Oxbow Bend
Have you ever experienced elbow-to-elbow shooting with a hundred photographers? That's a common scene when fall colors are peaking at the Oxbow Bend turnout during the final week of September or first week of October.
Camaraderie or competition depends upon if someone steps into your scene, but either way there is a reason it is so popular. Even without the peak fall colors Oxbow Bend can provide a picture perfect view of Mt. Moran, a peak that is unique in shape and farther down the range from the Grand Teton.
A pullout provides easy parking next to the river, located between the parks north entrance and Jackson Lake.
Sunrise is the best time to capture the glassy reflection in the Snake River that flows into the shape of an oxbow as viewed on a map. Some choose to shoot from the level of the parking lot while others will hike through the willows down to the waters edge. (Be considerate to not get in others photo) Some photographers hike down the road to include more of the range, including a tip of the Grand peaking over a ridgeline.
This area is also popular for Moose if you explore along the gravel road leading to Cattleman's Bridge.
Photo by Jonathan Adams