Hiking the Hidden Falls Trail via Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park
Distance (One Way via Jenny Lake): 2.7 miles / 4.3 km
Distance (One Way via String Lake): 2.2 miles / 3.5 km
The Hidden Falls Trail in Grand Teton National Park is a beautiful and popular day hike off the Jenny Lake Loop Trail that leads to a dramatic 100-ft. (30.5 m) waterfall at the mouth of Cascade Canyon and the base of the Teton Range!
That said, the hike to Hidden Falls is much more about the Jenny Lake Loop Trail than the Hidden Falls Trail along Cascade Creek at the end, and I say this because whether you plan to hike or take the boat shuttle, the Jenny Lake Loop is at the center of it all!
This article is specifically about the route from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, which is the most popular way to hike to Hidden Falls, though it is not the closest by foot. Rather, the String Lake Trailhead is actually 0.5 miles (0.8 km) closer, but the Jenny Lake Visitor Center is more popular because it is where visitors have the option to take Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle all the way to Cascade Creek on the west side.
This is all to say that I could not recommend hiking the Hidden Falls Trail more, as it is easily one of the best kid-friendly trails across Grand Teton National Park and a great way to combine multiple trails into one adventure!
Hidden Falls Trailhead Parking
The Hidden Falls Trail can begin from a number of different trailheads, but the two most popular are the Jenny Lake Trailhead at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center and the String Lake Trailhead, the same trailhead that also serves the String Lake Loop Trail.
That said, the Jenny Lake Trailhead is one of the top three most competitive trailheads in Grand Teton National Park, next to the Phelps Lake Trailhead and Lupine Meadows, which serves the popular Delta Lake Trail.
This is why it is important to arrive early, even if you plan to park at String Lake, which is easily number four in terms of being one of the most competitive trailheads in the park.
I say all this because parking at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center often fills up in the early morning hours, and by around 8:00–9:00 a.m., visitors are often left to park on Teton Park Road, sometimes up to 0.5 miles (0.8 km) away during the busiest summer months!
Google Maps Directions: Hidden Falls Trailhead (Jenny Lake) / Hidden Falls Trailhead (String Lake)
Hiking Checklist - Yellowstone–Tetons
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in the Yellowstone–Teton area.
Hiking the Hidden Falls Trail
The Hidden Falls Trail via Jenny Lake can be accessed from a number of different paved paths that branch out from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, but this is the true Jenny Lake Trailhead and the most direct path between the visitor center and the shoreline, located just behind the Jenny Lake General Store.
To skip to the west side of the Jenny Lake Loop Trail, click here.
After passing the Jenny Lake Ranger Station, go left at this first split, and the paved path will reach the Jenny Lake Loop Trail in just a few steps.
Jenny Lake Loop Trail
This is where the paved path reaches the shoreline along Jenny Lake and the true Jenny Lake Loop Trail.
Once here, there’s either the option to go right or left around the loop, but the most popular option—by far—is to go left in the clockwise direction because this is the shortest and fastest route to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and Cascade Canyon beyond.
In addition, the path to the left is also the route to the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle.
Read My Separate Post: Jenny Lake Loop Trail
Regarding my thoughts above, I chose to go left in the clockwise direction around Jenny Lake.
It’s important to mention that in the early morning hours, usually a little after the shuttle starts operating, lines back up this far and often much farther by the time 9 a.m. comes around during the busiest summer travel season.
This is why I strongly recommend reading my thoughts about the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle at the beginning of my separate Jenny Lake Loop Trail article, because it may not be worth the wait, depending on what time you are able to make it to the park.
This is where the Jenny Lake Loop passes the southernmost path between the visitor center and the shoreline.
That said, go straight to continue on the loop, and the trail will pass the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle shortly ahead.
Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle (Jenny Lake Outlet)
After just 0.25 miles (0.4 km), the Jenny Lake Loop Trail passes the beginning of the line for the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle and crosses the Jenny Lake Outlet where the boarding dock is located.
If you are interested in taking the shuttle across Jenny Lake, tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis and are priced better when sold as a roundtrip ticket, as opposed to one-way.
However, it is very common to buy a one-way ticket for the ride back only.
Jenny Lake Loop-Reimer’s Cabin Junction
On the west side of the outlet, go right to stay on the Jenny Lake Loop Trail, as the path to the left leads to Reimer’s Cabin, a historic residence built in 1937 that is not open to the public.
Just a few steps after the Reimer’s Cabin junction, go right once again to stay on the Jenny Lake Loop Trail.
Regardless of the popularity surrounding the Jenny Lake Loop and all the trails it connects to, bear encounters are not uncommon, though most visitors who see one typically come across a Black Bear.
That said, it’s important to come prepared when visiting Grand Teton National Park for any type of encounter, including knowing how to recognize the difference between a Black Bear and a Grizzly.
When hiking early in the morning, as shown here, the Jenny Lake Loop Trail is typically a very quiet and relaxing adventure, but be aware that this quickly changes around 8:00–9:00 a.m., when most visitors start making their way into the park from Jackson.
Jenny Lake Boat Launch
This is where the Jenny Lake Loop Trail crosses the Jenny Lake Boat Launch, which is the last drive-up location on the hike to Hidden Falls.
