Halfway through our yearlong road excursion, we were sitting in Seattle trying to determine where to venture next. Suddenly, Alysha burst into the room to inform me that she had secured camping reservations at Yellowstone, which you may know are some of the most difficult reservations in the nation to obtain.
From there, we ended up making a large loop from the Pacific Northwest out to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, through Colorado and Utah, and back home to California. Along that route – which included 12 national parks – Grand Teton was in our top three. We enjoyed the combination of rocky mountain peaks, excellent hiking, and the incredible array of wildlife.
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Below, you’ll discover a local`s manual for the best treks in Grand Teton National Park.
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Table of Contents
An Overview of the Grand Tetons
Having grown up in the Tetons, I certainly took for granted being so near to the majestic, magical landscapes of the Grand Tetons, which were literally a short distance from my home. Though I no longer reside there, I regularly reflect on the natural splendor of where I had the fortune of being raised.
The Tetons range is undoubtedly the most dramatic mountain landscape I have seen, seeming to rise nearly vertically 7,000 feet from the flat western plains. The wildlife and plant species are equally impressive—from huckleberries to moose, bears to lupines, lichen, wolves, sagebrush, marmots, aspen forests, trout, elk, yarrow, porcupines, and the list continues…
When the rest of the American West can sometimes seem dry and arid, Grand Teton National Park is comparatively abundant, with countless lakes, rivers, waterfalls, streams, and glacial melts providing life to every species. It truly does deserve the attention it receives.
Tips for Hiking in Grand Teton National Park
Before embarking on your Grand Teton adventure, let`s briefly discuss some things you need to know.
National Park Pass vs. Pay-per-Day
You will need to pay an admission fee to enter the park. An America the Beautiful Annual Pass (which allows entry into any national park and also covers parking fees at most national monuments or national forest trailheads) costs $80, and a single day pass into any national park, per vehicle, is $30.
The America the Beautiful Pass is worthwhile for its $80 cost if you plan to visit at least three National Parks in the next twelve months.
Parking and Crowds
Given Grand Teton National Park is one of the most frequented national parks in the United States and parking space is constrained, I always recommend guests interested in any of the hikes detailed arrive early in the morning (no later than 9:00am ideally), or, for shorter routes, come later in the afternoon for optimized parking chances.
Arriving at peak summer afternoons can equate to delay, awaiting now-vacant parking areas to clear.
The Laurance S. Rockefeller Center parking lot (parking for Phelps Lake) is notably small (50 car slots) and fills up rapidly. Parking lines directed by park rangers are frequent at this center. Lupine Meadows Trailhead parking (for access to Delta, Surprise, and Amphitheater lakes) also fills up quickly.
Jenny Lake Ferry
The Jenny Lake Ferry is an amenity of the park that I recommend utilizing for many of the Jenny Lake area hikes on this list.
As numerous trails launch from the western shore of the lake—three miles from the Visitor Center parking—the ferry is a great way to initiate or conclude longer hikes to help reduce elevation and distance.
The ferry costs $10 one way / $18 round trip for adults, or $8 one way / $10 round trip for children.
Elevation Acclimation and Altitude Sickness
There is quite an extensive elevation in the park (6,800 feet at the valley floor, and the Grand Teton is 13,776 feet tall), so many of the hikes on this list involve significant elevation gain, and visitors should be cognizant of trying strenuous high-altitude hikes without first adapting to the elevation. Symptoms of altitude sickness include nausea, headaches, and shortness of breath.
A general prudent guideline is to start slowly and do some less strenuous hikes in the area before attempting ascents or summits of anything. Any of the lake loops on this list would be ideal for the initial days of your trip!
Sun Exposure
Due to the high elevation and sometimes sparse vegetation while hiking up canyons, mountains, and over boulder fields in Grand Teton National Park, hikers are more susceptible to direct sunlight and stronger UV rays. Be sure to apply sunscreen consistently throughout the day (Matt and Alysha here – we really like Sun Bum!).
