Beautiful Teton views and peaceful trails are easily accessible in Grand Teton National Park. Even on gentle-grade, short hikes, you can enjoy glacial lakes, lodgepole pine forests and an up-close-and-personal perspective of the mountains. Here are our suggestions for easy day hikes suited to your ability and interests.
The National Park Service offers two helpful PDF maps of trailheads and lakeshore hikes, make sure to download and bring them. You might also choose to buy this local favorite hiking map from Amazon, Grand Teton National Park Hiking Map
Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls
Reached by crossing pristine Jenny Lake by boat or on foot from either the Jenny Lake trailhead or the less-trafficked String Lake trailhead, this is one of the most popular hikes in the Tetons. (5.2/4.4 miles RT or 1.8 via boat)
Phelps Lake Overlook
A mirror-like lake, extensive woodland views, and the crags of Death Canyon are ample rewards on this moderate hike. By adding another mile and a half, you can sit on the sandy shores of Phelps Lake or follow the trail along its edge to find the “Jumping Rock.” It’s easy to pick out once you’ve heard the enthusiastic squeals of fellow jumpers. (1.8 miles RT)
Taggart and Bradley Lake
Never take your eyes from the majestic Grand Teton with this pair of short hikes that can be done as an easy loop through a mixture of pine forests and open meadows. (5.1 miles RT)
Leigh Lake Shoreline
Flat, easy to walk for all ages, and featuring crystalline views of Mount Moran over a glimmering lake, the shore of Leigh Lake can be hiked for short or longer distances, depending on your time frame. (2-5 miles RT)
Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve
The Lake Creek and Woodland Trail Loop is a moderate hike that is suited for most ages. Begin in a fragrant forest of aspen and pine trees before crossing an open meadow and reaching the shores of Phelps Lake. From there, you can return via the Woodland Trail to the Laurance Rockefeller Preserve or continue on and circuit the rest of the lake. The trails here offer something unique in that only a set number can park at the trailhead at any one time, thereby leading to less people sharing your path. The Preserve's center is worth a visit, too! (2.9 miles RT)
Related: 5 Reasons to Visit the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve
Make a Plan
You can also always check with a Park Ranger for more tailored suggestions. If you want to stretch your legs with some longer, more challenging hikes, we've got some great tips for that, too. All it takes is a few steps and you're off to enjoy the wildflowers, possible wildlife sightings, and clean mountain air of the Tetons.
Related: What to pack for a hike in the Tetons, The Ultimate Guide to Hiking in Jackson Hole, Top 12 Grand Teton Hiking Trails
