With more than 200 miles of trails, Grand Teton National Park is a hiker's paradise. Regardless of fitness level, with stunning alpine forests, scenic lake vistas, and rugged peaks, there are trails to suit everyone in this exceptional park.
It is best explored from late May to early October to avoid the deep snow and ice and to give the best opportunities for wildlife spotting! This park is deep in bear country, and spotting moose, deer, beavers, river otters, and an abundance of birds are common across many of these hikes! Just don't forget to pack bear spray!
10 Taggart Lake Loop
This loop trail is one of the most popular because it is short and flat, making it the perfect family-friendly introduction to the park. The trail starts at the Taggart Lake trailhead and offers beautiful views of Grand Teton, the highest mountain in the Teton Range. The babbling creek alongside the trail makes for a serene way to get acquainted with this incredible National Park. It can get crowded in the summer, so those wanting a more peaceful hike should get there early. For a longer hike (5.5 miles, 560 feet ascent), add in Bradley Lake for more scenic views.
- Distance: 3.8 miles
- Time: 2-3 hours
- Ascent: 420 feet
9 Jenny Lake Loop
Another popular Grand Teton hike is the relatively easy Jenny Lake Loop. Although longer, this flat hike is a great option for incredible views without too much effort. For those wanting a shorter hike, there is the option to get the shuttle boat across the lake and hike back to the visitor center, making it just 5 miles. This loop trail is one of the best hikes in the park for those wanting the iconic view of Jenny Lake with the Teton Range in the background.
- Distance: 7.6 miles
- Time: 3-5 hours
- Ascent: 623 feet
8 Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls
A visit to Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls is the perfect day for first-time visitors to the park. The Jenny Lake boat shuttle takes visitors across Jenny Lake to the start of the trailhead. This short but steep hike leads to one of the most famous viewpoints in the park - Inspiration Point. On the way to the top, there is a quick detour to beautiful Hidden Falls. A round trip on the boat costs $18 and runs every 10-15 minutes. In the summer it can get crowded, but it is worth the wait for one of the least effort, biggest reward hikes in the park.
- Distance: 2 miles
- Time: 1-2 hours
- Ascent: 410 feet
7 Cascade Canyon
Another of the best scenic hikes in Grant Teton National Park is through Cascade Canyon. This one also requires getting the ferry across Jenny Lake and starts at the Jenny Lake West Shore boat dock. After reaching Inspiration Point, carry on walking along the gradual ascent for gorgeous views of Cascade Canyon creek. Hikers will often see moose and bears along this trail, alongside the scenic vistas. The 2 miles after Inspiration Point offer the best views, so those wanting a shorter hike could turn back instead of walking the whole 9 miles.
- Distance: 9 miles
- Time: 5-7 hours
- Ascent: 1100 feet
6 Table Mountain Trail
The hike along the Table Mountain Trail is jam-packed with lookouts offering incredible views over the Teton Range. This less-known trail is often relatively quiet so still feels like a hidden gem, partially because it is very strenuous and involves big elevation gains right from the get-go. The loop includes two trails, the Face Trail and the Huckleberry Trail. Visitors can take one of these up Table Mountain, and the other back down. Although a tricky hike, this is the next best thing to actually climb Grand Teton, and those up for the challenge will be rewarded with unforgettable views over Grand Teton.
- Distance: 11 miles
- Time: 7-8 hours
- Ascent: 1220 feet
5 Lakeshore Trail
This easy, flat trail around Jackson Lake is perfect for families or visitors who want to stretch their legs. It starts at Colter Bay Visitor Center and offers hikers the chance to walk around beautiful Jackson Lake through two loops circling the inner and outer portions of the wooded peninsula. This Colter Bay region is an excellent place for wildlife spotting, and visitors catch glimpses of bears, moose, elk, deer, beavers, river otters, and a wide variety of birds.
- Distance: 2 miles
- Time: 1 hour
- Ascent: 150 feet
4 Phelps Lake Overlook
Phelps Lake Overlook offers hikers one of the best panoramic views in Grand Teton, second only to Inspiration Point. This family-friendly trail is also perfect for those wanting serene lake panoramas. For those more adventurous, it can be combined with Death Canyon for a longer and more strenuous hike. The trail begins at the Death Canyon trailhead, so a 4WD is recommended to get down the dirt path to the parking lot.
- Distance: 2 miles
- Time: 1 hour
- Ascent: 440 feet
3 Paintbrush Canyon To Cascade Canyon Loop
This 19.7-mile loop trail is not for the faint-hearted but gives hikers the chance to visit some of the best sections of the park including Jenny Lake, Inspiration Point, Paintbrush Canyon, Cascade Canyon, and Lake Solitude. Many visitors split this hike over 2 or 3 days, but it is possible to squeeze this into one long day with an early start. It begins at Leigh Lake Trailhead, just north of Jenny Lake, and can be hiked in either direction, although most tackle it counterclockwise to get the majority of the ascent out of the way in the first half. This loop is one of the most spectacular, with scenic views of the towering peaks of the Tetons, stunning pine forests, and serene wildflower meadows. Just be prepared because snow and ice can linger on this route year-round.
- Distance: 19.7 miles
- Time: 8-12 hours
- Ascent: 3975 feet
2 Signal Mountain
Starting near Signal Mountain Lodge, the highlight of this wonderful hike is the outstanding panoramic views of the Grand Tetons, Jackson Lake, and the Snake River from Jackson Point Overlook. For those wanting the view without effort, it is possible to drive up to the summit of Signal Mountain. An abundance of wildlife has been spotted in this region, including moose, black bears, and grizzly bears, so bear spray is recommended!
- Distance: 8 miles
- Time: 3-5 hours
- Ascent: 850 feet
1 Surprise, Amphitheater and Delta Lakes
Another popular but tough hike includes three stunning alpine lakes: Surprise, Amphitheater, and Delta Lakes. Starting at Lupine Meadows trailhead, the first 5 miles are grueling with constant ascent, but the challenge is worth the reward to explore this rugged terrain. This out-and-back trail includes some unmarked sections and lots of switchbacks, so hikers should make sure they are familiar with the route before starting. It is common to spot black bears in the dense forest, so make sure to carry bear spray at all times!
- Distance: 11.5 miles
- Time: 6-8 hours
- Ascent: 3800 feet