Top Things to do in Grand Teton National Park
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Things to do in Grand Teton National Park, Grand Teton National Park: The Best Hiking Trails
Situated near famed Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park's crown jewels include the Cathedral Group of peaks and the majestic Snake River. The dramatic spires that inspired Ansel Adams rise straight from valley floors, providing awe-inducing views. See them at their most compelling from the comparatively gentle Jenny Lake and Hermitage Point's trails or the switchbacks of Death Canyon. Jackson Lake is favored for windsurfing and sailing. Colter Bay Visitor Center contains an Indian Arts Museum.
1. Cascade Canyon Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 259 reviews
This uphill trail follows Cascade Creek for 4.5 miles and reaches Hidden Falls.
Reviewed By TravFiend - Laguna Beach, United States
Since we had planned to hike up to Lake Solitude (14.5 mile round trip) we decided to take the first shuttle across the lake (you have the option of tacking on another 4 miles if you plan to hike the southern part of Jenny trail instead of taking the shuttle). We were pleasantly surprised that the first shuttle @ 7am costs $5 RT per person (all later shuttles cost $18 RT pp), so if you want to save some money and want to avoid the crowd, then I would strongly recommend getting up early to catch the first shuttle to hike this trail. Plus early mornings promise better moose sightings. We saw a total of 6-7 moose on our way up to the fork, and then another 3-4 on our way back. In order to see the canyon view, you really have to go past (bear right at the fork) the Canyon fork. You don’t have to hike all the way up to Lake Solitude (which is 2.7 miles past the fork). Just hike another mile past the fork, look back, and you’ll be rewarded with the most beautiful scenery. The last mile up to Lake Solitude was more strenuous and tricky given some of the snow pack at certain parts of the trail. So if you’re going to hike up late spring or early summer, I’d recommend hiking boots (not sneakers) and poles. The lake was still partially frozen over in early July, but we managed to dip our feet in the chilly water for a second or two to refresh the legs for our hike back down. The way back got crowded past the fork. A lot of families with kids looking to get a glimpse of moose. The whole hike took us 8 hours to complete, including 1/2 hour lunch break at the top, and a 15 minute “moose jam”, where a bull was blocking the trail as we were hiking up. My advice, start early! It’ll be so much more enjoyable.
2. Polecat Creek Loop Trail
3. Amphitheater Lake
4. Taggart Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 213 reviews
Reviewed By kellir - Boise, United States
This is a moderate hike with pretty views of Tetons and areas of forest and meadow. Many pretty places to stop for photos. The Taggart Lake parking lot is full by 9:00. Recommend arriving by 8:00
5. Lakeshore Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By NatParkHikerJess - Peoria, United States
I'm a bit surprised this hike doesn't have more reviews on TA. It is SUCH a fun hike with amazing views of the lake and the Tetons. You pick up this trailhead behind the Colter Bay visitor center. It's a loop, about 2 miles RT but fairly easy (there are some ups and downs but nothing major). The benefit is the drop-dead gorgeous views of the Tetons as you hike along the shore. There are parts of the trail that go inward into the woods, but for many stretches, you're hiking right along Jackson Lake and have uninterrupted views of those majestic peaks. There is a nice little sandbar area not too far into the hike which would be nice to sit and read on if you brought out some lawn chairs as well. It's a quick hike and a great intro to GTNP. It's the first one we did and was a great introduction to this amazing national park. If you've got questions about the trail, stop into the Colter Bay visitor center and talk to a ranger.
6. Lupine Meadows Trailhead
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By jesseo582 - Jackson, United States
This is the main trailhead for going up Garnet Canyon and climbing the Grand Teton, Teewinot and most of the core Teton mountains. There are also formerly little-known spots that have boomed in popularity due to the internet so that if you don’t get here early you may not find a parking place. The amazing thing about the Tetons is that they lack foothills. If you park here and start up Teewinot you leave the valley floor in just a few hundred metres and you’re on the mountain all the way to the top if you know the way. To go up Garnet Canyon takes a little more time but once you’re climbing the views get better and better.
