Outbound Collective logo

Colter Bay Lakeshore Trail Day Hike

Moran, Wyoming

4.0/5
based on 2 reviews

Details

Distance

2.55 miles

Elevation Gain

148 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Ben Lertsakdadet

Short 2 mile hike. Amazing views of Mt. Moran and the other Grand Teton peaks over Jackson Lake. Perfect location for stargazing. Always near the lake.

Within the first 100 feet on the trail, you are greeted with the stunning view of the peaks of Grand Teton reflecting off of Jackson Lake. Here you can enjoy lunch or a small snack at one of the picnic tables before or after the short hike.

Continue following the Colter Bay Lakeshore Trail along the edge of Jackson Lake, and you will find yourself crossing a section of the trail to a loop that will take you around a small “island”. I love this portion of the hike because you can choose to walk out to the rocky shores of the lake and enjoy the hike along the lake’s edge if you prefer that to the forest scenery provided by the trail.

What we did was hike the Colter Bay Lakeshore Trail about an hour before sunset so that we can enjoy the golden rays coming through the trees, making it back to the trailhead just as the sun was setting. We then grabbed a quick and simple dinner at the general store nearby before heading back to the Jackson Lake shore to begin our stargazing session. The local rangers recommended this location as the best place to view the stars and Milky Way, and from my experience, I couldn’t agree more!

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app
Download GPX File

Features

Photography
Hiking
Family Friendly
Food Nearby
Lake
Picnic Area
Scenic

Reviews

Gorgeous hike, but that kind of goes without saying as everything is gorgeous in the Tetons. Since the hike is easy I'd recommend going early. The place gets swarmed with people after about 9 or 10 am. As with most hikes, the earlier you go the better. Like Christina said below me in the reviews make sure you bring bear spray. Probably not a bad idea anywhere in the Tetons.

This is one of my favorite hikes in Tetons as it is short, easy, and still beautiful. If you go in the evening or after dark you will generally have the trail to yourself, but be aware that if you go during the day you are likely to encounter many many people. Not only is it one of the most crowded trails in the park, it is also one of the trails with the highest bear activity. Just keep these facts in mind as you plan your trip and maybe plan it for an evening, and BRING YOUR BEAR SPRAY. That being said, it is absolutely worth the hike and it is spectacularly beautiful.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Ice Fishing on Jackson Lake

Winter Camp at Colter Bay Campground

Camp at Colter Bay Campground

Photograph Grizzly Bears at Willow Flats Overlook

Canoe at Jackson Lake

Signal Mountain

Let Adventure be your Destination in Wyoming

Wyoming’s wide-open spaces make it easy to get off the grid and on a trail, through a park, into a forest, up a mountain or down a river. During your journey through Wyoming’s Black to Yellow Region, discover geologic marvels, dense evergreen forests and sprawling prairielands.

Learn More