to help travelers better time their trips to have the best opportunity of catching peak color each year. 

Click on Map for Fall Foliage Prediction Map*

Oxbow Bend

Oxbow Bend is one of, if not the most famous places to photograph the fall colors in Grand Teton National Park.

Historically, Oxbow Bend is considered “prime” around the first week in October.

Oxbow Bend in fall at Grand Teton National Park – – photo credit: Canva

Pro Tip: If you want a shot from the edge of the parking lot, you will need to go hours before sunrise to claim a spot with your tripod. It will be COLD. Bring your hat, jacket, and gloves!

Pro Tip: There are other spots around Oxbow Bend besides the edge of the parking lot. Look for spots down by the water.

Pro Tip: If you want to see/photograph Oxbow Bend around its peak color – aim for the very end of September and/or the first week of October.

Other Leaf Peeping Places in Grand Teton

Other places to consider seeing/photographing fall color in Grand Teton National Park include:

Advantage: Fewer People / Smaller Crowds

While summer sees a significant influx of tourists, September ushers in a quieter period in the park, especially after Labor Day as schools are back in session and most of the family travelers have left.

Small group of people with a park ranger — photo credit: Adams @nps.gov taken 9-24-2018

Note: The beginning of September can still experience a significant number of visitors through Labor Day as people try to take advantage of the last days of summer vacation.

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

Busy Places in Grand Teton National Park

And while there are fewer people in the park, the popular places in the park will still be….popular:

• Jenny Lake
• Hidden Falls
• Taggart Lake
• Laurance Rockefeller Preserve

Places like Jenny Lake will be among the busier places in September

Pro Tip: Still go early to the popular places to beat the crowds

Advantage: Cool, Crisp Weather

Honestly, the weather could be an advantage and a challenge.

Grand Teton with dusting of snow, trees with yellow leaves in foreground – photo credit: ForTheRock – taken on 9/25/2016

Advantage

The days are cool and crisp – exactly how fall is described in every article ever…

But here, it really is true!

The air is drier here, so it really is crisp, and it’s the mountains in September, so the air really is cool.

Just know that 32 ºF in the morning is going to sting a bit.

You are going to feel it.

So definitely have your jacket, hat, and gloves. And definitely have a backpack to put those items in as the day goes on as it will be nice and warm, and you’ll need a handy place to keep shed layers.

While that description may not sound like an advantage – trust me, it is. You’ll understand when you get here. It feels as fall should (or as described to feel….).

Storm clouds blowing in over Mt. Moran at Grand Teton National Park — photo credit: ForTheRock — taken 9/23/2018

Challenge

The “challenge” part of the weather is that September can have rain and thunderstorms and as the month goes on, you may even have chances of snow!

Snow can blow in and cause a white-out, blizzard condition, and even shut down roads for the day.

The funny thing is, that it can then melt off the next day and be completely sunny again with warm temperatures.

I tell you this not to scare you, but to prepare you that it can happen.

As long as you have warm clothing, jackets, hats, etc… you’ll be fine. And if a snow-in happens while you are here, just be willing to pivot or change plans for the day.

Note: Temperatures will be cold in the morning and evening, with warmer temps during the day. This may seem obvious, but seriously, some of those cold morning temps are rough!

Check the weather forecast: Daily Weather for Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park

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.

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

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

Advantage: Wildlife

In September, all wildlife are on the move for different reasons.

Some are preparing for the winter ahead packing on weight, and some are trying to ensure their species live on.

Black bear in tree along the Moose Wilson Road, eating Hawthorn berries — photo credit; Adams @ nps.gov

Elk, Moose, and Deer will be in their ruts* in September.

Grizzly Bears and Black Bears will be scrounging around consuming as many calories as they can.

Bison will be just finishing their rut at the end of August, the beginning of September.

* “Rut” – breeding season

Bull Moose with full-grown antlers in Grand Teton  — photo credit: j. bonney @nps.gov

BONUS: September is a great time to see bull moose as their antlers have fully regrown and they shed the velvet off them in early September.

Where to See Wildlife in September

Always keep a safe distance from wildlife. For your safety and the animals.

Give them their space, as they are even more agitated when needing to eat and/or breed. You don’t want to get in their way.

Two grizzly bears wrestle as onlookers capture it on their cameras

Where to See Wildlife

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

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 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.

Advantage: Drier Hiking Trails at High Elevation

High-elevation hiking trails that might have been snow-covered or impassable earlier in the year are likely to be more accessible by September, as most of the snow has melted.

View of the back of Grand Teton from the Paintbrush Divide (10,700 ft) — photo credit: Adams @nps.gov – taken 9-3-2018

But, as we know from the weather section above, September can have sudden snow storms blow in, and if anywhere is going to get snow first, it is at the high elevations.

Therefore, it is important to check in with a ranger and/or visitor center and see what the latest conditions are and what, if any extra equipment is needed (possible ice axes and crampons).

Pro Tip: For drier high-elevation trails, go at the beginning of September. Snow is more likely in the high country as September goes on

In our experience, we always aim to do the Paintbrush – Cascade Canyon Loop (pictured above) in late August because it is less likely to have snow conditions that require ice axes and crampons…

Low Elevation Hikes

As for low-elevation hikes or front country hikes, trails should be in good condition, with the bonus of fewer people on them than in summer. The beginning of September usually mirrors the end of August conditions of being dry.

