🥾 Best Hikes in Grand Teton

Q: What hike should I do in Grand Teton if I only have one day?

If you only have one day, we recommend the hike to Inspiration Point via Moose Pond , as it offers a variety of views of Jenny Lake and Hidden Falls, as well as the chance to spot wildlife. If you’d like, you can continue up part of Cascade Canyon .

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Wyoming

If you’re looking for the best hikes in Grand Teton National Park, get ready to discover one of the most spectacular landscapes in the United States. This national park, located in the state of Wyoming and very close to Yellowstone National Park, is known for its jagged mountains, glacial lakes, endless forests, and some of the most breathtaking trails in the country.

Hiking in Grand Teton is the best way to explore the park. From easy trails alongside lakes with perfect reflections to challenging hikes leading to incredible alpine viewpoints, you’ll find options for all skill levels here! Plus, many trails offer the chance to spot wildlife like moose, bison, and even bears.

In this guide, we’ve compiled the best hikes in Grand Teton National Park, including easy, moderate, and difficult trails, practical tips, what to pack, and the must-see trails you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re visiting the park during a road trip through Wyoming and Montana or planning a multi-day mountain adventure, here you’ll find the best hikes to make the most of the Tetons.

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Map of the Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park

On this map of the best hikes in Grand Teton National Park, we've marked all the trails we'll be discussing in this post—we hope you find it helpful!

Tips for Hiking in Grand Teton

😎 The best time for hiking in Grand Teton is from June to October, when most trails are snow-free and temperatures are more pleasant.
🌄 Try to get there early—there may be lines at the entrances, and the parking lots leading to the trails fill up very quickly.
🐻 Black bears and grizzlies live here. You must follow the established rules to avoid unfortunate encounters, such as maintaining a safe distance, carrying and knowing how to use bear spray, following the park rangers’ instructions, and making sure to close trash cans securely—all of which are equipped with safety latches.
🦬 Keep a safe distance from animals, especially bison, as they can be very dangerous.
🐿️ Do not touch or feed the animals, including squirrels, or take any plant species with you. This is strictly prohibited, and fines can be as high as $5,000.
🪪 No permit is required for hiking in Grand Teton, except for a park entrance pass or if the hike involves camping.
⛺ If you want to camp outdoors because you’re going on a hike that requires it, you must obtain a wilderness permit. You can get one on the recreation.gov website or app, and there is a fee.
⛈️ In the summer, afternoon thunderstorms are common. Check the weather forecast before heading out, try to leave early, and bring a rain poncho or waterproof jacket.
🥪 Bring some sandwiches or snacks and plenty of water, or a refillable bottle with a filter or water purification tablets.
🏨 Book your accommodations well in advance if you're visiting during peak season. Check out our post on where to stay in Grand Teton to choose your hotel.
🚶🏻Please stay on the marked paths and/or wooden walkways.
ℹ️ Check the park’s official website for information on road and access openings, wildfires, trails, maps, and more.
🕶️ If you're going hiking in the summer, don't forget a cap or hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, sandwiches or snacks, insect repellent, a paper map of the route or one downloaded to your phone, a waterproof jacket, hiking boots, and a backpack.

Signal Mountain, Grand Teton National Park

Best Easy Hikes in Grand Teton National Park

String Lake

Distance: between 2.9 and 3.5 mi (4.6 - 5.6 km)
Elevation gain: between 43 and 525 feet (13 - 160 m)
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 2 to 3 hours

We absolutely loved String Lake—it’s one of the things to do in Grand Teton. It’s a peaceful area for a stroll between Jenny Lake and Leigh Lake, offering views of the mountains and a couple of beaches where you can rest or relax. In this case, we suggest two options: the shorter one is to walk along the lake’s shore from the String Lake Trailhead to Leigh Lake following the String Lake Trail and return the same way, or to take the String Lake Loop, which circles the entire lake and offers views from both shores.

