A Guide to Easy Hikes in Grand Teton National Park
Complete a few easy hikes in Grand Teton National Park to truly experience the beauty of Jackson Hole, Wyoming!
With towering peaks, sparkling lakes, and fragrant pine forests, this national park is a destination that should be on every outdoor family’s list of places to visit.
Only by heading out onto the many easy trails here can you understand why more than 3 million visitors come to this remote location each year.
Grab your binoculars, tie on your kids’ hiking boots, and let’s head out to do some family friendly hiking in Grand Teton National Park!
The trail near the parking lot of the Cathedral Group turnout
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Does Grand Teton National Park Have Easy Family Hikes?
PIN ME!
Yes, Grand Teton National Park has some great, easy hikes for families.
While the mountain range is quite intimidating at first glance, the national park has provided a wide range of hiking opportunities across the property.
To truly appreciate the beauty and vastness of the Grand Tetons, you’ll want to get out of the car and do at least one or two hikes while you’re visiting.
I’ve included specific hikes that I thought were best for families, taking into consideration length, difficulty, and quality of trails.
Want more ideas on what to do here? Explore our guide to Grand Teton National Park with kids.
9 Best Easy Hikes in Grand Teton National Park
The following hikes are presented in no order—but, I promise, you can’t go wrong with any of them!
Each has been selected for its ease and general kid-friendliness.
They’re all short, making them a perfect addition to even a quick visit to the park.
For suggestions on how to organize these hikes within your visit, check out:
I’ve included suggested ages for each trail, along with the trail’s location in the park and the overall hiking length.
I know that some moms and dads out there just want a super easy trail for an afternoon stroll rather than a more stringent dirt trail experience, so I’ve included notes on which of the following trails is stroller friendly.
Whichever you choose, I hope your family loves adventuring in Grand Teton National Park as much as mine does.
Jenny Lake Trail
Located: near Jenny Lake Visitors Center
Trail length: 7.5 miles in total
Recommended ages: all ages
Good for strollers? No. The trail is narrow and made of hard packed dirt.
On the Jenny Lake trail near the overlook on the Jenny Lake Loop road
We love the Jenny Lake Trail for a family hike because it is incredibly versatile.
For families with teens who’d prefer a longer, more involved hike, the entire Jenny Lake Trail is perfect.
These families should start at the trailhead near the one way turn-off on Teton Park Road, just after the Cathedral Group Turnout.
From there, you can hike around the entire Jenny Lake for spectacular views of the mountains and lake.
For even more of an adventure, you can add on the Hidden Falls and/or Inspiration Point hikes once you’re on the side of the lake opposite the Jenny Lake trailhead.
For families who’d like a shorter hike—but who still want the views—start at one of three locations:
The Jenny Lake trailhead mentioned above
The Jenny Lake overlook on the one-way scenic loop near the entrance to the Jenny Lake Lodge
The Jenny Lake visitors center.
Since the trail is one big loop, families with younger kids can hop on the trail at any one of these areas, hike until they’re tired, and then return to where they started.
Whether you do the entire loop or just a section, you’ll notice that the Jenny Lake trail is almost entirely flat other than a few small hills.
Cathedral Group Turnout Trailhead
Located: on Jenny Lake Loop just after the turn off from Teton Park Road
Trail length: various
Recommended ages: all ages
Good for strollers? No, the trail is narrow and made of packed dirt.
We saw a wedding at this same location a couple of days later!
One of the many turnouts on this side of the park, the Cathedral Group turnout is home to one of the most spectacular views of the middle Tetons.
It’s also home to a little known trailhead that’s perfect for families.
If you follow the trail from the parking lot, you can then access the Jenny Lake Trail and the String Lake Trail.
As the parking area for the Jenny Lake and String Lake trailheads can be very busy very early on, this approach from Cathedral Group turnout is a good alternative.
Even if you don’t plan to continue onto either of those trails, the trail at Cathedral Group is a wonderful way to get younger kids out of the car and out hiking.
The trail here is flat and easy for all ability levels.
For a fun and quick science lesson, have your kids crush the leaves of the dusty green shrubs all along this trail, and then smell the oils on their fingers.
They’ll smell sage!
This plant is the sagebrush—you won’t want to use it to make your next Thanksgiving dressing, but it certainly smells like it.
The plant is actually more closely related to the sunflower than it is the herb sage, even though it smells identical to the herb.
Note that there’s little shade on the trail until you get close to the Jenny Lake and String Lake trails, so you’ll want to bring sunscreen and a hat if you plan to walk for any length of time.
It’s also a trail frequented by horse riders, which can be a fun experience if you’re hiking with kids.
