While a lot can be said about natural wonders and abundant wildlife of Grand Teton, its iconic photo spots are always in the spotlight.
5 Best Photo Spots in Grand Teton National Park
Encompassing all types of landscapes, Grand Teton National Park can win a price as one of the best photo spots in the U.S. Whether it is vibrant fall foliage or ragged mountains reflected in a lake or river, Grand Teton rewards you with ample photo opportunities to practice and perfect your skills.
The best part of photography in the area reigned by the Teton Range is its accessibility and different perspectives all year round. While spring astounds with deep green shades and awaken wildlife, fall adorns the iconic photo spots in Grand Teton with a sudden outburst of orange, yellow, and red colors. Winter, on the other hand, is always classic. It expands your Grand Teton photography with the finest images of the snow-capped mountains in a winter wonderland.
There is no bad season to photograph in Grand Teton National Park. On that note, there is no unfavorable location to get out your camera and set up your tripod. However, if you are looking for the places that define and bring out the subtle beauty of the area, check out these 5 iconic photo spots in Grand Teton National Park.
The Iconic Photo Spots in Grand Teton National Park
1. Mormon Row
One of the last areas to be added to Grand Teton National Park, Mormon Row is by far one of the most photographed spots in the park. Set on Antelope Flats, the place combines the scenic surroundings with human history of Grand Teton. A once vivid community, it keeps relating about life and struggles of pioneers who settled here at the end of the 19th century. Only six homesteads or what is left of them adorn the place today, attracting both humans and wild animals.
Mormon Row is rather quiet now compared to the old days. Nevertheless, sheltered by the ragged mountains, it hasn’t lost its magnetism. One of the iconic photo spots in Grand Teton, it inspires endless photographic endeavors among amateurs and professionals alike. The latter keep astounding the world with their perspectives on the T.A. Moulton Barn and the John Moulton Barn, the most photographed barns in the U.S.
2. Blacktail Ponds
The sawtooth mountains tower over dense forest that gives shelter to Grand Teton’s elk, deer, and bears. Vast meadows hurry to claim the area, pressing the timid trees all the way to the mountains. Wetlands, eager to secure this large territory to themselves, keep a close eye on the grasslands, not letting them spread any farther. Welcome to the photographic Blacktail Ponds area!
Nestled just a short drive away from Mormon Row, this remarkable place is often overlooked by the landscape photographers. Nevertheless, with such diverse terrain perched in front of the picture-perfect mountains, Blacktail Ponds has surely made to the list of the iconic photo spots in Grand Teton. Moreover, while other shutterbugs are pointing their cameras at different vistas, you can have the whole place to yourself. Photographing away in Grand Teton couldn’t be easier than at Blacktail Ponds.
3. Schwabacher Landing
Schwabacher Landing is undoubtably one of the prime photo spots in Grand Teton National Park. The place where the flat terrain allows you to soak your feet in the river while advancing your Grand Teton photography has won an army of devoted admirers. You can meet both the photographers and non-photographers taking in the splendid views and marveling at beaver here. As a photography tip, always look for different perspectives and angles that abound here but are not always noticed.
4. Snake River Overlook
The Snake River Overlook has been among the most desiring photo spots in Grand Teton National Park since 1942. The famous viewpoint came in the spotlight thanks to Ansel Adams, arguably the most important landscape photographer of the 20th century. The iconic view, photos of which adorn local hotels, has changed a lot since Adams first photographed it. Tall trees block most of the Snake River now, making it impossible to capture the famous river curve. And yet, crowds of the photographers flock to the Snake River Overlook in attempt to recreate the classic image.
5. Oxbow Bend of the Snake River
Blissfully spectacular and easily accessible, Oxbow Bend got all the chances to be one of most recognizable photo spots in Grand Teton. The vantage point is famous for stunning reflection of Mount Moran in the widening part of the Snake River. The place meets high expectational of all kinds of the photographers any time of the day. Early morning, before wind interferes with calm waters, however, is the best for the unspoiled reflection images.
