Hermitage Point Trailhead

Ranger & Group of Visitors at Hermitage Point Trailhead

Quick Facts

Amenities

1 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

Location: Access the Hermitage Point Trailhead from Colter Bay Village. Continue ten miles northwest on the main highway from Moran Junction, and turn southwest at the Colter Bay Junction. The trailhead is at the southeast end of the parking lot next to the marina, and provides access to trails along the eastern edge of Jackson Lake.

Destinations: Gently rolling trails lead out to Hermitage Point. Conifers shade the first part of the trail and give way to sagebrush meadows on the point. Wetland meadows surround Third Creek. Views across Jackson Lake highlight the northern Teton Range including Mount Moran. Shorter loops pass by Heron Pond and Swan Lake for a classic Teton hike.

Notes: Visitor services include a visitor center, restrooms, water, stores, restaurants, laundromat, showers, cabins, corrals, campground and an RV park. Bears may be active any place and at any time-travel in groups, make noise and carry bear spray. Backcountry camping requires a permit-pick one up at a backcountry permits office.

Destinations

Gently rolling trails lead from Colter Bay out to Hermitage Point. Conifers shade the first part of the trail and give way to sagebrush meadows on the point. Wetland meadows surround Third Creek. Views across Jackson Lake highlight the northern Teton Range including Mount Moran. Shorter loops pass by Heron Pond and Swan Lake for a classic Teton hike.

Lakeshore Trail
2.0 miles RT, 1 hour, 100 ft total climbing, Easy.
Level trail follows Colter Bay shoreline with views of Jackson Lake and the Teton Range.

Heron Pond & Swan Lake Loop
3.0 miles RT, 2 hours, 200 ft total climbing, Easy.
Follow mostly level trail to two ponds that are home to birds and other wildlife.

Hermitage Point
9.7 miles RT, 5 hours, 700 ft total climbing, Easy-Moderate.
Trail traverses rolling terrain through forests, meadows, and wetlands providing wildlife habitat.

Name Origin

A now unknown builder intended to use the site for a lodge or hermitage. After the dam was built in 1916, he floated the logs down river and sold them.