Jackson Lake Lodge

At a glance

• Place: Jackson Lake Lodge
• Park area: Grand Teton
• Type: Lodge
• Public access: Yes
• Historic status: One of the park’s 2 National Historic Landmarks
• On-site amenity: Parking
• Services: Lodging, restaurants, a lounge, gift shops, exhibits, Wi-Fi, and wheelchair access
• Views: Willow Flats, Jackson Lake, and the Teton Range
• Activities: Hiking, horseback riding, and swimming
• Closest trail: Lunchtree Hill Loop Trail at the lodge
• Medical care: Grand Teton Medical Clinic is about 0.2 miles away

Why visit

Jackson Lake Lodge combines historic modern architecture with broad views across Willow Flats and Jackson Lake toward the Teton Range. Its great room frames the landscape through a wall of windows.

The lodge also provides several lodging choices, table-service dining, a lounge, gift shopping, books, souvenirs, interpretive information, and exhibits. Wi-Fi is available. The great room offers an indoor place to relax or spend time during rainy weather.

Outside, visitors can use the swimming pool, take horseback rides, or hike nearby trails. A service station and the Grand Teton Medical Clinic are in the lodge area.

Getting there

Jackson Lake Lodge is in the Grand Teton area of Grand Teton National Park. Parking is available at the lodge. Another parking lot is about 0.1 miles away.

Moose, Wyoming, and the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center are each about 17 miles away. Jackson, Wyoming, is about 29 miles away. These figures are straight-line distances, not driving distances.

The listed airports are Jackson Hole Airport, identified by the code JAC, and Idaho Falls Regional Airport, identified by the code IDA.

Visitors may enter Grand Teton National Park at any time. However, vehicle access and visitor services change during the year. Check current access conditions before traveling to the lodge.

What to see and do

The great room is the lodge’s central viewing space. Its large window wall looks across Willow Flats and Jackson Lake, with the Teton Range beyond. It also provides shelter during rainy conditions.

The lodge has several lodging options, 2 restaurants, a lounge, and gift shops. Available amenities include table-service food and drinks, souvenirs, books, exhibits, interpretive information, and Wi-Fi.

Outdoor options include the swimming pool, horseback riding, and hiking. Lunch Tree Hill is at the lodge, and the Lunchtree Hill Loop Trail begins here. The route is about 0.5 miles as mapped by the National Park Service.

Willow Flats Trail is about 0.1 miles away and measures about 2.2 miles. The Christian Pond Trailhead is about 0.2 miles away. Listings identify 2 Christian Pond loop routes about 0.4 miles away: Christian Pond Loop measures about 1.3 miles, while Christian Pond Loop Trail measures about 1.1 miles.

History and nature

Jackson Lake Lodge opened in 1955. It was previously called Rockefeller Lodge. Its textured concrete walls represented a new approach to park architecture, making it the first modern lodge constructed in a national park.

The building is now one of 2 National Historic Landmarks within Grand Teton National Park. Its design uses an expansive window wall to connect the great room with views of Willow Flats, Jackson Lake, and the Teton Range.

The regional name Jackson Hole also reflects local history. Fur trappers used the word “hole” for a valley surrounded by mountains. They named the area for David E. Jackson, who trapped for the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. Over time, Davey Jackson’s Hole became Jackson Hole.

When to go

Conditions can change quickly because snow and frost are possible during every month. Grand Teton National Park has extended, cold winters.

April, May, and June bring alternating mild days and cool nights, with both rain and snow possible. July and August generally have warm days, cool nights, and frequent afternoon thunderstorms.

September, October, and November alternate sunny days with cold nights. Rain and occasional snowstorms also occur. From December through April, sunny periods between storms accompany frigid nights. Snow covers the valley and mountains.

The park remains open for entry at any time, but seasonal changes affect motor vehicle access and visitor services. Confirm that desired lodge services and roads are available before visiting.

Accessibility

Jackson Lake Lodge is listed as wheelchair accessible. Parking is available on site, and the lodge includes indoor dining, shopping, exhibits, interpretive information, and a great room.

The provided information does not describe accessibility conditions for the swimming pool, horseback rides, nearby overlooks, or trails.

Fees and rules

Grand Teton National Park lists these entrance fees:

• Private vehicle: $35
• Motorcycle: $30
• Per person: $20
• Commercial sedan: $25

Entrance fees are park fees. The provided information does not list separate prices for lodging, meals, horseback rides, or other lodge services.

Visitors may enter the park at any time, though services and motor vehicle access vary seasonally. Follow posted rules at the lodge, on trails, and throughout the park. Leave no trace.

Nearby trails and places

Lunch Tree Hill is at the lodge. The Lunchtree Hill Loop Trail is also here and measures about 0.5 miles.

Several additional trails and services are close by:

• Parking lot: about 0.1 miles away
• Willow Flats Trail: about 0.1 miles away; about 2.2 miles as mapped
• Grand Teton Medical Clinic: about 0.2 miles away
• Christian Pond Trailhead: about 0.2 miles away
• Jackson Lake Dorms: about 0.3 miles away
• Christian Pond Loop: about 0.4 miles away; about 1.3 miles as mapped
• Christian Pond Loop Trail: about 0.4 miles away; about 1.1 miles as mapped
• Upper Willow Flats Overlook: about 0.4 miles away
• Lower Willow Flats Overlook: about 0.6 miles away
• Moran Cemetery: about 0.8 miles away

The Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center is about 17 miles away. Distances to nearby places are not stated as driving distances.

Before you go

Check current conditions, alerts, motor vehicle access, and visitor services on the park’s National Park Service website. Lodge operations may vary during the year.

Carry water and pack layers for changing temperatures and precipitation. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August. Snow or frost can occur in any month.

The Grand Teton Medical Clinic is in the lodge area, about 0.2 miles away. A service station is also in the area. Follow posted rules and leave no trace when using nearby trails and outdoor facilities.

Questions