You pull over into a turnout at the side of the road.  Spread before you, stretching from left to right, is a sensational view of jagged, snow-covered mountain peaks, rising straight up out of the plains.

Just below, a river stretches slowly around a bend.  Aspen trees, leaves turning yellow in an early fall chill and white trunks glistening in the early morning sunshine, are the perfect foreground for stunning photos. 

This is just one stop of many on this sensational 42-mile drive, where jaw-dropping vistas start to become blasé.

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The best drive through Grand Teton National Park is along the 42-mile Scenic Loop Drive.  Grand Teton National Park’s craggy peaks rise dramatically off the side, lakes provide the perfect foreground for breathtaking mountain views (most of the ten best views in the Grand Tetons are along this drive) and there are always good chances of seeing moose, bison and bears, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. 

This drive makes my list of the most beautiful drives in US national parks and is an integral part of my Grand Teton itineraries. No matter how long you spend in Grand Teton, you should do this drive.

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Note that this post is written for doing the Grand Teton 42 mile loop in summer when everything is open. However, it’s also possible to do part of the drive in winter. If you are visiting Grand Teton National Park in winter, check out the best things to do in winter in the Grand Tetons and Jackson and read my Guide to Visiting Grand Teton National Park in winter.

The 42-mile Scenic Loop Drive, Grand Teton National Park FAQs

Can you drive through Grand Teton National Park?   

Yes, you can. In fact, when you take the 42 mile scenic drive, Grand Teton National Park reveals itself in all its splendor :-).

What is the 42- mile scenic loop drive?

There are two main Grand Teton National Park scenic drives – the inner road and the outer road.  The Grand Teton loop drive route combines them both.  It goes along Teton Park Road (the inner park road, Grand Teton NP), which runs parallel to the mountains inside the park and then loops around, continuing back along the parallel US 26, which is a little further away from the mountains but still with incredible views of the mountains. 

How long does it take to drive the loop in Grand Teton National Park?

The whole 42 miles/ 67.5 km scenic drive through Grand Teton National Park takes 1-2 hours (or even longer), depending on how often and for how long you stop. However, the Grand Teton drive will almost certainly take you much longer, as there are so many places to stop and take in the views along the way.

Where does the 42 Mile Scenic Drive start?

You can enter the drive from three different points. 

• From Jackson in the south, drive north on 191/ 89/ 26 (the same road – it just shares three numbers) to Moose Junction and start there. 
• If you are coming from Yellowstone in the north, you will enter the loop at the Jackson Lake Junction. 
• You can also come from the Dubois in the east via the Togwotee Pass and enter at the Moran Junction. 

How can I do the Grand Teton National Park scenic loop drive?

There are really two options:

1. Drive yourself

If you didn’t drive to Grand Teton National Park in your own car, you can rent a car.  If you are only visiting Grand Teton National Park or starting your trip here, you will fly into Jackson Hole airport.  You can pick up a rental car there and then do the drive yourself.

A Grand Teton self driving tour gives you the greatest flexibility.  You can take as long as you want and spend extra time to see wildlife or soak in views that you especially love.  You can also do the drive more than once (as I did) at different times of the day. 

Find the best rental car for you right here Before you book your rental car, read my Guide to Finding the Cheapest Car Rental for tips on how to save money.

Note that the inner Teton Park Road is inside the national park gates, so you will need to pay an entrance fee for the park. It costs $35/ week for vehicles.

Something to keep in mind is that if you plan to visit more than a couple of parks in a year (or the same park more than twice), then look at getting the America the Beautiful Pass.  It gives you unlimited access for a year (from date of purchase) to over 2,000 federal recreation sites including all U.S. national parks plus national forest and BLM lands.  It includes admission for one vehicle or four people (for places that charge per person).

Buy the America the Beautiful Pass here

2. Take a tour

Driving in Grand Teton National Park is pretty easy, but if you don’t want to drive, there is another option.  You can get a transfer from the airport to Jackson (book one here to save yourself the hassle of arranging it when you get there), and then arrange a half day or day tour that will take you along the scenic drive. 

A big advantage to taking a tour is that the guides know the best photo spots and likely places to see wildlife.  Health and safety measures are all taken on these tours.

Half Day tour from Jackson or Teton Village. 

The four-hour tour hits all of the highlights including Mormon Row and Moulton Barn, Moose, Signal Mountain, Oxbow Bend, Elk Ranch Flats (which is where I saw bison for the first time) and Snake River Overlook (where Ansel Adams took his iconic photos of the Grand Tetons).  Maximum 10 travelers.

Check availability and prices for the half-day tour here

Full day private tour from any location in the area. 

If half a day isn’t enough and if you would rather have a private tour and all the flexibility that that gives you (you can stay longer if you are enjoying a particular stop) then this private tour is the best choice for you.  The tour, which can accommodate up to 4 people, is 8-9 hours and includes lunch and binoculars for wildlife spotting.  The longer time period means you have a greater chance of seeing animals. The tour travels the entire scenic loop road with multiple stops along the way.

Check availability and prices for the full-day private tour here

When is the best time of day for the Grand Teton loop drive?

The drive is best done in the early morning or dusk. 

Early morning is best, because there is a good chance of seeing wildlife, plus the mountains glow a bright golden color when the first beams of sunlight shine on them.  Even if you don’t manage to get up for the sunrise, the light is best on the Teton ranges throughout the morning. 

Noon to mid-afternoon is the worst time, as the mountains are silhouetted and photos typically don’t turn out well (I speak from experience!).  However, the views are lovely looking towards the Gros Ventre Mountains at this time, for example, from the top of Signal Mountain.

