As my wife and I weaved through the mountain roads, we slowly gained altitude as we approached Grand Teton National Park. I started to feel lightheaded, so I opened our car window. The crisp pine air instantly refreshed me – not only physically, but mentally as well. For the last three months, we had been cooped up in our house, social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. A road trip to the Tetons was our first time spending significant time outside in months. It was glorious.
There’s something about being outside surrounded by the cool mountain air that is indescribably refreshing. Each day in Grand Teton, we explored the park through various hikes, absorbing as much of the outdoors as possible. It was the perfect way to stay away from people and bolster our mental health.
Looking to feel refreshed too? Hiking around Grand Teton will be just the thing. I’m a beginner hiker, and these trails were a perfect introduction to the park (which is filled with dozens of trails to choose from). To get you started, here’s my guide to the best hikes in Grand Teton National Park!
Looking to do more than just hike in the Tetons? Check out my guide on The Best Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park (Besides Hiking!)
Sunrise at Snake River Overlook – one of the park’s most famous views.
About the Park
Grand Teton National Park is located in western Wyoming and is named after the tallest mountain in the towering mountain range that lines the western edge of the park. These majestic mountains were one of the main reasons I wanted to visit! There’s no bad view of them anywhere in the park.
If you are staying in Jackson, you can easily enter the park right off of US Highway 89 via Teton Park Road. Entrance fees to the park are $35 per car for seven days. You can also purchase an annual national parks pass for $80, called the America the Beautiful Pass, if you plan to visit more than one national park in the next 12 months (this is what I did, and it was well worth it!).
For more information on Grand Teton National Park, visit the national park services website.
Read more: The Ultimate U.S. National Parks Guide
Map of the hikes in Grand Teton National Park, as provided by the National Park Service.
Hikes in Grand Teton National Park
Before getting started on your hikes, stop at the Craig Thomas Visitor Center. Here, you can pick up copies of the park map (which I would recommend, as cell phone reception can be spotty throughout the park), use the restroom, and fill up your water. There are other smaller visitor centers throughout the park, such as near Jenny Lake or Colter Bay, that you can stop at depending on how you enter the park. Most trailheads also have a stand set up with more detailed maps of the local area. Hikers can borrow these maps or provide a suggested donation of $1 if they wish to keep them.
The Tetons reflect gorgeously in the stillness of Moose Ponds.
Moose Ponds Hike
Moose Ponds Hike was one of our very first hikes in Grand Teton National Park, and it did not disappoint! This trail starts near the popular Jenny Lake Loop, but instead turns west around several smaller ponds. This made it much less busy than other nearby trails. Starting at the Jenny Lake trailhead and looping around and back (in a ‘lollipop’ formation) makes this hike around 3.5 miles. This took us about two hours at a relatively ambling pace (plus a stop for breakfast).
This hike weaves through forest, past several ponds, and into a field filled with wildflowers. It also includes gorgeous views of the mountains! There are several large rocks near the ponds that make this a great spot to stop for a snack and enjoy the views! There were also a few small hills rounding the northwest side of the ponds, but otherwise the trail was primarily flat (the elevation gain is approximately 195 feet). It is also fairly common to see moose along this area (hence the name!).
Overall, this hike is a wonderful option if you’re looking for something less popular with a beautiful and diverse landscape.
Views from the shore of Jenny Lake.
Jenny Lake Loop Hike
Jenny Lake Loop Hike is one of the most popular hikes in Grand Teton National Park, and for good reason! The lake is gorgeous, with clear blue water calmly lapping at the shores. It is also a relatively flat trail, making it easy for families to enjoy.
You can start at the trailhead near the parking lot and walk all the way around the lake in a 7.5 mile long loop, or you can take the boat across the lake to the west side to cut the hike in half. The cost to take the boat is $10 per adult one way or $18 per adult round trip.
Jenny Lake Loop Add-On Hikes
This trail is also connected to many other nearby trails, making it easy to customize your hike if you want to see even more of Grand Teton National Park! These are all popular trails, so consider hiking in the early morning or evening if you want to avoid the crowds. Options include:
- Moose Ponds Trail (as discussed above)
- Hidden Falls, a short but steep hike up to a waterfall on the west side of Jenny Lake. Once you’re at the west side boat dock, it’s only an additional 1.3 miles up to the falls.
- Inspiration Point, if you still have energy after Hidden Falls, is another mile or so up a rocky cliff. You’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the lake that are just gorgeous!
- Cascade Canyon, a 4.5 mile trail deep into the mountains from the west side boat dock. If you want to take a peek in, you can go just a little further than Inspiration Point. It will be much less crowded the farther into the canyon you go.
