Private Grand Teton Tour: Wildlife, Oxbow Bend & Mormon Row

Spot moose by Mormon Row and catch Mt. Moran’s reflection at Oxbow Bend

A private guided tour of Grand Teton National Park from Jackson, Wyoming, with a professional guide who knows where wildlife congregates and the park's quietest viewpoints. The tour runs 8 to 9 hours and covers Mormon Row, Oxbow Bend, Signal Mountain, Schwabacher Landing, and Jackson Lake, with chances to spot moose, elk, bears, bison, coyotes, eagles, and mule deer. Lunch, bottled water, professional-grade spotting scopes and binoculars, and transportation in a 4WD vehicle are included; the guide carries current avalanche safety, CPR, and Wilderness First Aid certifications. National Park entry fees are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Grand Teton National Park

• Visit Craig Thomas Visitor Center
• Drive Moose Wilson Road
• Explore Mormon Row Historic District
• See moose near Mormon Row
• Visit Cunningham Cabin historic site
• Stop at Schwabacher's Landing
• View from Glacier Point Turnout
• Visit Snake River Overlook
• See Mt. Moran reflection at Oxbow Bend
• Visit Jackson Lake Lodge
• Explore Colter Bay Marina
• Drive or hike Signal Mountain
• Return to Jackson, Wyoming

The Experience

A guide who knows the park's hidden pullouts and the seasonal patterns of its wildlife changes what you actually see in a day. This tour starts by picking you up in Jackson and heads into Grand Teton with a professional who can read the landscape—where moose graze near Mormon Row, where elk move through open meadows, and where bears follow their annual migrations. You'll stop at the historic Mormon Row homesteads, including the Moulton Barn, then move through the park's major viewpoints: Schwabacher Landing on the Snake River, the Snake River Overlook, and Oxbow Bend, where Mt. Moran reflects in the water. The guide carries spotting scopes and binoculars, so distant wildlife becomes something you can actually study instead of squint at.

The day builds around the park's geography and the animals' habits. You'll visit Signal Mountain for panoramic views across the Teton Range and Jackson Hole, stop at Jackson Lake Lodge and Colter Bay Marina to see the northern reaches of the park, and pass the Pierce Cunningham Cabin, a historic site from the early 1900s. The route includes Moose Wilson Road, a scenic drive through forests and meadows that's known for wildlife encounters. Wildlife you could potentially see includes beavers, black bears, grizzly bears, bison, coyotes, eagles, elk, mule deer, osprey, and pronghorns—though sightings depend on season and timing. The guide knows which spots are crowded and which are quiet, so you're not just hitting the famous overlooks; you're also finding the places where you can actually stand and breathe.

Lunch is included—your choice of a salad, sandwich, or wrap, with vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options available—along with bottled water. You travel in a spacious 4WD Chevy Suburban or Ford Transit Van, which seats up to 14 passengers if you're bringing a group, or keeps things intimate if it's just your family. The vehicle is wheelchair accessible, and specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with small children. The tour is customizable, so if there's a particular wildlife species you're hoping to see or a quiet spot you want to linger, call ahead to discuss it with the operator.

What’s included

• Professional tour guide with current avalanche safety, CPR, and Wilderness First Aid certifications.
• transportation in a spacious 4WD Chevy Suburban or Ford Transit Van.
• your choice of lunch (salad, sandwich, or wrap, with vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options).
• bottled water.
• professional-grade Vortex™ spotting scopes and binoculars.
• pickup from Jackson.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Obsidian Expeditions

Is this one for you?Pickup from Jackson means you don't need a rental car or navigate the park yourself—the guide handles the route and knows where to find wildlife and quiet viewpoints. This works well if you're staying in town without a vehicle, or if you'd rather spend the day watching the landscape than planning it.

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Top questions

What's the difference between this tour and just driving the park on my own?

A professional guide knows where moose congregate near Mormon Row, where bears forage seasonally, and which pullouts offer the best light and fewest crowds. The spotting scopes let you see distant wildlife clearly instead of as shapes on a hillside. The guide also carries avalanche safety, CPR, and Wilderness First Aid certifications, and knows the park's history—the Pierce Cunningham Cabin, the Mormon Row homesteads, and the early settler stories. You don't navigate or decide where to stop; the day is planned around what's actually there.

Can I see moose and bears on this tour?

Moose, black bears, and grizzly bears are all present in Grand Teton, and the guide knows where they're likely to be grazing or foraging based on the season. Sightings are never guaranteed—wildlife moves on its own schedule—but the guide's knowledge of the park and access to spotting scopes gives you the best chance. Other animals you could see include elk, bison, coyotes, eagles, mule deer, osprey, and pronghorns.

How long is this tour, and what time does it start?

The tour runs 8 to 9 hours. The operator will confirm the start time when you book, and pickup is included from Jackson.

What's included in the lunch, and are there dietary options?

Lunch is your choice of a salad, sandwich, or wrap, plus bottled water. Vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options are available; let the operator know your preference when you book.

Do I need to pay for Grand Teton National Park entry separately?

Yes, National Park entry fees are not included in the tour price. You can buy a pass before your visit or at the park entrance—$20 per person or $80 for up to four people.

Is this tour accessible if I'm in a wheelchair or traveling with infants?

The vehicle is wheelchair accessible, and specialized infant seats are available. Infants and small children can also ride in a pram or stroller. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and public transportation options are available near Jackson if you need them.