Grand Teton National Park has some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever experienced.
It’s also home to some incredible hiking and backpacking opportunities. There are plenty of strenuous and multi-day hiking choices, but what about us day hikers?
You’re in luck because Grand Teton has some fantastic easy to moderate hikes as well. Who doesn’t love a nice stroll around gorgeous alpine lakes surrounded by the rugged Tetons?
My husband and I visited Grand Teton National Park in the summer of 2023 and absolutely loved hiking here.
All of these hikes can easily be completed in a few hours or less. A lot of these trails are quite popular, so I’d recommend getting an early start or hiking in the late afternoon to ensure you get a parking space at the trailhead.
Without further ado, here are 13 easy to moderate hikes in Grand Teton National Park!
(Also check out this post if you’re looking for a 1-3 day Grand Teton itinerary, this post for specific info on hiking Jenny Lake, or this post on the ultimate 9-day Grand Teton-Yellowstone itinerary!)
The Best Time to Visit Grand Teton National Park
The best time to visit Grand Teton National Park is in the late summer through early fall. You’ll avoid the summer crowds, still have nice weather, and maybe start to see some fall colors!
Most of the trails on this list are inaccessible once snow starts falling. Teton Park road closes to vehicles seasonally from November to late April, but is open for skiing and snowshoeing during the winter.
If you plan to visit during shoulder season, check the NPS website for the most up-to-date information on road closures!
How Many Days Do You Need at Grand Teton National Park?
If you’re reading this post, I assume you enjoy hiking so I’d recommend spending at least 2-3 days at Grand Teton National Park. You’ll be able to catch some famous sunrises and hike a few of the most popular trails.
Due to Grand Teton’s proximity to Yellowstone National Park, most people tack on a few days at Grand Teton after a longer visit to Yellowstone. This is what we did and it worked out really well!
You could honestly spend an entire week hiking and backpacking here, though!
Related: The Ultimate 9-Day Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary (+ Maps, Photos, & More!)
13 Easy to Moderate Hikes in Grand Teton National Park
I’ve listed these hikes in order of difficulty, starting with the easiest first. A lot of these hikes are quite popular, so I recommend getting an early start or opting for a late afternoon hike to ensure you get a parking space.
Also keep in mind that you will be hiking at 6000+ feet above sea level, so even the easy trails will feel more strenuous than what you’re likely used to.
1. Schwabacher Landing
Length: 0.5 miles
Elevation gain: None
Type: Out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 20 mins
Trailhead location: Schwabacher Landing Parking Lot off US-191
Schwabacher Landing is one of the most famously photographed areas in the park. You’ll hike along a small channel on the Snake River. Make sure to catch the reflection of the Tetons in the water if the wind is calm!
This is a great hike to do at sunrise.
2. Lakeshore Trail
Length: 2.5 miles
Elevation gain: 85 feet
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Trailhead location: Colter Bay Visitor’s Center
The Lakeshore Trail is an easy, flat walk around a wooded peninsula that forms Colter Bay. There are 2 connecting loops on the peninsula that stretch out into Jackson Lake.
You’ll enjoy gorgeous views of Mount Moran and the northern Tetons the whole time. This trail makes a great pit stop to stretch your legs if you’re coming from Yellowstone National Park, as it’s located on the far north end of Grand Teton National Park.
3. Leigh Lake
Length: Up to 7.1 miles
Elevation gain: 95 feet
Type: Out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy
Time: Up to 2 hours
Trailhead location: Leigh Lake Trailhead off Jenny Lake Road
The Leigh Lake trail is a bit long to be considered easy to moderate, but it is basically just a long walk with hardly any elevation gain so I included it here. Since it’s an out-and-back trail, you can hike just a portion of it to shorten the length if you want!
You’ll hike along the eastern shore of Leigh Lake with mountain views the whole time.
This trail is less populated than other hikes in the Tetons, so it is a great place to ditch the crowds.
4. Moose Ponds
Length: 3.2 miles
Elevation gain: 150 feet
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Trailhead location: Jenny Lake Visitor’s Center
The Moose Ponds Trail is a relatively flat hike around some ponds where (you guessed it!) moose like to hang out. It’s about a 1-mile detour off of the Jenny Lake Trail, or 3.2 miles if you start at the trailhead from the East Boat Dock.
The Jenny Lake Trail and this trail actually share about 0.5 miles. This hike gets mixed reviews, but would definitely be worth the detour if you see a moose!
We actually saw a moose down in the pond while we were still on the Jenny Lake Trail, so make sure to look down into the pond if you go hiking around Jenny Lake!
