There’s no bad place to start the Grand Teton Scenic Loop and no wrong direction to drive. All have their benefits, so pick whichever starting location is closest to you and drive in whichever direction gets you where you most want to be when you most want to be there! Here are some of our thoughts about which way is best and when.Since the Grand Teton Scenic Drive is best driven as a loop, you can start and end from a number of various points along the way, including Jackson Lodge, Jenny Lake, Jackson, WY, and more. (We’ve driven this loop from various starting locations, including from the North at Colter Bay Campground/Cabins and from the South at Driggs, Idaho.) The best place to start the loop is wherever is closest to you.

If you’re starting from the north, closer to Jackson Lodge, Colter Bay, or the Moran Junction, we recommend driving counterclockwise. That’s because what is possibly our FAVORITE view of the Tetons is found near the Mount Moran Turnout. This stretch of road is absolutely stunning in early morning light as you’re driving toward Jenny Lake.

Driving counterclockwise from the north will also get you to Jenny Lake and the Jenny Lake Visitor Center earlier in your trip. This is good if you plan to stop here as the parking lot at Jenny Lake can fill up quickly on weekends and during busy summer months.

However, both directions have their advantages, and the choice depends on your itinerary and preferences. You can have a fantastic experience driving through the Tetons regardless of the direction you choose.

If you choose to drive clockwise from the north instead, you’ll get to Oxbow Bend earlier in the day (which is great for wildlife) and the Snake River Overlook and Schwabachers Landing with morning light, which are both beautiful spots for sunrise. (There’s really no bad place to be in the Tetons for sunrise!) You’ll also mostly be turning right into overlooks on US 89/191, which can be helpful for navigating traffic on busy days.

If you’re starting from the Southern Entrance, near Jackson, Wyoming, once again, both directions can be great. Driving counterclockwise will provide you with immediate views of some of the most iconic viewpoints in the park, such as the Snake River Overlook, where you can capture the Tetons reflected in the river at sunrise.

Counterclockwise from the Southern Entrance will also put you on Moose-Wilson Road toward the afternoon/evening, which is a great time of day to spot wildlife and a good time of day to find parking at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center if you’re interested in hiking to Phelps Lake. (We highly recommend you do!)

Driving counterclockwise from either direction will also make it easier to drive the one-way Jenny Lake Scenic Drive.

However, if you prefer to spend more time at Jenny Lake during your time in the Tetons, you may want to drive clockwise from the Southern Entrance, which will get you to Jenny Lake and the Jenny Lake Visitor Center earlier in the day. (If you do this, skip Moose-Wilson Road.)

Driving clockwise from the Southern Entrance will also put you near the Chapel of the Transfiguration around sunrise (one of the most photographed places in the park) and Schwabacher Landing or Snake River Overlook around sunset. (Schwabacher Landing is one of the best places in the park for sunset views during late spring and early summer, and the Snake River Overlook is great during the fall months).

There’s no wrong direction to drive, but we’re partial to driving counterclockwise from the Northern Entrance (near Moran, Colter Bay, or Jackson Lodge.)