Sunset over the mountains, especially the minutes after the sun has actually set behind the peaks, can be stunning and dusk is a good time to see moose and bears.

What do I need to take on the Grand Teton scenic drive?

There are a few main things I recommend (other than snacks):

1. A camera (or camera phone)

2. A tripod

3. A wide-angle lens and a zoom lens

4. Binoculars

When is the Grand Teton loop road open?

Can you drive through Grand Teton National Park in winter?

Yes, but the full loop road is not open year-round.  The inner road (Teton Park Road) can get a great deal of snow in winter, so Teton Park Road is closed to vehicular traffic November 1 – April 30 and open May 1 – October 31.

The outer road is a highway (it shares the numbers 26/89/191) and is kept clear year round. 

What are the highlights of the Grand Teton National Park drive?

I strongly recommend doing the entire Grand Teton National Park loop, whether that it all at once or broken up over two or more days. Driving through Grand Teton National Park  really is the best way to see the park (in addition to getting out and hitting the hiking trails). I also recommend taking your time and stopping ta all the stops.

However, if your time is limited and you just want to see the top highlights on the Grand Teton drive loop, stops absolutely not to miss are:

• Oxbow Bend
• Snake River Overlook
• Schwabacher landing
• Mormon Row
• Jenny lake
• Signal Mountain

Read more about these in my guide to the best viewpoints in Grand Teton National Park.

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42-mile Scenic Loop Drive Grand Teton National Park Map

Click on the Grand Teton scenic loop map to see the full route and the major points of interest along the way.  

You can save the Grand Teton scenic drive map for easy reference.

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Description of the 42-mile Scenic Loop Drive, Grand Teton National Park

I will describe the Grand Teton National Park scenic drive from Moose in a clockwise direction (though you can go in the opposite direction, of course). 

The Inner Park Road

If you are coming from Jackson, head north out of town on 26/89/191 and start the Grand Teton scenic byway at Moose, turning left off the highway and crossing the Snake River to arrive in this small settlement. 

Moose

It is worth visiting spending time in Moose for Doonan’s Chuckwagon; the Church of Transfiguration, a tiny wooden church with a large window behind the altar framing stunning views of the Grand Teton mountains; and Menors Ferry historic district. 

You can take a side trip on the Moose Wilson Road, where there is a good chance of seeing wildlife. However, part of this road is dirt and not passable with an RV. The National Park Service rangers are surfacing the road in 2022, so there will be road closures.

After leaving Moose, drive north along Teton Park Road past Windy Point Turnout and Taggart Lake Trailhead to arrive at Jenny Lake after about 7.7 miles (approx. 15 minutes if you don’t stop). Jenny Lake is the starting point for many great hikes (see my post on The Best Hikes in Grand Teton NP for more details) plus boat trips on the lake.

Jenny Lake

From Jenny Lake, continue north on Teton Park Road for 3.3 miles.  This is about six minutes without stopping, but you should stop at the Cascade Canyon turnout for direct views into the canyon. 

3.3 miles north of the Jenny Lake is the Jenny Lake Loop road to the left.  The Jenny Lake scenic drive is a 4-mile one-way road south heading south via the Cathedral Group Turnout (definitely worth a stop, as the Cathedral Group of peaks are some of the most stunning in the park).

Other stops include the trailheads for Leigh and String Lakes (see Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park for full details of these hikes), the Jenny Lake Lodge (the grand jewel of the lodges in the park – and one of the best national park lodges and inns) and the Jenny Lake Overlook.  This is definitely best in the morning, as the sun is behind it in the afternoon, causing a silhouette/ bad lighting for photography. 

Signal Mountain

You will eventually get back to Teton Park Drive. Turn left/ north and repeat this 2.3 miles/ 3.7 km of the main loop drive. From the north end of the Jenny Lake Loop road, it is 6 miles/ 9.7 km (8 minutes with no stops) to the turn off to Signal Mountain Road to the right. On the way are Mountain View Turnout, Mount Moran Turnout and Potholes Turnout.

You can hike from Signal Mountain Lodge up to the Signal Mountain summit (worth it if you like to hike, see details of this here), but you can also drive.  Near the top of Signal Mountain is Jackson Lake Overview, which is a great place to see the sunrise, as you will see the first rays of dawn shining on the mountains, turning Teton Peak a brilliant orange color, then turning the mountains a beautiful pink and orange behind Jackson Lake. 

If you are doing the drive in the afternoon, there is a viewpoint at the top of the mountain over Jackson Hole valley and the Gros Ventre Mountains that is different from the mountain views of the Grand Tetons, but beautiful nonetheless.

Back on the main Teton Park Road, it is another 1.2 miles/ 1.9 km north to Signal Mountain Lodge, where there is access for boating, dining and accommodations.

Continuing north for another 1.7 miles/ 2.7 km is Jackson Lake Dam.

1.3 miles from there is the junction with John D Rockefeller Junior Parkway (Route 191).  Turn right. 

The Outer Road

If you are coming from Yellowstone, this is where you will join the 42-mile loop.  Grand Teton National Park entrance fee is only needed for the inner road. Let’s continue in a clockwise direction along the outer road. 

Oxbow Bend

It is just another 1.2 miles/ 1.9 km to Oxbow Bend, one of the most famous scenic viewpoints in the park.  In the early morning, this bend of the Snake River often provides a perfect reflection for the mountain views.

5 minutes – 2.5 miles/ 4 km from this is the Moran entrance to the Park.  Just past this is the junction to Highway 26/287 which is where you will come from if you come from Dubois.

