Seasons to Visit
Spring (April - May) - Spring comes late to the Tetons, bringing with it the rebirth of the land and its inhabitants. The snow begins to melt, the bears emerge from their dens - first come the males, while the females with cubs show themselves a little later. The moose and elk begin to sprout their newly growing antlers and the new born babies are visible around the valley. If bears are what you want to see (and photograph) and you don’t mind some cold days, this is a great time to come.
Potential species visible at this time: bears (possibly with cubs), moose and elk with babies, pronghorn (antelope), bison, mountain bluebirds, trumpeter swans, hawks and bald eagles, coyotes and foxes.
Recommended gear: weather can be unpredictable and often quite cold. Prepare for a variety of temperatures and potential rain. We will go out no matter what the weather, so bring warm waterproof boots, outer gear to protect from wind and rain, under layers for added warmth, gloves and hats, but also include what you would wear on a warm spring day.
Summer (June - August) - It is said that people come to Jackson for the winter but stay for the summer. Summer in the Tetons is absolutely glorious. The days are long and can be hot, but the evenings are always comfortable. Carpets of wildflowers blanket the valley, and the landscape is alive. If seeing and photographing wildlife is your focus, you will need to get up early - both to catch the wildlife before they bed down for the day and to beat the crowds. The bears will typically have moved up to the high country by the end of June, but moose, bison and elk are still in the valley.
Potential species visible at this time: moose, bison, elk, bald eagles, pronghorn (antelope) – bears might be visible but are less reliable, especially after mid-June.
Recommended gear: Days are long and can get hot; evenings are temperate so bring that extra jacket and jeans to stay comfortable at night or in the early morning.
Fall (September - October) As the leaves start to turn and the days begin to get shorter, the animals sense that winter will soon be here. That signals a frenzy of activity, making this an incredible time for photographers. The elk rut is in full swing, and with it the sounds of bugling and the clashing of antlers as the males battle to pass on their DNA. The bears enter a period known as hyperphagia, eating around the clock, and are therefore more visible. And of course, the landscape slowly transforms into a golden paradise.
Potential species visible at this time: bears, elk, moose, pronghorn (antelope), eagles, coyotes,
Recommended gear: the key to fall comfort is layers, layers layers. It can be in the 70s one day in in the twenties that night. Snow is always a possibility. Come prepared.
Winter (November - March) - As the silence of winter descends upon the valley, the wildlife hunkers down, expending only the minimal energy needed to survive the cold and the snow. The moose can predictably be found on the flats, the elk migrate south to the refuge just north of town with the wolves close behind them, and the bare trees make it easier to spot bald eagles and possibly even owls. There is lots to shoot this time of year, although the inner loop of Grand Teton National Park is closed to vehicular traffic. But the famed Oxbow Bend is still accessible, and the landscape becomes a winter wonderland.
Potential species visible at this time: bison, elk, owls, moose, trumpeter swans, bald eagles, river otters, coyotes, big-horned sheep and more.
Recommended gear: Winters can be bitterly cold here. You will want to be prepared to protect your extremities as well as your core, so good warm boots, gloves and head coverings are as essential as the under layers, warm shirts and jackets.
