Grand Tetons hotels, cabins, lodgingThis page is info about (scroll down in this order) Colter Bay, Jackson Lake Lodge, Signal Mountain Lodge, Dornan's Spur Ranch Cabins, Jenny Lake Lodge, Flagg Ranch, Grand Teton Climbers Ranch, Luton's Teton Cabins, and Triangle X Ranch for the De Anza College Outdoor Club trips to Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.
It can be difficult to coordinate timing of activities if we don't all stay in the same area, so we've all stayed at Colter Bay for at least part of the time on previous trips.
If you will be staying in a Colter bay cabin, go directly to Grand Tetons trip equipment for details about the cabins and the logistics of sharing one.
If you want to get a better room, or even a suite with fabulous view, fireplace, fridge, etc, read on.
Most cabins, hotels, etc. in Grand Teton National Park are open only from early May to late September or early or mid October. Dornan's Spur Ranch is open year 'round.
Plan your trip well. Rooms cancellations with partial refunds are allowed with three to 30 days notice depending on the property. If you decide to suddenly change trip plans or camp instead of hoteling you will pay.
There has always been campground space in the vicinity during our fall trips.
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Below: an aerial photo with Colter Bay environs in the foreground and part of Jackson Lake. The cabins are towards the left of the visible buildings, the long stripe of buildings is the stores and restaurants, and the campground area is towards the right. There is a black and white aerial photo/map to go with this picture at Colter Bay, Grand Teton National Park.
The campground at Colter Bay (350 sites - six people max each-$18 in 2008) fills at around noon each day. (Jenny Lake (51 sites) is the 'preferred' campground for backpackers / climbers, but it is farther from where most of our activities will take place. It usually fills by 8 a.m.)
Colter Bay campground also has hiker/biker campsites for $7 per night per person. Communal camping with whoever shows up, (much like the pre-or-post backpack trip, if you have a backpack permit, walk-in campsites in Yosemite we have stayed at). No vehicle parking, therefor less security for your belongings, but if you only have one backpack full you can keep everything with you. Sometimes extra gear can be kept in a cabin someone rents.
The club owns lots of equipment that can be used on club events with refundable cleaning and late fee deposits. Details about equipment can be found at: Outdoor Club Equipment. Rentals will go much more smoothly if you have read Outdoor Club Sample Rental Agreement
Be adaptable. Even if you are certain you will not camp, bring tent, sleeping bag and insulated sleeping pad so you can if the opportunity or need arrives. Some years we have gotten a backcountry permit and kayaked in to a remote lake for a night of camping.
Colter Bay cabins have no air conditioning, phone or TV/radio. There are no lakeshore or mountain view units.
Many cabins have stall showers but no bath tubs.
Colter Bay cabins prices, according to the website in early 2008:
Colter Bay Village Daily Rates - 1 or 2 persons
$45 One Room (semi-private bath)
$89-$135 One Room (private bath)
$149 Two Rooms (connecting bath)
$179 Two Rooms (connecting bath, 1-4 persons)
3 day cancellation in 2008
There was (early 2008) an extra charge of $10 per person for people over the double or quad occupancies. Some units could sleep 6 or even ten people (extra rollaway beds are $10 per night).
Units with a short to moderate walk to the guest lounge, restaurants, Visitor Center, museum and marina are the 205-235 and 430s to 490s. The lower 400s and lower 200s are closest to the store.
If too many people in a cabin sharing a bath means too long of a wait, there are also public (pay $3.50?) showers at the Colter Bay laundromat, down the road from the cabins, 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. (+/-) next to the small grocery/gift shop.
below: the first two photos of the cabins area at Colter Bay and a cabin interior are from GTLC
   
and below, a typical bathroom and the view out a window, usually of parking spaces in front of cabins and/or of other cabins:
  
When we have a big group, we often share some of the two bedroom, one bath cabins. They are not all the same size, but here is a typical floorplan:
Each year we have had different roommate combinations:
a married couple in one bedroom and a single guy and two single girls in the other
a married couple in one bedroom and three women in the other
two single girls in one bedroom and four single guys in the other
a single guy and a single girl who were a bit richer each occupied one bedroom of a two bedroom cabin on one trip.
