What to bring to Grand Teton

Layers, a card and, if you are not a US resident, your passport. Mornings here are colder than visitors expect — one float reviewer was offered blankets because it was in the 40s when they set off — and the same morning can be warm by ten. The park takes no cash at all, so a working card is not optional. And the per-person surcharge for non-residents is verified against photo identification matching the name on the pass, which makes your passport part of the entry kit rather than something left in the safe. Binoculars and a scope come with the land safaris, so you do not need to buy optics. Fee details are current at the time of writing and the NPS fee page is where to check them.

First priorityLayers

PaymentCard only, no cash

Non-residentsPhoto ID at the gate

OpticsProvided on the safaris

On the riverRain gear provided

MorningsCold, even in summer

Layers, and why I keep saying it

Virginia’s review of the 7-mile float is the one that sticks: blankets handed out because it was in the 40s at the start. On the water, before the sun clears the range, it is cold in a way that a warm afternoon forecast does not prepare you for. The same goes for a dawn safari standing still at a scope. Bring something windproof you can take off, rather than one heavy thing you will carry all day. Rain gear is provided on both floats, so that is one item you can leave out.

The two things that stop your day

A card that does not work, and identification you did not bring. The park is card only at every point of sale, so a declined transaction at an entrance station is a real problem — carry a second card. And if you are visiting from outside the US, the surcharge is checked against photo ID matching the pass, which is set out properly on the surcharge page. Where and how to pay is on the buying page.

What works

Binoculars and a shared spotting scope come with the land safaris
Rain gear and life jackets are provided on both river floats
Snacks and drinks are included on most of the guided departures

Worth knowing

No cash is accepted anywhere in the park, at any window
Non-residents need photo ID at the gate, not just a booking confirmation
River mornings start cold enough that reviewers were handed blankets

Insider tip

Put the passport and the card in the same pocket the night before. Everything else on this page is comfort; those two are the difference between entering the park and turning round.

Check float departures

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Frequently asked questions

What should I wear in Grand Teton?

Layers you can shed. Mornings start cold enough that float reviewers were offered blankets in the 40s, and the same day can be warm by mid-morning.

Do I need my own binoculars?

Not on the land safaris — binoculars and a shared spotting scope are part of what you are paying for. What you are likely to point them at is on the wildlife page.

Do I need cash for the park entrance?

No, and cash will not help you: the park is card only. Non-US residents also need photo ID at the gate, because the per-person surcharge is checked against it.