Jenny Lake Lodge is the most romantic place to sleep inside Grand Teton National Park. It is a cluster of historic log cabins in a meadow at the foot of the Tetons, close to the shore of Jenny Lake. The peaks rise straight up behind the trees. Moose wander through. The night sky is dark enough for real stargazing.
What sets it apart is the Signature Stay. Your rate includes a gourmet breakfast and a nightly five-course dinner in the lodge dining room. It also covers cruiser bikes for the park pathway, horseback rides with the lodge's wranglers when space allows and daily activities. You can spend a week here and rarely reach for your wallet beyond drinks.
It suits couples who want a rustic, Old West setting with good food and real comfort. Cabins have no TVs and no air conditioning, by design. Wi-Fi is free. It is open only from June to early October and books up months ahead. Couples who want a big spa, a pool or nightlife should stay in Teton Village or Jackson. For a quiet, beautiful base in the middle of the park, there is nothing else like it.
Highlights at a glance
- Historic log cabins inside Grand Teton National Park
- Nightly five-course dinner included
- Cruiser bikes and horseback riding included
- Wood-burning stoves in the suites
- Steps from Jenny Lake trails
Why Couples Love Jenny Lake Lodge
The setting does most of the work. You wake to mountain air, walk to breakfast with the Tetons glowing in the morning light and spend the day hiking, riding or paddling. In the evening you sit on your porch with a drink, watching the light fade over the peaks.
The lodge has a calm, intimate feel because it is small and spread out. There is no lobby buzz and no crowd at the pool, since there is no pool. Instead there are rocking chairs, wood stoves and the sound of the wind in the pines. It feels a world away from the busy town of Jackson, about 40 minutes south. That sense of retreat is why many couples come back for anniversaries.
Cabins and Suites to Book
All accommodation is in historic log cabins with an Old West style, bathrobes, private bathrooms and mini fridges.
- Duplex cabins: two units joined by a shared wall and porch, with no connecting doors. The most affordable choice.
- Freestanding cabins: private cabins with a king bed or two queens and a rocking-chair porch. A good honeymoon pick.
- Suites: log cabins with a bedroom, a sitting parlor and a wood-burning stove. The best choice for most couples.
- Water Lily Premium Suite: the largest cabin, for two, with a sitting area, a wood stove, heated floors, double sinks and a Jacuzzi tub.
For a honeymoon, book a suite or the Water Lily. The wood stove makes chilly evenings feel cozy. Book up to a year ahead for summer.
Dining and the Signature Stay
The Dining Room is the heart of Jenny Lake Lodge. Dinner is a five-course prix fixe menu that rotates nightly, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The wine list has won awards. The room has a warm, candlelit feel. Dinner reservations are required, even for guests, so book your times when you confirm your stay.
The Signature Stay package includes breakfast and the nightly five-course dinner. It also covers cruiser bikes with access to the park's multi-use pathway, daily activities such as Wine and Wickets and horseback rides with the lodge's wranglers. Spots for riding are very limited, so ask about them early. Lunch is available in the dining room but costs extra. Drinks and gratuities are not included.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Grand Teton National Park is at your doorstep. Take the shuttle boat across Jenny Lake and hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Hike the String Lake loop or paddle a canoe on its calm water. Ride the lodge's cruiser bikes along the multi-use pathway toward Jenny Lake.
For wildlife, drive to Oxbow Bend at dawn or dusk to look for moose, elk and the occasional bear. Visit the barns on Mormon Row at sunrise. Float the Snake River with a guide. Yellowstone's south entrance is about an hour north, so a day trip is easy. Carry bear spray on every hike and keep a safe distance from all animals.
Getting There
Fly into Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), which sits inside the national park, about 30 minutes from the lodge. Direct flights run from several major US cities in summer. Rent a car at the airport. You will want one to explore the park and visit Jackson.
A park entrance pass is required. Buy one online or at the entrance station. The lodge is at about 6,800 feet, so take the first day easy and drink plenty of water. Nights can be cold, even in July, so pack warm layers. Cell service is limited around the lodge, though Wi-Fi is available.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who want to be inside Grand Teton with good food and no stress, Jenny Lake Lodge is worth the price. Expect roughly $1,000 a night and up for two in a duplex cabin, with suites much higher. Breakfast, a five-course dinner, bikes and activities are included, which balances the cost.
The trade-offs are simplicity and a short season. There is no air conditioning, no TV, no spa and no pool. Couples who want luxury hotel amenities should look at Teton Village or Jackson, then visit the park by day. Those who want a cabin in the trees, a fire in the stove and the Tetons out the window will find it hard to beat.
Insider tips
- Book a suite with a wood stove for chilly evenings.
- Ask about horseback riding the day you arrive; spots are very limited.
- Reserve your dinner times when you confirm your stay.
- Drive to Oxbow Bend at dawn for the best chance to see moose.