Turn right on to US 26/ Highway 89/ 191.  This road runs roughly parallel to Teton Park Road, but is further away from the mountains.  Most of this stretch goes through farmland, and there are good chances of seeing herds of bison in the fields along the roadside.  2.3 miles/ 3.7 km along is Elk Ranch Flats turnout on the right, which is worth a quick stop. 

Another 2.1 miles/ 3.4 km is Cunningham Cabin Historic Site down a short road to the right. This was the scene of a historic wild west shoot out back in the day. Pick up a pamphlet with more information near the small parking lot.

Snake River Overlook

A further 4.2 miles/ 6.8 km takes you to Snake River Overlook, also on the right.  This is a ‘don’t miss’ stop.  It is the place where the famous photographer Ansel Adams took many of his most iconic photos of the mountains. 

The view is truly stunning – with a lovely bend of the Snake River in the foreground below you and the mountains forming the perfect backdrop. 

This is a great spot to see the sunrise.  The sun rises behind you, but the mountains glow in the first beams of early morning light. 

Schwabacher Landing

Another 3 miles/ 4.8 km along is Teton Point lookout on the right, with more great views. Then 1.3 more miles/ 2 km is the turnoff to Schwabacher Landing.  Keep a careful eye out for the sign.  You will turn off on to a dirt road and it is a short drive to the end of the road.  There are two parking areas near each other. From there, you can do short walks along the Snake River. 

Moose are commonly seen here, and if you are very lucky, you can get the classic shot of a moose with water dripping off its chin, framed by the Grand Teton ranges.  There is also a beaver dam and plenty of birds. 

Photography is best in the morning, but it is also a great place to come in the late afternoon to see the wildlife and birdlife.

Back on the main road, Glacier Point Turnout is 0.6 miles/ 1 km further down the road, then Blacktail Pond Overlook another 2.1 miles/ 3.4 km along, down a short side road to the right. Just past this is Antelope Flats Road to the left. 

Mormon Row

Turn down Antelope Flats road to get to Mormon Row.  Mormon Row is a major historical site in the area.  Originally settled by a group of Mormons in the mid 1800’s, it became a farming community. 

Today, there are six main buildings, a drainage system, barns, fields and corrals. It is most famous for the photogenic Moulton Barn, built in 1935.

1.6 miles/ 2.5 km down the road, take the first right.  Moulton Barn is 0.3 miles/ 0.5 km down the road on your right. If you have seen photos of a picturesque barn with the Grand Teton mountains behind it, then chances are it is Moulton Barn.  This is maybe the single most iconic shot of the mountains. 

For the classic photo, there is a spot (worn bare) near the fence off to the left and in front, some distance away from the barn.  This spot frames the barn perfectly.

Back on the main road, it is 1.2 miles/ 2km to the junction with Teton Park Road to the right.  This will take you back to Moose. 

If you entered the scenic road loop from Yellowstone or Dubois, turn right to continue around the loop.  If you came from Jackson and want to return, then keep going straight. 

Safety when driving the Teton scenic loop

There isn’t a huge amount of traffic on this road and the road is well maintained in season.  However, there is some traffic AND you may encounter large animals. Therefore, always use the turnouts to pull over and take photos.  It can be dangerous pulling over to see wildlife just along the side of the road. 

At night, drive slowly and keep an eye out for animals.  We saw black bears on the road at late dusk.  Elk, bison, mule deer and pronghorn antelope also frequently cross roads and moose even use the roads to travel along at times, so be careful.   

Travel Insurance for Grand Teton National Park

You do NOT want to hit a moose with your car (you will be the loser in that ‘fight’).  Even animals that are smaller than a moose (which is BIG) will do damage to your rental car and if you don’t have insurance, it will be a very expensive encounter.  Travel insurance covers other things too such as a lost or damaged camera and illness, so you should never travel without good travel insurance.  If you want to learn more about travel insurance, read my Guide to Buying Travel Insurance.

A good insurance option is Travelex.  You can compare Travel Insurance plans here or get a quote right now:

Planning and Packing for Grand Teton National Park

When you are ready for your trip, check out my Essential Packing List. And if you are planning to do some hiking, make sure you have everything on my Day Hikes Essentials list.

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Enjoy the drive!

Do you have any adventures in Grand Teton National Park to share? I’d love to hear them. Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know.

If you are also planning to visit Yellowstone in the same trip, read my Yellowstone National Park Guide and detailed Yellowstone itineraries.

If you liked this post about the 42 mile loop Grand Teton National Park, please share the love and Pin it to your National Parks board!

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About the Author

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Parks Collecting is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Hiking Grand Teton National Park is a real treat.  Canyons take you deep into the mountains so are you surrounded by dramatic scenery; ponds, rivers and ponds give you a good chance to see moose up close and personal; stunning mountain views are reflected in mirror-like alpine lakes; trails take you to hidden waterfalls…. 

There are easy strolls, moderate day hikes and even challenging multi-day treks. No matter what your comfort (and fitness) level, there is a hike (or 10) for you.

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8 out of these 10 hikes are included on my Grand Teton itinerary.

Read my guide on How Long to Spend in Grand Teton if you aren’t sure how long to go for (though if you want to do all of these hikes, you’ll need a few extra days than most people go for – you won’t be disappointed if you do!).

Tips for hiking in Grand Teton National Park

Before we look at the 10 best Teton hikes, here are a few things to consider:

1. America The Beautiful Pass

These hikes are inside the national park, so you will need to pay to enter. It costs $35/ week per vehicle or $25 per week for person if you enter on foot or bicycle. However, if you plan to visit more than a couple of parks in a year (or the same park more than twice), then look at getting the America the Beautiful Pass.  

