Willow Flats Overlook
Grand Teton National Park, WY
Just off the highway east of Jackson Lake, Willow Flats Overlook offers one of the best panoramic views in Grand Teton National Park. From here, you’ll see expansive willow-filled wetlands backed by the lake and the Teton Range in the distance. It’s also an excellent location for spotting wildlife.
The basics
A number of Grand Teton National Park tours, including half-day and full-day tours from Jackson, include a stop at Willow Flats Overlook, along with other park highlights such as Oxbow Bend, the Snake River Overlook, and the Mormon Row Historic District. Willow Flats Overlook (and nearby Lower Willow Flats Overlook) is also easy to visit independently. Enjoy the scenic views of the mountains and look for wildlife in the flats. Interpretive exhibits provide more information for visitors.
Things to know before you go
- There’s an entrance fee to Grand Teton National Park.
- Willow Flats is a popular area for wildlife. Bring binoculars for better spotting.
- Bears are active in the area. Research safety tips in advance, and bring and know how to use bear spray.
- Both the upper and lower overlook points are wheelchair accessible.
How to get there
The Willow Flats Overlook is east of Jackson Lake, inside Grand Teton National Park. It’s off Highway 191/287/89, around 4.5 miles (7 kilometers) northwest of the Moran Entrance Station. The Lower Willow Flats Overlook is 0.4 miles (0.6 kilometers) south. Both overlooks offer parking. The easiest way to get there is to join a guided tour of the park that includes a stop at the overlook.
When to get there
The best time to visit Willow Flats Overlook for spotting wildlife is in the early morning or late evening, when animals are more likely to be out looking for food and foraging. Follow bear safety practices—June and July are the best times of year for spotting grizzly bears near the flats, though they can also be seen in the spring hunting for elk calves.
Willow Flats Trail
Along with visiting the overlook, it’s also possible to hike along the willow flats themselves. The 6-mile (9.7-kilometer) Willow Flats Trail stretches between Colter Bay and Jackson Lake Lodge, and you can start in either direction. Along the way, you’ll walk through the willow-filled flats (wetlands), an open corral area, forested sections of cottonwoods and conifers, and cross two creeks and pass by two beaver ponds.
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