I also advise bringing a good set of shaded eyeglasses. Glasses are particularly useful for any hikes that involve snowfields, as snow behaves as a reflector and can be blindingly bright. I have fair eyes and skin tone, and remembering sunscreen and sunglasses has hugely improved my hiking experiences in the Tetons.
Unpredictable Weather
People hiking in Grand Teton National Park need to prepare for changeable weather conditions. As described earlier, summer provides the easiest season for hiking in the Tetons. Still, summer thunderstorms and rain frequently develop quickly without warning, so having additional layers of clothing, wind and rain gear packed, and shoes with traction can help travelers stay safe, dry, and warm.
Hydration
Similar to hiking anywhere, water is undoubtedly significant to carry. Some of the listed hikes below are very long and taxing, and water supply is necessary for protection. Happily, there are plenty of mountain streams, rivers, and glacial lakes along the way. I advise packing a water purifying tool for more extended hikes like those to Lake Solitude and Cascade Canyon, or Delta, Surprise, and Amphitheater Lakes. An extra benefit of purifying water at those glacial lakes and rivers is having an ice-cold refreshing bottle for the exposed and dusty way down!
Wildlife Safety
Bear spray plays an essential safety role in Grand Teton National Park, similar to all national parks in the Rockies. Visitors should possess basic knowledge about properly employing bear spray during risky encounters, keeping the spray easily reachable on their pack or belt. I`ve been fortunate to not require using bear spray but had a few close calls where realizing my accessible spray and familiarity with its use gave me peace of mind while hiking in Grand Teton National Park.
If you are only planning on hiking for a few days, consider temporarily renting bear spray. Rental shops in Jackson provide good tutorials on how to utilize bear spray for novice or beginner hikers — take a look at Teton Backcountry Rentals for bear spray rentals ($8/day for the initial two days, then $4 a day for following days), crampon rentals, and other gear. You cannot bring bear spray on aircraft, so short-term rental is a cost-effective choice for visitors traveling to the Tetons by air!
Additionally, making noise or carrying a bear bell, especially while traversing through huckleberry patches, is an effective way to alert nearby wildlife to your passing through. Wildlife are much less likely to startle, charge, or attack if they are conscious of nearby hikers.
It is important to note that bears are not the only wildlife in Grand Teton National Park that could pose a danger. Please maintain your distance from moose, elk, or bison and do not attempt to interact with them at all. As a general rule, do not approach or feed any animals—including smaller creatures like chipmunks.
Visitors to the park are free to observe sights from a safe distance for part of the experience, but should not touch or attempt to help baby or injured animals without training if encountered.
Leave No Trace
Finally, it is always significant while hiking in Grand Teton National Park, or in any other park, reserve, or outdoor area, to practice Leave No Trace principles. Conservation is a massive issue of generosity and federal protection in the Tetons, though folks sometimes neglect that the smallest behaviors also accumulate and can impact local ecosystems. Especially with wildlife living on and around the same trail systems that hikers use, please ensure to pack in what you pack out.
The Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park (From South to North)
Here are my top recommendations for day hikes in Grand Teton National Park, arranged from the park`s southern extremity to the north.
Phelps Lake
- Length: 7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 475 ft.
- Trail Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trailhead Location
As a local, Phelps Lake is perhaps my favorite place in Grand Teton National Park to take visiting friends.
The trailhead initiates at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center, at the beginning a dude ranch called JY Ranch. The center is worthwhile a visit preceding or after partaking in Phelps Lake Loop; visitors can gain knowledge about Rockefeller’s conservation magnanimity, antique ranch chronicle, and sensory exhibits on flora and wildlife.
From the Preserve Center, the path enters a woodland and at some point (around a quarter mile from the parking lot) comes to a junction where hikers can opt either the Woodland Trail or Lake Creek Trail. The Woodland trail, which heads counter-clockwise around Phelps Lake, is the most direct route to the lake loop, and is also the most scenic.