Do prepare your spirit that rain and/or snow may leave trails muddy with some standing water any time in September.

And of course, take all the proper clothing and items needed for the possibility of quickly changing conditions of snow and/or rain while on the trail.

Snowing while hiking at String Lake — taken October 1, 2017

Challenge: Services Closing

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.

As the month of September goes on, more and more services and service providers pack up for the season.

Pro Tip: If you want to have all in-park services available to you, the beginning of September is best.

If you are coming towards the end of September to see the fall foliage at its peak (usually the last week of September to the beginning of October) be sure to check service providers’ closing dates – listed below.

Grand Teton

Roads

Good news – all roads are open in September!

Usually, the only time a road is closed in September is if there is a lot of bear activity in that area.

For instance, sometimes the Moose-Wilson Road will be closed off if the bears are staying in the area to eat the Hawthorn berries that grow there.

Grizzly Bear eating berries on the Moose Wilson Road in Grand Teton National Park — photo credit: Adams @nps.gov — taken on 9/13/2019

Lodging

Following is a list of the lodges and cabins INSIDE Grand Teton National Park and their closing dates for 2024.

• Colter Bay Village Cabins – September 29th
• Headwaters Lodge and Cabins – October 1st
• Jackson Lake Lodge – October 6th
• Triangle X Ranch – October 6th
• Jenny Lake Lodge – October 6th
• Signal Mountain Lodge Cabins – October 12th
• Dornan Spur Cabins – Open year-round except in November and April.

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 in Grand Teton — photo credit: NPS-Tobiason

• Colter Bay Tent Village – September 1st
• Jenny Lake Campground – September 4th
• Lizard Creek Campground – September 8th
• Colter Bay Campground – September 28th
• Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch – for RV Park Only – September 30th
• Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch – for tent camping – September 30th
• Colter Bay RV Park – October 9th
• Gros Ventre Campground – October 9th
• Signal Mountain Campground – October 13th

Restaurants

Trapper Grill at Signal Mountain Lodge is open until October 13, 2024.

The following is a list of all the major restaurants inside Grand Teton National Park that are open to the public. Here are their closing dates for 2024.

• Pool Cantina at Jackson Lake Lodge – TBD (usually towards end of August)
• Café Court Pizzeria at Colter Bay Village – TBD (closed September 4th in 2023)
• Leek’s Pizzeria at Leek’s Marina – September 8th
• Blue Heron Lounge at Jackson Lake Lodge – TBD (closed October 1st in 2023)
• Coffee Cart at Jackson Lake Lodge – TBD (closed October 1st in 2023)
• Pioneer Grill at Jackson Lake Lodge – TBD (closed October 1st in 2023)
• Ranch House at Colter Bay Village – TBD (closed October 1st in 2023)
• Coffee Bar at Colter Bay Village – TBD (closed October 1st in 2023)
• The Mural Room at Jackson Lake Lodge – TBD (closed October 4th in 2023)
• Jenny Lake Lodge – early October – (lunch reservations recommended, dinner reservations required)
• Sheffields at Flagg Ranch – TBD (closed October 1st in 2023)
• Trapper Grill at Signal Mountain Lodge – October 13th

Visitor Centers

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

• Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center – September 26th
• Jenny Lake Visitor Center – September 26th
• Colter Bay Visitor Center – October 3rd
• Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center – November 1st

Marinas

If you want to take advantage of marina activities – rides and boat rentals – early September is best, with the exception of Jenny Lake which runs all their marina services until the end of September.

Jenny Lake Boating – Shuttle Service

Grand Teton’s four marinas and their closing dates for 2024.

Jenny Lake Boating – September 30th

• Shuttle Service – September 30th
• Scenic Boat Rides – Reservations – September 30th
• Boat Rentals – September 30th

Signal Mountain Marina – September 10th

• Pontoon and Runabout Boat Rentals – September 15th
• Kayak Rentals – September 15th

Colter Bay Marina – varied

• Boat Rentals – mid-August – water dependent
• Jackson Lake Scenic Cruises – Meal cruises end after Labor Day, Non-meal cruises continue to run until mid September – water level dependent.

Leek’s Marina – (no boat rentals or cruises) September 10th

Last Tips

To make your visit to Grand Teton National Park more enjoyable identify the primary reasons you want to go, and then choose the corresponding time.

Visit In Early September

Visit Grand Teton in early September if

• You want to do high-elevation hikes
• You want to camp in the backcountry or at high elevation
• You want all restaurants, tours, services, and lodging available to you
• You want to swim

Visit in Late September

Visit Grand Teton in late September if

• You want to see the fall foliage near peak color
• You want to deal with less crowds

And if your main priority is to see wildlife, go anytime in September.

Good luck, I hope you see a moose!

Pro Tip: If you have questions about anything while in Grand Teton National Park – trail conditions, places to go, places to avoid, what’s open, etc… do ask a ranger. You can find them throughout the park and at the Visitor Centers. They will have the most up to date information for you!!!

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.