NOTE: If you’re driving the entirety of the Grand Teton Loop road, make sure to stop at a few of the overlooks.
The Cathedral Group turnout is one of the less crowded options.
For in-real-time suggestions on which turnouts and overlooks to stop at, I strongly suggest the Grand Teton tour on the GuideAlong app.
These GPS-based tours automatically begin playing at each of the points of interest, making it as if you have a live guide in the car with you.
These tours are reasonably priced with hours of information on the history, hikes, geology, and wildlife in the park, and they will enrich your entire experience while visiting Grand Teton National Park.
Jenny Lake Discovery Trail
Located: behind the Jenny Lake visitors center
Trail length: 0.35 loop trail
Recommended ages: 3-12
Good for strollers? Yes, the path here is wide and paved with no stairs and direct access from the visitors center.
We are always looking for more ways to connect our kids into the world around them.
The Jenny Lake Discovery Trail encourages children to look, smell, touch, and hear along the way.
Half-interested, half-disgusted at the sample scat on the Discovery Trail!
So, it was an easy decision to spend time here while we were exploring the Jenny Lake visitors center!
Along the trail, there are multiple vignettes of animals in the park. Kids can touch the bronze statues of each animal that is featured, as well as learn about the species, examine a bronze sample of scat, and more.
Some of the vignettes show what the animal eats, while others showcase how a species takes care of its young.
Overall, it’s a great way to introduce children to the wildlife in this area, and get those big discussions about biology, ecology, and conservation started.
This trail is also on the way to the Jenny Lake boat dock, which makes for a fun way to entertain the kids if there’s a long wait for the boat over to Hidden Falls or Inspiration Point.
Menor’s Ferry
Located: just north of Moose on Teton Park Road
Trail length: 0.5 mile out and back
Recommended ages: all ages
Good for strollers? No, the path is uneven and unpaved.
The younger Camping Kiddo at Menor’s Ferry Historic District
Stretch your kids’ little legs while also introducing a bit of Wild West history to them on this short, easy hike.
From Teton Park Road, turn onto Menors Ferry Road at the sign for the Chapel of the Transfiguration.
You’ll use the same parking lot at the chapel, but you’ll walk away from the church onto a small gravel path near the vault toilets.
Continue down this gravel path until you see a large wooden ferry, which was once used to get settlers, livestock, and supplies across the nearby Snake River.
[If you’d like to get out onto the Snake River during your visit, check out my review of the best Grand Teton river float.]
There’s a wagon on the ferry to demonstrate how goods would be packed onto the boat in anticipation of the crossing.
Just a bit further down the path, you’ll see the general store and home of Bill Menor, who ran the ferry.
It’s fun to show kids the many outbuildings, including the ice house and the outhouse, which is conveniently hanging over the river!
From the Menor home and store, turn back to the right, where you’ll pass a barn filled with old stagecoaches, farm equipment, and wagons.
The last stop on this hike is a log cabin once owned by Maud Noble; she, along with many other locals, used her house as the first gathering place to discuss how to preserve this land for a national park.
Hidden Falls
Located: across Jenny Lake from the Jenny Lake visitors center
Trail length: 1 mile out and back from the boat dock, 4.9 miles from the visitors center via the Jenny Lake Loop
Recommended ages: 5 and up
Good for strollers? No, the path is narrow and made of packed dirt; it’s also often very crowded.
Hidden Falls is one of the most popular trails at Grand Teton National Park thanks to the easy access trail and the fall’s beautiful cascades.
From the boat dock, you can choose to head directly up from the dock or slightly to the left. Both of these paths will ultimately lead to the Hidden Falls turnoff.
Hidden Falls from the viewing area (note the few people making the unfortunate choice to climb the waterfall)
About 0.4 miles into the hike, you should see a small wooden sign for Hidden Falls just before a wooden foot bridge.
Take this turn and Hidden Falls will be back on the right in a few hundred feet.
There is a beautiful tiered sitting area if you’d like to take a moment to enjoy the falls.
While there are several waterfalls in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, Hidden Falls is one of the prettiest, in my opinion, and it is well worth the hike to get there.
The trail to get to the falls is well marked, but highly trafficked on weekends and holidays.
Younger hikers will be fine, but I strongly suggest having them wear proper footwear as there are roots, rocks, and uneven ground throughout the hike.
For suggestions on what to buy, here are our suggestions for best toddler hiking shoes and well as a complete guide to kids hiking gear.
The easiest way to get to the falls is by taking the paid boat ride across the lake and picking up the trail at the boat dock.
Older kids who’d enjoy a longer hike can begin at the Jenny Lake visitors center and follow the Jenny Lake Trail clockwise until they pick up the Hidden Falls trailhead near the boat dock.
