5 Top Hotspots to Photograph in the Tetons

The Grand Tetons are some of the most recognizable and spectacular mountainous landscapes in the United States. For here lie jagged mountain peaks that soar into the skies, a Snake River that meanders through rugged lands, wildlife everywhere, and historic barns in beautiful valleys.

It’s no wonder that photographing Grand Teton National Park can be quite overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors to the park.

To help photographers capture the iconic bucket list landscapes of Grand Teton National Park, I have written this 5 Photographic Hotspots in the Tetons guide. The guide is aimed at photographers, but is also a great resource for any first time visitor.

Not only does it contains 5 of the most popular photo locations for in Grand Teton National Park, it also includes photo tips for each place to help you capture each location.

Grand Teton Photo Hotspot Guide

Yes, I know there are countless blogs and books already published on photographing Grand Teton National Park. However, in spite of all these publications, I found most did not provide the level of detail needed for first time visitors to Grand Teton National Park.

So, photographers if you want to be at the best photo spots in the Tetons at the right time, keep reading.

Top 5 Photo Spots in the Tetons

Oxbow Bend

Oxbow Bend Turnoff

Oxbow Bend is one of the most popular locations in Grand Teton National Park for photography, especially in the morning hours. Here photographers can capture a classic photo of Mt. Moran and the surrounding Teton range reflecting into the Snake River.

But that is not all. Oxbow Bend is also an area where moose, bears, and swans may be photographed with quaking aspen trees in the background. So naturally, this is my first Teton photo hotspot location.

Oxbow Bend is also a good sunset location, in fall and spring. However, it is not a good sunset location when the sun is in the northern sky.

Oxbow Bend is a busy pull-off located on Highway 89/191 about a mile east of Jackson Lake Lodge where the Snake River makes a sharp bend (oxbow). It is best to arrive early in the morning to secure parking and the best photo spots as it gets very crowded.

Morning at Oxbow-Classic Photo Location

Photo of Mt. Moran reflecting into Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton National Park in the early morning.

Fall at Oxbow-Classic Photo Location

Photo of Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton National Park in Fall

Morning Fog at Oxbow

Photo of fog over the water at Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton National Park

Wildlife Oxbow Bend

Photo of a moose drinking water at Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton National Park

Cattleman’s Bridge at Oxbow Bend

After photographing the Teton Range from Oxbow Bend, head about .5 miles west on Highway 89 and you will come to a dirt road on your left. This is called Cattleman’s Bridge (sign is not always there) which will take you to an area called Cattleman’s Bridge.

Cattleman’s Bridge Road will take you through prime grizzly bear and moose habitat so keep a camera with a long lens ready. Some locations along the drive no longer allow you to stop. Also this area is subject to closures due to bear activity.

At the end of the road, you will come to a small parking area that is a popular place to launch a kayak. Here you may encounter elk, moose, bears, and otter. In fact, find the fisherman and you will usually find the otter.

The road is very rutted but most vehicles are usually able to make this drive with no issue.

Photo Tips Oxbow Bend

Photograph Mt. Moran and the Teton Range from a small area to the right of the parking lot. (Watch for people at the waters edge that can ruin the image)
Move down the hillside on one of the paths through the willows and continue photographing the Tetons using both wide angle and telephoto lens.
Do not use ultra wide angle lens in the range of 16-24mm since they will make the mountains appear too small.
Continue to the waters edge, squat down and continue photographing the mountains. (Not only will compositions be better but you will not ruin the shots of those who are photographing from the parking lot)
Be sure to compose both vertical and horizontal images from Oxbow.
Watch for car headlights from the road at dawn and sunset.

To view other Teton photos, be sure to visit Grand Teton National Park Photos.

Schwabacher Landing

Schwabacher Landing is located on the west side of Highway 191 between Jackson and Moran. The turn off to Schwabacher Landing is about 5 miles north of the park’s Moose Entrance and about 3 miles south of the famous Snake River Overlook.

