Hiking in Grand Teton

9.2 mi · 242 ft gain · 2.9 hr

A 9.2-mile out-and-back on the remote String Lake/Leigh Lake area that passes Bearpaw Lake before reaching Trapper Lake — flat by Grand Teton standards (242 ft gain) with the backcountry atmosphere of a longer hike without the elevation commitment. Kid-friendly terrain on a trail most day visitors skip.

9.4 mi · 1,125 ft gain · 3.9 hr

The park's premier valley-to-mountain hike: 9.4 miles into Cascade Canyon with 1,125 ft of gain, passing Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point before entering the deep glacial canyon below the Grand Teton summit. Most hikers take the Jenny Lake boat shuttle ($18 RT) to cut 2 miles off the start — decide before you go because the shuttle dock fills early in summer.

7.6 mi · 2,296 ft gain

The park's most photogenic hard hike: 7.6 miles and 2,296 ft of gain to a glacial lake sitting directly below the Grand Teton's east face, with the turquoise reflection shot that defines the park's visual identity. The last 0.5 miles involves scrambling — poles help, and you need to be comfortable on loose talus.

1.1 mi · 183 ft gain · 30 min

The shortest route to Hidden Falls — 1.1 miles from the west shore boat dock after taking the Jenny Lake ferry ($18 RT). This assumes you've already crossed the lake; if not, use the 5.1-mile loop version from the east shore trailhead. The falls are 200 ft tall and worth the crossing.

5.1 mi · 606 ft gain · 2.1 hr

The complete Hidden Falls experience without the boat fare: 5.1 miles walking the south shore of Jenny Lake to reach the falls and Inspiration Point on foot. Kid-friendly terrain with lake views the whole way before ascending to the waterfall. The boat shuttle cuts it to 1.1 miles if time matters — your call.

4.5 mi · 462 ft gain · 1.8 hr

An alternative 4.5-mile route to Hidden Falls via the String Lake trailhead — slightly shorter than the east-shore Jenny Lake loop and starting from a less-congested parking lot. Passes along String Lake with peek-a-boo Teton views before connecting to the falls trail.

13 mi · 2,775 ft gain · 6.6 hr

A demanding 13-mile alpine hike gaining 2,775 ft to a cirque lake in the upper Paintbrush Canyon drainage — one of the park's least-visited hard hikes, worth the effort for a genuine alpine wilderness experience away from the Jenny Lake crowd. Start early; the return descent is long and tiring in afternoon heat.

2.2 mi · 574 ft gain · 1.2 hr

A 2.2-mile loop from the west shore boat dock up to Inspiration Point — assumes you've taken the Jenny Lake ferry over. Short but steep (574 ft in 1.1 miles), with a panoramic overlook above Jenny Lake and the valley as the payoff. Combine with Cascade Canyon for a full day if you have the energy.

1.8 mi · 433 ft gain · 58 min

The most efficient Grand Teton hike for families: take the Jenny Lake boat shuttle ($18 RT) to the west dock, then hike 1.8 miles to Inspiration Point — 433 ft of gain, under an hour, and you're standing above Jenny Lake with the full Teton panorama. Kid-friendly if they can handle the rocky switchbacks.

7.7 mi · 748 ft gain · 3.0 hr

The full 7.7-mile Jenny Lake loop starting from String Lake — a moderate circuit around the lake with Teton Range views throughout and a pass by Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point on the west shore. Starting from String Lake lets you avoid the more congested Jenny Lake south lot.

7.3 mi · 472 ft gain · 2.6 hr

The standard 7.3-mile Jenny Lake loop from the south trailhead — the park's most popular hike for good reason: continuous Teton views, lake reflections, wildflowers in summer, and wildlife sightings across a terrain that requires nothing technical. Arrive early (before 8am) or the parking lot is full by 9am in July–August.

16.8 mi · 2,654 ft gain · 7.6 hr

The park's longest and most ambitious day hike: 16.8 miles and 2,654 ft to Lake Solitude at the head of North Fork Cascade Canyon — an all-day commitment that rewards with a high alpine lake at 9,035 ft ringed by the Teton peaks. Most hikers take the Jenny Lake boat shuttle each way to cut 4 miles total; book the return shuttle before heading up.

14 mi · 2,362 ft gain · 6.5 hr

The 14-mile route to Lake Solitude via the Cascade Canyon Trail — 2.8 miles shorter than the standalone Lake Solitude trail because the boat shuttle cuts the start. Rated 4.9 stars — the best-rated trail in the park's dataset. Take the boat shuttle from the Jenny Lake east dock each way; early morning is essential to beat crowds in the canyon.

