Hikes in the Grand Tetons

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Amazon
• Pinterest

Hiking in Grand Teton National Park is one of the best ways to really explore and enjoy all of the beauty this park has to offer. Many of the hikes in the Grand Tetons are long and fairly strenuous, however there is something for all levels of ability. Here are some of the best hikes in the Grand Tetons, broken down by level of difficulty.

Before you set out on your hike, I highly recommend having the AllTrails+ App. This allows you to download maps before you set out on your hike, so that even when you lose cell service, your phone will keep you on track. During a few of our hikes, we missed a sharp turn, and within a few yards, my phone was vibrating to alert me we were off trail. It was well worth the small fee for that added peace of mind–especially when hiking with kids. We didn’t need to make these treks any longer than they had to be.

Click here to see our full itinerary from our Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National Park trip.

Easier Hikes in the Grand Tetons

1. Leigh Lake Trail

• Distance: 7.1 miles round trip.
• Difficulty: Easy.
• Elevation Gain: 95 ft.
• Highlights: This relatively flat trail follows the shores of String Lake and Leigh Lake, offering beautiful views of the water and the Tetons. It’s a great family-friendly hike with opportunities for picnicking and swimming.

2. Phelps Lake Overlook

• Distance: 2 miles round trip.
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.
• Elevation Gain: 416 ft.
• Highlights: A shorter hike that leads to an overlook with fantastic views of Phelps Lake and the surrounding mountains. It’s a great option for those looking for a less strenuous hike with rewarding views.

Moderate Hikes in the Grand Tetons

1. Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake Loop

• Distance: 6 miles round trip.
• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Elevation Gain: 761 ft.
• Highlights: This loop trail offers scenic views of the Tetons, particularly at Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake. The trail passes through forests and meadows, providing opportunities to see wildlife and enjoy peaceful lakefront views.

2. Jenny Lake Loop – One of the most popular hikes in the Grand Tetons

• Distance: 7.5 miles round trip.
• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Elevation Gain: 449 ft.
• Highlights: The Jenny Lake Loop circles one of the park’s most popular lakes, offering stunning views of the mountains reflected in the water. The trail can be shortened by taking a shuttle boat across the lake. Along the way, you can also visit Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point — two super popular attractions in the Grand Tetons.

3. Cascade Canyon Trail

• Distance: 9.1 miles round trip to the Forks
• Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous.
• Elevation Gain: 1102 ft.
• Highlights: This trail begins at Jenny Lake and can be accessed by taking the shuttle boat across the lake or hiking around it. The trail takes you into Cascade Canyon, with stunning views of the Teton Range, waterfalls, and wildlife. For a longer hike, continue to Lake Solitude (for a total of 13.6 miles), a beautiful alpine lake nestled in the mountains.

4. Hidden Falls Via Jenny Lake Trail

• Distance: 4.9 miles (can also be shortened to just .9 miles if you take the ferry across the lake).
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
• Elevation Gain: 472 ft.
• Highlights: This hike is offers gorgeous scenery and views of a 100-ft waterfall. It’s an extremely popular hike, and is one of the easier hikes in Grand Teton National Park. Plus it can be shortened by taking the ferry across, making it popular for all fitness abilities. Hikers can add on an additional 0.5 miles to reach Inspiration Point. This is a must-do on my Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary.

Strenuous Hikes in the Grand Tetons

1. Paintbrush Canyon and Holly Lake

• Distance: 12.4 miles round trip to Holly Lake; 19.3 miles round trip for the full Paintbrush-Cascade Canyon Loop.
• Difficulty: Strenuous.
• Elevation Gain: 2713 ft.
• Highlights: Paintbrush Canyon is a challenging hike that offers spectacular alpine scenery, including wildflowers, towering peaks, and the serene Holly Lake. For experienced hikers, the full loop through Paintbrush Canyon and Cascade Canyon is one of the most rewarding hikes in the park.

2. Delta Lake via Lupine Meadows

• Distance: About 8 miles round trip.
• Difficulty: Strenuous.
• Elevation Gain: About 2300 ft.
• Highlights: This challenging hike leads to the stunning turquoise-colored Delta Lake, which sits in a glacial cirque beneath the Grand Teton. The trail is steep and includes some scrambling over boulder fields, but the views of the lake and surrounding peaks are breathtaking. We completed this hike with our kids–ages 12, 10 and 8. It is very steep at the end, but well worth it.

3. Static Peak

• Distance: 16 miles round trip.
• Difficulty: Strenuous.
• Elevation Gain: 5446 ft.
• Highlights: This challenging hike takes you high into the Tetons, offering panoramic views from Static Peak Divide. The trail passes through Death Canyon and offers incredible vistas of the surrounding wilderness. It’s a long and demanding hike but perfect for those seeking a rewarding challenge.

4. Garnet Canyon to the Lower Saddle Trail to the Grand Teton Summit

• Distance: 14 miles round trip.
• Difficulty: Very Strenuous (Technical Climb).
• Elevation Gain: About 5000 ft.
• Highlights: For experienced mountaineers, summiting the Grand Teton is the ultimate challenge. The route requires technical climbing skills, proper equipment, and often a guide. The reward is reaching the summit of one of North America’s most iconic peaks.

5. Surprise & Amphitheater Lake

• Distance: 9.9 miles round trip.
• Difficulty: Strenuous.
• Elevation Gain: 2952 ft.
• Highlights: This trail takes you to Amphitheater Lake, an alpine gem surrounded by towering cliffs. The hike is steep and challenging but offers spectacular views of the Tetons and Surprise Lake along the way.

Tips for Hiking in the Grand Tetons

• Fitness Level: Consider your fitness level and abilities before setting out on any of these hikes.
• Navigation: A map or GPS is helpful, especially because you likely won’t have cell service. I used the AllTrails+ app.
• Weather: Check the weather and make sure you start early if there are going to be warmer temperatures. Avoid hiking if there are thunderstorms in the forecast.
• Hiking Gear: Bring plenty of water and snacks. Sturdy waterproof hiking boots are essential, as many of these trails have rocky patches and may have snow on the trail most of the year. Dress in layers. Trekking poles can also be helpful for stability, especially if there is snow.
• Bear Safety: Grand Teton National Park is home to both grizzly bears and black bears. Carry bear spray, make noise, and be aware of your surroundings. Avoid hiking alone.
• Leave No Trace: Follow Leave No Trace principles to preserve the natural beauty of the area. Pack out all trash and minimize your impact on the environment.

Lodging In or Near Grand Teton National Park

The Grand Teton National Park has many options for lodging inside the park or even just outside it. We stayed at Signal Mountain Lodge and had the most breath-taking views of Jackson Lake with the Teton summits behind it. Here are some of the best places to stay inside the park:

• Signal Mountain Lodge – where we stayed; right on the lake; kitchenettes in room, beautiful views
• Jackson Lake Lodge – absolutely amazing views right on the lake; restaurants and shops on site; suites, cottages and hotel rooms available
• Headwaters Lodge & Cabins – conveniently located between Yellowstone and Grand Teton; on the Snake River
• Heart Six Ranch – located outside of the National Park, but gives you the true Wyoming Ranch experience

Located outside of the park, the city of Jackson also has several hotel options. And it’s only about a 30-minute drive to some of the most popular trailheads in the park from Jackson. Some of my favorite hotel options in Jackson are:

• SpringHill Suites by Marriott Jackson Hole
• The Lodge at Jackson Hole
• Rustic Inn Creekside

Note: Affiliate links on this page may earn me commission when used to make purchases. This doesn’t cost you a penny extra, and it helps to keep my website up and running for free.