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 long but easy day hike along the beautiful shoreline around Jenny Lake!
That said, what makes the Jenny Lake Loop special is less about the trail itself and more about how it is an access trail to a number of different adventures on the west side of Jenny Lake, including the Hidden Falls Trail, the Inspiration Point Trail, Cascade Canyon, and, for the most adventurous type of person, the Lake of the Crags!
This is why the vast majority of those who set off on the loop from either the Jenny Lake Trailhead or the Spring Lake Trailhead do so with the intention of reaching one of these beautiful destinations on the west side.
All that aside, the Jenny Lake Loop Trail on its own is truly a very casual Grand Teton adventure, as the longer distance is not a good indicator of the trail’s difficulty. It’s easier than it may appear.
I say this because the full loop around Jenny Lake can easily be completed in just a few hours, even if you decide to include the optional side trails to visit both Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.
Is the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle Worth It?
This is probably a controversial opinion, but for the most part, no!
I say this first because there is nothing particularly difficult about the hike around Jenny Lake, and taking the boat shuttle is really just because you prefer to cut out about 2.0 miles (3.2 km) each way.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a faster option, as lines during the busy summer travel season start forming just after sunrise, even though the shuttle doesn’t start operating until 7 a.m. during the peak season.
By the time 9 a.m. comes around, forget about it! If you weren’t early to the park, you might as well start hiking. It will most likely be faster!
As for the ride back, the same lines on the west side of Jenny Lake tend to become a problem in the mid-afternoon hours.
By evening, the lines to get a ride back have usually subsided from their peak, which can make the shuttle worth the money if you’d rather not hike.
Now, there are situations where I think the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle is worth the money.
The first is obviously if you have mobility issues. The West Jenny Lake Boat Dock doesn’t get you all the way to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, but it does cut out the vast majority of both hikes.
The second reason is if you are first or one of the first groups in line in the morning. However, if you are willing to wait in line a half hour before the shuttle starts operating, I have to ask: Why not just start hiking?
The third and final reason I believe the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle can be worth it is if, as previously mentioned, you are catching it late in the evening for a ride back when there isn’t a wait on the west side of the lake. This could be returning from the Lake of the Crags or other long, all-day adventures when you would just rather cut some time off the adventure and get back to Jackson to get some good food!
These are all just one person’s opinions, but the popularity and the lines associated with the shuttle are seriously something to consider—especially noting that hiking can often be faster than standing in line.
Jenny Lake Loop Trailhead Parking
The Jenny Lake Loop 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: 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
The Jenny Lake Loop Trail 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.
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.
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 this 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 along the loop until the trail passes the Jenny Lake Overlook on the west side of the lake.
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. There will be a number of others to come as the trail makes its way around Jenny Lake.
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.
That said, the Jenny Lake Loop Trail continues to the right, but it is very common to go straight first before returning to complete the loop later on.
Read My Separate Posts: Hidden Falls Trail / Inspiration Point Trail
This is where the Jenny Lake Loop Trail continues to the right, as if you hadn’t hiked to both Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.
However, if you decided to go to both of these destinations first, the fastest way to pick up the loop again is actually at the North Cascade Creek junction, shown below.
Cascade Creek
This is one of three bridges across Cascade Creek on the west side of Jenny Lake, and it’s arguably the least popular of the three since the true Jenny Lake Loop is more of an indirect route between the boat dock and Hidden Falls, as well as the Jenny Lake Visitor Center and Hidden Falls.
South Jenny Lake Loop-West Jenny Lake Boat Dock Junction
On the north side of Cascade Creek, the Jenny Lake Loop Trail passes a shortcut for the West Jenny Lake Boat Dock.
At this split, go left to avoid this connector trail, as it tends to be one of the more crowded areas on the west side of Jenny Lake when lines for the return shuttle start to form in the mid-to-late afternoon hours.
Jenny Lake Loop-North Cascade Creek Junction
After just 0.1 miles (0.2 km) from the previous junction, the Jenny Lake Loop Trail comes to one final split before passing the boat dock.
This is the North Cascade Creek Trail, or rather, the most direct route between the West Jenny Lake Boat Dock and Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. This is also the junction I previously mentioned where most hikers would return to the loop if you had chosen to first visit Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.
In any case, go right, and the Jenny Lake Loop will pass the boat dock in just a few steps, becoming a much quieter, more relaxing hike once on the far side!
