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One of the most beautiful national parks in the United States is found in the quiet mountains of Wyoming. Grand Teton National Park boasts an insanely gorgeous mountain range, abundant wildlife, and scenic views around every corner.
With the ultimate Grand Teton packing list, you’ll be able to make the most of your time in this beautiful park and explore comfortably and safely. After many national park visits and a week of pure camping and hiking in the Tetons, I’ve narrowed down the packing list to the essentials you will definitely want with you to help make your trip the best possible.
So if you’re wondering what to wear in Grand Teton National Park and what other essentials you might need, take a look below!
→ Read Next: 5-Day Hiking Focused Grand Teton Itinerary
Grand Teton Packing List: Hiking Essentials
Hiking is one of the most popular activities in Grand Teton National Park. Hiking season in the Tetons is May through September. Below you’ll find what to wear in Grand Teton in summer when hiking, along with other day hiking essentials.
Winter activities will require extra gear as it gets very snowy here; I will include details on what to pack for Grand Teton in winter further down.
Hiking Boots or Shoes
A great pair of hiking boots makes any national park adventure more comfortable. There are so many hiking trails to choose from in Grand Teton! I recommend the Salomon Gore-Tex hiking boots for women and men. These boots are lightweight and have great traction.
Hiking Pants
Athletic pants are essential to stay comfortable while hiking. Joggers, hiking pants, or athletic leggings are all perfect for Grand Teton hiking. Shorts can be worn in the summer months, but most of the year it’s on the chilly side in Grand Teton.
I recommend these hiking pants for women (and these for men).
Breathable Shirts
Layering is key when dressing for outdoor adventures in Grand Teton, really any national park or nature area. Start with a short sleeve shirt or long sleeve depending on the weather.
I recommend a short-sleeved shirt if you’re visiting Grand Teton in the summer. You’ll likely start off cold and warm up significantly as you hike and as the day heats up. A breathable, athletic-type shirt will be best, or something made of merino wool.
Here is my go-to hiking shirt for women, and this is the men’s version.
Sun Shirt
Over your base layer shirt, put on a sun shirt for a) sun protection, and b) another layer of clothing for those chillier mornings. A sunshirt will be the best sun protection you can get as they’re often long-sleeved and hooded, yet they’re still breathable enough to wear even on warmer hiking days.
I recommend this hooded sunshirt for women and this sunshirt for men. These shirts are both SPF 50+, and are great for all outdoor activities.
Fleece Jacket
Even in the summer, Grand Teton National Park runs cold. If you’re an early morning hiker or tend to get cold easily, I recommend packing a fleece jacket or pullover to layer for those chillier days.
You can easily pack away a fleece jacket in your day hiking backpack, but having one will ensure you stay warm enough. I wore mine every day when we visited in September, and would warm up by noonish.
I recommend this zip-up fleece jacket for women and this jacket for men.
Down Jacket (For Colder Months)
A down jacket is a must for any Grand Teton packing list. While summer doesn’t often merit cool enough weather for a down jacket, it’s never a bad idea to bring one if you have the room; at least a lighter-weight one.
If you are visiting any time from late fall through early spring, you will definitely want a down jacket. Even if the weather forecast looks promising during your trip, the Tetons and Jackson get so much colder at night, and it often doesn’t get warmer until about 10 am the next day.
I highly recommend a down jacket from Cotopaxi, they have a plethora of styles from heavy down jackets to lighter-weight ones. I always travel with my Cotopaxi Teca Calido jacket as it’s not too bulky, but very warm when layered with a long-sleeved or a fleece jacket.
Shop the Cotopaxi Teca Calido jacket for women here and for men here.
Merino Hiking Socks
Good hiking socks are a game changer. Keep your feet dry and blister-free with sweat-wicking merino wool socks.
Pack a pair of Darn Tough hiking socks to keep your feet extra comfortable.
Bear Spray
Grand Teton National Park is in the heart of bear country. There are Grizzly bears and black bears in the park, so bringing a can of bear spray is a good idea when hitting the hiking trails.
Please note that you cannot fly with bear spray! You can find it at REI in Jackson, Wyoming, just outside the park, or rent it from Teton Backcountry Rentals.
Hiking Poles (For More Strenuous Hikes)
Hiking poles are great for any kind of hiking trail, especially more inclined or rocky trails. They take some of the stress off your knees and back by utilizing your arm muscles more. Hiking poles also help with balance on rocky or uneven trails.
Add a set of collapsible hiking poles to your Grand Teton packing list!
Sun Protection
No matter what time of year you are visiting Grand Teton National Park, you will need to bring sun protection. Pack sunscreen, a hat, a sunshirt, and sun sunglasses to be prepared for a range of weather.
My favorite sunscreen for any kind of traveling or outdoor adventure is Sun Bum SPF 50.
Gloves & Beanie
If you’re visiting Grand Teton National Park in the spring or fall, I recommend also packing a pair of gloves (like wool gloves) and a beanie or two. Your head and hands will likely get cold faster, especially in the morning and in the evening. These items also make cooking at camp so much more comfortable.
If you’re visiting in the winter, pack a pair of waterproof snow gloves, beanies, and a scarf.