Comparable to various lake loop trails on this rundown, Phelps Lake Loop includes little ascent change and generally streaks along the shoreline after an initial mile and a half of wilderness and ascent pick up. Turning counterclockwise on the loop, the climb gives consistent and dramatic perspectives of the Teton Mountain Range and Death Canyon.
Situated on the northeastern shore of Phelps Lake is one of my favorite features of Grand Teton National Park: an iconic and popular jumping location with magnificent views of Death Canyon. The jump necessitates an exciting thirty-foot drop into cold mountain water. You won’t have the ability to miss the jumping location, as there are forever local teenagers and touring hikers stopping to sun-bath on it and jump off it into the deep glacial water below. Even if you don’t wish to jump, it’s an entertaining stop on the trail. Eat a snack, rehydrate, and watch jumpers throw backflips, spins, and dives into the lake.
If you choose to participate in jumping, ensuring someone captures a photograph of you in mid-air is recommended. I have a fear of heights and falling, so I only allowed peer pressure to influence me into leaping off that rock once. I’m glad I did it that one time for the photo taken of me mid-fall, with Death Canyon also plummeting wildly in the background.
Taggart Lake Loop
- Length: 3.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 419 ft.
- Trail Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead Location
Taggart Lake is the next lake and prominent hiking destination further up from Phelps Lake. This trail doesn`t rely as heavily on shoreline hiking. Rather, the Taggart Lake Loop takes visitors along well-maintained pathways alongside Taggart Creek, over bridges with views of cascading waterfalls, past the National Park Service horse facilities, and through aspen groves with golden-yellow foliage during fall. If you visit during autumn, this is a great loop trail due to the lower elevation and colorful aspens.
The starting point for the hike is clearly designated at the Taggart Lake Trailhead. Approximately one tenth of a mile into the walkway splits, directing toward Beaver Creek. Continuing right maintains the Taggart Lake Trail. If traveling in spring or early summer, a counter-clockwise route is suggested, as some uphill sections possess noteworthy inclines where surfaces may be slippery.
Once at Taggart Lake, there is excellent beach access available. As with any of the lake loops, Taggart Lake is a prime location for wildlife sightings, especially moose. It`s a great place to take a break and soak in the sunlight and mountain views.
A optional side trail branches off from Taggart Lake Trail leading to Bradley Lake, adding scenic terrain and increasing the distance to approximately 6 miles rounding out the elevation gain to 761 feet.
Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes
- Distance: 10.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 3,000 ft.
- Trail Type: Out and back
- Difficulty: Hard
- Access Point
The lot for Lupine Meadows Trailhead (the trailhead to use for Surprise, Amphitheater, and Delta Lakes) is unpaved, though larger than some of the paved lots in the park. Regardless, it fills up swiftly. Overflow visitors usually park alongside the dirt road, though I’m unsure if that’s legal. Suffice to say, arriving here early is necessary for a few reasons: limited parking, the length of these trails, and the exposed terrain and altitude of these hikes.
The Lupine Meadows Trail begins on flat terrain along several boardwalk areas over meadows, aspen groves, and pines with serene valley views. However, the path quickly climbs steeply along a ridge. Hikers are rewarded with early lookouts of the landscape below including Bradley and Taggart Lakes. After two miles, the trail employs switchbacks to traverse the terrain.
I truly appreciate the switchbacks on this hike. They provide hikers constant perspectives of low-elevation lakes, the sprawling valley below, and throughout the summer the hillside is covered in wildflowers including mountain lupine, indian paintbrush, columbine, and so many additional kinds. And, though the switchbacks do amplify the distance, they make this steep hike a lot more feasible for the average hiker.
Regardless of the trail`s winding route, I recommend bringing walking poles for assistance. Also, much of this hike has little tree cover during the more difficult sections. Be sure to bring adequate water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and headwear to shield your face and shoulders from the sun.
