Jackson Lake Dam overlook + the scenic drive to get there in Grand Teton National Park ⛰ Wyoming travel blog

Hi there!

 

As it goes in Grand Teton National Park, there are many scenic views to see!

And one of the spots that you can go to for a scenic overlook is the Jackson Lake Dam overlook.

Here you can walk across a bridge to see Jackson Lake and the Teton mountain range on one side, and Snake River on the other side. The bridge goes over the Jackson Lake Dam, and there’s also a pedestrian walkway over it.

 

👆 United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation: Jackson Lake Dam and Reservoir, Minidoka Project

 

 

Driving the Grand Teton scenic loop drive to Jackson Lake Dam

 

You will find the Jackson Lake Dam overlook along the 42-mile Grand Teton Scenic Loop Drive.

This is an easy stop to make as you are driving along the scenic loop drive.

You’ll come across it as you’re driving.

The Jackson Lake dam parking is located right off the main road. There’s a parking lot for the Jackson Lake Dam overlook.

 

 

Cost to go to Jackson Lake Dam

Jackson Lake Dam is within the paid entry area of Grand Teton National Park.

 

 

So in order to go to Jackson Lake Dam, you need to pay the national park entry fee. In 2021, this was $35 per car for a 7-day pass. (There is no one-day pass.) See current fees.

 

👆 Cost of Grand Teton National Park entry fees in 2021.

 

If you will be visiting at least 3 national parks in one year, then you may want to consider getting the annual national parks pass.

 

 

Jackson Lake Dam in September 2021

 

For reference, my drive to Jackson Lake Dam was in late September 2021 around 8:30am.

The water levels of Jackson Lake were reported to be at historic lows.

 

More below about a quick stop to see Jackson Lake and Snake River from the Jackson Lake Dam Overlook!

 

 

⛰

 

 

 

Now…

Driving to Jackson Lake Dam

The Jackson Lake Dam is located on the northern side of the Grand Teton Scenic Loop Drive.

 

Explore the map.

 

Jackson WY to Jackson Lake Dam is around a 45 minute drive with no stops, and you will naturally end up on the eastern side of the Grand Teton scenic loop drive by following google maps, and this can be a good way to go. And then you can follow Teton Park Road which is the western side of the scenic loop drive to finish up the loop and to get back to Jackson Hole. (map)

Or, from Jackson Lake Dam, you can continue on to Yellowstone National Park! You’ll go to the northern side of Grand Teton National Park to get to Yellowstone. (Although if this is going to be your only time driving through Grand Teton National Park, then you will want to decide if you want to drive up the eastern side or the western side of the loop from Jackson to Yellowstone.)

Jackson Lake Dam to the Yellowstone National Park south entrance is around a 30 minute drive. So you can also make it along the way or a slight detour to the Jackson Lake Dam if you’re heading to Yellowstone. Your first “real” stop in Yellowstone can be West Thumb which is on the southern side of Yellowstone. See more about driving from Grand Teton to Yellowstone.

 

I started the drive to Jackson Lake Dam from just outside Bridger-Teton National Forest near the Hatchet Campground. I stayed in a budget room at the Hatchet Resort.

So to get to Jackson Lake Dam, I entered Grand Teton National Park at the Moran entrance, and this is how the drive is reflected below. If you are driving up from the south (like from Jackson) on the eastern side of the Grand Teton scenic loop drive, this is how it would go too.

 

 

Driving along from the Moran entrance to Jackson Lake Dam, you’ll pass by Oxbow Bend. This is one of the most popular photo spots in the park.

 

👆 The Oxbow Bend turnout is another spot where you can see the Snake River.

 

Then you’ll continue along until the Jackson Lake Junction. You’ll make a turn onto Teton Park Road.

 

 

Then you’ll continue driving with mountain views until you get to the Jackson Lake Dam! There will be a sign.

 

 

And then you’ll drive across the bridge (aka drive across the dam!) and there will be a parking lot on both sides of the road.

 

 

There is a parking lot on both the Jackson Lake side and the Snake River side.

 

👇 Jackson Lake Dam parking lot near Snake River.

 

👇 Jackson Lake Dam parking lot near Jackson Lake.

 

There is also a basic no-flush toilet near the Jackson Lake Dam on the the Jackson Lake side parking lot.

 

 

Then, you can walk around the Jackson Lake Dam! On one side you will see Snake River, and on the other side you will see Jackson Lake.

 

 

I missed out on this trail, but you can also take a short walk down to the Snake River! This will get you close to the river and also give you a different view of the dam!

 

 

The pedestrian walkway that goes across the bridge is on the Jackson Lake side.

 

 

And once you have taken in the views of Jackson Lake and Snake River, you can move on to more of the Grand Teton Scenic Loop Drive!

 

 

Next up you can drive to the Potholes turnout and Mount Moran turnout!

 

And that’s a bit about stopping at Jackson Lake Dam!

 

Plan more of your trip to Grand Teton and beyond:

• Grand Teton scenic loop drive
• Things to do in Grand Teton National Park
• Grand Teton to Yellowstone
• Things to do in Yellowstone National Park
• Yellowstone to Craters of the Moon

 

HAPPY DRIVING TO THE JACKSON LAKE DAM!