NOTE: Don’t, for any reason, try to wade in or climb the falls.
While we were there, we had the horrible experience of watching this man climb over 50 feet high on the side of the falls (in flip flops, no less). He slipped badly and nearly fell off of the small rock outcropping he was standing on.
Always be safe and stay on the path. This will protect you, but it will also protect the park’s fragile ecosystems.
Inspiration Point
Located: across Jenny Lake from the Jenny Lake visitors center
Trail length: 1.5 mile out and back from the boat dock; 5.4 miles from the visitors center via the Jenny Lake Loop
Recommended ages: 9 and up
Good for strollers? No, the trail is narrow and quite steep at the end.
The gorgeous views at the Inspiration Point overlook
This trail begins at the same trailhead as the Hidden Falls Trail, and the two use the same 0.5 mile or so from the boat dock.
They diverge at the Hidden Falls sign: the Hidden Falls Trail heads to the left while the Inspiration Point trail continues straight across the wooden footbridge.
From that point, the trail begins to climb on a series of switchbacks.
The last 200 feet or so get very rocky and steep, which is why I recommend this for kids who are 9 and up.
Of course, my 6-year-old wanted to be as close to the edge as possible.
This last section to the overlook is also on a sheer cliff face without any guard rails.
My 6-year-old is part mountain goat and likes to jump, skip, and run while he hikes—which was completely nerve-wracking for a trail section like this one.
Looking back, I should’ve left him at the final turn with my mom and dad, who didn’t feel comfortable with the condition of the trail or the steep drop-off.
My 10-year-old was fine on the ascent, as was I (as long as I didn’t think about how long of a drop it was to the bottom!).
If you have any issues with height, you’ll want to stick to the Hidden Falls trail, which doesn’t have any overlooks as dramatic as the final one at Inspiration Point.
If you’d like to carry on further past Inspiration Point, this same trail continues to climb into Cascade Canyon for another 5 miles.
Note that the further you get from the boat dock, the fewer hikers you’ll find on the trail.
The Hidden Falls trail is the busiest on this side of the lake, but there were still a good number of hikers all the way to Inspiration Point.
If you have older kids, and you want to get past the crowds, keep going at Inspiration Point.
For more on this trail, explore my complete guide to the Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls hike here.
Colter Bay Lakeside Trail
Located: behind Colter Bay Visitors Center
Trail length: 2 miles
Recommended ages: all ages
Good for strollers? The first part of the trail (roughly the first 0.5 mile) is wide and paved. Beyond that, it turns into a narrower dirt trail.
The Camping Kiddos trying to figure out how to take a swim on our hike in Colter Bay
Explore the beauty of Colter Bay with this flat, easy trail that’s perfect for the entire family.
Beginning behind the Colter Bay visitors center, this trail is a combination of pavement and dirt.
The first part of the trail passes by the Colter Bay marina.
If you’ve got very small kids who just want a place to walk around, the first half mile or so is wide and paved with good views of the marina.
As you head further into the forest, the trail turns to hard packed dirt.
At the first turn, the trail goes to the right. However, you can add a quick side hike on by going to the left out on a spit of land between the marina and Colter Bay.
On this side trail, you can make your way down to the pebble beach to skip rocks or watch the boats come in and out of the marina.
Back on the main trail, you’ll hike along the lakeshore—most of the time nearly by yourself.
While this trail is a popular one for the Colter Bay area, it sees nowhere near the volume of people as Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point (above) do.
It’s also within walking distance of our pick for the best place to stay in Grand Teton National Park: the Colter Bay cabins.
Signal Mountain Trail at Jackson Point Overlook
Located: on Signal Mountain Road
Trail length: 0.5 miles
Recommended ages: 4 and up
Good for strollers? No, the trail is narrow and made of dirt.
Not pictured: my kids brawling over who was in the “best” spot for the picture
This short trail comes highly recommended as it provides hikers with some incredible views of both the Grand Teton range and Jackson Hole.
At the Jackson Point Overlook, you’ll find a short dirt trail leading out away from the small parking area.
Follow this trail to the end where you’ll be able to see 180 degrees across the valley.
While the views are excellent, the trail felt much more secure for my younger child.
Unlike the final ascent to Inspiration Point, the trail at Jackson Point had much more of a buffer between the trail and the area where the mountain began to gradually slope.
Lake Creek-Woodland Trail
Located: at Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve on Moose-Wilson Road
Trail length: 3 mile out and back
Recommended ages: all ages
Good for strollers? No, the trail is hard packed dirt.
One of our favorite places in Grand Teton National Park
This easy trail carries hikers from the back of the visitors center at the Laurance S. Rockefeller (LSR) Preserve, along the Lake Creek, and around a portion of Phelps Lake.