Upon turning onto Schwabacher Landing, drive until the road dead ends to come to the location of the classic Ansel Adams Schwabacher Landing photo. Get out of the car and walk a short distance to your right by the water. You can’t miss it.

Tetons Schwabacher Landing Before Sunrise

Tetons Schwabacher Landing After Sunrise

Teton Reflections From Parking Lot

Schwabacher Landing at Mid Morning

Not an early riser? You can still photograph Schwabacher Landing as long as it is no later than mid morning. It may not be as great as at sunrise, but you can still create good images..

Photo Tips Schwabacher Landing

Arrive early, no later than an hour before sunrise in order to get one of the best photo spots as the classic photo can only be captured from a very small area by the creek.
The area is small and crowded so pack your patience. If you are not in an ideal photo spot, remember most people will leave very quickly after sunrise so be sure to stay and keep photographing since photography here is usually good for quite a while past sunrise.
Photograph the Tetons with a wide-angle lens in a horizontal composition.
Watch for wildlife including beavers swimming in the waters and include them in a shot if possible.
Carry bear spray as grizzly and other wildlife frequent the area. Also, moose frequent this area.
Even though this area is a classic sunrise location, it can also be a good sunset location depending on sky conditions
Be sure to photograph the beaver pond to your left if it is still there.
When walking back to the parking lot, take time to photograph the Teton reflections from the stream directly in front of the parking lot.

Schwabacher Landing- First Parking Lot

Schwabacher Landing is the gift that keeps on giving. After photographing the classic Schwabacher Landing image, don’t leave. Instead, drive back to the first parking lot and walk to the left along the river bed for more photography fun.

As you walk, you will find several spots where there are good views of the Tetons and a couple large beaver dams.

Beaver Dam

Due to the area’s high concentration of willows, the above location is frequently visited by moose as well as grizzly bears. Be particularly careful in this area and keep bear spray handy.

Mormon Row Barns

Mormon Row is a historic district in the southeast corner of Grand Teton National Park and home to 2 historic mormon settlement structures; the John Moulton Barn and the T.A. Moulton Barn. Both of these barns which belonged to 2 brothers are among the most photographed barns in the country.

The Mormon Row barns are a morning location, but not a sunrise location, as the barns will not receive sunlight until a bit after sunrise.

The row is reached by taking Antelope Flats Road off Highway 89 east just past Moose Junction

Pro Tip: When photographing both barns pay attention to the size of the Teton mountains in comparison to the barn size. Ideally you will want to show the barns with the mountains either towering over the barns or level with the barn roof top.

In the first image below, I chose to have to Tetons tower over the top of the John Moulton Barn.

Although it will be tempting to use an ultra wide angle lens, it is best to photograph the barns from a distance and use lens at least 35mm or longer depending on where you are standing.

Using a wide angle lens in the range of 16mm to 24mm especially up close, will cause the mountains to appear very small and distant.

John Moulton Barn

As shown on the above map, the first barn you will encounter is on your left and is known as the John Moulton Barn. Be aware that it has a small parking lot and receives lots of tourists so pack your patiences.

The John Moulton Barn (homestead) not only has a barn but a pink house, a corral, fencing and other structures on the property offering a variety of photo compositions. Be aware that the best compositions of this barn are by standing in front of the barn to the left at a distance so you can position the high Teton Mountain peaks in the image. See above photo.

T.A. Moulton Barn

The second barn is the T.A. Moulton Barn which is down a dirt road directly across from the John Moulton Barn. This is the barn you definitely want to photograph!

For photographer’s this barn offers a number of interesting compositions including photographing the barn from the south side (to your left) and including a tree or walkway in the foreground for interest.

Jenny Lake Overlook

Jenny Lake Overlook is my number 4 Teton photo hotspot. It is located in the one-way section of the main park road from a small parking lot and faces west.

Unlike the first three photo spots, at Jenny Lake Overlook a photographer is treated to close-up views of Mt. Teewinot, Mt. St. John, and Mt. Moran as well as the Ribbon Cascade in Cascade Canyon. As with most everything in the Tetons, this location is definitely a morning location.