5. String Lake
Length: 3.7 miles
Elevation gain: 252 feet
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Time: 1.5 hours
Trailhead location: String Lake Trailhead off Jenny Lake Road
String Lake spurs off the south end of Leigh Lake. It loops around String Lake and connects to the Leigh Lake Trail as well, so you can combine the two for a longer day hike. The two hikes share a small portion of the same trail.
As you loop around the lake, you’ll be right at the base of Rockchuck Peak and Mount St. John!
6. Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point via Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle
Length: 1.8 miles
Elevation gain: 419 feet
Type: Out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1 hour
Trailhead location: Jenny Lake Visitor’s Center
The hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point is THE hike to do at Grand Teton National Park. Located across the famous Jenny Lake, you’ll take the Jenny Lake boat shuttle and hike this short, but steep trail to 2 of the most famous viewpoints in the park.
I highly recommend good hiking shoes for this trail (I have these Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoes and highly recommend them), as you’ll be walking up a cliff of loose rocks with a steep drop off up to Inspiration Point.
It’s a steep climb, but the view from the top is absolutely breathtaking! Take the boat shuttle back across the lake when you’re done hiking.
Related: Hiking Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park: A Complete Guide
Jenny Lake is the most popular area to explore in Grand Teton National Park. The parking lot at the Visitor’s Center gets insanely full midday and the lines for the boat shuttle can reach an hour or more long. I recommend getting in line for the shuttle no later than 9 am, especially in the summer!
7. Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point
Length: 4 miles
Elevation gain: 590 feet
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2 hours
Trailhead location: Jenny Lake Visitor’s Center
You can easily combine the Jenny Lake Trail with Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Instead of taking the Jenny Lake boat shuttle across the lake, you’ll hike around the lake to get to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point!
I recommend hiking clockwise around the lake to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point and then taking the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle back across the lake. The hike around the lake is shorter if you go clockwise.
You can either take the boat shuttle back, finish the hike around the lake, or hike back the way you came (the AllTrails stats are for hiking back the way you came around the lake).
Our Experience: We hiked clockwise around the lake to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point and took the boat shuttle back. It was a great way to cool off after hiking!
8. Taggart Lake
Length: 3.8 miles
Elevation gain: 423 feet
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2 hours
Trailhead location: Taggart Lake Trailhead
Taggart Lake is another popular hike to do in Grand Teton National Park. You’ll enjoy incredible views of Grand Teton, the park’s tallest peak!
We had a few clouds covering the mountain peaks when we did this hike, so we didn’t get to see the actual mountain peaks while on the trail. It still made for a beautiful view though!
The Taggart and Bradley Lake trails are typically done as a longer, loop hike together (more info on this below), but you can also hike them separately. The Taggart Lake trail is easier and has slightly better views in my opinion if you’re looking for a shorter trail!
9. Jenny Lake Loop
Length: 7.2 miles
Elevation gain: 456 feet
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 3 hours
Trailhead location: Jenny Lake Visitor’s Center
The Jenny Lake loop trail is another classic Grand Teton hike! Hike the entire 7.2 miles around the lake and enjoy the views.
A good portion of this trail is wooded, so it’s not particularly scenic the whole way like some of the other lakeside hikes. However, it’s easy to add at least a portion of this trail onto the Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point hike and it gives you a better chance at seeing wildlife.
This trail also goes by the Jenny Lake Overlook, which makes for a fantastic photo spot (you can also drive here, though).
10. Bradley Lake
Length: 5.2 miles
Elevation gain: 649 feet
Type: Lollipop loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2.5 hours
Trailhead location: Taggart Lake Trailhead off Teton Park Road
Similar to Taggart Lake, Bradley Lake is another gorgeous hike with mountain views. Bradley Lake is just north of Taggart, but the two hikes share a trailhead and parking lot.
Hiking to Bradley Lake is a bit more strenuous than the Taggart Lake Loop, so it’s quieter and less trafficked.
The hike to the lake is wooded, but you can see the peaks of the Tetons rising above the trees as you make your way through the trail!
11. Taggart & Bradley Lake Loop
Length: 6 miles
Elevation gain: 761 feet
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 3 hours
Trailhead location: Taggart Lake Trailhead off Teton Park Road
The Taggart and Bradley Lake hikes can be done together as a loop! This hike is less than a mile longer than the Bradley Lake hike, so I highly recommend doing the entire loop if you already plan to hike to Bradley Lake.
Hike to Bradley Lake first to get most of the elevation gain out of the way at the beginning of the hike.
