Getting to Grand Teton: Airports, Entrances, and Transportation
In short: The closest airport to Grand Teton National Park is Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), located inside the park itself, a 15-minute drive from the main Moose entrance. From Salt Lake City, plan on about 300 miles and 5 to 6 hours on the road. From Denver, expect about 540 miles and 8 to 9 hours.
Airports around the park (5)
- Airport Jackson Hole Airport JAC · 15 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Yellowstone Airport WYS · 63 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Idaho Falls Regional Airport IDA · 71 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Yellowstone Regional Airport COD · 96 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Pocatello Regional Airport PIH · 114 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Where to land: which airport should you fly into for Grand Teton?
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC): the ideal gateway
Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport located inside a U.S. national park. Its runways stretch across the Snake River Valley, framed by the Teton peaks to the west. From the terminal, the Moose entrance is only about a 15-minute drive away.
Several U.S. airlines offer nonstop flights from New York (JFK), Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas, especially from June through September. In the off-season, connections through Denver or Salt Lake City are often unavoidable. One limitation to keep in mind is the restricted schedule, with no very early morning or late evening flights, as well as limited capacity. Book your tickets several weeks ahead for July and August.
The major hubs: Salt Lake City and Denver
For international flights or more flexible fares, Salt Lake City International (SLC) is the hub to prioritize. Delta, United, and American operate dozens of daily flights there from Europe via their Atlantic gateways. The SLC to Grand Teton route, about 300 miles, stays entirely on major highways: I-15 N, then US-26/US-89 N along the Snake River Valley.
Denver International (DEN) is the main alternative from France, about 540 miles and 8 to 9 hours of driving via I-25 N, then US-26 W. It's a longer trip, but transatlantic fares to Denver are often more competitive depending on the time of year.
Getting to Grand Teton from France
There are no nonstop flights from Paris to Jackson Hole. The usual route is Paris CDG or Lyon, with a connection in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, or San Francisco, followed by a flight to Jackson Hole or Salt Lake City. Total travel time, including the layover, ranges from 14 to 20 hours depending on the connection.
For travelers combining Grand Teton and Yellowstone on the same road trip, flying into Salt Lake City or Denver can be both more affordable and more flexible with dates. Always compare Paris to SLC itineraries via Air France/Delta or United with indirect Paris to JAC options. The price difference can exceed several hundred euros per ticket.
By car: distances from gateway cities
A car remains essential for visiting Grand Teton. Here are the distances and driving times from the main gateway cities:
| City | Approximate distance | Estimated drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson (WY) | 8 miles | 15 min |
| Idaho Falls (ID) | 90 miles | 1 hr 30 min |
| Salt Lake City (UT) | 300 miles | 5 to 6 hours |
| Boise (ID) | 330 miles | 5 hr 30 min |
| Denver (CO) | 540 miles | 8 to 9 hours |
From Jackson, connect to the Moose entrance via US-26/US-89/US-191 northbound. It's the most convenient gateway town, with hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, and car rental agencies all clustered there.
From Salt Lake City, the most direct route goes through Ogden and Idaho Falls. Stay on I-15 N before turning onto US-26 W at Blackfoot. The road then follows the Snake River Valley to the Moran entrance.
From Yellowstone, Grand Teton naturally continues south. Yellowstone South Entrance leads directly to the north end of the park near Colter Bay Village. Plan on 30 minutes from Old Faithful.
Park entrances
Grand Teton has three main entrances accessible by car.
Moose entrance (south): The busiest entrance is on US-26/US-89/US-191 at the village of Moose. Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center is just a few yards from the entrance station, and nearly all of the iconic trails start in this area. If you're coming from Jackson, this is where you'll enter.
Moran entrance (east): Located on US-26/US-287 at the junction with Teton Park Road, it serves the central part of the park and provides access to Jackson Lake, Colter Bay, and Moran Junction. Use this entrance if you're coming from the east via Dubois or Idaho Falls.
Granite Canyon entrance (southwest): This lesser-known entrance is on Moose-Wilson Road near Teton Village. It's closed to vehicles over 11 feet tall and to RVs. It's especially useful for reaching Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve.
The entrance fee is $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. If you're combining this visit with Yellowstone, the same pass covers both parks. For details on available fees and passes, see our Fees & Passes page.
Getting around the park
Once you're in Grand Teton, a car remains the main way to get around. For information on internal roads, START Bus schedules, and parking tips, see our guide to getting around Grand Teton.
Other options: tours and public transportation
If you don't want to drive, operators based in Jackson offer guided day trips into the park. These minibus tours cover iconic viewpoints such as Snake River Overlook, Oxbow Bend, and Jenny Lake. Some also include a dawn wildlife outing, which is especially effective for spotting bears and moose.
No long-distance bus service runs directly to the park. If you arrive in Jackson without a car, renting one locally is essential. Several agencies operate at Jackson Hole Airport and in downtown Jackson.
In summary: which route should you take from your starting point?
From France, the most efficient option is to fly from Paris to Salt Lake City or Denver, connect to Jackson, then rent a car at the airport. If you're combining Grand Teton and Yellowstone, enter from the south through Moose or Moran and head north toward Yellowstone via Yellowstone South Entrance. That's the natural sequence for a classic Wyoming road trip. To build your itinerary, our complete Grand Teton guide and Grand Teton itinerary ideas will help you organize your days.
Frequently asked questions
How do you visit Grand Teton?
Grand Teton is best explored by car, using Teton Park Road and the main US-89/US-191 route that cross the park from south to north. Allow at least two days to cover the must-see viewpoints and a few trails.
Where is Grand Teton located?
Grand Teton National Park is in northwestern Wyoming, directly south of Yellowstone National Park. The closest gateway town is Jackson (WY), about 8 miles from the main Moose entrance.
How much does it cost to enter Grand Teton?
The entrance fee is $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. The America the Beautiful Pass ($80) covers all U.S. federal recreation sites for one year. For entrance fees and annual passes, see the national parks Fees & Passes page.
What's the best time to visit Grand Teton?
July and August offer full access to the park and pleasant daytime temperatures, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. June and September are often quieter, with fewer visitors and beautiful light. To narrow down your travel window, see our When to Go page and Weather page.