Oxbow Bend: A Beautiful No-Hike Location in Grand Teton!

Grand Teton National Park has some of the most beautiful no-hike locations in any national park.  But one of the best locations is Oxbow Bend.  

Oxbow Bend is just 4 minutes from the Moran Entrance Station and 34 minutes from the Moose Entrance Station.  And the best part?  This stunning view can be seen right from the parking lot!

Whether you get up early and head to Oxbow Bend for a sunrise, or just take some nice photos here, everyone can enjoy the beauty.  So here’s everything you need to know about Oxbow Bend.

Important Links

• Grand Teton National Park website
• Passes and Fees
• Oxbow Bend
• Oxbow Bend – Where to Park
• Hiking to Delta Lake – Nearby Hiking
• Schwabacher Landing – All the Details

Location/Parking

First, let’s discuss where we are even talking about.  Oxbow Bend is located less than 3 miles from the Moran Entrance of Grand Teton National Park.  There is a small parking lot here, and there is additional road-side parking just past said parking lot.  

As for getting to Oxbow Bend from other major areas, you’ll be looking at a 45 minute drive from Jackson, WY, 1 hour and 10 minutes from Dubois, WY and just over 3 hours from Cody, WY.  My husband and I stayed in Dubois during our visits and the drive is quite beautiful!

I do have one quick warning for you, the parking lot fills up very quickly.  So be prepared to park on the road just past the parking lot.  The view is still beautiful, but pack your patience when parking here.  

Reservations/Fees

Next up, let’s discuss reservations/fees.  Grand Teton National Park does not have a reservation system, but there are fees to be aware of.  Like all other national parks, there is an entrance fee.  Whether you enter by walking or in a vehicle, there is a range of prices to enter the park.

The Standard Passes are good for 7 days and are as follows:

• Walk/Bike into the park: $20 per person
• Motorcycle: $30 per vehicle
• Standard Vehicle: $35 per vehicle

However, if you are planning on being in Grand Teton National Park for more than a week, there is an annual pass option.  This pass is good only at Grand Teton, but is valid for you and a car-full of guests for 12 months.

On the other hand, if you are intending on visiting 3 or more national parks/seashores/monuments/etc, then you will want to invest in one of the other pass options, such as the America the Beautiful Pass.  There are other annual options listed below.

These Annual Passes are good for 12 months and they are:

• Grand Teton National Park Annual Pass: $70
• America the Beautiful Pass: $80
• Senior (62+) Pass: $20
• Senior (62+) Lifetime Pass: $80
• Military Annual/Lifetime Pass: Free

My husband and I have been buying the America the Beautiful Pass every year since 2021 and it has saved us hundreds of dollars at the parks.  This pass is $80 and is good for 12 months at ANY national location. 

What to Expect

Alright, now that you’ve paid your fee and know where to park, let’s discuss what to expect from Oxbow Bend.

Oxbow Bend is a very popular no-hike location in Grand Teton National Park.  The parking lot is pretty small, but there is additional parking on the road just past the parking lot.  So pack your patience if you are visiting between 9am – 2pm, when the park is busiest.

The views here are stunning, and the reflection of Mount Moran on the Snake River is jaw-droppingly beautiful.  I highly recommend walking along the river’s edge and taking in different views of the area if you are able.  You can follow the edge of the water in either direction and capture beautiful reflection shots and even wildlife here!

But when is the best time of day to visit Oxbow Bend?

Sunrise or Sunset?

Oxbow Bend is best experienced on a clear day at sunrise.  The mountains will glow pink when the sun first hits them and then the sun will light up the trees right in front of the mountain.  This is particularly beautiful in the Fall.

But why not sunset?  When the sun sets at Oxbow Bend, the sun is behind the mountains.  This will create a backlit effect of the mountains, which will simply look like a shadowy bump.  The only caveat is if there are clouds in the sky and the sun creates a stunning reflection of color on the Snake River.  

As a whole, sunrises are always better than sunsets in Grand Teton National Park.  Across the board, this is when the mountains glow and show the most detail.  

Portrait Photography

Another reason to visit Oxbow Bend, is the amazing photos you can capture of you/your family.  The reflection of the mountains and the amazing lighting here will create a beautiful photo you’ll want to hang on your wall forever.

My husband and I captured this photo (and several others) with our camera, tripod and wireless remote.  If you are looking for a great place for family photos, romantic photos, or just a beautiful selfie, Oxbow Bend is the place to go!

And now that you know WHY you want to visit here, let’s discuss flights and hotels.  

Getting Here

If you are like most US residents who live near one of the coasts, then you’ll be looking to fly to visit Grand Teton National Park.  

The closest airport is the Jackson Hole Airport, which is only 35 minutes from Oxbow Bend.  United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Air, and Delta all fly here.  However, it can cost a pretty penny to fly into this beautiful airport!

For a more affordable option (you’ll have to double check the math on this depending on the day you want to fly in), you can fly into Salt Lake City.  We were able to save $200 per ticket by flying here and then driving the 5-ish hours north.  

Where to Stay

What about recommendations to stay the night?  There are nearly 100 hotels/lodges/rentals that you can choose from when visiting Jackson, WY.  But again, I have to warn you this will cost a pretty penny.  Like the average hotel costs $400+ per night in Jackson.  

In the name of a budget, we rented a cabin at the Dubois/Wind River KOA.  There are also more affordable options in Victor, Idaho.  Staying in Victor means you’ll have to drive across the Teton Pass to reach Oxbow Bend, but if this fits your budget better, then it’ll be worth it.    

Other Locations to Visit in Grand Teton National Park

If you are looking for other amazing no-hike locations in Grand Teton National Park, you’ll want to check out Schwabacher Landing, Mormon Row, the Church of Transfiguration, and the Jenny Lake area.  

On the other hand, if you are looking to explore other remote areas of the park, you’ll want to hike to Delta Lake, Amphitheater Lake, Cascade Canyon, Hidden Falls and Paintbrush Canyon (to name just a few).  

And if you want to make the quick-ish drive north, Yellowstone National Park is the perfect place to extend your trip.  You’ll be able to view amazing waterfalls, wildlife and of course Old Faithful!

Conclusion

Oxbow Bend is one of the most beautiful places in all of Grand Teton National Park.  Whether you are looking to watch the sunrise here, take some family portraits, or just enjoy a beautiful no-hike location, you will LOVE Oxbow Bend.  

So grab a flight, book that hotel, and go explore the Tetons!

As always, feel free to email me at averagewildexperience@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to receommend the best places.  

-Happy Exploring!