Grand Teton With Kids: How to Beat the Parking Clock at the Lakes — family travel guide

Excursions

Grand Teton With Kids: How to Beat the Parking Clock at the Lakes

The lakes are the best part of the park for kids, and the parking lots fill before breakfast. Here's a plan that works.

Guide article

Morning at Jenny Lake

Catch an early Jenny Lake boat shuttle across the lake, hike up to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, and be back before the crowds arrive. The wind picks up on the big lakes by midday, so paddle early.

Afternoon at String Lake

Picnic, wade, and paddle. Parking turns over slowly here because families settle in for the day.

Bison and Barns

Mormon Row and Antelope Flats are easy wildlife drives with short, flat walks, and the old barns with the Tetons behind them make the family photo.

Two Things to Know About Moose-Wilson Road

It's closed to RVs, trailers, and any vehicle over 280 inches (23.3 feet), and the longest extended Sprinter vans run past that limit, so ask your driver what you're riding in. In 2026, the stretch between the Rockefeller Preserve and Moose is also closed for construction through November 15 (NPS).

Construction Through 2029

The park is rebuilding roads and trailheads ahead of its 2029 centennial. Check the construction page the week you go.

Wildlife Distances Kids Can Remember

100 yards from bears and wolves is about a football field. Twenty-five yards from everything else is about two school buses.

Thinking about adding Yellowstone? Read whether the day trip is worth it first, and pick your week with the best time to visit guide.

Grand Teton questions

What time does String Lake parking fill up?

In July, arrive by about 7:30 a.m. The main lot can be full by 8:15, and by 10 people are parking on the road. Around 5 p.m. it opens up again.

Can a Sprinter van drive the Moose-Wilson Road?

Only if it is 280 inches (23.3 feet) or shorter. RVs and trailers are not allowed, and the longest extended Sprinters run past the limit.

Which Grand Teton lake is best for kids to swim in?

String Lake. It is shallow and warms up faster than the other lakes. Water shoes help on the rocks.

Happy Travels!

This article is part of the Jackson Hole family travel guide. Start there for villas, planning, and every related guide in this destination.