Lower Jenny Lake Loop-Moose Ponds Loop (Valley) Junction
After about 1.0 mile (1.6 km) since leaving the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, the loop passes the first of two junctions for the Moose Ponds Loop Trail, a beautiful short day hike that’s great for seeing both Moose and other wildlife both early and late in the day!
At this first junction, go straight to remain on the Jenny Lake Loop toward Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and all the other adventures father up Cascade Canyon on the west side of the lake.
Read My Separate Post: Moose Ponds Loop Trail
This next stretch, between the first Moose Ponds junction and the second, is where both the Jenny Lake Loop and the Moose Ponds Loop share the same trail, similar to the shared section with the String Lake Loop on the other side of the lake.
Upper Jenny Lake Loop-Moose Ponds Loop Junction
After just over 0.1 miles (0.2 km), the Jenny Lake Loop Trail passes the second connection with the Moose Ponds Loop Trail.
Once again, go straight, and the Jenny Lake Loop will begin working its way toward the west side of the lake—the side that I would argue is the most beautiful stretch of any along the entire 7.1-mile (11.4 km) loop.
Read My Separate Post: Moose Ponds Loop Trail
This view at the top of the hill immediately following the second Moose Ponds junction is the view looking west toward the two Moose Ponds themselves!
Jenny Lake Loop-Jenny Lake Horse Junction
When the Jenny Lake Loop first reaches the west side of the lake along the base of the Teton Range, the trail passes a junction for the first of many side trails specifically set aside for those riding horses.
That said, go straight at this split to stay on the foot trail and continue along the shoreline of Jenny Lake toward all the popular things to do near Cascade Creek, about 1.2 miles (1.9 km) from this point.
When the views of Jenny Lake start to open up along the west side, I believe the trail has reached some of the most beautiful sections on the entire loop!
I say this because this stretch between this point and the next junction has some of the best fishing, swimming, and even cliff-jumping spots on the entire loop—that is, if you know where to look!
This area, where the Jenny Lake Loop is closest to the water, is what I personally believe is one of the most beautiful sections of the entire hike—especially in the late afternoon hours, when getting in the water during the warmest summer months is the most fun!
Visitors can often be seen fishing directly from the trail along this stretch!
When the Jenny Lake Loop Trail re-enters the forest after the sections directly alongside the water, it’s a nice sign that all the interconnecting trails along Cascade Creek are not far ahead!
Jenny Lake Loop-South Cascade Creek Junction
After roughly 2.4 miles (3.9 km) since leaving the Jenny Lake Trailhead, the Jenny Lake Loop Trail reaches the junction that leads to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and Cascade Canyon beyond.
These three destinations are what make the Jenny Lake Loop Trail one of the most popular day hikes in Grand Teton National Park—or at least the south side of the loop, as shown to this point.
All that to say, go straight at this split to continue hiking toward Hidden Falls, about 0.3 miles (0.5 km) from this point.
Read My Separate Post: Jenny Lake Loop Trail
Immediately after leaving the Jenny Lake Loop behind, the Hidden Falls Trail starts climbing its way up Cascade Creek toward the waterfall.
This is true whether you decide to hike the trail or take the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle to the dock on the other side of Cascade Creek.
South-North Cascade Creek (West Boat Dock) Junction
After about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) since leaving the Jenny Lake Loop Trail, the Hidden Falls Trail comes to this junction, which is where both the route from the West Jenny Lake Boat Dock and the route from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center become one.
This is also where the trail typically becomes busier after the boat shuttle starts operating each morning.
All that aside, go left at this split to continue hiking toward Hidden Falls, as well as Inspiration Point and Cascade Canyon beyond.
South Cascade Creek-Jenny Lake Horse Bypass Junction
Just a few steps after the connection with the West Jenny Lake Boat Dock, the Hidden Falls Trail splits for the second of three times on the south side of Cascade Creek, this time passing the bypass trail where the Jenny Lake Horse Trail again meets back up after splitting just after the second Moose Ponds junction.
Once here, go straight to continue hiking toward Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, which will both split and head in different directions in less than 0.1 miles (0.2 km).
Hidden Falls-Inspiration Point Junction
After about 0.25 miles (0.4 km) since leaving the Jenny Lake Loop Trail, the Hidden Falls Trail comes to the third and final junction, the beginning of the true Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point Trail.
At this final split, go left to remain on the Hidden Falls Trail toward the waterfall, located just a few steps away from this point!
Read My Separate Post: Inspiration Point Trail
Hidden Falls
This beautiful 100-ft. (30.5 m) cascade is Hidden Falls and the end of the Hidden Falls Trail!
However, Hidden Falls is seldom the end of the hike for most first-time visitors to Grand Teton National Park, as it is most common to hike back down to the previous junction and across Cascade Creek to begin the Inspiration Point Trail.
That said, there is a bit more elevation gain and some exposure on the switchbacks leading up to Inspiration Point, which is why I believe the hike past Hidden Falls is not for all people of all abilities.
To learn more and see detailed photos of the switchbacks leading to Inspiration Point and Cascade Canyon, I highly recommend reading my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Inspiration Point Trail
