Jenny Lake Trailhead

Your Teton backcountry adventure starts here.

Quick Facts

Amenities

4 listed

Audio Description, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Trailhead

General Description

A rolling trail encircles Jenny Lake providing spectacular views of the lake and Teton Range. Conifers shade portions of the trail but some portions are in full sun. Branching off the loop trail, hikers may journey to Moose Ponds, String Lake or Cascade Canyon. Popular destinations in lower Cascade Canyon include Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. A visit to the alpine community could lead you to Lake Solitude in the North Fork of Cascade Canyon, or to Schoolroom Glacier and Hurricane Pass in the South Fork of Cascade Canyon.

Location

The Jenny Lake Trailhead is eight miles north on the Teton Park Road from Moose Junction. The trailhead is located next to the east boat dock and provides access to the core of the Teton backcountry.

Notes

Visitor services include a visitor center, restrooms, water, store, ranger station, shuttle boat, boat rentals and campground. The parking lot is often full from 9am-4 pm. Arrive early to secure your space. 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.

Hikes

You have numerous hiking options from this trailhead. You can do the Jenny Lake Loop, Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, Forks of Cascade Canyon, North Fork or South Fork Cascade, Moose Ponds, or link to the String Lake and Paintbrush Canyon trails. 

You can use the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle one-way or round trip to shorten any hike. The shuttle boat goes from the East Shore Boat Dock to the West Shore Boat Dock. There is a fee to use the shuttle. 

Jenny Lake Loop

7.1 miles round-trip, 4 hours, 1,040 ft total climbing. Moderate.
Rolling trail that alternates between the lakeshore and glacial moraine.

Hidden Falls 

4.9 miles round-trip, 2.5 hours, 620 ft total climbing. Moderate.
Via shuttle boat: 1.0 mile round-trip, 1.5 hours, 300 ft total climbing. Easy.
Popular trail climbs to a view of a 200-ft cascade.

Inspiration Point

5.7 miles round-trip, 3 hours, 870 ft total climbing. Moderate.
Via shuttle boat: 1.8 miles round-trip, 2.5 hours, 550 ft total climbing. Easy.
Popular trail climbs to view point of Jenny Lake.

Forks of Cascade Canyon

13.3 miles round-trip, 8 hours, 1,720 ft total climbing. Strenuous.
Via shuttle boat: 9.2 miles round-trip, 6 hours, 1,480 ft total climbing, Moderately strenuous.
Popular trail leads into Cascade Canyon with views of the Grand Teton, Mt. Owen, and Teewinot.

Lake Solitude - North Fork

18.3 miles round-trip, 11.5 hours, 2,910 ft total climbing. Strenuous.
Via shuttle boat: 14.4 miles round-trip, 10 hours, 2,670 ft total climbing. Very strenuous.
Follow Cascade Canyon trail. North Fork leads to Lake Solitude and views of the Grand Teton and Mt. Owen.

Hurricane Pass - South Fork

23.9 miles round-trip, 15 hours, 4,370 ft total climbing. Very strenuous.
Via shuttle boat: 20 miles round-trip, 13.5 hours, 4,370 ft total climbing. Very strenuous.
Follow Cascade Canyon trail. South Fork leads to Schoolroom Glacier and Hurrican Pass. 

Name Origin

Jenny was the Shoshone Indian wife of a British expatriate named Richard "Beaver Dick" Leigh. He moved to the Teton area in 1863 as a fur trapper. Jenny and Beaver Dick assisted the 1872 Hayden expedition - he as their guide, she with camp logistics. The Hayden Expedition named Jenny and Leigh Lakes in their honor.