The Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is one of the most beautiful areas in the world. With the most incredible exposed mountain peaks, unique wildlife, secluded hiking trails, and photography opportunities, there is so much to experience. Grand Teton National Park is located near Jackson Hole, Wyoming and is the perfect size for exploring at 45 miles in length (North to South) and 26 miles wide.
We were lucky enough to spend two months exploring Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park from late-August to mid-October. During our time exploring Grand Teton National Park, we did several of the most popular hikes, as well as several hikes off the beaten path. Below we have provided an in-depth guide for the best hikes in Grand Teton National Park.
Read more about the Best Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park.
Book your stay in Jackson Hole today! During our first visit to Jackson we stayed at the Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole and absolutely loved the in-room fireplaces and Tom Mangelsen photos on all of the walls.
Hiking Gear for Grand Teton National Park
As avid day hikers, we have spent so much time and energy finding the best gear to support our day hikes. We ran across many unprepared people in the mountains of Grand Teton National Park and helped them out with our first aid kit and water. Also keep in mind that this is grizzly country and you should always hike with other people and carry bear spray at all times.
Before each hike, we always run through our gear checklist to make sure we have all of our essential items. Even on shorter hikes, it’s important to make sure you have the right clothing and gear in case something unexpected happens.
You have probably heard of the ten essentials for hiking. We expand that a little further with some things we like to bring in addition to the main safety items. Below, we have the packing list we go through before each day hike. Reminder: this is not a backpacking (overnight) gear list, but rather a list to support a couple hours, or an all-day mountain adventure.
Read more about The Ten Essentials, our Day Hike Packing List, and our Recommended Gear
The Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park
There are so many amazing hikes in Grand Teton National Park and what seems like endless miles of trails to explore. We had the opportunity to explore many of the trails and several of the lakes during our two months in the Tetons.
Below are some of our favorite hikes in Jackson Hole which we have arranged in order of difficulty: easiest to hardest.
1. Taggart Lake
Trailhead: Bradley-Taggart Trailhead
Miles: 3.3 miles out-and-back
Elevation: 374 ft
Taggart Lake is one of the most accessible lakes to hike in Grand Teton National Park and it’s easy to see with the normally overflowing trailhead parking lot. We highly recommend hiking to Taggart Lake early in the morning for sunrise to get the most spectacular views and beat the crowds! From Taggart Lake, it’s easy to add some additional mileage by looping into Bradley Lake to explore the other nearby areas.
2. Bradley Lake
Trailhead: Bradley-Taggart Trailhead
Miles: 4 miles out-and-back
Elevation: 600 ft
Similar to Taggart Lake, Bradley Lake is very accessible and one of the easier hikes in Grand Teton National Park. We suggest getting there early for parking and to catch sunrise! There are several trails connecting Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake which make for a great loop instead of an out-and-back.
3. Leigh Lake Trail to Bearpaw Lake
Trailhead: String Lake
Miles: 7.8 mile out-and-back
Elevation: 137 ft
Have you ever seen such a flat 7.8 mile trail?! At only 137 feet of elevation gain, this scenic 7.8 mile hike wraps around String Lake, Leigh Lake and ends at Bearpaw lake at the base of Mt. Moran. With lake and mountain views the entire way, this is a great intermediate level hike which can be shortened by turning around at any point.
4. Phelps Lake
Trailhead: Death Canyon
Miles: 4.5 miles out-and-back
Elevation: 1000 ft
Phelps Lake is a popular lake tucked against the Southern part of the Teton Range. Most people hike to, and around, Phelps Lake starting from Moose Wilson Road, however starting at Death Canyon Trailhead, at a higher elevation, provides some of the most spectacular views of Phelps Lake and the surrounding areas. We highly recommend bringing a hammock down to the lake as there are several great spots along the water to relax and soak in the sun. We ran into a black bear (that looked like a grizzly!) on this trail, so make noise and always be aware of your surroundings.
5. Delta Lake
Trailhead: Lupine Meadows
Miles: 8 miles out-and-back
Elevation: 2236 ft
Delta Lake in Grand Teton National Park is one of the most beautiful hikes we have ever done. The lake is nestled right below Grand Teton in and is definitely the best up-close view of The Grand you can get, next to actually climbing it. However, the trail leading up to Delta Lake is unmaintained and requires a bit of navigation. The unmaintained trail crosses three boulder fields and ends with a steep climb, but it is so worth it!
We recommend trying to get to Delta Lake as early as possible. We hiked to Delta twice during our stay in Jackson Hole, the second time leaving at 4:30am to watch the sun rise and the alpenglow when we reached the lake. Read more about the details of the Delta Lake Grand Teton Hike.
6. Surprise and Amphitheater Lake
Trailhead: Lupine Meadows
Miles: 9 miles out-and-back
Elevation: 3000 ft
This hike follows the same trail as Delta Lake, however, instead of jumping off the trail to Delta, you continue on to Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes. Surprise Lake is a quarter mile before the main Amphitheater Lake and both are absolutely beautiful. We hiked to Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes after we hiked to Delta Lake which made for a very long but incredible day.
Once you reach Amphitheater Lake, there is a hidden overlook to view Surprise from above which we highly recommend. Make sure to pack layers as it can get very windy at Amphitheater Lake.
7. Lake Solitude
Trailhead: String Lake
Miles: 18 miles out-and-back
Elevation: 2516 ft
Lake Solitude is one of the more remote lakes of Grand Teton National Park and reaching this tranquil and serene lake, tucked behind Grand Teton, is no easy feat. Although we left from String Lake Trailhead, there are a few different options for reaching this lake. We highly recommend this trail, as the entire hike has stunning views of the Tetons and Lake Solitude is absolutely stunning. We did a lot of research to learn about the various ways of reaching Lake Solitude as there are several options. Read more about the details of Hiking to Lake Solitude.
8. Paintbrush Canyon to Cascade Canyon Loop
Trailhead: String Lake
Miles: 20.5 mile loop
Elevation: 4,115 ft
This is one EPIC hike. After spending the two months hiking in Grand Teton National Park, this loop, passing over a Paintbrush Divide, and stopping by Holly Lake and Lake Solitude tops our list as the best hike in Grand Teton National Park. This is the longest day hike we have ever done and is no easy feat! Read more about the details of The Paintbrush Canyon to Cascade Canyon Loop.
Where to Hike in Grand Teton National Park
With so many amazing hiking options to choose from, we hope this guide of our favorite hikes in Grand Teton National Park will help narrow down the list. Make sure to bring the appropriate gear, enjoy the views, and have an incredible time exploring the wilderness of Grand Teton National Park. We absolutely loved our two month stay in Grand Teton National Park. Check out our guide for the Best Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park.