Unlike the trail to Delta Lake (which is unmarked and untreated), this trail is clearly marked with signs pointing the way to Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes for the entire ascent. After the switchbacks, guiding signs will bring you through high-elevation meadows along the path to the two glacial pools.
Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes are merely a quarter mile apart, and both yield rewarding perspectives of the iconic Grand Teton, Middle Teton, Disappointment Peak, Mt. Owen, and Teewinot. The historical location of early camps for scaling the Grand, these lakes are as close as you can get to these mountain peaks without actually reaching the summits. They are gorgeous glacial lakes, and so gratifying after the steep and demanding ascent.
Delta Lake
- Length: 8.1 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,316 ft.
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Starting point
Also accessed at the Lupine Meadows trail, Delta Lake has become one of the most popular attractions in Grand Teton National Park, but only recently did it rise to the top of the list. It was a very well kept local’s secret until the progression of geo-tagging on Instagram and apps like AllTrails. To this day it isn’t a marked or maintained trail on park maps, though plenty of visitors know how to access it from online forums or word of mouth.
Hikers on the Lupine Meadows Trail heading toward Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes should follow guidance above. Upon reaching switchbacks, count six before a marked trail leads to Delta Lake.
At the sixth bend in the trail, there will be a clearly marked intersection offering the choice to continue straight towards Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes, or turn left towards Garnet Canyon. Proceed straight ahead, still heading for Surprise and Amphitheater. When the trail turns for a seventh bend at the end of the sixth, an unmarked but well-trodden path will veer down into a pine woodland (though makeshift steps have been installed, this trail has endured weathering). Take this offshoot and follow the route as it descends into the pines.
This final mile-long section of the trail presents numerous technical obstacles: fallen pine trees must be climbed over or underneath, followed by a boulder field of granite with rock cairns to guide the proper direction, and then an extremely steep and silty path directly upwards a bare face. On the descent, I have slid down parts sitting – it`s that steep. I don`t recommend this hike to all solely because of the last steep mile on that unmaintained offshoot.
However, the effort required to arrive at Delta Lake is surely justified once there. Delta Lake is truly extraordinary, a place close to heavenly paradise located below the peak of the Grand Teton and nestled between the Middle Teton, Owen, and Teewinot mountains, it consists of a smaller lake of milky turquoise glacial water, granite rocks, and drifting pine trees. In my view, it might be one of the most beautifully scenic places on earth.
I’m uncertain if I can recommend swimming in the lake— the glacial water is at a constant near-freezing temperature—but brave souls do venture in. It’s too shallow in most parts to jump or dive in (please don’t try, you truly have no idea what you’re diving into with how murky-opaque the water is), but there are access points to insert feet in or wade out to.
Despite immense popularity, wildlife sightings along and near this trail are still regularly reported. I once came across an elk with velvety antlers standing precisely on the sixth switchback. The last time I hiked this trail, I spotted a grizzly bear scratching a tree only half a mile from the parking lot.
Jenny Lake Loop
- Length: 7.9 miles
- Elevation Gain: 623 ft.
- Trail Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trailhead Location
The Jenny Lake Loop trail system in Grand Teton National Park is perhaps the most accessible and popular route, for reasons including little change in elevation, it being the second largest lake in the park, and despite heavy traffic, remains serene and beautiful all along. The trail mainly edges the shores of the lake and provides constant and rich views of the Teton Mountain Range.
After exiting the Teton Park Road at South Jenny Lake, visitors will park at the lot adjacent to the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. It is from there that the trail starts, offering hikers an option to hike clockwise or counterclockwise.
Hikers travel the trail in both a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, with many only hiking halfway and returning by boat. Based on my experience, those starting at String Lake heading counterclockwise encounter fewer other walkers.
Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls
- Length: 1.8 miles (from Jenny Lake ferry dock)
- Elevation Gain: 410 ft.”
- Trail Type: Out & Back”
- Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
- Trailhead Location
Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point take you away from the shores of Jenny Lake and into the coniferous forests and huckleberry meadows of Grand Teton National Park.
From the boat dock, follow signs for Cascade Canyon Trailhead. Travellers will initially spot indicators guiding to Hidden Falls a little under half a mile up Cascade Canyon trail from the boat dock. It’s a quick detour (0.1 miles) off the trail to the falls. Hidden Falls is highly impressive and grand, plummeting glacial water one hundred feet down granite staircases.
Returning to the trail and continuing toward Inspiration Point, you will depart the coniferous forests and huckleberry meadows behind to scale up a steeper trail, returning to grand views of the Grand Teton, Mt. Owen and Teewinot. Inspiration Point is only an added mile from Hidden Falls, and well worth the ascent.
Due to its accessibility via ferry from Jenny Lake Visitor Center, this short-but-packed hike is also heavily frequented, perhaps the most heavily used of any of the hikes on this list. However, the views of cathedral-like mountains, symphony of crashing water at the falls, and smell of coniferous pine in the air make this one of my favorite hikes in the park.
If you choose to skip the ferry, these attractions will be roughly six miles round trip from Jenny Lake Visitor’s Center (hiking counterclockwise around the lake), with approximately 600 feet of elevation gain.
Cascade Canyon
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- Distance: 9.1 miles (from Jenny Lake ferry dock)
- Elevation Gain: 1,102 ft.
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Difficulty: Moderate / Hard
- Location of Trailhead
Cascade Canyon Trail also begins at the west dock of Jenny Lake, accessible via ferry. The trail leads up past Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, and then onwards towards the Cathedral Group of Teton Mountains (the Grand Teton, Mt. Owen, and Teewinot).
Cascade Canyon within Grand Teton National Park is unique compared to other canyons as it is rather narrow with a sizable river flowing through its entire length. Hikers will walk beside this waterway for much of the trail. Due to perpetual water access and the trail`s duration, wildlife including moose and bears can often be seen. Matt and Alysha observed five moose during their journey here, and I too have witnessed several moose and a single black bear.
Approximately four miles from the Jenny Lake boat dock, the trail splits into North and South Cascade Trails. You can opt from there whether to continue hiking up the North Trail, which ultimately leads to Lake Solitude, a stunning yet isolated glacial lake (see guide below), or the South fork, which winds along the back side of the Grand Teton. The South Trail is less used, but equally as beautiful and has views of additional waterfalls along the route.
If you choose to skip the ferry ride, this hike will be 14.6 miles round trip from Jenny Lake Visitor’s Center, with approximately 1,300 feet of elevation gain.
Lake Solitude (via Cascade Canyon)
- Length: 14.2 miles (from Jenny Lake ferry dock)
- Elevation Gain: 2,500 ft.
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Difficulty: Hard
- Trailhead Location
The information above regarding the Cascade Canyon hike provides most hiking details. As a local and experienced hiker, I would absolutely suggest starting this hike using the Jenny Lake ferry. If you skip the ferry, this hike will be 20 miles roundtrip from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center with about 2,700 feet of elevation gain. Taking the ferry shaves off miles and allows more relaxation time in the high elevation meadows and wetlands near Lake Solitude.
However, this trail exhibits a more gradual hiking grade than other hikes on this list. If you are searching for a very long but moderate hike, or even a multi-day moderate backpacking trip, this could be a good canyon and lake option to consider. Cascade Canyon generally functions as great access to a grand network of backpacking routes in the upper Tetons.
For example, the Paintbrush-Cascade Loop is a highly rewarding multi-day backpacking trail in Grand Teton National Park connecting Cascade Canyon and Lake Solitude to String Lake through the Paintbrush Divide. The park service recommends checking with a ranger at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center to discuss conditions in the Paintbrush Divide, as it holds snow until late July and can be dangerous without necessary equipment.
String Lake
- Length: 3.7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 291 ft.
- Trail Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead Location
String Lake is a pleasantly short, easy hiking loop that I would advise for hikers of any experience level.
