I have a confession.

Grand Teton National Park was never on my bucket list.

Now, I totally see the error of my ways, but originally, it just wasn’t on my radar. 🤦‍♀️

When I realized how close it was to Yellowstone, however, I knew we couldn’t miss seeing it on our trip. Yeah, yeah, I should have known how close they were, but geography was never my strong suit.🤷🏻‍♀️

Don’t worry. The kids, especially Garrett, are already better than I am. Truthfully, I’m more likely to trust him than myself with directions. 😅Thank goodness John’s always got us covered on that one. I’ll do the planning and leave the navigating to him! 

campervan framed by Teton mountain range under blue skies with white clouds
Our home on wheels for this trip.

Anyway, at first, I didn’t think we would have more than a couple of hours to drive through the Grand Tetons. “That’s fine,” I told myself. “We’ll get to see the mountains from our Wandervans campervan.” I wasn’t really wrong…I mean, the views from the road were spectacular, too!

But, thank goodness fate stepped in and saved us! We ended up being able to spend an entire day exploring Grand Teton and hiking at Jenny Lake before we headed out on our Yellowstone 3-day itinerary. And, let me tell you…none of us would have left with the same appreciation if we had only driven through.  There are many options for hiking at Jenny Lake, and no matter where you go, you’re sure to find epic views. We’ve gathered our tips and suggestions to help you make the most of your day! 

Teton mountains rising out of the teal blue water of Jenny Lake
We loved this view of the Tetons from the water.

Tips for Hiking in Grand Tetons

When you are hiking in Grand Teton National Park, it’s important to remember that you’re not in Kansas anymore. 😉You’re likely going to be used to a different hiking situation. And, so are your kids. Follow these tips and considerations to make things a little easier. 

  • Pack a day bag. We like this one from WANDRD because it fits all the essentials, plus the camera gear we need, and it is super lightweight. You should consider including the Ten Essentials, especially if you are choosing one of the longer hikes. However, at a bare minimum, you need to bring water, snacks or lunch for the hike, a small first aid kit, sunscreen, and bug spray. Also, don’t forget you’re in bear country, Toto, so make sure to have bear spray and know how to use it. Chances are you won’t need it, but it’s best to be prepared. 
  • Related: What to Bring on a Hike (And What to Leave at Home)
rust colored backpack in front of water with green trees in background
We’re loving this backpack…it goes just about everywhere with us.
  • Elevation: Hiking at 7,000’+ elevation is no joke. Especially if you’re used to living at about 50’ (I’m looking at you Portland!) Take your time and don’t push too hard, especially if you’re hiking with kids. Ours tolerated it reasonably well, but we had MANY more breaks than usual. 
  • Parking: The Jenny Lake area is a popular spot, so if you arrive anytime between 9am-4pm, I would expect to park along the road. Feel free to circle through as people are coming and going all the time, but if you find a spot semi-close, grab it!
  • Layers: We would also recommend dressing in layers. It can be cold, and the weather can change quickly. However, as you warm up during your hike, you will want to be able to shed some of those layers – without offending everyone around you. 😉 As the weather starts to cool off, our hiking layers often include a light shirt (or baselayer when it’s cooler), a mid-layer (sweater, hoodie, flannel, etc.), a warm jacket (or hoodie if it’s not so cold), and a rain jacket. 
  • Hiking Shoes: Parts of the trails you will encounter are rocky and steep. Making sure you have sturdy hiking shoes (don’t forget hiking shoes for the kids!), and warm, breathable socks will make your hike more enjoyable…we like wool socks for hiking. They help keep your feet warm in the winter, but are breathable and will wick moisture away from your skin when you get hot. 
boy sitting down and taking a break on steep rocky trail
Sometimes you just need to take a little break.

Some of Our Favorite Hiking Clothing: 

  • We are partial to Keens for the boys. They hold up better than any other brand we have found…plus, they wash up incredibly well! 

Here are a couple of our favorites

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wooden building at Jenny Lake area
Welcome to Jenny Lake!

Following Our 1-Day Grand Tetons Itinerary?

Begin your time at Jenny Lake with a stop in the Visitors Center. Take a few minutes to look around and take a couple of minutes to talk with the rangers. They will be able to let you know if there are any closures or concerns on your planned route. We visited in September 2019, and all of these trails were open. However, in the past, the trail to Inspiration Point has experienced closures due to risk from falling rock. So, it’s always best to confirm before heading out. This is also the place to check-in if you need a boating permit, a backcountry permit, or simply need a map.

We also took a few minutes to head into the General Store before we started out on our hike. Because well…coffee. ☕️ I’d leave the souvenirs until you return, however, to keep your pack lighter.

boy wearing hat and smiling with next to boat railing with lake and teton mountain range in background
I think we all were basically this excited the entire day.

