8 Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park

The sheer natural beauty of Grand Teton National Park never gets old. No matter how many times you do the best hikes in Grand Teton National Park, you’ll always be impressed by the sight of the snow-capped mountains, bright alpine lakes, and expansive forests. 

Many people consider the best hikes in Washington State and the best hikes in Yellowstone to be the pinnacle of northwestern outdoor adventures. We say you haven’t truly experienced the best of the Northwest until you’ve hit the Grand Teton National Park trails. 

That’s why one of our most incredible hiking trips in the US is a hiking tour of Grand Teton and Yellowstone, as there’s just so much natural beauty on offer when you combine these two parks. 

From shorter day walks to more intense hikes, here are our top choices for the best hikes in Grand Teton National Park.

The Cascade Canyon Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Grand Teton National Park. It’s also one of the best Grand Teton hikes to experience what the park’s iconic scenery is all about.

The Cascade Canyon offers a stunning journey into the heart of the Teton Range. The trail starts by the shores of Jenny Lake, which you can reach by taking a shuttle boat across the lake or hiking around it. Getting to the start of the hike is a mini adventure in itself.

The trail then leads you deep into the canyon, surrounded by towering peaks and vibrant wildflowers. You’ll also have a good chance of spotting wildlife like moose and bears, so be prepared with bear knowledge and possibly bear spray. 

The trail is about 9 miles round-trip if you start from the shuttle boat drop-off, and it isn’t too challenging. Most casual hikers will agree it’s a perfect day hike, especially with the views of the towering Cathedral Group, making every step worth it.

The Taggart Lake Loop is an easy and family-friendly hike that provides excellent views of the Teton Range. If you want one of the best hikes in the Tetons that lets you soak up just how impressive the mountains are without needing to summit them, then this is it.

This peaceful 3.8-mile loop takes you through forests and meadows to the serene Taggart Lake, where you can enjoy a beautiful reflection of the mountains in the water. 

The trail is relatively flat and well-maintained, making it accessible for most hikers. 

We suggest you start early to enjoy the peaceful surroundings before the crowds arrive. As it’s such an accessible hike in a beautiful part of the park, the trail can get pretty crowded.

If you’re after one of the best hikes in Grand Teton National Park for more serious hikers, then this a highly recommended trail.

The hike to Delta Lake is a challenging adventure, but the fantastic views and remote landscape make it highly rewarding. 

This 7.5-mile round-trip hike starts from the Lupine Meadows Trailhead and takes you through a series of switchbacks before you reach the more strenuous boulder field section. The trail is unmaintained, so you must scramble over rocks as you approach the lake. 

But once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by the striking turquoise waters of Delta Lake, set against the backdrop of the towering Grand Teton. 

It’s a challenging hike, but the stunning scenery makes it all worthwhile. Because of this, we’d recommend you pack a picnic and spend some time soaking up the scenery at the lake before heading back.

Also, for experienced hikers, the Amphitheater Lake Trail is among the best Grand Teton hikes. 

This strenuous 10-mile round-trip hike starts at the Lupine Meadows Trailhead and ascends steadily through dense forests and switchbacks. You’ll catch glimpses of the surrounding lakes and valleys along the way. 

The trail culminates at Amphitheater Lake, nestled beneath Disappointment Peak. It offers breathtaking views that are well worth the effort. 

It’s a long hike with plenty of climbing, so ensure your legs are prepared for a big day out. However, if you have time and energy, consider taking a detour to see Surprise Lake. This is a smaller but equally beautiful lake along the way, and we say it’s well worth the detour.

Of all the Grand Teton National Park’s best hikes, this is one of the most popular for all visitors. Why? Because Hidden Falls is a must-see destination in Grand Teton National Park, and the hike via the Jenny Lake Trail is the absolute best way to reach it. 

This 5-mile round-trip hike is relatively easy and very popular. You can shorten the hike by taking the shuttle boat across Jenny Lake, which cuts off about 2 miles. Still, we’d recommend walking it as hiking around Jenny Lake is very scenic. 

As it’s such a popular route, the trail is well-marked. It takes you through beautiful scenery before reaching the cascading Hidden Falls. 

If you’re up for more adventure, you can continue to Inspiration Point for even more stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

This may be one of the best hikes in Grand Teton National Park, but it’s also one of the most popular, so we recommend starting as early as you can to avoid crowded trails. 

The Taggart and Bradley Lakes hike is a 6-mile loop that offers a peaceful retreat into the beauty of Grand Teton’s alpine lakes. This is one of the best hikes in the Grand Tetons if you want to escape the more popular trails.

Starting from the Taggart Lake Trailhead, this hike takes you first to Taggart Lake, a tranquil spot with stunning reflections of the mountains in the clear water. From there, the trail continues to Bradley Lake, which is less visited and offers a more secluded experience. 

The trail between the lakes is densely forested, and there’s a good chance of encountering wildlife, so stay alert. 

The hike is relatively flat and under tree cover, making it a pleasant and scenic route for a day out in nature.

The Phelps Lake, Lake Creek, and Woodland Loop hike is one of the best hikes in Teton National Park, and it allows you to experience several of the region’s best lakes.

It’s a moderate hike that offers a variety of landscapes, from creekside trails to lake views. This 7-mile loop starts at the Laurence S. Rockefeller Preserve. It winds through woodlands and meadows, eventually leading you to the shores of Phelps Lake. 

The trail is mostly flat, with gentle inclines, making it accessible to most hikers. 

Along the way, you might spot wildlife like bears and moose, so we’d advise you to carry bear spray. 

The loop provides a peaceful and scenic hike with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the area’s natural beauty.

Delta Lake, which you can access via the Lupine Meadows Trailhead, is a hike that rewards anyone willing to tackle its challenges. 

It’s not the easiest trail, but it’s undoubtedly one of the best hikes in Grand Teton National Park if you’re after the best scenery the park offers. 

The trail is about 7.5 miles round-trip and involves a significant elevation gain and a tricky boulder field near the end. All of these efforts will be rewarded with one of the park’s most beautiful alpine lakes. 

The striking turquoise waters of Delta Lake, framed by the towering peaks of the Teton Range, create a breathtaking scene. Be prepared to snap plenty of pictures.

It’s a strenuous hike, especially with the boulder scramble, but Delta Lake’s unique beauty makes it a must-do for adventurous hikers.

Grand Teton’s best hikes are all about the majestic Northwestern scenery that you can really only experience in this park. We’d highly recommend that any keen hiker spend some time on these trails, as the best Teton hikes could easily be classified as some of the best hikes in the USA.

Are you inspired to experience and explore this magical part of the country? Then consider our guided Grand Teton and Yellowstone hiking tour for the ultimate adventure of backpacking and camping in the Northwest.