Picnic Areas

 

The Lakeview picnic area offers access to Jackson Lake

NPS Photo/A. Mattson

 

There are 10 picnic areas scattered throughout Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Picnic areas contain picnic tables and many have pit toilets. Overnight camping in picnic areas is prohibited. Find a campground or lodge for overnight stays.

Bear Safety

Black and grizzly bears make their home in Grand Teton. Bears commonly use developed areas. When picnicking, it's important to stay aware and ensure all food can easily be packed away should a bear enter the area. Bears that receive human food often become food habituated and have to be put down.

• When not in immediate use, store all items with an odor in a bear-resistant food storage locker or in a hard-sided vehicle with doors locked and windows closed day and night. Do not leave coolers in the back of a truck or strapped to a rack.

• Only have the items out that you are actually using, and pack them away when finished.

• Do not leave any food items unattended. Even small items such as chips or candy can attract a bear.

• Remove all trash when leaving a picnic area. Place all garbage in a bear-resistant dumpster.

• If a bear enters the area, gather all food and retreat to a safe location.

• Feeding bears and other wildlife is illegal.

It all smells to a bear, please take care and lock it up! If in doubt, store it. Immediately report careless picnickers and all bear sightings to the campground kiosk or nearest ranger. Learn more about bear safety in the park.

Fires

Picnic areas that allow camp fires are String Lake, Catholic Bay, and Colter Bay. Fires at these picnic areas must be contained in the existing metal fire grates and are not allowed when fire restrictions are in place.

All fires must be properly extinguished when leaving the area. Read our fire regulations to learn more.

 

Picnic Areas

 

View the Tetons from the Cottonwood Creek Overlook

NPS Photo/J. Bonney

Cottonwood Creek Overlook

A popular area for photographs, the Cottonwood Creek Overlook has views of the Jimmy Manges cabin, park stock used by the summer trail crew, and the Teton Range. Enjoy the view of the horses and mules, but please do not feed or touch them. Manges' cabin is thought to be the first two story cabin in the valley.

The picnic area includes picnic tables and a vault toilet. Visitors can access Cottonwood Creek and the multi-use pathway.

 

String Lake is a popular area to picnic and swim

NPS Photo/E. Helton

String Lake Picnic Area

String Lake Picnic Area is one of the largest and most popular in the park. Tables are scattered along the lakeshore under a stand of lodgepole pines. The lake is the warmest in the park and is a popular place to swim, kayak, canoe, or play on a standup paddleboard. Check boating regulations before bringing a boat to String Lake.

Picnic tables, bear boxes, fire rings, and flush toilets are available at String Lake. Follow fire regulations when building a fire.

Bears frequent String Lake. Food should be stored in a bear box when not being used. Never abandon food or feed wildlife.

 

The Catholic Bay Picnic Area offers access to Jackson Lake

NPS Photo/A. Mattson

Catholic Bay Picnic Area

The Catholic Bay Picnic Area sits above Jackson Lake with a trail that leads down to the shore. This is one of the few picnic areas with fire grates. Follow fire regulations if having a fire. Picnic tables, a vault toilet, and trash and recycling are available.

Adjacent to the picnic area is the Chapel of the Sacred Heart, a historic chapel run by the Catholic Church. Visitors are welcome to visit the chapel.

 

The Jackson Lake Dam Picnic Area sits near the Snake River

NPS Photo/A. Mattson

Jackson Lake Dam Picnic Area

The Jackson Lake Dam Picnic Area is below the dam on the north side of the Snake River. Large cottonwood trees shade several picnic tables. Minimal facilities include a vault toilet and trash receptacles.

A short walk leads to the outwash from the dam. Many visitors launch non-motorized boats to float down the river toward Pacific Creek. The dam outflow is a popular place for fishing.

 

Two Ocean Lake is very secluded

NPS Photo/A. Mattson

Two Ocean Lake Picnic Area

The Two Ocean Lake Picnic Area is next to the parking lot and trailhead. A few tables, a fire grate, a vault toilet, and trash receptacles are available. Conifer trees provide some shade and the lake is visible.

Some visitors will carry their canoe or kayak through the shrubs to launch on the lake. A boat permit is required.

Mosquitos frequent Two Ocean Lake in the summer. Bring bug spray.

 

The yellow and golds of fall at Colter Bay

NPS Photo/A. Mattson

Colter Bay Picnic Area & Swim Beach

The Colter Bay Picnic Area and swim beach offers access to Jackson Lake. The area is popular during summer. Buoys mark off the swimming area to remind boats to remain out of the area.

Tables sit along the lakeshore and in the trees. Flush toilets and trash receptacles are available. Multiple sites have grills or fire rings. Follow fire regulations if starting a fire.

 

Sargents Bay Picnic Area

NPS Photo/C. Crawford

Sargents Bay Picnic Area

The Sargents Bay Picnic Area is a small picnic area in the northern part of the park. This minimal facility includes a few picnic tables and is ADA accessible.

For restrooms and trash receptacles, head south to Leeks Marina or north to Lakeview Picnic Area.

 

Arizona Island Picnic Area

NPS Photo/Peterson

Arizona Island Picnic Area

Arizona Island Picnic Area consists of a few tables in a meadow with mature forests surrounding. Enjoy the view while traveling to or from Yellowstone.

For restrooms and trash receptacles, drive north to the Lakeview Picnic Area, or south to Leeks Marina.

 

Lakeview Picnic Area

NPS Photo/A. MAttson

Lakeview Picnic Area

Lakeview Picnic Area is one of the larger picnic areas in the northern part of the park. Most of the tables are shaded by lodgepole pines. Some sites offer panoramic views of the northern Teton Range across Jackson Lake. Visitors can access Jackson Lake.

Facilities include picnic tables, a vault toilet, trash and recycling bins.

 

Flagg Canyon Picnic Area

NPS Photo/A. Mattson

Flagg Canyon Picnic Area

The Flagg Canyon Picnic Area is the first picnic area south of Yellowstone National Park. Visitors an access the Flagg Canyon trail and a boat launch for the Snake River. Lodgepole pines provide shade and make the site feel secluded.

The Flagg Canyon picnic area has picnic tables and a vault toilet.