Jenny Lake Boating

When you’re ready to begin your hike, head down to the boat dock (you can also walk the Jenny Lake Loop to the start of the Hidden Falls hike, but it will add just under 5 miles to your trip round trip). In the interest of time and continuing with the rest of your day, we recommend taking the shuttle with Jenny Lake Boating. The shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes and will get you across the lake to the starting point of the Hidden Falls Trail in just a few minutes. Not to mention, it will give you a stunning perspective from the middle of the lake before you begin your climb. 

two peaks of tetons rising out of lake below
The peaks soaring above Jenny Lake are breathtaking.
two ramps leading down to boat dock and boat
The boat dock for the shuttle.
two boys sitting on back of shuttle boat with rocky mountain range in background
“Mom! Can we sit here by ourselves?!”

Hidden Falls

Once you have gotten off at the boat dock, follow the signs towards Hidden Falls. Your hike will be relatively short from this point to Hidden Falls. However, it may not feel like the mere 0.5 miles that it really is. Maybe it hit us harder because we live at a much lower elevation, but we ended up with a pace on the way up of about 43:33”/mile. Thankfully, the entire way up is filled with gorgeous scenery!

blue green river rushing over rocks with trees and rocks along shore
I can’t get over how clear this water was!

The name Hidden Falls is somewhat deceiving as it’s actually one of the easiest falls to access within the park. This also makes it very popular. We visited on a Saturday, and it was pretty crowded. Despite its popularity, we had no difficulty finding a spot to enjoy its beauty before continuing on up the trail to Inspiration Point.

waterfall spilling over rocks onto river bed below and framed by large evergreen trees
HIdden Falls was beautiful, though somewhat crowded on a Saturday.

Inspiration Point

Continue your hike up the trail towards Inspiration Point. It is another 0.5 mile past Hidden Falls and is incredibly beautiful. Personally, I think the views on this second part of the hike are much more impressive than the portion to Hidden Falls. Along the way, you will catch views of the towering mountains in one direction and spanning across Jenny Lake in the other that are truly unbeatable. However, there are a few sections that are somewhat rocky with steep drop-offs. If you have small children, make sure to take this into consideration.
There are two points that you can stop and soak in the views. The first gives you the first glimpse of what you will see at the top.

man standing on rock and looking through binoculars out across lake viewpoint while two boys play nearby
Taking it all in…

Just wait. The views from the top are truly epic.

woman and boy sitting on edge of rock wall looking out over lake below while another boy is climbing down the ledge
Taking a few moments to soak in this beauty!

Once you’ve had your fill of those views, consider continuing on to Cascade Canyon if time allows. But, even if it doesn’t, continue just past Inspiration Point. You’ll get to catch an epic glimpse of the Canyon. If you don’t, you are missing out on some of the best views on this entire hike. Seriously. These are the views that took my breath away and have had me longing to come back and spend a full day hiking in the Canyon.

Teton mountain range soaring into blue skies filled with white clouds with tree in foreground
The views just kept getting better and better…

More Hiking Options Around Jenny Lake

If you’ve got extra time, here are some more options we would consider for hiking at Jenny Lake. 

  • Cascade Canyon: As I mentioned above, this is the place I can’t wait to come back to explore more. We have been told that bears and moose frequent the canyon as well! You can hike this trail for up to 12 miles round trip or pair it with another hike for even more. However, if that sounds daunting, keep in mind there is nothing that says you have to do the entire thing. I fully expect to need to shorten it with the boys. 
  • Jenny Lake Loop: If you’d like to extend your hike to or from Inspiration Point, it’s easy to do so. Simply take a portion of the Jenny Lake Loop instead of the shuttle across the lake. Or, if you choose to do this one in its entirety, enjoy a 7.5 miles walk around the lake and experience the views from every angle! 
  • Moose Ponds: This 2.7-mile hike starts from the Jenny Lake Trailhead and is rated as easy. And, yes, it leads you to ponds where – you guessed it 😉- moose like to hang out. 
  • Lake Solitude: This strenuous hike does not appear to be for the faint of heart, but I’m willing to bet it’s worth it! At approximately 15 miles round trip, over 2300 ft of elevation gain, and a top elevation of over 9,000’, I’m gonna have to work up to that one or do it in two days as a backpacking trip! 
  • String Lake and Leigh Lake: Both of these lakes are accessible via trails in the Jenny Lake area. Full disclosure: We visited String Lake, but cheated and drove over to its parking area and walked down to the lake in the interest of time.
  • Need more ideas? Check out Garnet Canyon, Surprise & Amphitheater Lakes, Holly Lake, and the Paintbrush-Cascade Loop! 
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Final Thoughts on Hiking at Jenny Lake

If all we had done were to drive through, all of that unreal scenery would have been missed. Can you imagine?! 😭

If you truly only have time to drive through, then do it! The views from the road are still spectacular. But, there is simply no way to truly appreciate the scale of these giants until you get up close and personal with them. For us, part of that included hiking at Jenny Lake.

So, if it’s an authentic experience and connection with the mountains that you are looking for, you’re going to need to get out and explore. And, if you’re anything like us, you’ll find yourself dreaming of heading back for more.

rushing white water of small waterfall flowing under bridge
Another small waterfall on the way to Hidden Falls.*

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