Hiking the Inspiration Point Trail via Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park
Distance (One Way - Jenny Lake to Cascade Canyon): 3.8 miles / 6.1 km
Distance (One Way - String Lake to Cascade Canyon): 3.3 miles / 5.3 km
The Inspiration Point Trail in Grand Teton National Park is a fun and beautiful day hike at the mouth of Cascade Canyon that climbs to a panoramic rocky outcropping, where visitors can enjoy amazing east-facing views across Jenny Lake and far beyond!
On top of this, the Inspiration Point Trail really feels like two or even three adventures in one, as it is most commonly combined with the Hidden Falls Trail and even the Cascade Canyon Trail for those who feel like spending a longer day outside!
Now, all this goes without saying that there are a number of different ways to access the Inspiration Point Trail on the west side of Jenny Lake, including the Jenny Lake Loop Trail, the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle, and the trail from the String Lake Trailhead on the northern end.
This article is specifically about the route beginning from the Jenny Lake Trailhead, which is easily the most popular route because it is also the trail that leads to the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle. However, it’s also worth considering the String Lake Trailhead if you would prefer to hike, as it is roughly 0.5 miles (0.8 km) shorter each way, though it really is a toss-up, since I personally think the best views of Jenny Lake are found when hiking around the south side from the Jenny Lake Trailhead.
Inspiration Point Trailhead Parking
The Inspiration Point 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!
Google Maps Directions: Inspiration Point Trailhead (Jenny Lake) / Inspiration Point 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 Inspiration Point Trail
The Inspiration Point 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 Inspiration Point, Hidden Falls, 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 Inspiration Point.
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 Inspiration Point, Hidden Falls, 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 Inspiration Point, about 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from this junction.
Read My Separate Post: Jenny Lake Loop Trail
Immediately after leaving the Jenny Lake Loop behind, the Inspiration Point Trail starts climbing its way up Cascade Creek toward the start of the switchbacks.
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 Inspiration Point 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 Inspiration Point, as well as Hidden Falls 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 Inspiration Point 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 Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls, which will both split and head in different directions in less than 0.1 miles (0.2 km).
Inspiration Point-Hidden Falls Junction
After 0.25 miles (0.4 km) since leaving the Jenny Lake Loop Trail, the Inspiration Point Trail comes to the third and final junction, the beginning of the true Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls Trail.
At this final split, go right (straight) to continue hiking toward Inspiration Point, where the trail will cross Cascade Creek and begin climbing a series of switchbacks up to the beautiful east-facing viewpoint at the top of the cliff shortly ahead.
Read My Separate Post: Hidden Falls Trail
Cascade Creek
After leaving the Hidden Falls Trail behind, the Inspiration Point Trail crosses two bridges over Cascade Creek, where the switchbacks begin on the other side.
This is where the Inspiration Point Trail begins a series of four switchbacks that climb roughly 275 ft. (84 m) to the viewpoint above Jenny Lake at the top.
In the beginning, there isn’t much exposure on the switchbacks to Inspiration Point, but this quickly changes once the trail rounds the fourth and final switchback, just before the viewpoint at the top.
This is the first of the four switchbacks, and if you don’t feel like hiking all the way to the top, it’s not the worst place to stop, though the main viewpoint is only 0.25 miles (0.4 km) from this point.
The thing that I hope is noticeable, compared to much of the Jenny Lake Loop Trail to get to this point, is that there is a lot more sun exposure on the hike up the Inspiration Point Trail, as well as on the long hike up Cascade Canyon.
This is why I highly recommend wearing a hooded sun shirt if you have any intention of combining multiple day hikes into one, as spending any time on the west side of Jenny Lake tends to be a long day outside—especially if you plan to hike the full Jenny Lake Loop instead of returning the short way around the south side.
This is the third of four switchbacks on the Inspiration Point Trail.
This is the beginning of the fourth and final switchback and the section with the most exposure on the entire Inspiration Point Trail.
This is why I said in my separate Hidden Falls article that the Inspiration Point Trail may not be for all people of all abilities, but trekking poles may make this section easier for some hikers—especially early in the season, when snow is still present on the trail.
Apart from the viewpoint just ahead, this is the most exposed section of the Inspiration Point Trail, which begins here and continues all the way to the summit.
Inspiration Point
This is Inspiration Point and the first of two main viewpoints at the summit!
That said, I personally believe the second viewpoint is the better of the two, which is located just a few steps beyond the first one shown here.
This is the split for the second—and, what I would argue, better—viewpoint at the top of Inspiration Point!
This is the upper viewpoint at Inspiration Point and what I believe is one of the best places to watch the sunrise in Grand Teton National Park!
After both viewpoints, the Inspiration Point Trail continues for another 0.4 miles (0.6 km) until it eventually transitions into the Cascade Canyon Trail.
If you have no plans of continuing up the Cascade Canyon Trail, I recommend turning back after spending some time at the viewpoint shown above, as there are no additional views from this point to the next junction.
This section between Inspiration Point and the Cascade Canyon Trail is fairly easy, flat, and not too noteworthy compared to the steep switchbacks after Cascade Creek to get to this point.
Inspiration Point-Cascade Canyon Junction
This is the end of the Inspiration Point Trail and the beginning of the Cascade Canyon Trail, located roughly 0.4 miles (0.6 km) from Inspiration Point.
That said, the Cascade Canyon Trail is very popular among day hikers in Grand Teton National Park, especially those who opt to take the boat shuttle to the west side of Jenny Lake, since it cuts out quite a bit of distance to get to this point.
As for the Cascade Canyon Trail itself, it’s honestly a hike that I’ve never understood why it’s so popular among day hikers, because most visitors hiking up Cascade Canyon do so with no destination in mind and no idea how far they want to hike.
In other words, the Cascade Canyon Trail is most definitely a very beautiful adventure, as there are towering peaks, wildlife, and glacial-fed streams that create towering waterfalls on all sides of the canyon!
However, I personally see the Cascade Canyon Trail as more of a connector between Jenny Lake and the Teton Crest Trail, which is why I highly recommend reading my separate article about Cascade Canyon if you’re interested in hiking past Inspiration Point.
This way, you can best decide how much or how little of Cascade Canyon you think is worth seeing, noting that the best views are located at very random sections scattered throughout.
Read My Separate Post: Cascade Canyon Trail