----- Colter Bay tent cabins with picnic table, wood stove, shared bathroom facilities, no showers, were (from the website in early 2008)
$43 One or two persons; $5 extra person; $5 cot
but they are usually closed by the time of our fall trips.
Colter Bay reservations well in advance are recommended. (The club often gets a few cabins well in advance.) Call 1(800)628-9988.
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In the GTLC photo below, the main Jackson Lake Lodge building is the tan rectangle at the top of the section of forest at the bottom of the picture, with the hotel cottages, parking lots and swimming pool below it. Colter Bay is just out of the photo to the right.
 
C = corral
G = gas station
H = highways 191/89, Jackson 35 miles, Yellowstone 19 miles, Colter Bay 6 miles
L = Jackson Lake Lodge main building
M = Medical Clinic (open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in 2008)
PL = outdoor swimming pools, weather permitting, but they have never been open during any of our fall trips. (Colter Bay cabins guests can use these.)
P = Lodge parking
W = Willow Flats overlook parking lot
When you enter the lodge main building from the main parking lot, you reach the lower lobby. The registration desk will be to your right, the public restrooms are down a hall on the right beyond the registration desk. There is a small gift shop/newsstand to the left. In front of you is the staircase to the upper lobby.
 
At the top is a huge seating area with floor to ceiling windows (two story, 60 feet tall) with Teton range views and WiFi. The Pioneer Grill counters and takeout are on the left, followed on the left by the Mural Room with its tall windows and views.
At the top of the stairs, turn around and to the left and right of the staircase area are clothes/gift shops and more restrooms.
At the far end of the upper lobby are doors to the large back deck looking out over Willow Flats. Some evenings a Ranger brings a spotter scope and answers questions.
Jackson Lake Lodge (rates from their website in early 2008)
$199 - $209 (non-view rooms)
$269 - $279 (view rooms)
Suites: $459 - $650
7 day cancellation in 2006
The two heated pools are open when weather permits, but have not been open during any of our early fall trips. There is a medical clinic on the grounds of Jackson Lake Lodge, open daytime hours. (St John's Medical Center in Jackson (24 hour) is at 625 E. Broadway at Redmond.)
Rooms 10 to 48 are in the main building.
To determine which rooms to ask for on the grounds, picture a slightly wavy rectangle of rows of two story hotel type units and one story cottages. (See aerial above).
At one end, building 900, that is 900 to 912 on the lower floor, and 901 to 911 upstairs, has the best views. 911 and 912 have bay-windowed sitting areas.
560 thru 578 (down) and 561 thru 579 have the next to the best views. 350 thru 364 (down) and 351 thru 365
(up) are the third best. Each of these buildings looks out across flats towards Jackson Lake. All the units upstairs have balconies (patios downstairs) with room to sit.
Most of the rest of the lodging (outside of the main building) is cottages. Units on the outside edges of the rectangle have views of trees, etc. from either the rear or front. Units in the inside of the rectangle have views out front and back windows of other cottages and cars.
Nearest to the main building, units 143-121 have tree views from their rear windows, units 119 to 101 have rear window views of the service road and main building. A large general parking area separates these from units 201 to 211. Each of these has tree views from their rear windows, but 201 and 203 have more potential noise and headlights from the main hotel entrance drive.
One row down from these, 212 to 246 front on sage slope/tree views (but 224 is next to a laundry room).
On the far side of the rectangle, two story units (up) 719 to 701 and (down) 716 to 700 look to parking from their fronts and trees out their backs.
They are followed by cottages 552 to 546, (544 is next to a supply closet), and 542 to 516 have tree views at their rear. 514 to 500 look out to the corral (but not too close).
100 to 146, 301 to 347, 300 to 346, 501 to 551 are in the center of this section of cottages and look out both front and back windows to other cottages/cars.
On the other side of the large general parking area, still at the far edge of lodging away from the main building, (801 and 803 again have the potential of noise from the main entrance road) 805 thru 817 front to trees. 819 is next to an ice machine and cleaning office. 825 (again across from the ice machine and cleaning office) to 835 also front on trees, but 835 is at an end closest to employee housing.
Between most of the 200 and 800 units are cottages that front and back to other cottages and cars. 200 to 210, 401 to 447, 400 to 446, 601 to 647, and 600 to 630.