It gives you unlimited access for a year (from date of purchase) to over 2,000 federal recreation sites including all U.S. national parks plus national forest and BLM lands.  It includes admission for one vehicle or four people (for places that charge per person).

Buy the America the Beautiful Pass here

2. Wildlife

Chances are very good on many of the best hikes in the Tetons of seeing wildlife, including moose and black bears.  The NPS requires you to stay at least 25 yards from most wildlife and at least 100 yards from bears (and wolves).

Moose can be aggressive if they feel threatened – and they are VERY big – so stay well away from them. 

Always take something with you to scare bears away before you get too close to them.  Get bear spray here and a bear bell here.

3. Trekking Poles

Some of the longer hikes can be over rough terrain and in windy canyons.  For those hikes, especially, it can be a good idea to take trekking poles with you.

There are things you need to consider when choosing hiking poles, including the weight, material, price, pole design, grips and straps, tips and shock absorbers durability. 

I like the Foxelli ones – they are lightweight, shock absorbent and collapsible with cork grip handles. Check them out on Amazon here.

4. Adequate Footwear

You definitely want to have good footwear. Read reviews and recommendations of the best hiking shoes/ boots and the best hiking sandals and for easier summer walks, the best walking sandals.

5. Weather

Finally, the weather can change quickly, so it is important to always be prepared.  If you aren’t sure what you need to take and wear, check my Day Hike Essentials list.

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Guide to the Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park

Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park

Hiking in Grand Teton national Park is some of the best in all of America’s national parks. The first five hikes on this list are all connected in some way and can be done together as one really long hike or can be broken up into easier chunks.

Note that these hikes are all for the warmer months when the snow has melted. If you plan to visit Grand Teton National Park in winter, read my Grand Tetons Winter Guide.

So, what are the best hikes in Grand Teton National Park?

1. Jenny Lake Loop, Grand Teton National Park

The next four hikes on this list all start at the opposite side of Jenny Lake from the parking lot and visitor center, half way around the loop, so they can be combined with all, or part of, this loop hike. 

Most people bypass the loop trail by taking the Jenny Lake boat shuttle, but the flat loop around Jenny Lake is a fairly easy Grand Teton hike that is well worth doing.  It’s one of the most scenic hikes in Grand Teton National park: there are stunning views of Cascade Canyon and the Cathedral Group of mountain peaks.   

All or part of this trail can be easily combined with other easy hikes in Grand Teton National Park, including Moose Pond and Hidden Falls, to make a full day of it.

Trail length: 7.5 miles / 12 km

Elevation change: 275 feet/ 84 m

Difficulty: Moderate

Trailhead:  Jenny Lake Trailhead

The hike goes around the entire Jenny Lake, the second-largest lake in Grand Teton NP.  To go counterclockwise, start near the boat dock area and head north along the eastern shore of the lake.  It is fairly flat through woods here, though there are a couple of small hills.  There are plenty of incredible views of the Cathedral Group and Cascade Canyon from this part of the trail.  In the early morning, the surface of the lake is often as still and clear as a mirror, so there are perfect reflections of the mountains in the lake. 

You will see a large sloped area that was burned by fire in 1999.  You hit this after about 2.6 miles/ 4.1 km as you get to the junction of the String Lake Outlet. This side trail takes you a bridge about 0.5 miles/ 800 m away that then connects to String Lake.  The junction to the main String Lake trail is off the right another 0.8 miles/ 1.3km along. You can take this if you also want to do the String Lake loop.  

Continue straight to follow the Jenny Lake loop. At the 4.9-mile/ 7.9km mark, you get to the West Shore boat dock.  If you have had enough, you can take the Jenny Lake shuttle back to the trailhead/ parking lot.  You could also take the shuttle to this point and complete half the loop.

If you want to hike to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, Cascade Canyon or Lake Solitude, then this is where all of those trails start.

To keep going around the Jenny Lake Loop, take the right fork. The trail goes through more woods on this side of the lake. At around 6.4 miles/ 10.3 km, there is another trail to Hidden Falls (the horse trail).  Stay left. Just after that is a short trail off to the left to Moose Pond.

At 6.6 miles/ 10.6km is the Valley Trail junction – stay left.  Soon you will come to the boat dock and then the end of the trail.

How long does it take to hike around Jenny Lake? About 2.5 hours. This is a lovely walk with frequent lake views, mountain views from the eastern shore and through pine forest. 

Tips:

• Do the hike counter-clockwise in the morning for the best light (or clockwise in the afternoon). 
• Part of the trail goes near the road, so early morning, when there is less traffic, is best.
• There are several popular Grand Teton day hikes in the area, so the Jenny Lake parking lot fills up early, especially in summer. Stay at the Jenny Lake Campground or get there before 9:00am to be sure you get a parking spot.
• The trail is quite narrow in parts, so if you are new to hiking, I recommend checking out my Guide to Hiking Etiquette 101

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2. Hidden Falls Trail, Grand Teton National Park

One of the most popular places to visit in Grand Teton, Hidden Falls can be reached by hiking 2.4 miles of the Jenny Lake Loop trail (clockwise) each way to the trailhead, or by taking the Jenny Lake shuttle to and/ or from the trailhead.  The shuttle takes about 12 minutes and leaves throughout the day in season. 

The Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point trails are connected, and since they are two of the best short hikes in Grand Teton National Park, combining them is very common.

Trail length: 1.3 miles / 2.1 km

Elevation change: 230 feet/ 70 m

Difficulty: Easy

Trailhead:  Jenny Lake Trailhead

Start on the Inspiration Point trail.  Grand Teton NP does have black bears, so I recommend taking  bear spray or a bear bell.