Moose appreciate resting in the shallow waters of this lake on their lengthy legs, chomping on plants near the river and lake. It’s no wonder this is the hike where I have frequently seen moose.
It’s also quite simple to find lake trout in the shallow areas of the water on this hike, particularly with a good set of polarized sunglasses. On most days, hikers can observe not just moose and trout in the shallow shores of this lake, but also a handful of fly fishers too. The stream connecting String Lake to Jenny Lake is full of leaping trout, and serves as a popular fishing spot (for humans and bears) within the park.
Moreover, while numerous of the lakes on this list highlight the Grand Teton as the premier gem of the mountain range, String Lake spotlights a highly deserving Mt. Moran. You can also choose to add a mile to your journey and hike to Leigh Lake from String Lake trailhead; Leigh Lake has an even better view of Mt. Moran.
String Lake stands out as one of the most serene and peaceful hikes in the park.
Getting to Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park lies between Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park, with many facilities bordering the park or found nearby. It has a smaller size than Yellowstone or Glacier, which makes traveling to most of the destinations in this guide within just a few days relatively easy—although there are plenty of hikes and explorations in the park that could fill up an entire week or two (or my whole childhood). With that said, this list will hopefully provide you with some knowledge of the best hikes in the park, as well as what to expect during your visit.
There are four entrance points to the park:
- The main access point in the south of the park is the Granite Canyon Entrance, best if coming from Wilson, Wyoming, as it is located a few miles past Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
- The most visited entryway is the Moose Entrance, with the quickest route to Jenny Lake for those approaching from Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
- Situated to the north is the Moran Junction Entrance, closest to Jackson Lake.
- The entrance linking Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park via the Rockefeller Parkway is the North Entrance.
For efficiency purposes, I will be listing the best hikes in the park from the southern end to the northern end, since Wilson and Jackson are the closest nearby towns situated to the south of the park. Additionally, there is an airport within the park closest to the Moose entrance. It`s the only commercial airport located in a national park, and flying amongst the towering Tetons is certainly worth the airfare.
If entering Yellowstone is part of your plan, you could reorder this list for easier navigation and efficiency.
When to Go Hiking in Grand Teton National Park
Regardless of the season you opt to take a hiking trip in Grand Teton National Park, there are always benefits that considerably outweigh the downsides.
Summer is the busiest season. Throughout the meadows and mountainsides full of wildflowers, there are also abundant patches of huckleberries, near-constant wildlife sightings, lakes and streams in full flow, and temperate air. The hiking trails in Grand Teton National Park are best maintained during the summer months (June through August). However, if hiking through mud and snow does not bother you, autumn and spring are also splendid times to hike, and see less crowds.
Autumn brings exquisite scenery to the Tetons, with aspen trees transforming to yellow and moose roaming wetlands in search of final foliage before winter`s long rest. September and October normally see fewer visitors, allowing for easier parking and less crowded trails. Provided one packs and plans accordingly for the weather conditions, fall offers a wonderful time for hiking in Grand Teton National Park.
Winter can be an unforgiving time to visit the park with little hiking opportunities, but in my view, the Tetons look even more majestic coated in fresh, white snow. With snow, the mountains appear twice as large. Though hiking may be unavailable, you can drive and see bison and elk migrations, or rent cross country skis or snowshoes to trek on closed roads.
Spring, like fall, can be a great time to hike, conditions allowing. I would suggest sticking to lower-elevation lake loops during the spring season, as any elevation-gain paths may be slick with packed ice and mud from glacial melt.
Significant snowfall will still cover trails in the shoulder months of May and October. Generally, lower elevation paths like around Jenny Lake and String Lake will mostly lack snow, but may remain muddy or slippery.
Grand Teton National Park is open all year, though many roads are closed November through May due to winter conditions. For details on which roads are open during the fall, winter, and spring, please see the GTNP roads report.
That’s all, folks!
