Hiking the Jenny Lake Loop Trail in Grand Teton National Park
Distance: 7.1 miles / 11.4 km
The Jenny Lake Loop Trail in Grand Teton National Park is a very casual hike that may seem like a more challenging adventure than it really is because of the longer distance.
However, the loop trail around Jenny Lake can easily be completed in about half a day, and the full loop is one of the best ways to see Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and the Jenny Lake Overlook on this one longer loop.
Jenny Lake Loop Trailhead Parking
While the Jenny Lake Loop Trail could begin from a number of different directions, the most popular trailhead is by far the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, which is the direction that this post is written.
That being said, be sure to arrive early, regardless of which trailhead you choose to begin.
I say this because the parking lot at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, along with other trailheads, will fill up completely between 9-10 a.m. during the busy summer season, which can require visitors to park up to a half-mile away from the trailhead.
Google Maps Directions: Jenny Lake Loop Trailhead
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 Jenny Lake Loop Trail
From the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, the Jenny Lake Loop Trail begins at the Jenny Lake Trailhead, located just past visitor center and the bathrooms.
Jenny Lake Loop
Once at Jenny Lake, you can either go right or left to complete the loop around lake.
Personally, I like to go left toward Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point because this side of the lake will always be the busiest side of the trail.
This way, you can enjoy the relatively quiet and uncrowded side of the loop, once past the West Boat Dock on the far side of Jenny Lake.
Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle
If you choose to go clockwise (left) around Jenny Lake, as I did, go right at the next split to walk past the Jenny Lake Boat Dock.
While you could cut out about 2.6 miles (4.2 km) of the hike around Jenny Lake by taking the shuttle, it kind of defeats the purpose of hiking the loop—especially because the Jenny Lake Loop Trail parallels the shoreline, making it the best way to truly enjoy the beautiful alpine-blue water and potentially see wildlife!
In my experience, bears can and will be found on any trail in Grand Teton National Park.
However, they tend to be less common on busy trails, like the Hidden Falls/ Inspiration Point side of Jenny Lake.
Valley Trail (Lower Moose Ponds) Junction
The next junction on the Jenny Lake Loop is the Valley Trail, which is also a part of the Moose Ponds Loop Trail that uses a short part of the Jenny Lake Trail to complete the loop around the ponds.
That being said, the Moose Ponds Loop Trail is one of the best trails in Grand Teton to see wildlife in the park. Therefore, to learn more about how to better your chances, I highly recommend checking out my separate article.
Read My Separate Post: Moose Ponds Loop Trail
Upper Moose Ponds Loop Junction
Shortly after the Valley Trail connection, the Jenny Lake Loop Trail will pass by the upper Moose Ponds Loop junction.
Again, I highly recommend treating the Moose Ponds Loop as an entirely separate hike, especially if you want the unique opportunity to see wildlife within the park.
Read My Separate Post: Moose Ponds Loop Trail
Jenny Lake Horse Trail Junction
At a few points around the Jenny Lake, the trail splits into both a foot traffic and horse trail.
In this case, go right to stay on the foot traffic trail around Jenny Lake.
Once on the back side of Jenny Lake, you’ll have the opportunity to see some of the deepest, clearest, and bluest water along the shoreline.
This can be a great place to fish if you have a valid Wyoming fishing license or go for a swim in the cold, alpine waters of Jenny Lake.
Hidden Falls-Jenny Lake Loop Junction
Then, on the far side of Jenny Lake, the loop trail splits into both the Jenny Lake Loop as well as the trails to both Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.
Here, go right to continue around the Jenny Lake Loop, which will pass by the West Jenny Lake Boat Dock shortly ahead.
Cascade Canyon-West Boat Dock Junction
On the far side of Cascade Stream, you can either go right or straight to bypass the Boat Dock, which can be a very crowded section of the trail by midday.
I say this because the line to the boat dock can backup the trail with people waiting for their turn to ride the shuttle back across Jenny Lake.
That being said, I went right to show the what the boat dock trail looked like in the late afternoon.
Cascade Canyon-Inspriation Point Junction
As if you had hiked from the String Lake Trailhead or the boat dock, then this junction is the fastest way to get to Inspiration Point, Hidden Falls, and Cascade Canyon.
However, for the Jenny Lake Loop Trail, go right to continue around the lake.
West Jenny Lake Boat Dock
As previously mentioned, this section of the trail can see a long line of people by midday, as visitors wait their turn to take the ferry back to the Jenny Lake Visitor Center.
Furthermore, the National Park Service has even gone as far as posting signs on the trail to show estimated wait times based on how far back people are standing.
Once past Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and the west boat dock, the trail generally becomes less crowded.
That’s not to say that there aren’t hikers on this side of Jenny Lake, but typically speaking, visitors more often hike from the String Lake Trailhead when parking at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center is too difficult.
String Lake Outlet
At the far end of Jenny Lake, the trail follows the String Lake Outlet until it crosses over the stream near the String Lake Trailhead.
That being said, I’ve found it more common to see bears on this stretch of the trail, being that it’s less crowded. More often than not, I’ve seen most bears in Grand Teton by some kind of water source, but know that they can truly be anywhere.
String Lake Loop Trail Junction
On the upper side of the String Lake Outlet, go right to stay on the Jenny Lake Loop Trail.
The trail to the left is the trail around String Lake, which leads to other areas of the park like Paintbrush Canyon.
Once across the String Lake Outlet, go right to continue around the Jenny Lake Loop Trail.
I have read that Utah Honeysuckle is edible, but I have not and will not be trying it without someone that knows more than myself.
Jenny Lake Lodge Junction
Then, when the trail enters the next forested section, the hike will pass by the junction to get to the Jenny Lake Lodge.
This is one of many reasons why the Jenny Lake Lodge is one of the best places to stay in Grand Teton National Park, as the Jenny Lake Loop is just one of many trails that the lodge is within walking distance.
Jenny Lake Lodge
Jenny Lake Overlook
Eventually, the loop trail passes by the popular drive-up Jenny Lake Overlook.
Typically speaking, the Jenny Lake Overlook is busier in the morning than the evening, like when these photos were taken, but you can almost always expect to see other people here.
Jenny Lake Campground
Toward the end of the loop, the Jenny Lake Trail will pass by Jenny Lake Campground, and from here on, you can expect to see more and more people for the rest of the hike to the visitor center.
Jenny Lake Visitor Center
Then hike ends back at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, which should be easy enough to return to the parking area from here.