Hiking Backpack
A small hiking backpack will come in handy when on the trails in Grand Teton. You can store your water bottle, snacks, extra sunscreen, etc., in a small hiking backpack. As you warm up, you can stuff your top layers in the bag to stay cool while hiking.
I recommend the Osprey Daylite 20L backpack. It will last years, and it’s plenty big enough for day hiking without being too bulky.
Grand Teton Outfit for Hiking
Shop the look above!
Winter Essentials for Grand Teton
- Crampons: A set of crampons will come in handy in the winter here. They stretch over your hiking boots and have microspikes on the bottom to help with traction in snow and ice.
- Snowshoes: Some winter hikes will require snowshoes so you can “float” on the snow rather than walk through feet of it.
- Snow Pants: Keep dry and warm on winter adventures in Grand Teton with a pair of waterproof snow pants. I recommend these women’s snow pants and these men’s pants.
- Winter Coat: Along with a fleece jacket, a down coat, and thermals, you will need a winter coat or a ski jacket this time of year.
- Thermal Set: A thermal long-sleeved top and thermal pants will help keep you warm in the winter weather (shop women’s here and shop men’s here).
TIP! For winter gear rentals, head to Teton Backcountry Rentals to find all the essentials. You can rent crampons, snowshoes, bear spray, and cross-country skis here!
What to Wear in Jackson, Wyoming
The nearest city to Grand Teton National Park is Jackson, Wyoming. I highly recommend planning to spend a day exploring this quaint mountain town as there are many local shops, great restaurants, and coffee shops and breweries to enjoy here.
Jackson is the perfect place to relax in after a day of hiking in Grand Teton. Plan your stay with my ultimate guide on where to stay near Grand Teton on a budget. Now for more packing tips…here’s a great idea for what to wear in Jackson, Wyoming.
Tops to Layer
Pack tops to layer like tank tops, short-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved shirts, fleece pullover, and a flannel button-up.
Long Pants
Long pants are best, like cargo pants, hiking pants, joggers, or leggings. In summer, you can pack a pair of shorts or a skirt, but be prepared for it to be too cold in the morning and evening.
Comfortable Shoes
Blundstones, tennis shoes, hiking boots, or duck boots are all great shoes to wear in Jackson, Wyoming. Check the forecast before you go to see if there’s snow; skip the tennis if so!
Hat & Sunglasses
Don’t forget sun protection essentials for any outings in town. Even in winter it can get sunny in Jackson, so avoid squinting your way around town with these.
Jacket
A down jacket, like a Cotopaxi Teca Calido, is great for layering on chilly mornings or for sipping a beer outside at the local brewery. I also recommend a fleece jacket or a thinner jacket to layer underneath. A winter coat will be necessary from November through April.
Outfit Idea for Jackson & Sightseeing
Shop the outfit above!
Camping Essentials for Grand Teton
If you plan on camping in Grand Teton National Park, there are a few camping essentials I highly recommend packing. These will make your camping experience much more enjoyable. Remember, this is brown bear country, so always put your food (and other scented products) away properly at night.
There are tent and RV sites available in Grand Teton National Park; you can make reservations here. Most camping sites are available from May through September. I recommend Gros Ventre Campground, as this is where I camped for 5 days in Grand Teton.
Bear Bin: Grand Tetons established campgrounds have bear boxes, but you can always bring a bear bin to play it safe.
Tent: If you plan on tent camping, this item is, well, a must. If you’re in the market for a comfortable tent, I recommend this 2-person tent.
Sleeping Bag: I’ve slept with my Big Agnes sleeping bag for years in temperatures as low as 15°F, and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s spacious enough to move around comfortably, and it’s so cozy.
Cooler: Camp food doesn’t have to be boring; a nice cooler makes all the difference. You can easily bring refrigerated goods for a couple of days. However, the best backpacking meals can be yummy and super efficient after busy hiking days.
Compact Camp Chair: These make all the difference after a long day of hiking. Sit comfortably at your campsite and enjoy dinner or early morning coffee in a compact camp chair.
Stove & Pans: If storage space is no issue, a two-burner stove will be incredible for any camping trip. But if you need to pack light, invest in a JetBoil stove for all of your camping cooking needs. Don’t forget to bring a pan or two as well!
Kitchen Essentials: Along with a stove and pans, you will need utensils, plates, possibly bowls, a spatula, a cooking spoon, and a few spices to ~spice~ up your meals. Take a look at this 2-person mess kit. I recommend prepping what you can at home before you head out on your Grand Teton camping trip.
For more camping essentials, read this complete guide on what to bring car camping. These essentials will also be needed for RV camping and tent camping.
The Ultimate Grand Teton Packing List in Review
Now you know what to pack for Grand Teton National Park, you’ll be all set for the ultimate Wyoming adventure. This US national park is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and seeing it for yourself seems necessary. Especially if you’re a fellow soft adventure lover!
Save this Grand Teton packing list for your own trip or send it to a friend who seems to need to escape to the mountains and disconnect from the busy world for a few days. The Tetons are unimaginably gorgeous, and there are so many hikes to enjoy here. The nearby town of Jackson makes for a great base.
