Hiking the Phelps Lake Overlook Trail via Death Canyon in Grand Teton National Park
Distance: 2.0 miles / 3.2 km
The Phelps Lake Overlook Trail from the Death Canyon Trailhead is one of the best kid-friendly trails in Grand Teton National Park.
Overall, the Phelps Lake Overlook Trail is relatively short, has very mild elevation gain, and the trail makes for one of the best short rainy day adventures, like the photos shown in this post.
Death Canyon Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Phelps Lake Overlook Trail is located at the Death Canyon Trailhead.
There are a variety of small lots to park in just prior to the trailhead, but know that the road to Death Canyon can be very bumpy, which I would not recommend for low-clearance vehicles.
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
The Phelps Lake Overlook Trail from the Death Canyon Trailhead is very straight forward, as there is only one junction on the entire trail to reach the beautiful overlook.
The Phelps Lake area of Grand Teton National Park is known for having high bear activity, and while I didn't directly see one on this short hike, I could hear one off the trail roaming around in the bushes.
Valley Trail Junction
After only 0.1 miles (0.2 km), turn left on the Valley Trail to reach the Phelps Lake Overlook.
After the Valley Trail junction, the hike to Phelps Lake will gain elevation gradually, which is one reason, along with the short distance, that I believe the Phelps Lake Overlook Trail is a great kid-friendly hike.
Phelps Lake Overlook
After only one mile, you’ll be greeted with the beautiful viewpoint above Phelps Lake.
Death Canyon-Phelps Lake Loop Trail
Past the Phelps Lake Overlook is the hike for both Death Canyon and the Phelps Lake Loop Trail.
While I’m personally biased for hiking the Phelps Lake Loop Trail from the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, the full loop can also be hiked via Death Canyon.
I say this because I’m not a fan of the elevation loss from the overlook to the lake. Therefore, I personally prefer to hike the Phelps Lake Loop Trail from the LSRP, which is exactly how my separate post is written.
Read My Separate Post: Phelps Lake Loop Trail