Any combination of these hikes is a great option if you’re looking for a classic Grand Tetons hiking experience.
Swimming and canoeing are popular at String and Leigh Lakes!
Leigh Lake Hike
The Leigh Lake trail starts at the Leigh Lake trailhead on North Jenny Lake Junction. It’s a calm 3.7 mile out and back trail with very little elevation gain (approximately 50 feet).
You’ll start your hike along String Lake, which is a popular swimming location if you need to cool off after your hike! It is also quite buggy in the evenings, so be sure to have bug spray with you. Once you reach the end of String Lake and the beginning of Leigh Lake, the trail becomes much less busy. It is relatively secluded and spends much of its time in the quiet of the forest. While there are only several spots where the trail is right along the lake, it is incredibly peaceful. Be sure to make lots of noise as you hike, as bears enjoy walking along the trail to get to the lake (in fact, we saw one on our hike!).
If you walk south from the trailhead, you connect back to the Jenny Lake Loop. You could also take the String Lake Loop if you prefer to just walk around the lake instead of continuing on to Leigh Lake.
This is the perfect trail if you want to get away from the crowds in the rest of the park.
The views of Taggart Lake at sunset are worth the incline on the hike!
Taggart Lake Trail Hike
Taggart Lake is another popular hike in Grand Teton that offers a little more climbing than the previous trails! It’s a 3.3 mile out and back trail with about 300 feet of elevation gain (and it does get steep in the middle of the hike!). However, the views of the towering mountains and calm lake waters make all of it worth it.
This hike starts at the Taggart Lake Trailhead. Towards the beginning of the trail, you’ll pass over a log bridge that has a great view of a waterfall upstream. You’ll also pass through the sagebrush valley as you ascend into the mountain’s forests, making the terrain of this hike quite unique. There are plenty of places to stop and rest along the lakeshore while soaking in the gorgeous terrain.
If you’re feeling energized, you can continue 1.1 miles to Bradley Lake, or you could turn around and head back to the trailhead. There are two ways to do this: back the way you hiked, or add an extra 0.5 miles via the Beaver Creek Trail, which will take you through some grasslands. Either way, you’ll have the gorgeous backdrop of the Tetons behind you.
This is a great trail if you want amazing scenery and don’t mind a little incline!
Fields are littered with wildflowers along the Moose Ponds trail.
Packing Considerations for Your Grand Teton Hikes
Before starting any hike, make sure you pack plenty of water and snacks to keep your energy up throughout your journey! The Tetons are also at an altitude of almost 7,000 feet, so if you are coming from near sea level, expect to feel a little breathless while hiking during the first few days of your trip.
I also always wear sunscreen and bug spray – most hikes weave in and out of the trees, which can give you a sunburn if you’re not careful, and there are plenty of mosquitos near the Tetons’ many lakes. The park is also full of large wildlife, including bears, moose, and bison, so you should bring bear spray (and know how to use it!). Finally, hiking shoes are a must. While trails are well maintained, they are bumpy and often filled with rocks and sticks and can hurt your feet if unprotected. This pair of hiking shoes protected my feet throughout my time in the Tetons – I didn’t even get a single blister!
Finally, as with any hiking trip, be sure to follow the Leave No Trace Principles by respecting the wildlife, disposing of trash properly, and leaving the park in better condition than you found it.
Cuddling is even better with a backdrop like this!
LGBTQ+ Considerations
While Wyoming is a generally conservative US state, Grand Teton National Park is a popular tourist destination, making it feel generally welcoming to all types of people. My wife and I were particularly struck with how progressive nearby Jackson, WY felt. We stayed in Jackson throughout our trip, and the city has a very pacific northwest vibe (think: forest hippie) that made us feel more comfortable being out as a couple. Plus, we avoided most people while hiking, which made us feel more comfortable being affectionate. Overall, we had a positive experience hiking in Grand Teton and visiting Jackson, and would recommend it to other queer travelers!
Read more: Top Safety Tips for Queer Travelers
Seriously…you can’t beat these views.
Overall
Grand Teton National Park is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, and hiking is one of the best ways to see the park! The serenity of the mountains, lakes, and trees is almost indescribable. There is something so calming about being out in nature – and this is just what we need during difficult times.
Have you tried any of these hikes in Grand Teton National Park? Let me know how it went in the comments!
Read more: United States Travel Guide
Note: this post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link for an affiliate partnership, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps keep this blog up and running. Thanks for your support!
This post was last updated on August 6, 2020.
Leave A Comment