In our opinion, it’s one of the best hiking trails in Grand Tetons; it’s accessible to everyone and perfect for families with children. 🏖️

Phelps Lake

Distance: 3.2 mi (5.2 km)
Elevation gain: 269 feet (82 m)
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 2 hours

One of the best hikes in Grand Teton —and a very easy one—that winds through the forest and takes you to the Phelps Lake overlook, with the Teton Range in the background. It’s a great spot for wildlife viewing; we came across two deer grazing peacefully, and moose are often seen there.

The hike begins at the parking lot of the Laurence S. Rockefeller Preserve, which has limited parking, passes by the Creek Lake Overlook, and gradually ascends. Shortly after this overlook, the trail forks, but both paths lead to the lake. The one on the left is the Lake Creek Trail, which runs parallel to Lake Creek; the other is the Woodland Trail, which winds through the forest. We recommend taking one path up and the other down. 🦌

Heron Pond and Swan Lake Loop Trail

Distance: 3.1 mi (5 km)
Elevation gain: 328 feet (100 m)
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 2 hours

A beautiful hike in Grand Teton between these two lakes, Heron Pond and Swan Lake, located very close to Jackson Lake and offering stunning views of the Teton Range. On calm days, the mountains are reflected in the lakes. It’s also a great spot for birdwatching and spotting all kinds of wildlife drawn to the water.

Start at Colter Bay, where there is plenty of parking, and follow the Hermitage Point Trail to Heron Pond. When you reach the far end of the pond, another trail on the left will take you to Swan Lake; follow it around until you return to the intersection with the Hermitage Point Trail. Then all you have to do is head back to Colter Bay. 🦢

Best Moderate hikes in Grand Teton

Inspiration Point, Hidden Falls and Moose Pond

Distance: 5.7 mi (9.2 km)
Elevation gain: 410 feet (125 m)
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated time: 3–4 hours

This is the most popular hike in Grand Teton National Park, so you can expect to see a lot of people, especially during peak season. But honestly, it doesn’t disappoint—it has everything! The trail skirts Jenny Lake with views of the Tetons, passes by Hidden Falls, ends at an overlook 394 feet (120 m) above the lake, and offers the chance to spot wildlife—we saw a mother grizzly bear with two cubs!

If you go on the hike in the morning, we recommend that you head first to Moose Pond, a pond where you can see moose; if, on the other hand, you go in the afternoon, we suggest you stop by on your way back, as you’ll have a better chance of seeing them.

If you want to make it an easy hike, you can take the ferry across the lake to the West Shore Boat Deck; from there, it’s just a 1.9-mile (3 km) round trip, but with the same elevation gain. You can catch the ferries from the same area where the trail starts, near the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. Keep in mind that during peak season, the parking lots fill up very early. 🏞️

💡The ferry across Jenny Lake departs every 10–15 minutes; you can purchase a round-trip ticket or a one-way ticket from either of the two docks

Inspiration Point, Jenny Lake, Grand Teton

Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake

Distance: 5.6 mi (9 km)
Elevation gain: 860 feet (262 m)
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated time: 3 hours

This is one of the best hikes in the southern part of Grand Teton National Park. It offers fantastic views of the Teton Range and passes by two beautiful lakes: Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake. Plus, it’s less crowded than the Jenny Lake area.