Potential accommodations at Colter Bay and Jackson Lake Lodge can be previewed at http://www.gtlc.com You can order a color brochure at that site. The reservations number is: (800) 628-9988.
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Signal Mountain Lodge
http://www.signalmtnlodge.com/ has (2008 prices) rustic cabins from 123.50 to $157.50. Better rooms, some with views, fridge, gas fireplace, go up from there to $247.50. (2008) Seven day cancellation, (with a ten dollar per room per night fee, max $50), four or more rooms required 14 day notice. Pet fee $10 per night.
All rooms are non-smoking.
The facility is right on the shore of Jackson Lake with many units with great views.
The upper lakefronts are mostly level with the parking area and have a semi-private balcony. The lower lakefronts are a flight down stairs and have a shared porch.
No pets allowed in upper lakefronts. (2005) $10 per night pet fee.
Short walk to stores and Peaks restaurant (lines at peak times).
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At Moose, Dornan's Spur Ranch Cabins with complete kitchens and living/dining areas, steps from the river with Teton range views. http://dornans.com/cabins/
(307) 733-2522.
Dornan's rates from their website in early 2008:
"One bedroom cabin:
$175 - 205 summer season
$125-150 shoulder & winter season
Two bedroom cabin:
$250 summer
$175 shoulder & winter season
Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel your reservation thirty (30) or more days prior to your arrival, we charge a $50 processing fee. If you cancel your reservation within thirty days of your arrival, we retain your entire deposit."
All share a wall with another unit.
You can't park near/next to most cabins. (There are carts to move luggage). Cabins named Rimrock, Bearpaw, Willow, Hawthorn and Owen are closest to parking.
Larkspur and Cascade seem to have the best views.
Short walk to stores, deli, restaurant. Longer walk to park Visitor Center, etc. at Moose.
Moose, Wyoming has black and white aerial photo/maps.
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The photos below of Jenny Lake Lodge main lodge and dining room are from GTLC
 
Jenny Lake Lodge, just north of Jenny Lake, (prices from their website in early 2008),
"Nightly rates at this 4 diamond property include breakfast, dinner (Prix Fixe 5 course), horseback riding, and bicycling.
One room cabin (duplex style):
$550 (two persons)
Each additional person is $150 nightly
Suites:
$725-$785 (one or two persons)
Each additional person is $150 nightly
GTLC photo:
Not all of the 37 historic cabins, featuring exposed beams and handmade quilts, have great views. Cabins named Columbine or Chokecherry seem to have the best views of a few peaks. Alpine Aster and Bluebell have a few trees in the way. Most others look out at trees or other cabins.
No part of Jenny Lake Lodge is actually ON Jenny Lake or String Lake, but both are a short walk or bike ride away.
Potential accommodations at Jenny Lake Lodge can be previewed at http://www.gtlc.com You can order a color brochure at that site. The reservations number is: (307) 733-4647.
Jenny Lake was included by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine in the 50 best Hotels in North America (the only national park concessioner in the ranking) and received a Wine Spectator Award for Excellence.
There is a black and white aerial photo at:
String Lake and Jenny Lake Lodge vicinity
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Flagg Ranch is located on the banks of the Snake River two miles south of Yellowstone National Park and five miles north of Grand Teton National Park, a bit of a distance from where we have planned activities. They have log cabin rooms with bathroom and either two queen beds or one king bed. Some rooms have a view of the Tetons.
http://www.flaggranch.com/summer/
Take a virtual tour of a Flagg Ranch cabin at:
http://www.flaggranch.com/summer/lodging.shtml
Their website said in early 2007:
May 14 - October 17
$159.00/ $169.00 View Rooms
"Rates are based on double occupancy and are subject to change. $10 charge for each additional person over 17."
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Grand Tetons Climbers Ranch, near Moose headquarters, (2008) $16 per night per non-AAC member. Rate is $8 for AAC members (bring your card). Space is limited and first come, first served.
"The Climbers' Ranch is usually open from the middle of June through the middle of September. Office Hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily."