7.3 mi · 114 ft gain · 2.2 hr

A 7.3-mile flat out-and-back to Leigh Lake — only 114 ft of gain across the whole distance, making it the best accessible hike in the park for families, seniors, or anyone who wants genuine backcountry ambience without elevation. The lake has sandy beach areas and direct Teton views with almost no crowds compared to Jenny Lake.

2.9 mi · 45 ft gain · 52 min

The short 2.9-mile version of Leigh Lake — only 45 ft of gain in under an hour, reaching the lake's near shore with Teton views and a small beach. Ideal for young kids or as an afternoon add-on after a morning hike. The longer Leigh Lake Trail adds 4.4 miles to explore further up the shoreline.

3.2 mi · 150 ft gain · 1.1 hr

A 3.2-mile easy loop from Jenny Lake's south trailhead to a series of ponds where moose feed in the morning — one of the park's best short wildlife-watching hikes, with only 150 ft of gain. Do it early (6–8am) for moose sightings; they retreat to the forest midday.

19.3 mi · 4,133 ft gain

The park's epic loop: 19.3 miles and 4,133 ft of gain traversing both Paintbrush Canyon and Cascade Canyon in a full circuit over Paintbrush Divide (10,700 ft). Most fit hikers treat this as a 2-day backpacker loop, but it's done in a single very long day by experienced hikers starting at the Jenny Lake boat dock. Holly Lake and Lake Solitude are both on route — two of the park's best alpine lakes in one loop.

3.7 mi · 262 ft gain · 1.3 hr

A 3.7-mile loop around String Lake between Jenny Lake and Leigh Lake — a gentler circuit with turquoise water, Teton peak reflections, and sandy wading areas accessible to kids. Kid-friendly with only 262 ft of gain; the String Lake trailhead also serves as the less-crowded access point for Hidden Falls hikes.

10.3 mi · 3,011 ft gain

A 10.3-mile hard hike gaining 3,011 ft from the Lupine Meadows trailhead to two high alpine lakes at 9,698 ft — Surprise Lake and Amphitheater Lake sit directly below the Teton's east face. Some of the most dramatic close-up views of the Grand Teton summit available from a non-technical trail.

3.8 mi · 429 ft gain · 1.5 hr

A 3.8-mile easy loop to Taggart Lake on the park's south end — 429 ft of gain in 1.5 hours, with meadow wildflower corridors and Teton views without the Jenny Lake crowds. One of the best low-effort hikes in the park for a genuine lake-and-mountain payoff; the south trailhead parking lot is larger and easier to get into than Jenny Lake.

40.3 mi · 9,101 ft gain · 21.6 hr

The Teton Crest is the multi-day high traverse of the range, running roughly 40 miles point to point through western Grand Teton and across landmarks like Death Canyon, Alaska Basin, and Paintbrush Divide. The route rarely drops below 8,000 feet, so plan for high-altitude hiking with long stretches above treeline, and treat snow on the high passes as a real factor into late summer (an ice axe and the skill to use it can be needed for divide crossings as late as August in heavier years). This is bear country, so carry bear spray and an approved hard-sided canister, and filter all backcountry water. Because most of the route runs through the national park, you must secure an overnight backcountry permit (or camp in the permit-free Alaska Basin); most hikers take 2 to 5 days, usually south to north.

13 mi · 4,950 ft gain · 9.0 hr

Garnet Canyon is the approach most climbs of the Grand Teton take, starting from the Lupine Meadows trailhead and climbing toward the Lower Saddle below the peak. Run as the full out-and-back to the Saddle it is an all-day, very strenuous effort of nearly 5,000 feet of gain that demands top fitness, good route-finding, and even a short section of climbing on a fixed rope; a strong alternate is to turn around in the canyon itself for about 2,500 feet of gain, where the Teton peaks rise on three sides and a cold stream runs much of the way. Beyond the meadows the trail becomes boulder and talus and turns technical, so this is a mountaineers' route rather than a casual hike. It is bear country (carry spray), snow lingers high into summer, and the Lower Saddle is a fragile alpine zone, so walk on rock and stay off the flowers and grasses. Day hikes here need no permit, though an overnight at the Saddle or in the canyon requires a backcountry permit.

19.2 mi · 3,828 ft gain · 9.5 hr

Death Canyon climbs steadily from Phelps Lake up between high canyon walls, a steady grade with several creek crossings and views from the lake to the wildflower meadows above. It is rich wildlife habitat, with chances to spot moose, marmots, bears, and porcupines, so carry bear spray and keep your distance. Note a current access constraint: as of May 2026 the Death Canyon road and trailhead are closed for construction until June 2027, so verify access with the park before planning a trip. Day hikes need no permit, but overnight backpacking in the canyon requires a backcountry permit.