The trail starts at the Taggart Lake parking lot and runs along Taggart Creek. Before reaching Taggart Lake, we recommend taking the detour to the right that leads to the Bradley Lake overlook. From there, head back and take the trail on the right to descend along the Valley Trail to Taggart Lake. On your way back from Bradley Lake, you’ll enjoy wonderful panoramic views of Taggart Lake and the surrounding forests. 🐿️

Bearpaw and Trapper Lakes

Distance: 9.2 mi (14.8 km)
Elevation gain: 459 feet (140 m)
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated time: 5 hours

If the easy String Lake hike we’ve suggested seems too short, you can extend it by another 5 mi (8 km). When you reach Leigh Lake, follow its eastern shore until you come to these two ponds in the middle of an alpine meadow; you’ll also enjoy beautiful views of Mount Moran. In this area, you can camp if you want to spend more than a day in the mountains, but you’ll need to obtain a wilderness permit through the recreation.gov website or app. 🐻

Best Challenging Hikes in Grand Teton

Amphitheater Lake & Surprise Lake

Distance: 10 mi (15.8 km)
Elevation gain: 3,084 feet (940 m)
Difficulty: Hard
Estimated time: 6 hours

If you’re up for a hike and want to explore two pristine alpine lakes surrounded by mountain peaks, this might be the trail for you. The trail starts at Lupine Meadows, where the road ends and the parking lot is located. From there, it climbs gradually until it begins to wind and the incline steepens. The first lake is Surprise Lake, and a little further up is Amphitheater Lake, just below Disappointment Peak.

For this hike in Grand Teton, you should also keep in mind that you’ll be reaching an altitude of nearly 10,000 feet (3,000 m), which makes it more physically demanding. In addition, the trails are usually covered in snow well into the summer, so check the conditions at the Visitor Center or on the park’s website before heading out. 💪🏻

Delta Lake

Distance: 7.4 mi (11.8 km)
Elevation gain: 2,313 feet (705 m)
Difficulty: Hard
Estimated time: 5 hours

This turquoise lake, surrounded by towering peaks, has become famous on social media—and it’s no wonder, since the scenery and the contrast of colors are spectacular. But keep in mind that, although it’s in the same area as Amphitheater and Surprise Lakes and shares part of the trail, the final stretch isn’t maintained, and to reach it you’ll have to navigate a rocky area with a steep incline that can be dangerous if wet.

The hike begins at the Lupine Meadows parking lot and follows the same trail that leads to Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes. It climbs gradually until the trail begins to wind and the incline becomes steeper. About 3 miles from the parking lot, at a bend in the trail, there is a turnoff on the right that leads to this lake. 🚶🏻‍➡️

Cascade Canyon

Distance: between 9.4 and 13.4 mi (15.1 - 21.4 km), but you can shorten it
Elevation gain: 1,475 feet (450 m)
Difficulty: Hard
Estimated time: 5 to 9 hours

This hike in Grand Teton is perfect for exploring remote areas of the national park without having to tackle steep inclines, and it offers the chance to spot wildlife such as moose and bears. The trail starts at Inspiration Point, which you can reach by walking around Jenny Lake or by taking the boat that provides the lake transfer, as we mentioned in this other trek. From there, the trail gradually ascends alongside Cascade Creek, offering views of the surrounding peaks, such as Grand Teton.

The great thing about this trail is that you can turn back whenever you want, since it’s a loop and doesn’t have a specific destination like a lake or a particular viewpoint, so you decide how far you want to walk. ⛰️

💡The ferry crossing Jenny Lake departs every 10–15 minutes; you can purchase a round-trip ticket or a one-way ticket from either of the two docks

The Most Spectacular Hike in Grand Teton

Paintbrush Divide

Distance: 17.2 mi (27.5 km)
Elevation gain: 3,816 feet (1,163 m)
Difficulty: Very hard
Estimated time: 10 to 11 hours

This is undoubtedly one of the best hiking trails in Grand Teton National Park, offering some of the best panoramic views of the park from Paintbrush Pass. Here you can see several peaks, including Mount Moran, and you’ll pass by two glacial lakes: String Lake and Holly Lake.

The hike begins at the Leigh Lake Trailhead, where you can park. Cross String Lake via the wooden bridge and begin the ascent up Paintbrush Canyon to the pass, passing Holly Lake along the way.

This is a long and strenuous hike, both because of its length and the elevation gain involved. Before setting out, check the trail conditions at the Jenny Lake ranger station or on the park’s website, as there may still be snow on the Paintbrush Divide as late as mid-July.