I highly recommend adding this trail to your Grand Teton itinerary. It’s a great way to get an up close and personal view of the Tetons and leave behind some of the crowds!
12. Phelps Lake
Length: 7 miles
Elevation gain: 725 feet
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 3 hours
Trailhead location: Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve
The Phelps Lake Loop is located in the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve at the south end of the park. You’ll loop around Phelps Lake with gorgeous views of the southern part of the Teton Range.
There is also a famous cliff jumping rock and beach at Phelps Lake if you’re up for a chilly swim during your hike!
13. Cascade Canyon
Length: Up to 9.1 miles
Elevation gain: Up to 1102 feet
Type: Out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy to Strenuous
Time: 30 minutes to 4 hours
Trailhead location: West Boat Dock
Cascade Canyon is located behind Inspiration Point. The official trailhead begins at the West Boat Dock, so you’ll pass Inspiration Point on your way into Cascade Canyon.
Doing this entire hike is strenuous, but you hike for just 20 or 30 minutes past Inspiration Point and get fantastic views of the mountain peaks! You’ll be walking on the same path that glaciers carved out millions of years ago.
Almost half of the overall elevation gain for this hike is already done by Inspiration Point anyway, so that’s why I have it included as one of the easy hikes in Grand Teton National Park.
What to Pack for Hiking in Grand Teton National Park
Bug Spray: There will be mosquitoes on the trails and by the lakes. You will want bug spray, trust me!
Sunscreen: Sunscreen is essential for all outdoor adventures!
Lightweight Half-Zip Base Layer: Mornings and evenings will be chilly in Grand Teton National Park, even in the summer. I love this half-zip as a base layer from REI!
Rain Jacket: You’ll never know when you need it! The weather can change super fast at high elevation.
Lightweight Coat: It will get cold in the mornings and evenings, so a light coat like this one from Columbia will keep you warm and won’t take up much space in your bag.
Athleta Elation Leggings: I love hiking in leggings. These leggings from Athleta don’t fall down and have just a little bit of compression to hold you in without being uncomfortable.
Athleta Conscious Crop Tank Top: These are my favorite tops to work out in, hike in, and do pretty much everything in. Great coverage, easy to layer, and they’re the perfect length to wear with high-waisted leggings or bike shorts.
Nalgene 32-oz Water Bottles: Cheap, lightweight, easy to clean, and hold a ton of water. I seriously never leave my house without one! You won’t find me carrying a heavy, overpriced, stainless steel cup or a fancy water bottle with a mouthpiece that’s impossible to clean.
Merrell Moab 3 Hiking Shoes: I have had these shoes for over 4 years and I love them! They have great traction and are comfortable for long hikes at an affordable price point. Good shoes make a huge difference when you’re hiking, especially on muddy or rocky trails. I sized down half a size from my normal size in these and still have plenty of room for good hiking socks. You will need good shoes for the hikes listed in this itinerary!
Birkenstock Sandals: There’s nothing better than changing into my Birkenstocks after a long day of hiking!
Water Shoes: If you plan on swimming, a pair of Chacos or Tevas can be useful.
Smartwool Hiking Socks: I know these are pricey, but they are key to avoiding blisters when hiking. Wool is naturally sweat and odor resistant so these socks will keep your feet dry the whole hike!
Hiking Day Pack: I have had this North Face Jester Backpack literally since high school. I did upgrade to a larger one for college, but this one is the perfect size for carrying all your day hiking essentials and is the perfect “personal item” size when flying. There are tons of colors and patterns, plus they also have a men’s version!
Grand Teton National Park Hiking FAQs
Do You Need Bear Spray at Grand Teton National Park?
If you plan to hike very early in the morning, late at night, or on less popular trails, you will want bear spray. You can buy or rent it at the Jenny Lake Visitor’s Center.
Keep in mind that you cannot fly with bear spray, not even in a carry on!
What are the Best Grand Teton Hikes for a First Timer?
The essential hikes for a Grand Teton first timer are Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, Schwabacher Landing, and the Taggart and Bradley Lake Loop.
Which Hike Should I Do With Only 1 Day in Grand Teton?
With only 1 day in Grand Teton National Park, hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point via the Jenny Lake trail. If you still have time for one more hike, String Lake or Taggart Lake are both great options!
Which hike are you most excited for when you visit Grand Teton? Did this list of best easy hikes in Grand Teton National Park help you narrow down your hiking list? Let me know in the comments below!
-Megan
More Information on Grand Teton National Park
Check out my other posts on Grand Teton National Park to make the most of your trip!
