Hiking in Grand Teton? 5 Ways Not to Be That Guy

The Tetons are stunning. The wildlife are wild. And when it comes to nature, you’re a guest, not a resident. You wouldn’t kick off your shoes and put your feet up on someone else’s coffee table, would you? If you’re ready to go hiking Grand Teton National Park (or any national park), here are five gentle ways to enjoy the great outdoors and still get invited back. 

1. Stay on the Trail

Have you ever looked at a pristine mountain meadow and thought, “Man, that would look even more picturesque if I stomped all over it?” No, you haven’t. And if you have, you’re a psycho. Trails exist to protect both you and the ecosystem. Stay on them. Your boots are not above the law.

2. Don’t Feed the Animals

Trust us, that squirrel doesn’t need your granola bar. Feeding them isn’t just bad for their health—it’s bad for everyone else’s when they come looking for more. You don’t want a hangry moose on your conscience.

3. Pack It In, Pack It Out

That orange peel? Trash. The tissue you dropped? Also trash. Even “natural” waste can mess with the ecosystem. If Mother Nature wanted your fruit snack wrappers all over, she would have put them there in the first place. 

4. Keep Your Distance

Animals are like your ex-girlfriend: they just need some space. Keep at least 25 yards from elk, and 100 yards from bears. Yes, that means a full football field between you and that mama brown bear, and trust us—when she sees you, it’s too late to call for a timeout. 

5. Don’t Be Loud

Nature already has a soundtrack—wind, birds, the gentle murmur of a brook. It does not connect to Bluetooth, so leave your speaker at home. Odds are pretty low that the hikers coming the opposite way came outside to hear Post Malone blasted at full volume. 

Learn more about hiking etiquette here.

Bonus Tip: Stay at Flat Creek Inn

Feel free to kick off your shoes and put your feet up wherever you want. We won’t mind. Whether you’re hiking Grand Teton or jaunting through Yellowstone, we hope to be your base camp while you explore all that the national parks have to offer. 

Ryan Kunz is a copywriter and freelance writer who writes on a variety of topics, including media, the outdoors, and whatever else strikes his fancy. He had to reach really deep for that football joke up there.