Grand Teton Wildlife Tour from Jackson: Bears, Moose & Lunch

Eight Hours in Grand Teton: Wildlife, Oxbow Bend & the Most Photographed Barn

You get eight hours of guided wildlife watching through Grand Teton with a naturalist who knows where animals congregate and what the landscape means. The tour includes park stops at Oxbow Bend, Mormon Row and Jackson Lake, a picnic or restaurant lunch, binoculars and spotting scope, and transportation in a heated vehicle from Jackson. Groups stay under ten people, which keeps the pace manageable and the guide attentive.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Grand Teton National Park6h
2. Oxbow Bend15m
3. Mormon Row Historic District20m
4. Jackson Lakepass by

Grand Teton National Park wildlife tour

• Depart from Jackson Hole
• Explore Grand Teton National Park
• Stop at Oxbow Bend viewpoint
• Visit Mormon Row Historic District
• See T. A. Moulton or John Moulton Barn
• View Jackson Lake for wildlife
• Stop at Jenny Lake overlook
• View Tetons and Snake River photo spot
• Enjoy outdoor picnic or restaurant lunch
• Return to Jackson Hole

The experience

You're staying in Jackson with a free day and no car, or you've got one but don't want to spend it navigating park roads alone trying to spot animals that might not show up. This full-day tour flips that around. A naturalist guide does the driving and the looking, and you sit in a heated vehicle with binoculars and a spotting scope, watching for grizzly bears, moose, elk, wolves, bison, bighorn sheep and whatever else moves through Grand Teton National Park. The tour runs eight hours from Jackson, which means you're not rushing through the park in an afternoon or spending the whole day in a van.

The stops follow a route that actually works: Oxbow Bend first, where the Snake River loops and Mt. Moran rises behind it: the light hits different there, and it's where animals come to drink. Then Mormon Row, the historic settlement with the T.A. Moulton Barn, the one Ansel Adams photographed in 1942 and that still shows up in every Wyoming calendar. Your guide will explain the geology and the history while you're standing there, not just point and move on. Jackson Lake comes next, one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the country, and the guide slows down through here specifically because it's where bears, moose and elk congregate. Jenny Lake Overlook rounds it out: the view across the water toward Cascade Canyon is the kind of thing that makes you understand why people come back to this park.

Lunch is a picnic, weather permitting, which means you eat outside with the Tetons in front of you instead of in a parking lot. If the weather turns, you move to a restaurant instead. The vehicle is enclosed and climate-controlled, so you're not getting rained on or frozen out, and the group stays under ten people: small enough that the guide can actually talk to you and adjust the route if something shows up. Binoculars and a scope come with you, so distant animals aren't just shapes on the horizon.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Jackson, eight hours of guided touring through Grand Teton National Park, stops at Oxbow Bend, Mormon Row Historic District and Jackson Lake, use of binoculars and spotting scopes, a picnic lunch (or restaurant lunch if weather is poor), bottled water, snacks, and return transport to Jackson in a heated and air-conditioned vehicle.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Thursday and SaturdayLast departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 47 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcome

Operated by BrushBuck Wildlife Tours

Is this one for you?This tour works if you want to explore Grand Teton for wildlife and scenery without arranging your own transport or timing. The guide handles the driving, the route and the animal spotting, which is what makes a full day of the park possible without a rental car.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What animals might I see on this tour?

Grizzly bears, black bears, moose, elk, wolves, bison, bighorn sheep, eagles, foxes and coyotes are all possible. Sightings depend on season and time of day. The guide uses binoculars and a spotting scope to help locate distant wildlife.

How long is the tour and when does it depart?

The tour is eight hours total, departing from Jackson. Exact departure time should be confirmed when booking.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included and eaten outdoors when weather allows. If weather is poor, lunch is provided at a restaurant instead.

What's the group size?

Groups are limited to 10 people maximum, ensuring a more personalized experience.

Do I need my own binoculars?

No. Binoculars and spotting scopes are provided as part of the tour.

Is the vehicle heated or air-conditioned?

Yes, the vehicle is both heated and air-conditioned, so you stay comfortable throughout the day.

Are children allowed?

Children ages 5 and older are welcome. Children under 5 are not permitted on this public tour.

What if I don't see any wildlife?

The guide is a naturalist who knows the park's ecology and will explain the landscape, geology and history regardless of sightings. Wildlife viewing is never guaranteed, but the route and timing are planned to maximize the chances.