Distance: 7.2 miles / 11.6 km

Between the Jenny Lake, String Lake, and Phelps Lake Loop Trails, the Phelps Lake Loop is by far my favorite, and I say this for a number of reasons.

First, the Phelps Lake Trail features the fun cliff-jumping rock, which makes for a great adventure on a hot summer day, but perhaps more importantly, the Phelps Lake-Death Canyon area of Grand Teton National Park is, by and large, less busy than the other two trails.

For these reasons, I’ve have had incredible luck at seeing bears on almost every adventure I’ve been on in the Phelps Lake area!

To skip ahead to the Phelps Lake Cliff Jumping Rock, click here.

Phelps Lake Trailhead Parking

The Phelps Lake Loop Trail could begin at either the Death Canyon or Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Trailhead.

However, the LSRP Trailhead is a far better choice, as the hike from the Death Canyon Trailhead descends about 600 ft. (183 m) to get to Phelps Lake, which would have to be hiked back up on the way out. All the while, the LSRP (Lake Creek/ Woodland Trails) are much more flat, with only a few rolling hills to get to Phelps Lake.

Overall, while the Phelps Lake Loop Trail is far less busy than Jenny or String Lake, the LSRP Trailhead is, by far, the most difficult to visit if you arrive mid to late morning during the busy summer season. The parking lot is the smallest of all three trailheads, and on this day when I arrived back to the LSRP at about noon, there was a line of cars backed up by the Park Service because there simply wasn’t any more room in the small lot. The first photo below was taken at about 7 a.m., and the second photo is when I returned after the loop hike.

This is all to say, arrive early!

Google Maps Directions: Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve

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 Phelps Lake Loop Trail

The hike around Phelps Lake begins on the same trail that leads to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Visitor Center.

Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Trailhead Grand Teton National Park Wyoming — Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Trailhead

Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Grand Teton National Park Wyoming — Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Trail

Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Visitor Center Grand Teton National Park Wyoming — Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Trail

Once at the visitor center, you can go either way to reach the Lake Creek Trailhead that leads to Phelps Lake.

Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Trail Grand Teton National Park Wyoming — Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Visitor Center

Lake Creek Trailhead

The first part of any hike from the LSRP begins on the Lake Creek Trail, which will soon split into a variety of trails around the greater Phelps Lake area.

As previously mentioned, I have hiked the Phelps Lake Loop Trail many different times, and I almost always have at least one or more bear encounters on the hike.

It’s widely known that black bears frequent the Phelps Lake area, but be prepared for any kind of encounter, meaning one should always hike with bear spray!

Lake Creek Hike Grand Teton National Park Wyoming — Lake Creek Trail

Lake Creek-Woodland Junction

The first junction on the Phelps Lake Loop Trail is for the option to either stay on the Lake Creek or Woodland Trail.

If your goal is to hike to the Phelps Lake Cliff-Jumping Rock, then go right to take the Woodland Trail, as it’s the much faster choice to get to the lake.

On this hike, I choose to stay on the Woodland Trail and return later on the Lake Creek Trail once I had made it around the Phelps Lake Loop.

Woodland Trail Grand Teton National Park Wyoming — Woodland Trail

Then, just a few minutes into the hike, I came across this beautiful black bear about 100 ft. (30.5 m) off the trail.

If you remain calm and keep your distance, watching a bear is a pretty beautiful site to see!

Bears Grand Teton National Park — Black Bear - (*Ursus americanus*)

Moose Wilson Road

Both the Woodland and Lake Creek Trails cross over Moose Wilson Road on the way to and from Phelps Lake.

I caution you to not only look out for cars but also bicyclists, as they tend to not slow down on this stretch of road.

Woodland Hike Grand Teton National Park Wyoming — Woodland Trail

Woodland-Boulder Ridge Junction

The next junction is the Boulder Ridge Trail, and it’s typically a lesser-known/ hiked trail in the Phelps Lake area.

To this point, both the Boulder and Aspen Ridge Trails on the south side of Phelps Lake create one large loop, which can make for great place to spot wildlife, as they are not as busy as the Phelps Lake Loop shown here.

In any case, go straight to continue on the fastest route to Phelps Lake.

Phelps Lake Loop Trail

After 1.3 miles (2.1 km), the Woodland Trail ends where the Phelps Lake Loop Trail begins.

You can either go right or left around the lake, but I choose to go right, so that I could take the Lake Creek Trail back to the LSRP on my return hike.

