Dog-Friendly guide to Grand Teton National Park

Mountain West
Written By Alyssa

I shared our experience traveling to Jackson this past winter, which we loved! However, there is something even more magical about visiting the Tetons during the summer months. With clearer skies, the views of the Tetons are absolutely incredible. So today I am sharing another version of my Jackson Hole guide, to specifically focus on summer time dog-friendly activities in the Grand Teton National Park area.

Things to do

  • Walk around Jackson’s Town Square - one of the things we love to do every time we visit Jackson is walk around the Town Square area. There are tons of cute shops, and there are even a few that are dog friendly. You also have to get a photo next to the iconic antler arches!

  • Visit Teton Village at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort - while it is one of the top ski resorts in the winter, it is also great to visit in the summer time. The ski runs are transformed into hiking and mountain biking trails (more details on dog-friendly hiking below), but the area it is also fun to walk around. Grab a coffee from the General Store and sit on the dog-friendly patio, or grab food and drinks on the patio at the Tram Dock Bar & Kitchen.

  • Visit Teton Tails pet store - if you forgot any items for your four-legged companion, this local pet store is great! We always like to bring Zoey and Otto in to get them a special treat when we visit.

Explore Grand Teton National Park

While certainly not the most dog-friendly national park, there are still plenty of options to explore!

  • Dogs must be on a leash (six feet or less) and essentially are able to go anywhere a car may go: roads, campgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots, etc. They unfortunately are not permitted on any of the hiking trails, inside visitor centers or other facilities.

  • While this cuts out many of the popular attractions and trails within the park, it still allows you to see many of the scenic viewpoints, like the Teton Glacier Turnout and Jenny Lake Overlook. We loved just driving through and exploring the park, pulling over often for scenic pit stops and photo ops.

  • There is one place that dogs are able to ride in boats/kayaks, which is Jackson Lake. We brought our Intex inflatable kayak, and launched it with the dogs at the Leeks Marina Boat Ramp.

    • An important note if you are bringing your own kayak/paddle board, all watercraft entering Grand Teton National Park (including inflatable watercraft over 10 ft. in length) are required to stop for an AIS inspection, and all watercraft must have a valid Grand Teton Boat Permit. Permits may be purchased on Recreation.gov or at the visitor centers in Moose or Colter Bay. Check out the National Park website for the latest information and guidance.

  • Grab pizza and a beer from Leek's Pizzeria (right next to Leeks Marina), with beautiful views right on the edge of Jackson Lake. The upper patio is not dog-friendly, but there are picnic tables down below that are labeled as dog-friendly.

Walking & hiking trails

  • Snake River Trail from Emily Steven’s Park - is a nice leisurely trail on a gravel road that runs along the Snake River. It is an out-and-back, so you can take it as far as you would like and enjoy the views of the river and the Tetons in the distance. Note that this is a popular off-leash area.

  • Cache Creek trail network - a great option for staying close to downtown, with great views of the Tetons. Keep in mind it can get quite busy, and leashes for dogs are not required after leaving the parking lot.

  • Jackson Hole Mountain Resort - Start at the base of Teton Village and take any of the trails leading up to Bridger Gondola. We took the Wildflower Trail which offers panoramic views of Jackson Valley and the surrounding mountains. During the summer season, dogs are allowed to download the gondolas, so you can hike up and then ride the gondola back down. Afterward, you can grab a drink or lunch on the patio at the Tram Dock Bar & Kitchen.

  • Ski Lake Trail - this is the easiest alpine lake to hike to in the area at 4.2 miles. The trail offers beautlful views as it follows a ridgeline and winds through pine and fir forests, open meadows, and areas with large trees.

  • There are also fantastic trails over the pass on the Idaho side, see more details on those below.

    Get on the water

  • Kayak on Jackson Lake (see details above)

  • Float the Teton River - if you have two cars, this makes a really fun activity. The Teton River runs south to north through the valley, starting near the town of Victor. This stretch of the river is slower moving, making it ideal for floating and kayaking. We parked one car at South Bates Bridge and launched our kayaks here. We parked the second car at Rainey Bridge River Access, which is a popular take out spot, but there are several points you can choose depending on how long you want to be on the river.

    • Be sure to pack a life jacket for your pup if you want to try this out, our absolute favorite is the Ruffwear Float Coat because the sturdy handle makes it much easier to lift the dogs up if needed.