The trail heads uphill from the West Boat Dock through spruce forest for about 0.3 miles/ 0.5 km, crossing a wooden bridge over Cascade Creek, before reaching the Jenny Lake Loop trail.  Another 0.2 miles/ 320 m along is the horse trail; go straight.  Soon after that is the side trail to Hidden Falls. Turn left here. The falls are a short distance along this side trail.

The falls are hidden from view until you get right to their base, hence the name Hidden Falls.  Grand Teton National Park has several waterfalls, but at about 200 feet high (over several drops), these are probably the most impressive. 

After visiting the falls, return back to the main trail.  You can then turn right to go back to the lake or turn left to continue on to Inspiration Point (recommended).

Tips:

• There are several popular Grand Teton trails in the area, so the Jenny Lake parking lot fills up early, especially in summer. Stay at the Jenny Lake Campground or get there before 9:00am to be sure you get a parking spot.  
• Best combined with the hike to Inspiration Point.
• This hike is ideal for beginner hikers. If you are a novice hiker, read my hiking guide for beginners.
• The trail is often busy, so be prepared for crowds.  Early morning or late afternoon have fewer people.

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3. Inspiration Point, Grand Teton National Park

The Jenny Lake hike to Inspiration Point Teton National Park is one of the most popular Grand Teton hikes and is usually combined with Hidden Falls and often with Cascade Canyon and/ or the Jenny Lake Loop trails.

Trail length: 2.2 miles / 3.5 km

Elevation change: 450 feet / 137 m

Difficulty: Easy-moderate

Grand Teton Inspiration Point Trailhead:  Jenny Lake Trailhead

Start by following the description above to Hidden Falls.  If you are unfamiliar with reading trail markers, check out my Guide to Reading Trail Markers.

Either continue straight along the trail and skip Hidden Falls (not recommended – it is just a short distance down a side trail) or when returning from the Hidden Falls side trail, turn left to Inspiration Point. From the Hidden Falls trail, it is less than 0.5 miles/ 0.8 km and 200 feet/ 61 m elevation each way. 

The trail gets rockier and is uphill, but is worth it for the views.  Near the point, there is a short section of the trail that goes along a steep ledge.  If you have a fear of heights, this can be a little hairy; however, it is fairly short.

From Inspiration Point, there are clear views over Jenny Lake, Jackson Hole and the Gros Ventre Mountains in the distance.  There are views behind you of Symmetry Spire and Storm Point; however, the main views are to the east of the lake and valley. 

To be perfectly honest, I don’t think this view is as stunning as the views of the Grand Teton range, but it does give you a different perspective from the ubiquitous mountain views that you see for most of your trip to Grand Teton National Park.

Previously, you could continue on from Inspiration Point to Cascade Canyon.  However, for the past few years, this connecting trail has been closed for rehabilitation of the trail.  If you wanted to hike to Cascade Canyon, the only option was to return back to the lake and take the other trail up to Cascade Canyon.  Check when you arrive to see if the connecting trail is open or not.

Tips:

• Due to the position of the sun, photos are best in the afternoon.   Late afternoon will give you nice light and fewer people, but be prepared for the 2-mile hike around Jenny Lake or coordinate with the last boat back.
• There are several popular Grand Teton National Park hiking trails in the area, so the Jenny Lake parking lot fills up early, especially in summer. Stay at the Jenny Lake Campground or get there before 9:00am to be sure you get a parking spot.
• Best combined with Hidden Falls.

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4. Cascade Canyon, Grand Teton National Park

One of the best day hikes in Grand Teton National Park, the Cascade Canyon loop is my personal favorite.  It’s not too hard or long and the scenery is absolutely breathtaking.  Plus, I saw moose and river otters.  Read a full description of the Cascade Canyon hike here.

The hike can easily be combined with other popular Grand Teton National Park hikes to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point

Trail length: 9 miles/ 14.5 km

Elevation change: 1,110 feet/ 338 m

Difficulty: Moderate

Trailhead:  Jenny Lake Trailhead

Unless you are hiking to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point first, take the right trail from the boat dock.  The first 1.5 miles/ 2.5 km is quite steep as it climbs up through woods to the start of the canyon.  Once you are in the canyon, it does flatten out though. 

When you turn around a corner and the forest thins out and you see the canyon for the first time, your jaw will hit the ground.  The view of Grand Teton and Mount Owen to the south and the craggy cliffs of the south side of Hanging Canyon to the north will take your breath away!  Literally. 

For the next 1.5 miles/ 2.4 km, the trail follows alongside Cascade Creek, with stunning views the whole way.  There are good chances of seeing black bears, moose and even river otters. 

The trail then heads into woods, so the views are more obscured.  However, the further the trail goes, the steeper the south canyon wall gets.  About another mile/ 1.6 km or so, there are stunning views through the trees of the waterfall that gives the canyon its name cascading down the entire side of the mountain from a glacier atop the craggy peaks of Mount Owen down to the creek far below. 

Another half a mile/ 800 m onward, the trail reaches a fork.  The left/ south fork goes to Hurricane Pass and Alaska Basin and the right/ north fork goes to Lake Solitude and eventually connects to the parallel Paintbrush Canyon.

If you just plan to do the Cascade Canyon Trail, this is the point most people turn back.  If you have some more steam left, you can continue along Cascade Canyon to Lake Solitude (another 2.5 miles/ 4 km each way).

I LOVED this hike – not that hard and such amazing scenery! 