Moreover, go right if you’re trying to reach the Phelps Lake Cliff-Jumping Rock.

Phelps Lake Grand Teton National Park Wyoming — Phelps Lake

Phelps Lake Loop Trail Grand Teton National Park Wyoming — Phelps Lake Loop Trail

Phelps Lake-Boulder Ridge Junction

After 0.1 miles (0.2 km) on the Phelps Lake Trail, the Boulder Ridge Trail will branch off into its own separate loop that works its way back toward the LSRP.

In my experience, the east side of Phelps Lake tends to have more hikers than the west side, which may have something to do with the jumping rock, located about two-thirds of the way up the lake from the south side.

Phelps Lake Loop Hike Grand Teton National Park Wyoming — Phelps Lake Loop Trail

Phelps Lake Hike Grand Teton National Park Wyoming — Phelps Lake Loop Trail

Phelps Lake Cliff Jumping Rock

I can’t say for sure, but there must have been some issues with bears and swimmers at the rock for the Park Service to post this sign.

Additionally, if you’ve read this post prior to my Phelps Lake cliff-jumping post, then there’s really no new information in that post to reach this same area.

However, if you’re curious about the jump itself, I encourage you to read the section about the jumping rock at the end.

Read My Separate Post: Phelps Lake Cliff Jumping Rock

Death Canyon Grand Teton National Park — Death Canyon

Phelps Lake Campsite

Then, just before the Phelps Lake Beach, the loop trail passes by a number of campsites, which can be reserved through the Park Service if you’re interested in spending a few nights.

Phelps Lake Beach

On a hot summer day, the Phelps Lake Beach is one of the best places to visit in Grand Teton National Park.

This and the cliff-jumping rock are two of best locations on the entire Phelps Lake Loop Trail!

Phelps Lake Beach Grand Teton National Park Wyoming — Phelps Lake Beach

While the Red Baneberry fruits may look edible, they are considered poisonous and can cause a whole host problems should anyone consume them.

Red Berries Grand Teton National Park — Red Baneberry - (*Actaea rubra*)

Phelps Lake-Death Canyon Junction

Past the Phelps Lake Beach, the next junction on the trail is for the Phelps Lake Overlook and Death Canyon Trailhead. Personally, I recommend hiking to the Phelps Lake Overlook from the Death Canyon Trailhead, which you can read more about in my separate post.

Go left to continue around the Phelps Lake Loop.

Read My Separate Post: Phelps Lake Overlook Trail

Phelps Lake Death Canyon Split Grand Teton National Park Wyoming — Go Left

Death Canyon Creek

While the Death Canyon junction may feel like the halfway point, the Death Canyon Creek is a bit more accurate for a halfway checkpoint around Phelps Lake.

Additionally, like I said before, the west side of Phelps Lake is hiked a lot less compared to the east side, meaning that I would personally expect to see more wildlife on this half of the lake.

Death Canyon Creek Grand Teton — Death Canyon Creek

Phelps Lake-Open Canyon-Valley Trail Junction

The only true junction on this side of Phelps Lake is for the Open Canyon/ Valley Trails.

However, most hikers typically don’t venture up this way unless they are looking to do some overnight backpacking within the park.

Pink Flowers Grand Teton National Park — Phelps Lake Loop Trail

Huckleberry Point

At about two-thirds of the way down the west side of Phelps Lake is a small little side trail to an overlook called Huckleberry Point.

It’s a pretty cool spot, and it’s only a short distance away from the end of the Lake Creek Trail if you’re not interested in a hike around the entire loop.

Huckleberry Point Grand Teton National Park Wyoming — Huckleberry Point

Personally, I have seen bears in this area of Phelps Lake before, so keep an eye out through this open swampy area.

Phelps Lake Boardwalk Grand Teton National Park Wyoming — Phelps Lake Loop Trail

Phelps Lake-Aspen Ridge Junction

Then, just prior to the return loop on the Lake Creek Trail is the split for the Aspen Ridge Trail.

Go left to continue on to the Lake Creek Trail.

Phelps Lake-Lake Creek Junction

Once back on the south side of Phelps Lake, you can either go straight to continue back to the Woodland Trail where this hike began, or turn right to take the alternate Lake Creek Trail back to the LSRP.

Additionally, the South Phelps Lake Overlook is a popular end destination for some hikers who don’t want to hike as far as the loop shown in this post.