Colter Bay

 

View of the Teton Range from Colter Bay.

NPS Photo

Explore Colter Bay

Located in the northern part of Grand Teton National Park, Colter Bay sits on the shore of Jackson Lake and provides sweeping views of Mount Moran and the northern peaks of the Teton Range.

Colter Bay is the perfect hub for park exploration and lakeside recreation. Whether you are staying a week, overnight, or planning a half-day adventure, you will find a variety of options close at hand. With its wide variety of accommodations, visitor services, guided trips, and outdoor activities, Colter Bay has something for everyone.

Hike a trail, paddle a boat, hang out by the lakeshore, or stop by the visitor center. Parking at Colter Bay provides access to trails, the lakeshore, and visitor services, making it a convenient starting point for all adventures.

Come for the views. Stay for the experience.

 

Hike Colter Bay

Several easy to moderate trails begin right from the Colter Bay area.

 

 

Explore Grand Teton by boating on Jackson Lake.

NPS Photo/R. Zott

Play on Jackson Lake

Launch a paddleboard, canoe, or kayak and experience Jackson Lake from a new perspective.

Morning hours often bring calmer water and mirror-like reflections of the Tetons, making it an ideal time to paddle.

In the afternoon, cool off with a dip at the Swim Beach or find a quiet stretch of shoreline to spread out a towel and relax with a book.

In the evening, try fishing for supper or just enjoy the golden hour of sunset.

Bring your own boat to explore the lake, or rent a boat from the Colter Bay Marina for easy access to the water.

 

Stop by the Colter Bay Visitor Center to talk with a ranger.

NPS Photo/J. Bonney

Visit the Colter Bay Visitor Center

Open during the summer months, the Colter Bay Visitor Center is a great place to get oriented and learn about the partk. The visitor center back deck provides views across Colter Bay Marina to Mount Moran.

Stop at the Colter Bay Visitor Center to talk with a ranger, get a backcountry permit, browse the bookstore, or join a ranger-led program. Rangers share their knowledge of Grand Teton National Park through guided hikes, short talks, demonstrations, and evening programs.

Learn about Indigenous cultures and view traditional and contemporary artwork created by the artists of the Indigenous Arts and Cultural Demonstration Program.

 

Bears frequent the Colter Bay area. Stay alert.

NPS Photo/C. Adams

Spot Wildlife

Colter Bay is positioned in excellent wildlife habitat. A wide variety of animals, ranging from tiny voles to large grizzly bears, are commonly spotted in the area.

The lakeshore is a great place to look for osprey, mergansers, and herons. Surrounding meadows are popular with songbirds, ground squirrels, coyotes, elk, and grizzly bears. The forest is home to owls, snowshoe hares, and deer.

Dawn and dusk are the best times to view wildlife. During the heat of the day, many animals seek shade and rest. As temperatures cool, they become more active.

Large animals, including black and grizzly bears, moose, and elk, are often seen on trails and in developed areas. Being prepared for an animal encounter can help ensure your safety.




Safety Tips
• Never approach wildlife
• Use binoculars or a spotting scope for a better view
• Maintain at least 100 yards (91 meters) from bears and wolves
• Maintain at least 25 yards (23 meters) from all other wildlife
• If viewing animals along park roads, watch from your vehicle, use designated pullouts, and do not stop in travel lanes
• Learn more about how to stay safe in bear country

By giving wildlife space and viewing responsibly, you help keep animals wild and visitors safe.

Other Nearby Wildlife Viewing Areas
Willow Flats Overlook: Located 6 miles south of Colter Bay, this open sagebrush habitat often attracts elk, moose, and a variety of bird species.
Oxbow Bend Turnout: About 7.5 miles south of Colter Bay, this scenic Snake River overlook is well known for moose, elk, sandhill cranes, and other wildlife.

 

Take a Guided Trip

A number of Guided Activities pick up or start from Colter Bay. These activites provide the gear and a guide with knowledge and expertise to help you enjoy a unique experience in the park.

You can take a breakfast cruise on the lake, enjoy the trails on horseback, fish with a guide, float the Snake River, and more. Pick you own adventure.

 

Stay Here

Stay in the Colter Bay Campground or RV Park, or rent a cabin.

 

 

Fun Facts

• Is Jackson Lake a natural lake or a reservoir? It is both. It is a 400-foot deep natural lake with 39-feet of reservoir storage added on top. During dry years, Colter Bay may become too shallow for motorboats or may dry up completely.
• Who is Colter Bay named for? John Colter, fur trapper and explorer, traveled through Yellowstone during the winter of 1807-1808 after leaving the Lewis and Clark Expedition, but his route is unclear. In 1933, a rhyolite rock with his name engraved on one side and the year 1808 on the other side was found on the west side of the Teton Range. This rock is known as the Colter Stone.
• When was Grand Teton National Park established? The park's history began in 1929 when the original park was created to protect much of the Teton Range. In 1943, the creation of Jackson Hole National Monument protected the valley floor including 35,000 acres of private land donated by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. In 1950, the the two were combined into the park we enjoy today.

 

Additional Colter Bay Information