On a sunny day, you’ll be able to see the towering Lower Tetons as you hike, but the place is beautiful even on a foggy day.
Don’t forget to pick up one of the inventive trail backpacks at the visitors center front desk.
These backpacks are made specifically for kids as a way to get them more excited about the plants and wildlife here.
They’re free to rent for kids 6-12.
Keep in mind that the LRS Preserve is keep purposefully private. The parking lot is limited to about 50 vehicles at a time—and it fills up quickly on sunny weekends.
Another thing to note is that there aren’t any trash cans on the entire preserve, so be prepared to pack everything in and out.
If you have extra time here, wander around the beautiful visitors center displays and the LSR library. This preserve is one of the best places for kids in all of Grand Teton National Park!
Explore even more hiking opportunities in this area with our guide to easy hikes in Yellowstone National Park!
Tips for Easy Family Hikes in Grand Teton National Park
1) Always hike together.
This part of Wyoming might be visited by 3-4 million people each year, but it is still very much a wild place.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that you’re 100% safe just because you’re inside a national park.
There are predators here—including bears and wolves—as well as other large mammals that you don’t want to mess with.
(Moose, I’m looking at you.)
Stay together and hike in groups of 3-6.
This will allow you to make plenty of noise in the woods to scare off the bigger animals, but you’ll also have at least 2 other people with you in case something happens.
For example, if I’m hiking with my mom and my daughter, and my daughter had a bad fall, my mom could stay with my daughter while I ran back to the car to get help.
2) Don’t go off trail.
This advice is always valid, of course, but it’s particularly important at Grand Teton National Park.
The trails here put you into the heart of the park, which means hiking near rushing water, on rocky ledges, and through pine forests.
It would be surprisingly easy to hurt yourself or get lost by going even a few feet off of the trail.
And that’s not even touching on the environmental disruption that would be occurring.
3) Pack your bear spray—and know how to use it.
You’ll see signs EVERYWHERE about bears in Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park, and you’ll do well to heed them.
Don’t be overly scared to the point where you don’t hit the trail, but do know that you’re sharing this beautiful place with some top tier predators.
If you’re talking, singing, and calling out while you’re hiking, most bears will happily leave you alone. (And if you’re hiking with little kids, you’re definitely making PLENTY of noise!)
However, sometimes people accidentally surprise a bear, or somehow get between a mama and her cubs while turning a corner on a trail.
In that case, a bear having a bad day might attempt to charge you and your family.
While it might be a bluff charge as an intimidation tactic, the bear might actually intend to do you harm.
In that case, you’ll want to have your bear spray at the ready, preferably attached to your belt (and NOT in a pocket of your day pack).
Make sure the wind is going towards the bear, then pull the spray trigger for about 10 seconds, aiming it at the ground between you and the bear.
Make a figure eight as you spray.
Then, quickly—but not running—back away from the bear. Don’t turn around to run. Just make your way backwards up the trail until you are out of sight from the bear.
>> For more information on using bear spray in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, check out our comprehensive bear spray renting and purchasing guide. <<
4) Be aware of altitude sickness while hiking.
The high altitude in Grand Teton National Park combined with the exercise of hiking can quickly lead to altitude sickness.
This sickness is caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood, which can be exacerbated by exercising when your body is pumping more blood and, therefore, using more oxygen resources.
To combat this sickness, you’ll want to ease into hiking on your Jackson Hole family vacation.
Don’t attempt to do too much too fast, particularly if you’re coming from a much lower altitude.
We traveled to Wyoming from coastal South Carolina, climbing more than 6500 feet in elevation in a day.
We then made the mistake of hiking nearly 11 miles our first day in nearby Yellowstone National Park before our bodies had a chance to adapt to the lower oxygen intake. (#sorrynotsorry We were just so excited to be there!)
Cue a TERRIBLE headache and nausea for us the next day.
To offset the effects, drink water, and lots of it.
Also, keep your digestion running strong—and that blood moving around—by eating a series of smaller meals or snacks instead of further spaced big meals.
5) Carry the right gear.
Even on short hikes, I make sure to carry my full stocked Osprey Skimmer 28 day pack.
When you’re hiking—particularly with kids—anything could happen, even on a trail that’s only a mile or 2 long.
The weather in Grand Teton National Park can rapidly drop 20 degrees while you’re hiking, which is even more of a reason to come prepared.
The hiking for beginners on a budget post is also a helpful one if you’ll be hiking with your family in Grand Tetons for the first time.
Which is better: Grand Tetons vs. Yellowstone? Get all of the pros and cons in my Wyoming national parks overview post!
