Grand Teton National Park is a hiker’s dream with breathtaking mountain views and an abundance of sparkling alpine lakes. However, it might be challenging to decide precisely which treks are best for your upcoming vacation to the park when there are so many fantastic routes to select from.
One of the most enjoyable ways to see the grand mountain peaks and alpine lakes of Grand Teton National Park is on a trek. How can you choose what to include in your Grand Teton plan, though, with over 200 miles of trails and more than 50 excellent hikes?
This guide fills that really need. You can discover all the information about the Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park in this post, which covers everything from short climbs to alpine lakes to longer multi-day treks. Are you looking for further suggestions for your Grand Teton trip?
Lake Solitude
- Length: 20 miles
- Estimated Time: 8 to 12 hours
- Best Time: July to September
- Difficulty: Hard
A somewhat level walk, the Lakeshore Trail provides views of Jackson Lake and the Teton mountain range. While visiting the north side of Grand Teton National Park, this is a fantastic area to get outside and stretch your legs.
The challenging 20-mile roundtrip trek to Lake Solitude, one of the most well-liked overnight hikes or long day hikes in the park, is essential for experienced travelers. The distance is reduced to 14.2 miles round trip if you take the shuttle boat from Jenny Lake if you’d like a somewhat shorter hike.
From there, you’ll need to put in some effort to work your way up 1,500′ to the amazing Lake Solitude. Once reaching Lake Solitude, you can unwind while enjoying the reflections of Mount Owen, Teewinot Mountain, and the Grand Teton in the water.
Static Peak Divide
- Length: 16.3 miles
- Estimated Time: 10 to 12 hours
- Best Time: August – September
- Difficulty: Very hard
This is one of the best day walks in Grand Teton National Park because of the panoramic vistas, wildlife, gorgeous canyon scenery, and the viewpoint above Phelps Lake. Although it incorporates a number of the previously mentioned shorter walks, this is one of the longest and most challenging hikes on the list.
You must first hike beyond Phelps Lake Overlook before continuing up through Death Canyon to the Patrol Cabin. The halfway point is here. The Static Peak Divide is a lengthy, arduous trek up from here. Once on the Divide, you’ll be standing at 10,790 feet with spectacular scenery of the park, Jackson Hole, and the Wind River Range in the distance. It can be a tiresome and thigh-burning trek to get there.
Forks of Cascade Canyon Trail
- Length: 14.6 miles
- Estimated Time: 5 to 8 hours
- Best Time: June to September
- Difficulty: Moderate to hard
This journey into Cascade Canyon offers a fantastic way to view the park’s wilderness without a lot of uphill hiking, boasting a sizable glacially sculpted canyon and stunning mountain passes.
In any case, you should carry a sturdy pair of hiking boots even if this trail only adds a minor amount of height. Watch out for bears, moose, and other significant animals along the path, such as pikas, which like foraging in Cascade Canyon’s meadows.
The trail begins at the Jenny Lake Trailhead and ascends into the mountains along a well-traveled path. The trail is approximately 14.6 miles long if you start off from Jenny Lake. By utilizing the shuttle boat, you can cut the hike’s total distance in half to 8.8 miles roundtrip.
Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes
- Length: 10.1 miles
- Estimated Time: 7 to 8 hours
- Best Time: August
- Difficulty: Moderate to hard
One of the most well-liked hikes in Grand Teton National Park is to Surprise, Amphitheater, and Delta Lakes. Three breathtaking mountain lakes are the reward for the challenging climb. For those who appreciate alpine beauty, the route to Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes, which leaves from the Lupine Meadows Trailhead, is a fantastic alternative.
This trail begins to ascend as soon as you leave the trailhead and continues to rise slowly up a seemingly never-ending series of switchbacks for 5 kilometers. But in the end, all of this effort is worthwhile since the trail ends at Surprise Lake.
It is a strenuous, uphill hike to the lakes, but you will get a wonderful view of Bradley and Taggart Lakes along the way. Nearby one another are Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes. To get here, you must hike for five miles, and the entire distance is uphill. But what a lovely location!
Garnet Canyon Trail
- Length: 8.4 miles
- Difficulty: Hard
- Estimated Time: 4 to 8 hours
- Best Time: July to September
The Garnet Canyon Trail, which begins at the Lupine Meadows Trailhead, is a fantastic hike for anyone wishing to put in a lot of effort in exchange for the spectacular view. This hike begins with a tough climb to serve as a reminder that you’re in the mountains while taking you deep into the Tetons.