The Best Spots in Grand Teton for a Stunning Reflection Photo
The 5 iconic photo spots mentioned above indisputably unveil some of the dearest secrets and allow you to photograph some of the famous attractions in Grand Teton. Unique in their own way, they introduce to you to the diverse terrain and abundant wildlife of the area. And although these photographic lookouts scratch a lot more than just the surface, the park dares to impress you again and again. With its iconic Snake River and glacier lakes at the mountains’ feet, Grand Teton is an oasis of places for remarkable reflection photography. Here are some of the best places to capture the park’s still giants mirroring in the water.
- Jenny Lake
- Jackson Lake
- Oxbow Bend
- Schwabacher Landing
- String Lake
Incredible Spots in Grand Teton for a Smashing Sunrise and Sunset Photo
Sunsets in Grand Teton National Park offer incredible photo opportunities to practice your art. The sun, gradually descending behind the Teton mountains, illuminates their peaks and performs a happy dance atop the trees, bushes, and everything around. Capturing this abundance of shades and colors, fused with the spectacular scenery, is a sheer pleasure.
And yet, as much as I like photographing Grand Teton at sunset, sunrise always gifts me with the most dramatic images. The sky, taking advantage of this early morning light, undergoes a dozen of the most vibrant makeovers. Keep zooming and pressing the shutter button while it lasts. And if you need any suggestions where to shoot sunsets and sunrises in Grand Teton, here are some of the best photo spots to put your camera to work.
- Mormon Row
- Blacktail Ponds
- Jenny Lake
- Oxbow Bend
- Snake River Overlook
- Schwabacher Landing
The Best Photo Spots to Photograph Wildlife in Grand Teton National Park
Photographing the wildlife in Grand Teton National Park can be a very unpredictable affair. The animals, unlike the lakes or mountains, don’t wait for your arrival. Instead, they are constantly on the go in search of food and safety. Nevertheless, it is not impossible to take spectacular pictures of the local dwellers. These are the most reliable photo spots to shoot the wildlife in Grand Teton.
- Blacktail Ponds. Home to 5 biological communities, Blacktail Ponds increases your chances at photographing eld, deer, bison, antelope, beaver, and bears in Grand Teton.
- Antelope Flats. Keep your camera set up and ready to capture pronghorn, bison, and elk on the Antelope Flat Road that lies in the path of these animals’ primary migration route.
- Gros Ventre Road. The Gros Ventre Road is one of the best photo spots to encounter moose in Grand Teton.
- Pilgrim Creek. Proceed with your camera and zoom lens to Pilgrim Creek, one of the best spots to snap a terrific photo of a bear.
Grand Teton Photo Spots Map
Camera Gear You Need to Photograph in Grand Teton
- Camera. It is understandable. You surely want to bring a camera or phone to these incredible photo spots in Grand Teton to capture your masterpieces.
- Tripod. A tripod is a lifesaver when you shoot in low lights.
- Zoom Lens. A zoom lens comes in handy to photograph the distant places or wildlife at a safe distance.
Grand Teton Photography Tips
- Know sunrise and sunset times. Be sure to check the times of sunset and sunrise when traveling to these iconic photo spots in Grand Teton. As these periods don’t last long, you want to take advantage of the perfect light when photographing in Grand Teton.
- Arrive Early. Knowing the optimal time, however, is not enough. These photo spots are called iconic for a reason and you can expect a bunch of other photographers lingering nearby at the time of your arrival. Thus, be sure to arrive early if you want to secure a preferred spot to shoot from.
- Animal Safety and Photography. The animals can look adorable and harmless in pictures, but they are wild and dangerous in real world. Be sure to photograph the wildlife at a safe distance (25 yards for bison, elk, and other big animals, 100 yards for bears and wolves ) and never harass or feed the animals.