Read My Separate Posts: Hidden Falls Trail / Inspiration Point Trail
The photo below of the West Jenny Lake Boat Dock was taken in the late afternoon hours, and it is not even close to as busy as I have personally seen the lines get!
If you see the small sign on the fence in the first photo below, that indicates roughly one hour from boarding the shuttle, and it only gets longer over a very short distance.
This is why I strongly recommend considering the hike back around the south side of Jenny Lake if the lines do look long, as it can often be much quicker depending on the time of day.
North Jenny Lake Loop-West Jenny Lake Boat Dock Junction
This is where the Jenny Lake Loop passes the north side of the Boat Dock Trail.
That said, go straight, and the Jenny Lake Loop Trail will begin some of the quietest, least-trafficked portions of the hike until it starts to near the Jenny Lake Visitor Center again on the east side.
It is often quite a shock how quickly the Jenny Lake Loop becomes a much quieter hike once past Cascade Creek and the West Jenny Lake Boat Dock!
Jenny Lake Loop-Cascade Canyon Horse Junction
The next split before the Jenny Lake Loop reaches the Lake of the Crags junction is when the trail passes the Cascade Canyon Horse Trail.
On many maps, this may look like the beginning of the Cascade Canyon Trail, but this connection between the Jenny Lake Loop and the end of the Inspiration Point Trail is not open to foot traffic.
Instead, the only way hikers are supposed to access the Cascade Canyon Trail is to first hike the Inspiration Point Trail.
All that aside, go straight to continue on the Jenny Lake Loop toward both the Lake of the Crags junction and the String Lake Loop Trail beyond.
Jenny Lake Loop-Lake of the Crags Junction
After about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) since the Cascade Canyon Horse Trail, the Jenny Lake Loop passes this inconspicuous split in the trail, which is the beginning of the Lake of the Crags Trail, an unmarked social trail that climbs steeply up the Teton Range to a hidden alpine lake that few visitors ever see!
Now, what that doesn’t say is that the Lake of the Crags Trail is one of the steepest social trails in Grand Teton National Park and should not be compared with the Delta Lake Trail. It’s harder, steeper, and longer!
To learn more, all the details can be found in my separate post linked below, but to continue on the Jenny Lake Loop Trail, go straight toward the String Lake Loop, about 1.1 miles (1.8 km) from this point.
Read My Separate Post: Lake of the Crags Trail
This stretch between Cascade Creek and the String Lake Loop is most often hiked by those who decide to begin the loop from the String Lake Trailhead, as opposed to the Jenny Lake Trailhead, as outlined in this post.
What this really means is that, while these sections are significantly less trafficked than everything prior to Cascade Creek, the quietest sections are yet to come, which is the east side of Jenny Lake between the String Lake Outlet and Rock Beach near the visitor center.
This is where the Jenny Lake Loop Trail enters the 1999 Alder Fire burn scar.
I mention this because there is significantly less shade along this stretch, which is why I highly recommend hiking the Jenny Lake Loop in a hooded sun shirt to stay safe at these higher elevations.
This is the view looking across Jenny Lake toward the Jenny Lake Overlook and the Jenny Lake Visitor Center.
This is where the Jenny Lake Loop Trail starts paralleling the String Lake Outlet, which is a nice sign that the String Lake Loop Trail at the far northern side of the lake is not far ahead!
West Jenny Lake Loop-String Lake Loop Junction
This is where the Jenny Lake Loop Trail and the String Lake Loop Trail become one, as the two cross over the String Lake Lake Outlet before going their separate ways.
Once at this point, go right to continue on the Jenny Lake Loop Trail toward the bridge across the small creek.
Read My Separate Post: String Lake Loop Trail
This section along the String Lake Loop is roughly 0.25 miles (0.4 km) and is often one of the busier sections of the full Jenny Lake Loop, as String Lake is one of the more popular places to visit in Grand Teton National Park.
String Lake Outlet
This is where the Jenny Lake Loop crosses the String Lake Outlet, similar to the Jenny Lake Outlet near the Jenny Lake Boat Dock on the far southern end.
East Jenny Lake Loop-String Lake Loop Junction
Immediately after crossing the String Lake Outlet, the Jenny Lake Loop meets the second junction with the String Lake Loop Trail, which is the point where the two loops go their separate ways.
