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Jenny Lake Loop

Jenny Lake, Wyoming

4.8/5
based on 8 reviews

Details

Distance

7.82 miles

Elevation Gain

682 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Trent Sizemore

This can be a longer loop or a short, yet extremely scenic hike in Grand Teton National Park with incredible views of the Teton Range. Save your legs and enjoy the shuttle boat ride across Jenny Lake.

Jenny Lake's north shore is one of the most beautiful hikes in Grand Teton National Park. Getting there requires a short shuttle boat ride to the north side of the lake, but you also have the option of hiking all the way around the lake. There is a ton of wildlife up here. Keep an eye out for moose and you won't be able to miss all the marmots - they're everywhere!

From the Jenny Lake Trailhead, you can hike 2.4 miles to where the shuttle boat lands, and then go west to Hidden Falls (1 mile), or east towards String Lake (1.4 miles). Hiking east offers the most spectacular views of the Teton Range, just over a few short hills. Both options have very minimal change in elevation, since you're around the edge of a lake.

If you want a shorter hike, take the shuttle boat from the visitor center. There is a round trip fee of $15 for adults and $8 for children, and the boat runs every 10-15 minutes throughout the day.

There can be snow around the lake in the spring and mosquitos could be a concern come summer time. Be sure to check in with the Jenny Lake Ranger Station at (307) 739-3343 about conditions while planning your trip.

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Features

Photography
Hiking
Easy Parking
Forest
Lake
River
Scenic
Wildflowers
Wildlife

Reviews

Pretty busy trail which is good for wildlife purposes. They can tell you what’s ahead and vise versa. Give the wildlife space and enjoy the beautiful views!

We started at the campground and hiked around the lake after hitting Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Once we got past those hot spots where the ferry lands, it was so quiet. We didn't see another person - just awesome mountain views! We heard from another hiker that there was a black bear and a cub in the area, but we never saw them.

Easy to do hike - especially you're staying at the Jenny Lake campsite. Take an afternoon, and stroll along the lake. You might save time taking the ferry, but its a relatively easy trail and there are some great viewpoints

Explorer

07/12/17

Hiked this as part of the whole Jenny Lake trail. Great, easy, family-friendly hike. Must do in Teton NP!

Get away from the crowds at the shuttle and do the full hike loop around the lake, you'll be glad you did!

Great section to get away from the crowds. The photos above are evidence of that. If you don't the bears will eat you.

In my opinion that is! Beautiful views, more trees, less people and if you're lucky you'll see a grey fox and perhaps bears (hopefully at a distance). I would recommend late May to mid June and late September to mid October. Remember this is the NORTh shore so drive past the first Jenny Lake entrance towards String Lake and Leigh Lake.

This is one of the most beautiful spots in GTNP for sure. The shuttle ride is fun and you can do both it and the hike with kids easily. The views from the top are unbelievable and there is a beautiful waterfall on the way. We did this hike a few years ago and enjoyed it a lot, but last year it was so crowded - wall to wall people heading up, that we actually turned around and hiked back. Highly recommend for the scenery and possible wildlife sightings, but not for you if you want to avoid crowds.

Leave No Trace

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

Nearby

Cascade Canyon Trail

Photograph on Cottonwood Creek

Explore Jenny Lake, WY

Hike to Lake of the Crags

Hike to Jenny Lake's Inspiration Point

Hike to Lake Solitude

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