Tips:

• There are several popular Grand Teton National Park trails in the area, so the Jenny Lake parking lot fills up early, especially in summer. Stay at the Jenny Lake Campground or get there before 9:00am to be sure you get a parking spot.
• This is quite a long hike, so I recommend making sure you have everything on my Day Hike packing list with you.
• To get to the trailhead, you hike 2.4 miles from the Jenny Lake parking lot along the Jenny Lake Loop trail; hike 1.7 miles/ 2.7 km from the String Lake parking lot; or take the Jenny Lake shuttle boat across the lake (recommended).  What time does Jenny Lake shuttle start? The times vary throughout the season, but I recommend taking the earliest boat. Reservations for the shuttle boat are not necessary.

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5. Lake Solitude, Grand Teton National Park

One of the more challenging Grand Teton hiking trails, this is an extension of the Cascade Canyon trail.  The gorgeous alpine lake surrounded by steep mountain slopes makes it one of the best hikes Grand Teton and well worth the extra effort to get there.

Trail length: 15.3 miles / 24.6 km

Elevation change: 2,350 feet / 716 m

Difficulty: Difficult

Trailhead:  Jenny Lake Trailhead

How do you get to Lake Solitude, Grand Tetons?

The Lake Solitude hike (Tetons National Park) starts through Cascade Canyon.  At the fork at the end of the canyon, take the North Fork.   The trail continues through spruce forests and crosses Cascade Creek twice.  The first time is just after the fork.  Look to the left to see an historic cabin that was built in 1935.  The second creek crossing is another 0.4 miles/ 640 m along.  You emerge from the forest here to see a jaw-dropping U-shaped, glacier-carved canyon in front of you. 

Soon after this, the trail starts to climb from the canyon floor up the west side of the canyon.  The trail is rocky for most of the rest of the way.  It is possible to camp here (get a backcountry permit from the national park office).  If you don’t want to carry all that gear with you, although it is one of the longest Grand Teton National Park day hikes, it is definitely doable in a day.  However, if you want to combine it with the Paintbrush Canyon hike, then I recommend camping overnight (though the combo is also possible in one long day).   

Note that this part of the trail can still be covered in snow into June and July, but is usually covered in wildflowers late July/ early August. The canyon narrows as the trails becomes steeper.  The last mile/ 1.5 km is quite tough.

After about 7.5 miles/ 12 km, the views open up and there an absolutely breathtaking view of Lake Solitude below you, surrounded by a steep granite wall about 1,500 feet/ 450 m tall.  A waterfall cascades down the cliff into the lake. 

To get down to the lake, take the side trail about 100 yards/ meters further on.  A small rocky peninsula in the lake makes a perfect viewpoint. 

After enjoying the stunning views, you can either continue on to Paintbrush Canyon Divide (this adds another 5 miles/ 8 km to your hike and the first couple of miles are steeply uphill, so it best done by breaking it up by camping overnight at one of the nearby campgrounds) or return through Cascade Canyon.  The return trail has great views of Mt. Owen and Grand Teton.

This tag-on to the Cascade Canyon hike is hard going, but if you are fit enough, the views of this gorgeous alpine lake is worth the effort.

Tips:

• There are several popular Grand Tetons hiking trails in the area, so the Jenny Lake parking lot fills up early, especially in summer. Stay at the Jenny Lake Campground or get there before 9:00am to be sure you get a parking spot.
• There are backcountry campgrounds near Lake Solitude.  Staying there breaks the hike up, making the hike from here to Paintbrush Canyon easier in one way, but keep in mind that you will need to carry your gear up steep trails.  If you plan to do this, you will need a back-country permit. 
• This can be a challenging hike, so make sure you have the right gear.  Check out my Best Hiking Gear list

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6. Moose Pond, Grand Teton National Park

The Moose Ponds trail is not only one of the best hikes in Grand Tetons to see wildlife, it’s also one of the most popular Grand Teton easy hikes.

Trail length: 2.7 miles/ 4.3 km

Elevation change: 195 feet/ 59 m

Difficulty: Easy

Trailhead:  Jenny Lake Trailhead

The Moose Pond trail (Grand Teton National Park) starts along the Jenny Lake Loop trail.  Go down the paved path to the boat deck, turn left and cross the footbridge.  There are stunning views of the mountains across the lake, which can look like a mirror, especially early on the morning.  At 0.8 miles/ 1.3 km is the junction with the Lupine Meadows Road trail.  Keep straight. 

About 0.2 miles/ 320 m further on, the trail to Moose Ponds is on your left. It’s a bit of a climb up to a point where you can see the pond below.  There are often moose sighted in the pond, eating grasses growing in the shallow water, surrounded by woods and framed by the stunning Teewinot Mountain. 

Be careful not to get too close to the moose though, as they are wild animals and can be dangerous if they feel threatened.  This is a good time to use a zoom lens.   If you take photos with your iPhone, as I do, you can get an attachable zoom lens on Amazon here.

The trail goes back downhill to the pond, circles around the first pond and continues around the top/ north of the second pond.  At 1.3 miles/ 2km, there is a small side trail to a small lookout with views over the pond.

From there, you can turn back or extend the hike by almost a mile and continue in a loop through Lupine Meadows via Lupine Valley Road.

Of course, everyone has their own experiences, but this was the best – and by far the most picturesque – sighting I had of moose in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.

Tips:

• This hike is often led by a park ranger. Check at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center and sign up if you can.  You will hike in a small group, which is not everyone’s cup of tea, but you will get a commentary from a ranger with interesting facts about the park, wildlife and geology.   Of course, you can also do it by yourself.
• This is just of the many hiking trails Grand Teton National Park has in the area, so the Jenny Lake parking lot fills up early, especially in summer. Stay at the Jenny Lake Campground or get there before 9:00am to be sure you get a parking spot.

