See the Moulton Barns on Mormon Row – One of Grand Teton’s Famous Four Sights

The Moulton Barns

Chances are you are not a barn expert or historian, but you may have seen pictures of the famous Moulton Barns on Mormon Row found here, in Grand Teton National Park.

Why the Moulton Barns are Famous

These barns aren’t necessarily famous just for being barns themselves, or barns owned by the Moulton Family, but rather they are famous because of the scenery they are a part of: the flat, sagebrush land they sit on with the Tetons shooting up in the background.

This drastic, contrasting scenery is what makes the Moulton Barns on Mormon Row a Famous Four Sight in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP).

Grand Teton’s Famous Four Sights

There are four sights that are the most photographed, iconic and recognizable to Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) which makes them the most famous.

These Famous Four Sights are most likely the ones you have seen on Instagram, posters, calendars, and postcards, and may even be among the reasons you came to GTNP.

3 Things to Do at the Moulton Barns on Mormon Row

Here are three suggestions to help you navigate and experience everything at this large, expansive site.

First and foremost, come here to take in the scenery of the Tetons.

Here at the southern end of GTNP, the Grand Teton is closer and the peaks seem more accessible than from a more northern view from like Jackson Lake Lodge or Colter Bay. It’s a very different angle of the Grand Teton and then you have the barns in front for additional perspective.

John Moulton Barn

Second, come here to get your own pictures of this famous site.

You will see many people with their big cameras and tripods, especially at sunrise. There are often painters scattered around here too. There are two barns here that are in all the photos: the T.A. Moulton Barn (triangle roof) and the John Moulton Barn (4-sided roof).

Be sure to get a picture of each barn.

T.A. Moulton Barn with Tetons in the background

John Moulton Barn with Grand Teton in the background

Pro Tip: For interesting pictures, try different angles with different placement of the Tetons in the background of the barns.

Third, observe frontier living

After visiting the two famous barns, you can continue exploring the other buildings on the row to get a sense of what 19th century frontier living was like. Other structures on Mormon Row include: a pink house (John and Bartha Moulton’s house), a few outhouses (not for use), and the Thomas Murphy Homestead – the large barn looking structure at the far north end.

Thomas Murphy Homestead with Grand Teton in the Background

If you choose to walk to the north end, look out at the vast, flat plains in front of you. It is an amazing landscape, and while you walk it is often very quiet and peaceful.

Pro Tip: There are many prairie dogs here, and therefore many prairie dog holes, be careful and watch your step!!

Look for information boards along the structures and pamphlet stands that have brochures detailing the area’s history.

Mormon Row History in a Nutshell

The Homestead Act of 1862 promised 160 acres to anyone who built homes on the land and worked to improve the land. After five years of living here and working the land, the settler owned the land free and clear.

Mormon families moved here and started homesteading the land in the 1890s in hopes of making a new life. 27 homesteads were established with the families making the best of the land they could, under the challenging weather and harsh environment for farming.

The dwellings here today are what is left of the original 27 homesteads. These 6 homesteads were added to the National Register of Historic Places in the 1990s, and are preserved for their historical and cultural significance.

Getting to the Moulton Barns

The easiest way to get here is to enter at the north end, whether you are coming from the 191/89/26 Highway or from the Antelope Flats road from the east. It is much easier on your vehicle to go this way, as turning on to Mormon Row from Lower Gros Ventre, is a bumpy dirt road.

Map to Moulton Barns on Mormon Row

Animals

Sometimes bison come through this area. If you are there when they do, consider yourself lucky. But, be luckier by being in your car. Bison look slow and docile, but they are not!! They are very dangerous, fast, skittish, and you need to be aware.

Two Bison by Moulton Barns

While you are at the barns, it doesn’t hurt to look behind you or scan the landscape to see if bison (or any large animals) are in the area and if so, how close they are.

Follow all animal safety rules.

Do not feed the bison or any wildlife, which means all wildlife. We saw people trying to lure a little prairie dog close by offering it food so they could take a picture.

Even though they’re small, the prairie dogs are still wildlife. No animals, big or small, should get accustomed to approaching humans. When they do, they are the ones that suffer in the end, usually being destroyed.

Reasons to Visit the Moulton Barns and Mormon Row

• It is one of Grand Teton National Park’s Famous Four Sights
• To see the place from the photos in person
• It’s on your bucket list
• To take your own photos of the Moulton Barns with the Tetons in the background
• You are interested in seeing an example of frontier living and a homestead from the 1880’s and the history
• You are a painter or artist

Reasons to Skip

• You are pressed for time
• Not interested in 1880s homestead dwellings or history (no judgment!)
• You are looking for a more high-action or interactive activity
• It is not really a fun place for the kids, unless they like running around, which there is plenty of room to do so – watch for prairie dog holes!

Not all places in Grand Teton National Park are perfect for everyone, and that is okay because there are so many different things to see and do.

If you do decide to come here, read on:

Last Tips

• Drive slowly and carefully on Mormon Row road, most of it is dirt and hard on standard cars
• Watch for potholes
• Driving slowly also keeps the dust down. Dust from the road can obscure the scenery and cloud fellow visitors walking.
• Wear good footwear as roads are dirt and you are walking around in the dirt and high grasses
• Barns are closed, you cannot go inside them
• Tour buses do stop here, but the place is so big and spread out, it doesn’t get crowded
• There is one, unisex bathroom – wheelchair accessible, close to the T.A. Moulton Barn (the barn with the triangle roof)

Summary

Mormon Row and Moulton Barns are a self-guided attraction. Plan to spend at least 30 minutes here to get the most out this historic spot. Mormon Row is the most spread out of the GTNP Famous Four and walking between and around structures will take more time.

Grand Teton National Park’s Famous Four Sights in ONE Day Guide

To make the most of your time here and at the other three Famous Four sights in GTNP, check out our Grand Teton National Park’s Famous Four Sights in ONE Day Guide.

The guide will show you how to see all four sights in less than one day, with tips on how to get to them, where to go first, what to see first, and extra tips on how to get your own amazing picture of each sight.

In addition to the One Day Guide, you also get the “Additional Animal Spots” guide that details places to go along the Famous Four Tour to try your luck at seeing more animals. Also included is our After the Tour “Restaurant Recommendations” and “Sample One Day Itineraries” for ideas on how to see the Famous Four and what to activities to do after.

Grand Teton National Park’s Famous Four Sights in ONE Day Guide

In addition to the One Day Guide you also get:

• Additional Animal Spots Guide –  that details places to go along the Famous Four Tour to try your luck at seeing more animals
• Restaurant Recommendations –  for after the tour, and
• Sample One Day Itineraries – for ideas on how to see the Famous Four and what activities to do after

Keep Your Eye Peeled for a Moose!

Jenn Cunningham
Founder, Explore GTNP