Hiking the Phelps Lake Overlook Trail via Death Canyon in Grand Teton National Park
Distance (via New Death Canyon Trailhead): 4.0 miles / 6.4 km
The Phelps Lake Overlook Trail in Grand Teton National Park is a beautiful and relatively easy day hike on the Valley Trail that leads to a panoramic overlook above Phelps Lake and the descent into Death Canyon!
That said, the Phelps Lake Overlook Trail is a bit longer than it was in years past, due entirely to the 2026–2027 Death Canyon Trailhead relocation project, which moved the trailhead closer to Moose–Wilson Road, adding about 1.0 mile (1.6 km) to the hike each way.
This project ultimately expands accessibility to Death Canyon by increasing the amount of parking at the trailhead and paving the once-long and bumpy Death Canyon Road.
All of this is to say that the photos in this article are largely outdated until I can return to Grand Teton and re-hike the new trail following the summer 2027 reopening!
Phelps Lake Overlook Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Phelps Lake Overlook Trail is located at the newly relocated Death Canyon Trailhead, about 0.6 miles (1.0 km) up Whitegrass Ranch Road from Moose–Wilson Road.
The newly expanded and paved parking lot can accommodate many more vehicles than the much smaller old dirt lot shown in the photos below.
Google Maps Directions: Death Canyon 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 Phelps Lake Overlook Trail
This is the old Death Canyon Trailhead, prior to the previously mentioned 2026–2027 relocation project.
Death Canyon Spur-Valley Junction
After only 0.1 miles (0.2 km) from the old Death Canyon Trailhead, the spur trail merges with the Valley Trail.
That said, go left at this junction to begin hiking the Valley Trail toward the Phelps Lake Overlook, about 0.8 miles (1.3 km) from this point.
Once on the Valley Trail, the hike to the Phelps Lake Overlook starts gaining elevation gradually.
This is one reason that I believe the Phelps Lake Overlook Trail is a great, kid-friendly option to consider when visiting Grand Teton National Park!
Phelps Lake Overlook
After only 2.0 miles (3.2 km) from the newly relocated Death Canyon Trailhead, the Valley Trail finally reaches this beautiful viewpoint above Phelps Lake!
That said, the hike does not stop here. Rather, it continues down to both the true Death Canyon Trail and the beautiful Phelps Lake Loop Trail below.
However, I am personally not the biggest fan of starting the Phelps Lake Loop from this direction, mainly because the hike is much longer and there is more elevation change compared to starting at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve on the south side of the lake.
Read My Separate Post: Phelps Lake Loop Trail