We think the route is already long enough, but if you want to keep going, the trail continues on to Solitude Lake, with views of Grand Teton, the park’s highest peak. From there, you can either head back or descend toward Jenny Lake and the starting point via Cascade Canyon, turning the day into a real feat of over 20 miles (32 km). 🥾

A lesser-known hike in Grand Teton

Two Ocean Lake

Distance: 6.5 mi (10.3 km)
Elevation gain: 689 feet (210 m)
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated time: 4 hours

This is a highly recommended hike, as it’s located in one of the park’s most peaceful areas, runs along a lake with views of the Tetons, and is covered in wildflowers in early summer—what more could you ask for?

To get there, take a side road to the Two Ocean Trailhead & Picnic Area; from there, just follow the loop trail that runs along the lake. Keep in mind that this is a very humid area and there can be a lot of bugs and mosquitoes in the summer—don’t forget your bug spray! 🌼

Where to Stay for Hiking in Grand Teton

As always, the best option for visiting Grand Teton National Park is to stay within the park itself, either at a hotel (a very expensive option) or at a campground. If neither of those options appeals to you, we recommend staying in the town of Jackson. We’ve written a dedicated post on where to stay in Grand Teton National Park—we think you’ll find it helpful!

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking in Grand Teton National Park

What is the best hike in Grand Teton National Park?

It really depends on what you're looking for: if you want a view of Jenny Lake from above, then Inspiration Point; if you want a quiet, scenic trail, String Lake; if you prefer a lake where you can spot wildlife, Phelps Lake; and if you want a small, turquoise alpine lake and don't mind a long hike, Delta Lake.

What is the easiest hike in Grand Teton?

There are many easy and scenic trails in Grand Teton; among the best are the String Lake, Phelps Lake, Heron Pond, and Swan Lake Loop Trail, as well as Christian Pond.

What hike should I do in Grand Teton if I only have one day?

If you only have one day, we recommend the hike to Inspiration Point via Moose Pond, as it offers a variety of views of Jenny Lake and Hidden Falls, as well as the chance to spot wildlife. If you’d like, you can continue up part of Cascade Canyon.

Is hiking in Grand Teton National Park difficult?

No, there are trails for all skill levels. From walks around lakes to hikes up to alpine lakes, as well as very long trails that are over 12 mi (20 km) and have significant elevation gain.

Do you need a permit to go hiking in Grand Teton?

You don't need a permit to hike in Grand Teton, although you will need a standard or annual pass to enter the park and a wilderness permit to camp in areas designated for longer hikes.

Where should I stay if I want to go hiking in Grand Teton?

The best option is to stay inside the park or in the town of Jackson. In this post, we'll tell you where to stay when visiting Grand Teton National Park.

We hope this post on the best hikes in Grand Teton National Park helps you choose the ones you like best!

GrandTetonNPS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; S. Zenner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; U.S. National Park Service, restoration/cleanup by National Park Maps, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; National Park Service, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; NPS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Update date: 29 May 2026

Roger Domènech

Co-founder and writer

I’m software engineer and the one who keeps all the tech side of this travel blog running (or, as I like to call myself: the fixer of stuff). As you can imagine, one of my biggest passions is traveling: I backpacked for 6 months through Southeast Asia and Australia, and drove my own campervan from Ushuaia to Alaska. It took me more than 2 years and has been the most challenging (and amazing) travel experience of my life.

One of my strengths is navigation, and I’m the kind of person who plan trips using Excel, though I have to admit that once I accidentally added “September 31st” to an itinerary. I promise it won’t happen again!

I also love soccer, snowboarding, hiking, and Friday nights with pizza and beer.

I love traveling to the United States—there are few places in the world with such a variety of landscapes! I hope to share my passion for this country with you and you find my tips to travel to the USA useful.