Golden Days at Schwabacher

Referred to as “Schwabacher Landing,” this location has become one of the four most photographed spots in Grand Teton National Park. 

The actual location that has become so popular to include in photo collections is at the end of a rough dirt access road followed by a five minute trail walk to the prime location. That locale offers still, reflective backwaters of the Snake River and a natural framing of the Grand flanked by its cohorts with mostly conifer trees symmetrically framing out the scene.

On our trip to this location in 2024 however, we noticed another parking turnout for just a few cars, some distance before the road’s end where most people go. We stopped, found a trail down to the river and realized that we had struck gold in the fall sense. Following a branch of the Snake River that flows through here, we found one photo opportunity after another. The changing cottonwoods, willows and other shrubs had transformed the Snake River bottomland. Other than a conveniently placed moose, we had everything we could want – clear blue sky with some clouds that did not obscure the peaks, numerous opportunities to frame out the peaks with the surrounding trees, just the right amount of color and the reflective and clear waters of the river.

Schwabacher Landing acquired its name from a family of German immigrants who homesteaded nearby in this area in the late 1800’s. Until the river changed its course, this “landing” served as a boat launch and landing to access the river. From 1929 to about 1950, John D. Rockefeller purchased much of this land to donate to the park, which originally only included the mountain range and a narrow strip of land at the eastern base. Today, Schwabacher Landing enjoys full park protection.