Jenny Lake Overlook is best photographed in mid morning when the sun is high enough in the sky to light the mountain range and lake. Although the overlook itself provides a beautiful photo opportunity, the best photography exists at the water’s edge.

Sadly, the official trail is currently closed so only attempt the steep descent to the water if you are in good shape.

Lastly, there is a trail heading south (left) from the overlook that also provides good photo opportunities with the lake framed with trees as shown below.

Photo Tip Jenny Lake Overlook

Best photographed in mid-morning.
Calm days are necessary to capture good reflections.
Path to waters edge has been closed for years and it is now difficult to reach the lakes edge safely.
If you are able to make it to the water’s edge, compose images of Jenny Lake with rocks and/or grasses in the foreground to add depth to the image.
Walk the trail to the left and you will discover a few more areas from which to photograph Jenny Lake framed by foreground trees.

Jenny Lake Boat Launch

Another good photography spot along Jenny Lake is by the boat launch that is accessed from Lupine Meadows Road.

Snake River Overlook

Snake River Overlook is one of the top photography locations in Grand Teton National Park made famous by Ansel Adams. In fact, his image of the sinuous Snake River with the majestic Tetons looming in the background has been likely been copied by every photographer who has visited the Tetons.

However, things have changed quite a bit at this location. Even in the 25 plus years I have been visiting the park, significant changes have occurred that no longer make it easy to capture the perfect Snake River Overlook image.

Tall trees obscure a portion of the curve in the Snake River today. Also years ago, it was relatively safe to jump over the guard rail to get a better composition. Now the drop off is way too steep to safely attempt this so compositions are limited to a very small area.

Despite the challenges this is still a must stop photo destination and is conveniently located directly off Highway 89 with a large parking lot and handicapped accessible overlook.

Best Time of Day:

Although many consider this a sunrise location, I find the later morning hours work best. By then, the sun has lit both the Teton Mountains and the Snake River equally. Also, sunset can work if there are enough clouds in the sky.

Grand Teton Overall Tips

The Teton Mountains are on the western side of the park so most landscape photography involving the mountains is best done in the morning hours.
Most locations in the park have been photographed by millions of photographers so don’t expect to create a one-of-a-kind photograph without getting very creative. For instance, mix up lens choices, frame images with unique elements, shoot high and low, and get off the beaten path.
Capture the bucket list Teton photos then spend time in the less photographed areas of the park such as the forest roads east of Kelly.
Don’t stop photographing in the middle of the day; instead, focus on intimate landscapes of the river and forest areas.
Always carry bear spray, even if only walking a few hundred feet from your vehicle.
Most importantly, respect all wildlife and do not crowd them. You are in their home and no photo is worth an animal’s life!

What About Wildlife In the Tetons?

This post was focused on Grand Teton landscapes and aimed at first time visitors with limited time in the park. Still how can I write about the Tetons and not mention wildlife? I can’t.

Here are a few tips for spotting wildlife in the park although I am deliberating leaving out a few locations for the safety of both the readers and the wildlife.

Gros Ventre Campground and Road- Good for photographing moose.
Bridge by the Moose Visitor Center– Favorite hangout for moose and black bears .
Oxbow Bend– Moose, grizzly bears, otter, pelicans, trumpeter swans, and more.
North end of Highway 89 before the Moran Junction: Good for bison and antelope in the afternoon light.
Antelope Flats Road-Great location to photograph bison, antelope, coyotes, and blue birds.
Blacktail Ponds Overlook– Good overlook for moose.
Moose Wilson Road– Moose, bears, coyotes and grey owls can frequently be seen on this road.

