Article Topics: Easy Hikes in Grand Teton National Park, Short Trails at Grand Teton
Encompassing the fertile floodplains of the Snake River, various types of forests, shimmering glacier-carved lakes and the towering Teton Range, Grand Teton National Park is a dream destination for hikers.
While it’s entirely possible to explore to park solely by car on the amazing 42-mile Scenic Loop Drive, I strongly recommend lacing up your hiking boots and immersing yourself in the park’s spectacular landscapes.
Hiking in Grand Teton National Park is one of the greatest experiences in the U.S. national parks. The park offers hiking opportunities to everyone, from short lakeshore strolls to summit hikes and multi-day backpacking trips. Whatever hike you’re looking for, Grand Teton National Park has several options for you.
Below, we’ll take a look at some of the best easy day hikes in Grand Teton National Park. These are my personal favorite (relatively) easy trails at Grand Teton, based on my own visit to the park.
Note, though, that this list is not exhaustive in any way. There are many other short and easy Grand Teton National Park hikes to be enjoyed. See the end of this post for more options.
Contents
- 7 Easy Day Hikes in Grand Teton National Park
- Additional Easy Day Hikes in Grand Teton National Park
- Accommodation in Grand Teton National Park
- More About Grand Teton National Park
- Wildlife Safety When Hiking in Grand Teton National Park
- More Difficult Hikes in Grand Teton National Park
- Easy Day Hikes in Other National Parks
7 Easy Day Hikes in Grand Teton National Park
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1. Lakeshore Trail
- Distance: 2 miles (loop)
- Duration: 1 hour
- Location: Colter Bay
The super-easy Lakeshore Trail starts behind the Colter Bay Visitor Center near Colter Bay Village, which is the first main area you’ll get to when entering the park from Yellowstone in the north.
It’s a wonderful introduction to the beauty of Grand Teton, its crystal-clear lakes and its majestic mountains.
The trail takes hikers through shoreline woodlands and along the east shore of sprawling Jackson Lake. The views of both Jackson Lake and the Teton Range are amazing.
2. String and Leigh Lakes Trail
- Distance: 1.8 miles (out and back via the Leigh Lake Trail) or 3.7 miles (loop via the String Lake Loop Trail)
- Duration: 1-3 hours depending on which trail you choose
- Location: String Lake
The String and Leigh Lakes Trails offer some of the best easy hikes in the heart of Grand Teton National Park. This hike begins at the Leigh Lake Trailhead, which is located about halfway on the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive on the east shore of String Lake.
You’ll hike along String Lake’s east shore, where you can enjoy up-close views of the magnificent Teton Mountains across the lake. After a short distance, the trail arrives at the south end of Leigh Lake.
Only accessible on foot or by non-motorized boat, this is a tranquil and quiet spot where you can take in the scenery in peace.
Additionally, you can continue hiking along the east shore of Leigh Lake for more solitude, even better views and access to lakeshore beaches.
Retrace your steps to the trailhead the way you came, or make it longer loop hike by taking the String Lake Loop Trail back, encircling String Lake via its west shore.
3. Signal Mountain Trail
- Distance: 6.8 miles (out and back)
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Location: Signal Mountain Lodge
More moderate than it is easy, the Signal Mountain Trail climbs to the summit of one of the few mountains in Grand Teton National Park that are not part of the Teton Range. This out-and-back hike is 6.8 miles roundtrip.
The trail starts at Signal Mountain Lodge, where you’ll also find a gas station, campground, restaurant famous for its legendary wild game chili, general store, tour operators and a variety of cabins.
After crossing the Teton Park Road, it meanders through a forest to the summit of Signal Mountain, about 850 feet above the trailhead. It’s a fairly gentle climb to the top.
At the summit, you’re rewarded by a commanding panoramic view of the Teton Range and Jackson Lake. Looking in the other direction, the woodlands and grasslands of Jackson Hole extend beyond the Snake River.
Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife along this beautiful Grand Teton National Park trail. Elk frequent the lower slopes, while you might spot both dusky and ruffed grouse around the summit.
As always when hiking in Grand Teton National Park, be bear aware, too.
4. Hidden Falls Trail
- Distance: 1 mile (out and back with the Jenny Lake shuttle) / 4.8 miles (out and back via the Jenny Lake Loop Trail)
- Duration: 1-3 hours
- Location: Jenny Lake
Fans of waterfalls will certainly want to do the hike to Hidden Falls, which is one of the most popular easy hikes in Grand Teton National Park. The only accessible waterfall in the national park, Hidden Falls is a 100-foot cascade above the west shore of Jenny Lake.
From the lakeshore, the trail climbs approximately 200 feet to the waterfall, which relies on snowmelt high up in the Tetons as its primary water source.
You have two options to get to Hidden Falls. The easiest is taking the Jenny Lake shuttle from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center across the lake to the trailhead on the west shore. This roundtrip hike is 1 mile.
Option number two is hiking along the lake’s south shore, also from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. This there-and-back hike is 4.8 miles roundtrip. Alternatively, you can combine both options, too, hiking one way and taking the shuttle back (or vice versa).