"Accommodations - The Climbers' Ranch offers dormitory-style accommodations in small log cabins that sleep 4-8 people each. The Ranch contains a cook shelter (including dish and pot washing facilities), toilet facilities and hot showers, a small mountaineering library and lounge, and limited storage space. Climbers must supply their own sleeping bags, pads, cooking equipment, food, towels, and other personal gear. To minimize impact on the surrounding environment, tent and trailer camping is not available at the Climbers' Ranch. Please do not leave pets unattended at any time. Pets are not allowed in the cabins.
"Cabin space is available on a first come first served basis. You may pay for several nights in advance. Once you have already paid for night's stay, we can hold space for you if you plan an overnight trip. We ask, however, that you clear your bunk to make space for others during your nights away. A limited amount of locker space is available."
Read more important info at:
http://www.americanalpineclub.org/pages/page/90
You can check availability online.
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Luton's Teton Cabins are 4 miles east of Moran Junction.
These log cabins have one and two bedroom units, (plus a queen sofa in the sitting area next to the kitchen), dining table/chairs, all with full kitchen (fridge w/freezer, four burner stove, oven with broiler, microwave, coffee maker, dishes) data ports, high speed internet and a front porch. The deluxe two bedroom units have the same kitchen appliances and a dishwasher, plus bigger beds (king replaces queen; queen replaces double bed). All non-smoking. Some units have long distance Teton views.
A short, passable dirt road takes you from the highway.
The units are arranged in one "L" shape. Unit 1 (2 bdrm) has a master bedroom view on its end. Units 2 on follow. Units A,B and C,D (delux) are at the other end with the office in between. All share a wall with another unit.
They can board your horse, but no pets.
(2008) 50% deposit required. "Your deposit (less $75) is refundable if your notice of cancellation is received at least 30 days in advance of your arrival date. Any changes in your reservation will need to be made 30 days prior to your arrival or you will be charged for nights reserved but not used."
Prices range from $195 to $336 per night, depending on size and season. (2008)
http://www.tetoncabins.com/
In July 2008 the scenic photos at the website were not at the property, for example, the second and next to last photos on the page, of Oxbow Bend in the park.
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Triangle X Ranch, a working ranch, 2008 summer weekly rates per person, per week (plus 15% service charge and Wyoming tax):
Three-Bedroom Cabin: 6 people $1500, 5 people $1680
Two-Bedroom Cabin: 5 people $1500, 4 people $1630, 3 people $1880
One-Bedroom Cabin: 3 people $1500, 2 people $1755, Single $2120
includes lodging, meals, horseback riding and all ranch activities
Off the main highway, north of Deadman's Bar and south of Moran Junction.
http://www.trianglex.com/
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For info about lodging in the nearby town of Jackson, closer to the restaurants, shopping, art galleries, aerial tram, western shows and the offices of most of the rafting companies:
The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce site is at:
http://www.jacksonholechamber.com/chamber/index.php
Another big site of info is at:
http://www.jacksonholenet.com/
and yet another is at:
http://www.jacksonholewy.net/
There are dozens of lodging choices in the town of Jackson, but it is 30 miles from where most of our very early morning kayaking will take place.
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Info about the hotels and cabins in Yellowstone is at:
http://www.ynp-lodges.com/
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There are dozens of restaurants in Jackson. They vary from burgers, Chinese, Mexican, sushi, pasta, Italian, steakhouse to four-stars with an award-winning wine list. Most lean towards family or casual atmosphere.
Restaurants in the park are non-smoking, most others in Wyoming and Montana allow smoking. See also: Grand Tetons restaurants
Jackson Hole, Wyoming has a description of the main streets and how to find grocery stores, K Mart, hardware, Teton County library, St John's Medical Center / hospital and more.
The main De Anza College Outdoor Club Grand Tetons trip information page is at Grand Tetons
See also: Grand Tetons kayaking
Grand Tetons sightseeing
Yellowstone
Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park photos
Grand Tetons trip pages index has brief descriptions of most of the pages about this trip.
Grand Tetons trip transportation has flight info, driving distances and guesses at gas cost, previous trip examples, etc.
Grand Tetons trip cost has examples of
The cheap trip,
The not-so cheap trip,
The slightly more costly trip, but less driving time,
also known as the I-can't-get-much-time-off-work trip,
and The expensive trip.
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