5 Best Hikes in the Grand Tetons
The Grand Tetons is my favorite hiking destination on the West Coast! I recommend road-tripping here to experience some of the best trails in the world! NOTE: The best time to visit the Tetons is late May-September! Make sure you always hike with proper rain/snow protection as the weather can be unpredictable. Also, this is bear country so be sure to hike with bear spray and be aware of your surroundings! Below are my top 5 favorites in this National Park!
Taggart Lake Loop Trail
Taggart Lake is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Grand Tetons! Seeing the Tetons emerge from the morning fog is truly breathtaking! About a mile into the hike, there is an incredible lake that is great for a picnic spot! The trail is about 4 miles long and is fairly easy. A great one for kids and family! Ps. Make sure you start early to avoid the crowds.
Amphitheater Lake
Amphitheater Lake is great if you’re up for a challenge! I did this trail in May when the lake was still frozen over and there was a ton of snow on the ground. This made navigation challenging but totally worth it! This trail is rated hard with 13 miles and almost 4,000 ft elevation gain. Seeing the frozen lake and being so close to the Tetons was an experience I will never forget!
Colter Bay Lakeshore Trail
Colter Bay is a short 2-mile trail that has incredible views and is great for the family! Parking can get crazy so make sure you start the trail early! This hike has some of the best picture spots and you can even rent kayaks on the lake! Be sure to check this one out!
Cascade Mountain Trail
Cascade Canyon is one of the more famous hikes in the Park! The trail emerges through a beautiful rocky canyon that holds the Tetons on both sides! It also has raging rivers that run through the canyon! This hike is ideal because you can start at Jenny Lake and pass through Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point to get there. Thus, you get to see some of the park’s prettiest landmarks just on one trail! When starting at Jenny Lake, this hike is about 12 miles with a moderate elevation gain of 1500ft. This trail is a must!
Jenny Lake Loop Trail, Hidden Falls, & Inspiration Point
If you are not wanting to do Cascade Canyon, you can hit these three points in just 5-6 easy miles! (which would be better for families or just some lighter hiking). Jenny Lake loop, Hidden Falls, and Inspiration Point are some of the more popular destinations in the park. You can even take a ferry across Jenny Lake which would make the adventure only 1-2 miles. When I hiked through Jenny Lake, I saw multiple bears so be sure to bring bear spray and stay alert! Have fun!
