Mormon Row Sunrise: How to Visit the Best Spot for Photography Lovers

Another one of the best photography and scenery spots at Grand Teton National Park is Mormon Row. We know you have seen photos! Visit this spot for an epic Mormon Row sunrise to have the best lighting and fewer crowds.

We recommend hitting this spot during your last morning exploring the Grand Tetons before heading north to Yellowstone National Park. But really, you can visit anytime. For more epic adventures in the area, check out our 10-Day itinerary in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks!

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Need to Know Info

• Visit Mormon Row at sunrise for the best lighting. Additionally, you can get some epic shots here during sunset as well.
• It’s best to visit the Grand Tetons during late June, July, or August. During these warmer months, you can hit the trails, and everything should be mostly snow-free along the trails in the higher elevations. Key word there…”should”.
• An entrance fee is required at Grand Teton National Park. We recommend getting an annual pass. The pass expires after one year, but it usually pays for itself if you visit enough parks in one year. Visit our gear page to purchase your America the Beautiful Pass online at REI’s website.

Mormon Row Sunrise

To get to Mormon Row, head north from Jackson Hole or south from Moran on Highway 191. From Jackson Hole, you’ll be looking for the turnoff on Antelope Flats Road. Note that this is a seasonal road and it’s usually closed from November – May.

When you arrive, there are two parking areas here – a north and south parking lot. You can technically park in one and walk to the other area, or drive between the two of them. Just look for the famous pink stucco house, and you have arrived!

North: John Moulton Homestead

From the north parking area, the John Moulton Homestead is located just to the north of the parking lot, including one of the famous barns and the pink stucco house

According to the National Park Service: “After nearly 30 years of working the land, John replaced his log home and barn with a new carpenter-constructed, pink stucco frame house and impressive, two-story gambrel barn north of Antelope Flats Road.”

It’s also said that the pink house was painted this color while John’s wife was in the hospital. He painted it pink for a homecoming gift to her, but apparently, she really didn’t like the color! However, she loved the thought behind the paint, and it has been pink ever since.

Take some photos here and enjoy the John Moulton Homestead with the Teton Range looming in the background before heading south to see the other barn. Did you know that John Moulton lived to be 103 years old?!

South: T.A. Moulton Barn

Head south from the John Moulton Homestead on the dirt road to reach the T.A. Moulton Barn. You can walk or drive. This is the second famous barn on Mormon Row that you can’t miss. T.A. stands for Thomas Alma Moulton, brother of John Moulton.

Per the National Park Service, “T. A. took over 30 years to build his gable-with-shed style barn. Photographers from around the world stop by T. A. Moulton’s barn to capture this iconic historic structure with the Teton Range in the background.”

At sunrise, the lighting from behind washes over the barn with the amazing Teton Range standing tall in the distance. You’ll definitely see why photographers from all over the world come here just to get some epic pictures!

Animal Safety in Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park has a diverse range of animals living in the park. Grizzly bears, black bears, moose, elk, bison, squirrels, snakes (not venomous!), marmots, and eagles are just a few of the animals you might see.

Always carry bear spray while hiking in the Tetons. Purchase your bear spray near the park in Jackson, or rent it from somewhere if you don’t plan on keeping it. Make sure to review the steps to take if you encounter a bear during your adventure. Also note that bear spray is NOT allowed on aircraft in checked or carry-on luggage.

Before hiking, learn how to spot the difference between grizzly and black bears and what to do if you see one. That being said, it’s unlikely that you will have an aggressive animal encounter, but always be prepared. As always, when hiking in bear country, do NOT leave food in your car!

Safety and Weather in Grand Teton National Park

• Cell phone coverage could be spotty in certain areas of Grand Teton National Park.
• Don’t forget to bring your bug spray. Get our favorite here!
• Plan on letting a family member or friend who isn’t on the trip with you know where you’ll be each day while exploring. If you get lost, this will aid in your rescue.
• Water: It’s recommended to carry at least 1 liter of water for every 5 miles you are hiking. Carry a water bladder instead of those pesky plastic bottles!
• Food: There are limited food options near the Grand Tetons. However, Signal Mountain Lodge offers dining at The Trapper Grill.
• The weather can vary depending on your location in the park. Higher elevation areas will be cooler, especially in and around the forested and shady areas of the park. You may even see snow at high elevations in the summer months. Be aware of afternoon thunderstorms and the threat of lightning from July through August. Check out the current conditions on the national park website.

Where to Stay

We recommend staying in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, while exploring the Grand Teton National Park. This is a great home base offering plenty of lodging and restaurant options. Check out some of the best places to stay below:

• The Rockwell Inn: Luxury accommodations in Jackson Hole. Begin each day with a hearty breakfast. Free parking, an on-site pool and hot tub, and fresh-baked cookies in the afternoon.
• Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole: Just minutes from downtown. Rooms feature private fireplaces and views of Wyoming’s surrounding wild beauty. Pet friendly, hot tub, and a restaurant on site.
• Flat Creek Inn: This roadside motel is located directly across from the National Elk Refuge. Clean and comfortable. This is one of the closest hotels to Grand Teton National Park, situated just north of Jackson Hole. We had a great stay here during part of our trip!
• Cobblestone Hotel & Suites – Victor, ID: A newer hotel offering free breakfast. However, this hotel is about 1.5 hours from Grand Teton National Park. That being said, it’s possible it could be cheaper than others in Jackson Hole during the high season. We stayed here due to this exact reason. We loved it!

Final Thoughts

The Mormon Row sunrise was as epic as we had pictured in our minds. We literally had the place to ourselves when we arrived just after sunrise to get some photos of these famous spots in Grand Teton National Park.

We spent about 30-45 minutes here exploring the two sites and learning about the history of the Moultons. After that, we began our trek north toward Yellowstone National Park in hopes of another 4 days of epic hikes, wildlife, and scenery. We started at the West Thumb area, which is a great introduction to Yellowstone!