Jackson Hole Hiking & Backpacking

They say the best way to experience a landscape is at walking speed.

Please pop into one of our Visitor Centers for a trailmap and a better sense of the details of each hike.

Favorite hikes in Grand Teton National Park:

For the those looking to spend a few hours on your hike

• String Lake - Nestled at the base of the Teton Mountains this hike is for those of you arriving from sea-level or are interested in more of a beginner hike with little to no elevation gain. It is 3.8 miles out and back with breath-taking views.
• Jenny Lake - Known for the view from Inspiration Point this is a must-visit place in Grand Teton. Not only are there hiking trails, but you can ride a motorboat to the west bank to shorten the hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.
• Colter Bay - In the northern end of the Grand Teton

Alternatively, leave it to people born at 6,000 feet elevation, with superhero-sized lungs to recommend hikes that force you to sweat, and sweat and maybe even hurt a little. 

• Amphitheater Lake - This 10.2 mile roundtrip hike, with almost 3,000 vertical feet gain in Grand Teton National Park, brings you to the banks of a subalpine lake. The hike begins at the Lupine Meadows Trailhead.
• Middle Teton - One of the three famous Teton peaks in Grand Teton National Park, many would call the Middle Teton more of a climb than a hike. It is the 3rd highest peak in the mountain range that reaches over 12,000 feet in elevation.
• Alaska Basin - Known for its stunning wildflowers, Alaska Basin is part of Grand Teton National Park's Teton Crest Trail sitting in a high alpine area that some say resembles Alaska. Alaska Basin can be reached from both Wyoming and Idaho.
• Lake Solitude - A small lake, just .5 miles in circumference, the views are anything but that. The major peaks of the Cathedral Group in the background - Teewinot Mountain, Mount Owen and the Grand Teton. There are a few gorgeous campsites near the lake, which are accessible from trailheads at Jenny Lake and String Lake.
• Gray's River Road - This is the only hike the Bagley's recommend outside of Grand Teton National Park. It's in the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Alpine, Wyoming, one hour south of Jackson. This hike may seem more like a walk in comparison to the above routes.

Hikes by level

EASY

• Ski Lake -- Looking for a dog-friendly trail? Hike the 4.5 miles to Ski Lake from the Phillips Canyon trailhead on Teton Pass between Wyoming and Idaho for views of a pretty alpine lake tucked into a mountain amphitheater. Dogs, and maybe their owners, will dig the cold plunge into the lake on a hot day.
• Grand Prismatic Overlook -- The best view of Yellowstone’s famous rainbow-hued Grand Prismatic Hot Spring is from a 105-foot hill accessed by a wide .6 mile long trail from Fairy Falls Trailhead. The cooler the weather, the better the colors, so get up early.

MODERATE

• Phelps Lake -- The 7.2-mile trail circumnavigating Grand Teton National Park’s Phelps Lake traverses land owned by the Rockefeller family until 2001. The relatively flat jaunt features sublime views up looming Death Canyon and a stop at the famous jump rock on the lake’s north shore, a 25- foot plunge for hearty swimmers.

ADVANCED

• Paintbrush-Cascade Canyons Loop - This 19-mile loop connecting Grand Teton National Park’s Paintbrush and Cascade Canyons via 10,720-foot Paintbrush Divide may be the perfect hike, combining big mileage with smooth trails, refreshing lakes, and jaw-dropping scenery. For a more immersive experience, score a site at Holly Lake and make it an overnight.

*Pro-tip: By hiking miles away from any road you are likely to see wildlife. Birds, marmots, deer...maybe even a bear. Please be aware of your surroundings and carry bear-spray.

Additional hiking guides: