Night Sky Photography Workshop — Grand Teton National Park (Jackson Hole)

Jackson•easy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

3–4 hours

Fitness Level

Light mobility required—able to walk short distances on uneven ground and stand for extended periods.

Overview

Learn to photograph the Milky Way framed by the jagged Teton crest on a private, four-hour workshop from Jackson Hole. Hands-on instruction, private transport, and site selection away from light pollution let photographers of all levels get striking night-sky images.

Night Sky Photography Workshop — Grand Teton National Park (Jackson Hole)

Other

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

The van eases off Highway 89 and the last band of headlights falls away. You step out onto a cold, gravel pullout and the Tetons rise, black and enormous, like cutouts against the stars. A guide sets up a tripod, checks a headlamp that glows red to preserve night vision, and gestures to the Milky Way as it slashes from horizon to zenith. The air smells of sage and late-summer sagebrush; the mountains don’t compete with the sky so much as complete it.

Adventure Photos

Night Sky Photography Workshop — Grand Teton National Park (Jackson Hole) photo 1

Adventure Tips

Tripod is non-negotiable

Bring a sturdy tripod—small movements ruin long exposures and cheap tripods can flex in wind.

Dress in layers

Even summer nights get cold; pack a warm jacket, hat and gloves to stay comfortable during long exposures.

Charge and back up

Bring spare batteries and a second memory card—long exposures and cold drain power quickly.

Scout from the car

Use the guide’s local knowledge but arrive with headlamp and comfortable shoes for short walks to better viewpoints.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Elk (often grazing near meadows at dusk)
Red fox and coyotes occasionally heard or seen in low-traffic areas

History

The Teton Range rose along a normal fault; the valley bottom was later shaped by glaciation and homesteading in the 19th century, creating the open, ranch-lined plains you see tonight.

Conservation

Minimize light pollution by using red headlamps and avoiding unnecessary illumination; follow Leave No Trace and stay on designated pullouts to protect fragile sagebrush soils.