Grand Teton & Island Park
RIDING TYPE
Introductory
DURATION
5 Days
SEASON
July - August
Grand Teton & Island Park: The Ultimate Beginner MTB Adventure
The Perfect Introduction to Mountain Biking
Grand Teton and Island Park is the perfect introduction to mountain biking. On this trip, we will be riding through the lush meadows and valleys of Island Park, just west of Grand Teton National Park. Our route takes us on historic railroad grades and forest service roads, winding through the backcountry along many beautiful streams and rivers.
There is very little elevation change, so the climbing and descending are quite manageable for first-timers. In addition to biking, there are lots of opportunities for fly fishing, hiking, and swimming along the way. And did we mention the wildlife? On our first day, we will be riding in Harriman State Park, a beautiful wildlife reserve home to moose, elk, osprey, eagles, and trumpeter swans. From there, we work our way toward the Grand Tetons looming in the distance, with the opportunity to take a boat ride across Jenny Lake for a spectacular hike to Inspiration Point or Hidden Falls.
Why Choose the Island Park & Grand Teton Tour?
This introductory mountain bike tour is designed for those who want world-class scenery without the technical intimidation of steep mountain passes:
Gentle “Hero” Terrain: Ride mostly flat railroad grades and smooth forest roads, allowing you to focus on the vistas rather than your gears.
Wildlife Refuge Exploration: Experience the Harriman State Park wildlife refuge, a haven for trumpeter swans, bald eagles, and moose.
Teton Grandeur: Cycle with the 13,700-foot Grand Teton as your constant backdrop, including scenic rides on the Jenny Lake bike paths.
Multi-Sport Adventures: This trip isn’t just about the bike; enjoy a scenic Snake River float and free time to explore the heart of the Tetons.
-DAY-BY-DAY
Itinerary
Our trip begins with a three-hour shuttle from Wilson to Harriman State Park, west of the Grand Tetons in the Targhee National Forest. This park is a stunning wildlife refuge and was a gift to the state of Idaho from the Harriman family.
We’ll begin riding on the park’s wonderful trail system; easy, winding trails that allow us to see all types of wildlife including trumpeter swans and moose. After lunch, we head into the forest to our camp at Pole Bridge on the banks of the Warm River—a perfect place for an afternoon dip.
Today we’ll ride south from camp on an old railroad grade originally built in the late 1800s. We’ll stop for lunch at Upper Mesa Falls on the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River. Here, the river drops 105 feet through a narrow canyon of volcanic basalt and tuff.
After visiting the restored log inn and wildlife exhibits, we head back to the railroad grade. The afternoon is a gentle, constant downward slope with incredible views of the Warm River, aptly named because it never freezes in the winter. We’ll camp tonight right on the riverbank with perfect access to a fine swimming hole.
We roll out of the pine forest and through a farmer’s barley fields on a mix of dirt roads and pavement. As we head east, the Grand Teton Range (peaking at 13,700 feet) dominates the horizon.
We’ll pass through nesting areas for trumpeter swans and ride through green meadows. Today features a continuous climb that gains 800 feet, and we are rewarded with a lovely campsite where we can relax for the evening.
This morning we’ll enjoy a scenic drive along the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway to Moose Junction. From here, we trade the bikes for a boat and enjoy a meandering float along the Snake River.
This stretch almost guarantees a view of a Bald Eagle. After the float, you can choose to hop on the bike for a short ride or shuttle to camp to watch the sun set behind the Tetons.
From camp, we shuttle to Moose Junction and hop on bikes. With the Grand Teton as our backdrop, we ride the paved bike path to Jenny Lake, where we’ll explore the shore and have the opportunity to take a dip in the icy waters or hike to Inspiration Point.
After a delicious lunch, we’ll celebrate with a cruisy final ride back to Moose Junction and a quick shuttle back to Wilson.
-TRIP NOTES
The fine print
Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, rider safety and other factors which may affect the logistics of the adventure.
Road Surface
Gravel and dirt roads, some singletrack, pavement and railroad grade bike paths.
Overall Rating
Introductory
Technical Difficulty
Easy
Physical Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Altitude
6,000 - 8,000 feet
Biking Mileage
8-27 miles per day (optional extensions can bring the longest day's riding to 27 miles)
Hiking Mileage
8-27 miles per day (optional extensions can bring the longest day's riding to 27 miles)
–Travel Logistics
Getting there.
Jackson, WY. Meets 8:00 AM MST in Wilson, WY (4 mi from downtown Jackson).
Getting There
90 mi from Idaho Falls, 307 mi from Salt Lake City. Flying into Jackson (JAC) or SLC (~5hr drive or Mountain States Express).
Taxi Service
Buckboard Transportation 307-733-1112; All Trans 307-733-3135.
Lodging Before Your Trip
The Lexington at Jackson Hole
Ranch Inn
Anvil Motel
Motel 6
PACKING
Standard western spirit packing list
- Meals/camp gear provided
- Bring/rent bike & helmet, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cycling & camp clothing, personal items, tipping cash (10-20%)
- Fishing licenses (Idaho + Wyoming) needed if fishing
Bring or rent
Bringing or renting
- Bike (rentals come with flat pedals)
- Helmet (gratis w
- Rental bike)
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
Cycling clothing
- Cycling shoes
- 3-5 pair cycling shorts
- 3-5 cycling shirts
- Long sleeve cycling shirt
- Long sleeve cotton shirt or solar sleeves
- Cycling socks
- Windbreaker
- Tights or leg warmers
- 2 pair cycling gloves
- Rain jacket & rain pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Warm layer
- Sunglasses
Camp clothing
- Camp shorts/shirts
- Warm socks
- Long underwear
- 2 pair warm long pants
- Fleece/sweater
- Pile or down jacket
- Warm gloves and hat
- Brimmed hat
- Bathing suit
- Hiking shoes
- Sandals
- Rain gear
Personal
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Towel
- Biodegradable soap
- Wet-wipes
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Sunglasses
- Optional day bag
- Stuff sacks
- Cash for tipping (10-20% of trip price)
Optional
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Favorite beverages
- Books
- Maps
- Portable USB charger
Need more information about our bike trips?
Check out what a bike trip is all about by visiting our camping page, FAQ page, what to bring page or be the first to know about new trips, last minute trip openings and future discounts by subscribing to our newsletter.
Need even more details? Send us a message or call and talk to one of our trip specialists at (435) 259-8732.
Need more information about our bike trips? Check out what a bike trip is all about by visiting our camping page, FAQ page, what to bring page or be the first to know about new trips, last minute trip openings and future discounts by subscribing to our newsletter.
Need even more details? Send us a message or call and talk to one of our trip specialists at (435) 259-8732
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