The Garnet Canyon Trail leads hikers to a big U-shaped valley with breathtaking views after a significant ascent and even some boulder-hopping. Some of the Tetons’ most renowned peaks, such as the Grand Teton, South Teton, Middle Teton, Disappointment Peak, and Nez Perce, may be seen up close in the canyon.
Having said that, the Garnet Canyon Trail’s difficulties cannot be overstated. Anyone planning a trip into Garnet Canyon should be secure in their ability to find their way around and feel at ease climbing steep rocky terrain.
Jenny Lake Loop
- Length: 7.6 miles
- Estimated Time : 3 to 5 hours
- Best Time: June
- Difficulty: Moderate
Another very well-liked hike in Grand Teton National Park is this one. As one of the park’s most recognizable landmarks, Jenny Lake draws a lot of tourists. The Jenny Lake Loop offers a variety of breathtaking views that highlight much of what the Tetons have to offer.
Nearly 8 miles long, this trail is extensive yet quite simple because it is generally level. Starting from the aptly named Jenny Lake Trailhead, the loop path travels northeast toward String Lake. You may see the Cathedral Group of peaks, which includes Teewinot, Grand Teton, and Mount Owen, during the trail’s initial portion.
The most famous vistas of Jenny Lake and the angular Teton mountains are saved for the finish of the journey if you follow the trail clockwise. Take the Jenny Lake boat shuttle across the lake if you don’t want to climb the complete loop; after that, hike the loop counterclockwise back to the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. There will be a 5-mile hike.
The trail intersections for the routes to Cascade Canyon, Inspiration Point, and Hidden Falls are then visible as you continue on. These are all worthwhile side trips for anybody who want to go further during the course of the day.
Taggart Lake Trail
- Length : 3 miles
- Estimated Time: 1 to 2 hours
- Best Time: September
- Difficulty: Easy
Bradley Lake and Taggart Lake are two lovely lakes with breathtaking views of the Teton Range. This hike in Grand Teton National Park is very well-liked because of the gorgeous scenery and how simple it is. To avoid the enormous crowds, leave early or arrive late in the day.
It is a short, uphill hike from the trailhead that passes by horse corrals and a forest of evergreen trees. To see the Grand Teton, Middle Teton, and Teewinot Mountain from across Bradley Lake, hike there first. Take the walk to Taggart Lake on your return trip to the parking lot for similar vistas.
This 3-mile out-and-back journey to Taggart Lake is a nice choice whether you’re looking for a lovely, easy stroll in Grand Teton National Park that you can accomplish at any time of year.
It begins at the Taggart Lake Trailhead and for the majority of its length travels over a generally flat path through an aspen woodland and alpine meadow. You are given wonderful views of Grand Teton, which peaks over the meadow below, throughout the climb to Taggart Lake. You may take in the sights of Mount Owen, Teewinot Mountain, the Middle Teton, and the Grand Teton once you get to Taggart Lake.
On your way back to the parking area, you can choose to take a little detour to Bradley Lake, or you can turn the entire journey into a 5-mile loop by returning via the Bradley Lake Loop Trail.
Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls
- Length: 2 miles
- Estimated Time: 1 to 2 hours
- Best Time: Late May – June
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
For visitors to Grand Teton National Park for the first time, this hike is crucial. Take the Jenny Lake boat shuttle across Jenny Lake, and then trek up to Inspiration Point, one of the park’s most well-known vantage sites. Take the short detour to Hidden Falls on the way.
Shuttles cost $20 round-trip and $12 one-way, and they run every 10 to 15 minutes. It is a half-mile climb upward from Jenny Lake’s west bank to Hidden Falls. It is another 0.5 miles of hiking to Inspiration Point, but this time the terrain is more challenging and steep.
Walk to the Jenny Lake boat pier after parking in the sizable lot at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. The shuttle tickets are available here. Visitors can avoid the additional walking distance around Jenny Lake by taking the boat shuttle to the other side of the lake.
String Lake Loop
- Length: 3.7 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Estimated Time: 2 to 3 hours
- Best Time: June
The String Lake Loop is a good option if you want a leisurely stroll with lots of breathtaking vistas. The greatest time to see some wildflowers in bloom is in June, but this hiking trail is a great place to walk in the spring, summer, and fall as well.
String Lake is a well-liked place for swimming and paddling if you don’t mind a little chilly water. Just keep in mind to pack your hiking sandals to protect your feet while you paddle or swim, as well as a towel to dry off afterward!
The String Lake Loop offers a chance to stroll along String Lake’s edge over a distance of 3.7 miles. Along the route, you’ll see views of Rockchuck Peak, Mount St. John, and the remainder of the Jackson Hole Valley.
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