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7. String Lake Loop, Grand Teton National Park

The String Lake hike is one of the best day hikes Grand Teton National Park because of the incredible views of some of the key Teton peaks seen across a gorgeous lake. 

Trail length: 3.8 miles/ 5.7 km

Elevation change: 275 feet / 84 m

Difficulty: Easy

Trailhead:  String Lake Trailhead (or Leigh Lake Trailhead)

Going counter clockwise from the String Lake Trailhead, the trail, which is mostly paved at this point, follows the east shore of the lake, passing some interpretative signs.  There are amazing views of the Cathedral Group (Teewinot Mountain, Grand Teton and Mount Owen) and Mount Moran.   The path ends after 0.3 miles/ 0.5 km and for the next 0.3 miles/ 0.5 km follows the road to the Leigh Lake Trailhead. 

You will then be walking on the Leigh Lake Trail for the next 0.8 miles/ 1.3 km.  This part of the trail, around the eastern shore of String Lake, provides wonderful views of Mount Moran across the lake.  At the one-mile/ 1.6 km mark, you’ll pass the String Lake Horse Trail to the road.  Keep straight.  Another 0.4 miles/ 640 m takes you to the Bearpaw Lake Trail junction.  If you turn right, you get to Leigh Lake and then Bearpaw lake. 

For the String Lake loop, turn left. You will soon cross a small wooden bridge over the Leigh Lake Outlet then continue on through lodgepole pine forest until the 2-mile/ 3.2-km mark.  At this point, you would turn right to continue on to Paintbrush Canyon.  However, you will turn left to continue around String Lake. There are lovely views of String Lake below you for parts of this stretch of the hike.

At 3.4 miles/ 5.4 km, you will get to the junction to the Jenny Lake Trail to the right.  If you wanted to combine this hike with the Jenny Lake loop, you would turn right. 

To continue around String Lake, turn left. Another 0.2 miles/ 320 m along there is a small bridge over the String Lake Outlet.   Turn left and another 0.1 miles/ 150 m takes you back to the trailhead.

This is an especially lovely hike in the morning, when the lake often provides a perfect reflection of the surrounding mountains.

Tips:

• This is one of the most popular hikes at Grand Teton National Park, so the parking lot at the trailhead fills early.  I recommend getting there before 9:00am in summer to get a spot.
• Go around the lake counter clockwise for the best mountain views in the morning light.

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8. Paintbrush Canyon, Grand Teton National Park

Although this is a challenging hike due to its length and elevation change, it is easily one of the best hiking trails in Grand Teton National Park because of the spectacular mountain scenery and not one, but four, lakes.

Trail length: 5.8 miles/ 9.3 km to Holly Lake. 7.6 miles/ 12.2 km to Paintbrush Divide.  9.8 miles/ 15.8 km to Lake Solitude.

Elevation change: 2,592 feet/ 790 m to Holly Lake.  3,865 feet/ 1,178 m to Paintbrush Divide.

Difficulty: Difficult

Trailhead:  Leigh Lake Trailhead or String Lake Trailhead

If you start at the Leigh Lake parking lot, go down to String Lake and turn right on the String Lake Loop Trail. There are stunning views of Teewinot Mountain, Rockchuck Peak and Mount Moran.  About 0.5 miles/ 800 m along, the String Lake Horse Trail branches off to the right.  Continue straight.  You will pass the junction with the Bearpaw lake Trail, which goes to Leigh Lake, at 0.9 miles/ 1.5 km.  Turn left and you will soon cross a small bridge over the Leigh Lake Outlet, which joins Leigh and String Lakes. The trail slopes up slightly, going through pine forest.  1.6 miles/ 2.6 km in, the trail meets the main Paintbrush Canyon trail to the right.   This is where you meet up with folks who started at the String Lake Trailhead. 

If you start at the Spring Lake Trailhead, head left and you will almost immediately meet up with the Jenny Lake Loop trail.  Turn right and follow this trail for about 0.3 miles/ 0.5 km until the junction with the String Lake Trail.  Go straight ahead/ right to continue around String Lake for about half a mile/ 800 m.  You will then get to the junction of the Paintbrush Trail to the left.  The String Lake loop goes around to the right.  This is where you will meet up with people who started at the Leigh lake Trailhead. Go left/ straight.

The trail then proceeds up a series of switchbacks to the canyon.  3 miles/ 4.8 km into the hike, you’ll pass through huckleberry bushes for about a mile.  This is prime bear country, so be sure to have a  bear spray or a bear bell with you.  3.9 miles/ 6.3 km in is the mouth of Paintbrush Canyon.  Cross the creek and the views open up and you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the canyon.  You can often see moose in the creek along this section of the trail.

Around 4.5 miles/ 7.2 km, there are large boulders and the trail is steep and rocky.  Trekking poles are a good idea here.  There are lovely views of Leigh and Jackson Lakes.

6 miles/ 9.7 km from the trailhead, the trail splits.  These trails join up again, so you can go either way, but the right trail is shorter and more scenic.  Soon after you take the right fork, there is a small marshy lake with great views of Paintbrush Divide.  Another 0.5 miles/ 800 m takes you to Holly Lake, nestled below Mount Woodring.

0.2 miles/ 320 m further along, the trail rejoins the other trail (that you took if you turned left at the fork). The trail then ascends quite steeply and it can be snowy around here. There are a couple of short sections on narrow ledges with sheer drop offs on one side – if you are afraid of heights, these can be quite hairy!