7. Delta Lake Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By travelingone1990 - Greenville, United States
This is a non maintained trail that splits off the amphitheater trail. My biggest recommendation is to download the AllTrails map of this trail and continue to monitor it. As far as the hike, the whole trail is absolutely GROGEOUS!! It starts at the trailhead with a great view of the peaks..then a walk through the woods which then lead to the switchbacks. The switchbacks offer views of lakes down below. After the switchbacks, you go off the main trail does and it becomes not that fun for a bit... it requires scrambling over rocks and a very steep incline. I found the trail to be "moderate" until the last mile of off trail which required scrambling and very steep incline. The trail and delta lake is very busy. However we still enjoyed it very much and highly recommend it. I advise you to do some hikes at home with steep inclines to prepare like we did. I felt like this was a very refreshing hike with no soreness afterwards as we prepared for it. New/non hikers could do this with tons of stops but you may be pretty sore the next day. If I were to redo this hike I would have started at sunrise to avoid so many people. Also... watch out for chipmunks and pikas... They're everywhere!!
8. Two Ocean Lake Trailhead
9. Jenny Lake Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,000 reviews
Four miles of flat trail and spectacular mountain scenery.
Reviewed By Roadrunnerfit - Cleveland, United States
We did the Jenny Lake hike in the counter-clockwise direction as suggested by the park ranger at the Visitor Center. Great decision! We arrived early, about 8:50 a.m. on August 7th. The weather was perfect, around 60 degrees, warming up to around 78 by noon. The trail is wide and shaded for the first 3 miles, although somewhat rocky. It is generally quite flat going in this direction, so I would say it is easy-to-moderate in difficulty, only due to the small rocky footpath. We did see some people at the Jenny Lake overlook, but no other hikers until we reached the north side of the Lake. Don’t be fooled by the packed parking lot, as most folks don’t actually hike the lake, and few do it in this direction. Like others have said, the views of the lake and mountain range beyond are stunning, especially with the morning sun from the east side of the lake. When you arrive at the north side, at about mile 2.5, the trail turns sharply to the right and follows along the bank of a rushing stream flowing into Jenny Lake from String Lake. Keep going north to the Paintbrush Canyon trailhead parking lot. This is where you cross the stream over a footbridge. The trail then continues back south along the lakeshore. (There are some portable toilets in the parking lot, but no water.). As you head south on the trail towards the West shore boat dock, the trail is more out in the open, as you follow the path of an old burned out area of the forest. You can hear and see the shuttle boat bringing passengers who just want to see Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. The dock is at the 4.5 mile mark of this hike and they usually have drinking water available here to fill up your bottle. From here, you can choose to make the .5 mile moderate climb to Hidden Falls and the beautiful rapids, or to climb another .5 miles up the very steep, rocky climb to the 7010 foot Inspiration Point. We did this, then turned around and caught the shuttle boat back to the Visitor Center. Total distance around 6.7 miles. One way rides are $10. All told, with stops to rest and for pictures, it takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to complete. The hike in this direction is definitely one you could do with kids or folks who haven’t hiked a lot. Once you get to the boat dock, you have options to go right back on the boat, attempt to climb to the Point, or even continue around the remaining 2 miles of the lake trail. Excellent hike!
10. Menor's Ferry Historical Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Hiking trail for beginners.
Reviewed By thomast194 - Shelby Township, United States
This was a neat trip back in time, which was narrated by park personnel. The small store sells candies and bottled pop, while the park personnel give a history of the homesteader, Menor, and how the area became part of the national park. The cabin where the first meetings concerning establishing Yellowstone as a national park is preserved, and there are good examples of wagons used for various things like travelling West and later, touring the national park before motor vehicles. If you like a little taste of history, you won't be disappointed.