Once here, go right to begin hiking along the east side of Jenny Lake and return to the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, about 2.9 miles (4.7 km) from this point.
Read My Separate Post: String Lake Loop Trail
After leaving the String Lake Loop Trail behind, the Jenny Lake Loop begins the least-trafficked section of the entire hike, as the only busy area from this point to the visitor center is the Jenny Lake Overlook.
This stretch, from this point to Rock Beach, is roughly 2.9 miles (4.7 km) in all.
Jenny Lake Loop-Jenny Lake Lodge Junction
After just 0.1 miles (0.2 km) since crossing the String Lake Outlet, the Jenny Lake Loop passes a short side trail that leads over to the Jenny Lake Lodge, the best place, in my opinion, to stay inside Grand Teton National Park!
All that aside, go straight at this split to continue hiking along the shoreline of Jenny Lake and back to the Jenny Lake Visitor Center.
When the Jenny Lake Loop enters the forest on the east side of the lake, there aren’t many views looking west toward the Teton Range.
However, that’s not to say there aren’t great swimming spots and places to fish—it just takes a little off-trail exploring to find these hidden gems!
This is where the Jenny Lake Loop Trail starts to leave the String Lake Outlet behind.
Even though this stretch might seem long and uneventful compared to the north side of Jenny Lake, I still prefer hiking the full loop because it is such a great way to get away from the crowds in an otherwise very busy area of Grand Teton National Park.
Jenny Lake Loop-Jenny Lake Lodge Horse Junction
With about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) to go before the loop reaches the Jenny Lake Overlook, the trail passes another horse-only trail, this time connecting the Jenny Lake Loop to the Jenny Lake Lodge and beyond.
At this split, go right to stay on the Jenny Lake Loop Trail toward the overlook and the Jenny Lake Visitor Center shortly thereafter.
Jenny Lake Overlook
With about 1.3 miles (2.1 km) to go before the Jenny Lake Loop returns to the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, the trail passes the Jenny Lake Overlook, a drive-up overlook off the one-way Jenny Lake Loop Road.
This is typically the busiest location since leaving the West Jenny Lake Boat Dock on the far side of the lake.
In any case, the Jenny Lake Loop Trail simply runs right along the main path past the overlook, eventually becoming an unpaved surface again once on the far side.
This is where the Jenny Lake Loop Trail leaves the Jenny Lake Overlook behind.
After the Jenny Lake Overlook, the loop will parallel Jenny Lake Loop Road for about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) before the two go their separate ways.
This is where the Jenny Lake Loop Trail starts to leave Jenny Lake Loop Road behind, beginning the final 0.6-mile (1.0 km) section from this point to Rock Beach and the visitor center shortly thereafter.
Jenny Lake Loop-Jenny Lake Campground Junction
This is where the Jenny Lake Loop Trail crosses a short connector trail between the Jenny Lake Campground and the shoreline, and it’s a nice sign that Rock Beach and the Jenny Lake Visitor Center are not far ahead!
That said, go straight to continue along the loop around Jenny Lake, and the trail will reach the paved path near the visitor center in just 0.1 miles (0.2 km).
Book Here: Jenny Lake Campground
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At this unmarked split immediately following the Jenny Lake Campground, go right down the hill toward the water to continue on the Jenny Lake Loop Trail.
This is where the Jenny Lake Loop Trail starts to become busier once again as it approaches Rock Beach and the Jenny Lake Visitor Center.
Rock Beach
When the Jenny Lake Loop Trail descends these steps adjacent to Rock Beach, it’s a nice sign that the Jenny Lake Visitor Center and the trailhead are not far ahead!
This path to the left is the one of the three along this stretch that return to the Jenny Lake Visitor Center.
That said, if you’re a purist like myself and want to complete the full loop after hiking this far to get to this point, go straight, and the very beginning of the loop from the beginning of this article will be reached in just a few steps!
Jenny Lake Loop Junction
After a long and beautiful 7.1-mile (11.4 km) hike around Jenny Lake, the loop trail finally returns to the initial junction shown at the beginning of this article.
Once here, go left to return to the Jenny Lake Visitor Center.
On a different note, if you’re returning late in the day, like I was on this day, you may still have time to visit the Jenny Lake General Store while it’s open to get something cold to drink—or, even better, some ice cream!