Additionally, you can also continue this hike another 0.5 miles past Hidden Falls to Inspiration Point.
5. Inspiration Point Trail
- Distance: 2 miles (out and back with the Jenny Lake shuttle) / 5.8 miles (out and back via the Jenny Lake Loop Trail)
- Duration: 2-4 hours
- Location: Jenny Lake
Together, Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point are one of the most sought-after hikes at Grand Teton. Along the way, you will enjoy stunning views of Jenny Lake, the Teton Range, the 100-foot-high Hidden Falls, as well as Jackson Hole.
The first part of this must-do hike is the same as the Hidden Falls Trail, described above. Beyond the waterfall, the Inspiration Point Trail continues through a rugged canyon and along exposed cliffs to a spectacular viewpoint. The distance between Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point is 0.5 miles.
Similar to the hike to Hidden Falls, you can opt to either hike along the south shore of Jenny Lake or take the Jenny Lake shuttle from the visitor center.
6. Moose Ponds
- Distance: 2 miles (out and back) / 3 miles (lollipop loop)
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Location: Jenny Lake
If you’d like to do an easy hike in Grand Teton National Park that offers some great wildlife viewing opportunities, consider hiking to Moose Ponds.
Located just above the south shore of Jenny Lake, Moose Ponds is about 1 mile from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. As its name implies, this is a great location to see moose in Grand Teton, while other wildlife sightings include pronghorn, beavers and the occasional black or grizzly bear.
I recommend hiking the 3-mile lollipop loop, which takes you to gorgeous Lupine Meadows, home to wildflowers in spring and beautiful foliage in fall.
The best time to find wildlife at Moose Ponds is early in the morning, but this is a beautiful hike at other times of the day, too.
7. Jenny Lake Loop
- Distance: 7.6 miles (loop)
- Duration: 3-5 hours
- Location: Jenny Lake
Without question one of the absolute best day hikes in Grand Teton National Park—and among the best hikes in the entire national park system—the Jenny Lake Loop offers spectacular views and occasional wildlife encounters.
It also has opportunities to see the three Grand Teton highlights described above (Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point and Moose Ponds) on short spur trails.
Although quite a popular trail, you can often find solitude along the northwest shore of Jenny Lake. For the best views, the Jenny Lake Loop hike is best done in a counterclockwise direction.
Starting at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, follow the east shore northward to the south end of String Lake. Cross the bridge across a fast-flowing stream and enjoy the spectacular views of the famous Cathedral Group—Mount Owen, Grand Teton and Teewinot.
Continue along the north and west shore until you get to the Hidden Falls trailhead and shuttle boat dock. There, you can hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.
Take the Jenny Lake shuttle back to the visitor center or follow the trail around the lake’s south shore.
Additional Easy Day Hikes in Grand Teton National Park
In addition to the easy Grand Teton day hikes above, there are several other options for short hikes in the park. Those include the following.
- Christian Pond Loop (3.3 miles, loop)
- Lunch Tree Hill Loop (0.5 miles, loop)
- Heron Pond – Swan Lake Loop Trail (3 miles, loop)
- Murie Ranch Trail (1 miles, out and back)
- Taggart Lake Trail (3 miles, out and back)
- Lake Creek – Woodland Trail Loop (3 miles, loop)
- Polecat Creek Trail (2.5 miles, loop)
- Hermitage Point Trail (9.7 miles, loop)
Accommodation in Grand Teton National Park
A number of historic and rustic lodges dot Grand Teton National Park. Click the links below for more information, opening dates and rates.
If you’d like to go camping instead, you can pick and choose between no fewer than half a dozen campgrounds. Scattered across the park and often close to popular trails, they’re the perfect places to have an immersive Grand Teton National Park experience.
You can find more details about Grand Teton campgrounds on the park’s website.
More About Grand Teton National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Grand Teton Hikes
- Top Things To Do in Grand Teton National Park
- Where to See Wildlife in Grand Teton National Park
- Best Views of the Tetons
- Names of Major Teton Range Peaks (With Photos)
Wildlife Safety When Hiking in Grand Teton National Park
Wildlife abounds in Grand Teton National Park. Even in the frontcountry, among throngs of other visitors, you can run into a variety of wild animals. Those include deer, elk and moose, but also black bears and grizzly bears.
When hiking in Grand Teton National Park, even if it’s on a short and busy trail, always be alert for wildlife.
Make noise, don’t hike alone and always carry bear spray. You can learn how to use bear spray correctly here.
For specific information about hiking responsibly and safely in wildlife country, I’d like to refer to the following wildlife safety guides.
More Difficult Hikes in Grand Teton National Park
Those who are after a more challenging Grand Teton National Park hiking experience might be interested in the following longer trails, many of which run deep into the park’s backcountry.
- Two Ocean Lake – Emma Mathilda Lake Loop (13.2 miles, loop)
- Holly Lake (13 miles, out and back)
- Death Canyon to Static Peak Divide Junction (7.9 miles, out and back)
- Forks of Cascade Canyon (at least 8.8 miles, out and back)
- Garnet Canyon (8.4 miles, out and back)
- Lake Solitude (at least 14 miles, out and back)