Grizzly Bear 399 with 2 cubs (can only see one in this image)

Bull Moose at Gros Ventre Campground

Roadside coyote

Grand Teton National Park -2 Day Grand Teton Photo Itinerary

Day One

Begin at Schwabacher Landing an hour before sunrise. See details of location above.
About a hour after sunrise head to both Moulton Barns off Antelope Flats Rd on Mormon Row. Begin by photographing the Thomas Moulton Barn then proceed to the John Moulton Barn.
After photographing the barns, follow Antelope Rd east and turn south towards Kelly. At Kelly head west and turn into the Gros Ventre Campground looking for moose.
In the late morning, drive back to Schwabacher Landing but now stop at the first parking lot and follow the stream about 1/4 mile for another landscape shot of the Tetons as well as the beaver dam and possible moose.
Head south on Highway 89 again but this time turn towards to Moose Junction park entrance. Take an immediate right and have lunch at Dornans. The Italian restaurant is good as are the to go sandwiches at the deli.
Moose Wilson Road– After lunch take a quick drive on part of Moose Wilson Road which is on the left just before the Moose entrance to Grand Teton National Park. This can be a good location for viewing bears, moose, and grey owls.
Enter the park at the Moose entrance and spend time exploring the interior park road where bears, coyote, and elk may be seen.
Continue heading north photographing along the way until you reach Colter Bay.
If you are there in early spring, late summer, or fall, photograph sunset at Oxbow Bend. If you are there in late spring or early summer, consider photographing sunset at Signal Mountain, the Willow Flats area, or the beach at Colter Bay.

Day Two

Start the day photographing early morning light at Oxbow Bend.
Begin driving south on the Park Road taking the one way drive to Jackson Lake Overlook for morning light as described above.
Continue driving south to the main parking area for Jenny Lake by the Visitor Center. Spend time photographing the area around the lake and if you wish take the ferry to Hidden Falls. For best photos you will need morning light on the falls.
Drive back north a short distance to the parking lot for String and Leigh Lakes. Photograph the mountains reflecting in String Lake. If you have time, take the short hike to Leigh Lake.
Continue heading north to the Jackson Lake Dam and just past the dam, take a right heading down to the water. This is a great location for viewing bears and moose along with birds and otter.
Continue driving the area by Jackson Lake Dam to Oxbow Bend and Willow Flats looking for wildlife. This is a favorite spot for not only grizzly bears but elk, fox, and coyote.
Head north to Jackson Lake Lodge and be sure to visit the upstairs lobby and balcony for expansive views of the Teton Mountains.
Depending on the time of year you are in the Tetons, consider photographing sunset at either Oxbow Bend, Snake River Overlook, Schwabacher Landing or Willow Flats.

Photographic Hotspots in the Tetons -Final Thoughts

I hope you find my 5 Photographic Hotspot Tips for the Tetons useful as you plan your Grand Teton photo adventure. Of course I have barely scratched the surface of all the amazing photography subjects one can find in the Tetons in this post.

If I can provide further information regarding photography in Grand Teton National Park, please do not hesitate to contact me.

In addition to the 5 photographic hotspots in the Tetons, you can see that I included a 2 day photo itinerary that should get you to number of good landscape and wildlife locations in the Tetons.

Map– Here is a link to most stops in Grand Teton National Park :Map of Grand Teton Park

Lastly, I highly recommend a visit to Yellowstone National Park while you are in the area. To help you plan your visit to Yellowstone, be sure to check out: How to Photograph Yellowstone’s Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone Packing Guide, How to Photograph Yellowstone’s Black Sands, Biscuit and Midway Geyser Basins and Guide to Mammoth Hot Springs.

Well thanks for joining me in the beautiful Grand Tetons and I will see everyone again next week at another great location.

All content of this blog is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any manner.

All Yellowstone National Park Posts

SaveSave

Photo of Castle Geyser in Yellowstone's Upper Geyser Basin

BLOG PHOTO ROAD TRIPS

One Comment

bill birdsong says:

at

Wow! You have done it again….what a wonderful post. The images are outstanding, the photography tips and other advice valuable. You fans have enjoyed following your adventures from the start. We are in California for another week and I will put your suggestions to good use!

5 PHOTOGRAPHIC HOTSPOTS IN THE TETONS- UPDATED!