  • Head up to Slide Lake for another great spot to launch a kayak or paddle board

Keep in mind that all watercraft using Wyoming or Idaho waters are subject to inspection and required to display certain Invasive Species decals. Be sure to confirm the requirements, depending on which area you plan to visit.

Check out the Teton Valley

Teton Valley, the “Idaho Side” of the Grand Tetons, encompasses towns like Driggs, Victor, and Tetonia, and is known for being a bit more quiet while still offering scenic views and an abundance of outdoor recreation.

  • Float the Teton River - see details above

  • Hike Teton Canyon - this is a great less-travelled option compared to the national park, and also dog-friendly!

    • Table Mountain - if you are looking for a challenge, this 10 mile trail is known for it’s incredible views of the Tetons, but the terrain can be steep and rocky. We have not tried it, but those who have rave about it!

    • Devil’s Staircase - another longer hike at around 10 miles

  • Mesa Falls Nature Trail - an easy option to see the beautiful Mesa Falls in Ashton, Idaho that begins in the Upper Mesa Falls parking lot, ending just above the Lower Mesa Falls.

  • Visit restaurants and breweries:

Places to eat and drink

  • Persephone Bakery - we absolutely love the breakfast here, they are also known for lunch fare and delicious coffee drinks. They have a great dog-friendly patio, and even have fire pits when the weather is cooler.

  • Cafe Genevieve - another spot that is only open for breakfast and lunch, with a dog-friendly patio.

  • Snake River Brewing - Wyoming's oldest small craft brewery, with a huge dog-friendly outdoor space. Known for their delicious bar bites and award-winning beers.

  • Glorietta Trattoria - The most charming spot for upscale Italian food. I normally like trying new restaurants, but this is a spot we return to every single time we are in Jackson.

  • The Rooftop at The Cloudveil - open during the summer months and offering great views, the rooftop bar and restaurant at The Cloudveil hotel is a fun dog-friendly option. Some days it is closed for private events, so be sure to check the website.

  • The Bistro - also located at the Cloudveil Hotel, a European-inspired restaurant serving breakfast, lunch & dinner with a great dog-friendly patio.

  • Snake River Grill - if you are looking for an upscale dining experience that is dog-friendly, and your pup is extremely well-behaved at restaurants, this is your spot. You will want to book a reservation in advance, and I would suggest calling ahead to confirm you will be visiting with a dog. When we visited, they had a certain table for us along the outside, and asked that the dogs remain under the table for the duration of our visit. It was one of the best steaks we have ever had!

Bonus: although it is not dog-friendly, for us no trip to Jackson would be complete without a visit to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. They are known for their iconic saddle barstools, and they have live music and dancing every night.

Where to Stay?

There are several areas you can base yourself, from being right in the national park, in the heart of Jackson, or throughout the Teton Valley. Here are some options to check out depending on your preferences.

  • The Cloudveil Hotel - located right on Town Square in downtown Jackson, this is one of our all-time favorite dog-friendly hotels. It is definitely luxurious, with a beautiful mountain modern design, and offers incredible service The location is fantastic for both walking around and serving as a convenient base to explore the area. During the summer months, they also have a rooftop bar/restaurant which is dog friendly. They allow up to 2 dogs per room, no larger than 100 lbs, for a $150 pet fee.

  • The Anvil Hotel - is another great option in downtown Jackson. They allow up to 2 dogs per room, up to 50 lbs, with a $75 fee.

  • Turpin Meadow Ranch - this is at the top of my wishlist for our next visit. It is located 25 minutes from the entrance of Grand Teton National Park, and mixes western spirit with modern luxury. They have dog-friendly cabins with a $25 pet fee per pet, per night.

  • Bronze Buffalo Ranch - a great option on the Idaho side in Victor Idaho with a fun western flair that offers one and two-bedroom suite options.

  • Colter Bay Cabins - for a historic cabin experience located within Grand Teton National Park. All of the cabins are dog-friendly with a $50 charge.

There are also a variety of Airbnb/VRBO options, especially on the Idaho side, that would be worth checking out if you are traveling with a group.

Do you have any favorite spots that I missed? Let me know in the comments!

Disclaimer: The information provided above and dog-friendly policies were understood to be accurate as of the time of this post. For the most up-to-date information and policies, be sure to confirm with the businesses directly.

Alyssa
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