7.6 miles/ 12.2 km in, you get to Paintbrush Divide.  There are absolutely stunning 360° views of the incredible Grand Teton ranges.  This is the common turning back point, though it is possible to continue on another 2.2 miles/ 3.2 km (downhill) to Lake Solitude.

Tips:

• Starting at the Leigh Lake Trailhead is 0.2 miles/ 320 m shorter each way; however, starting at the String Lake Trailhead takes you around the bottom of String Lake, which is a particularly pretty trail. 
• This can be combined with the Lake Solitude hike through the parallel Cascade Canyon for an epic 20-mile/ 32-km loop (17.5 miles/ 28 km if you take the shuttle boat across Jenny Lake).  If you do that, it is recommended to hike in a counter-clockwise direction for the best light for photos. 
• Paintbrush Divide is high (10,696 feet/ 3,260 m) and can be covered in snow even in July, so check conditions before you set out if you plan to do the full Paintbrush-Cascade Canyons loop.
• String Lake Trailhead especially fills up early as hiking in the Grand Tetons is popular, so get there early (before 9:00am is best).

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9. Signal Mountain, Grand Teton National Park

Although you can drive to many places in Grand Teton National Park (read about the don’t-miss 42-mile Tetons scenic loop drive here), hiking is much more rewarding.  This is definitely true of Signal Mountain.  A road goes right to the top, but the trail gives you more time to enjoy the views and your surroundings along the way.

Trail length: 6.6 miles/ 10.6 km

Elevation change: 1,040 feet / 317 m

Difficulty: Moderate

Trailhead:  Signal Mountain Lodge

The trailhead is about 0.2 miles/ 300m from the main parking lot, opposite where the park employees live.  Walk west along the road after the general store and campground office or walk along the path just east of the campground office. The trail almost immediately crosses Teton Park Road and then starts a steep uphill, crossing Signal Mountain Road after 0.5 miles/ 800 m. 

Soon after you cross the road, you pass a small pond covered in water lilies and proceed through a pine forest.  About 0.6 miles/ 1km, there are great views of Mount Moran.  0.1 mile/ 150 m further along, there is a fork in the trail.  The trail splits here, but rejoins later, so you can go either way.  However, it is best to take the right fork for the ascent, which goes past a lake, and take the other trail coming down so that you get mountain views on the way back.

1.9 miles/ 3km into the hike, the trails rejoin and is fairly steep uphill, passing through meadows and more lodgepole pine forests for 0.6 miles/ 1 km before reaching Jackson Lake Overlook. This is an especially lovely spot to see the sunset/ early morning light, with stunning views of Jackson lake and the Grand Teton Mountains.

You can continue on to Signal Mountain Overlook, but this last 0.8 mile/ 1.3 km is along the road.

Tip:  Jackson lake Overlook is a great place to see the sunrise and Signal Mountain Overlook is a great place to see Jackson Hole and the Gros Ventre mountains late afternoon or sunset.

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10. Taggart Lake, Grand Teton National Park

If you are looking for a calm and gentle hike that still provides a stunning view of the Grand Tetons, then you need to head out on the Taggart Lake Trail, one of the best hikes in the Grand Tetons. 

You have the option of making this a 3.3 mile/ 5.3 km out and back or an almost 4-mile/ 6.4 km loop hike. With only 300 feet/ 91 m of elevation gain, Taggart Lake is a great little hike for the entire family. 

Trail length: 3.3 miles/ 5.3 km (out and back) or 4 miles/ 6.4 km (loop via Beaver Creek Trail)

Elevation change: 300 feet/ 91 m

Difficulty: Easy

Trailhead:  Taggart Lake Trailhead

As you start from the trailhead, veer right (the Beaver Creek Trail is to the left).  You can expect to hike through aspen-covered moraine until the trail opens up to spectacular views of the Grand Tetons for the rest of the way.

The hike itself can get a little confusing as it crosses both the Beaver Creek Trail and the Bradley Lake Trail.  At about 1.1 miles/ 1.7 km is the junction with the Bradley Lake Trail off to the right. 

Continue straight to Taggart Lake. A GPS or map is helpful when you reach these junctions to make sure you stay on track. See my Guide to the Best GPS for Hiking if you’re thinking of getting one.

However, this is usually a heavily trafficked trail, so friendly hikers are always available to offer directions should you need them.  

Once you arrive at the 305-acre, glacially carved lake, feel free to hop in for a swim to cool down – that is if you can handle cold water temperatures!  Having lunch next to the lake is the preferred way of enjoying the incredible lakeside view of the nearby Grand Tetons.

After lunch, if you are up for a longer hike, consider tacking on the extra 1 mile/ 1.6 km to the nearby, but smaller, Bradley Lake. If not, feel free to head back the way you came or take the loop trail back to the parking lot.

Tips:

• The Taggart Lake trailhead is located only 2.3 miles north of the Moose Entrance Station or 3.5 miles south of the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. 
• Can be extended by adding Bradley lake and by returning via the Beaver Creek Trail

Explored by fellow bloggers Ashley + Nick from Illness To Ultra

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Grand Teton National Park Trail Map

Click on the Grand Teton National Park trail map below to see each individual hike.

For more a more detailed Grand Teton National Park hiking map, get the National Geographic topographical trail maps for Grand Teton National Park.

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Happy hiking in Grand Tetons National Park!

Do you have any favorite hikes or tips for hiking Grand Teton National Park? I’d love to hear them. Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know.

If you are also planning to visit Yellowstone in the same trip, read my Yellowstone National Park Guide and detailed Yellowstone itineraries.

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About the Author

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