16 BEST Grand Teton National Park Hikes for Families

Named after the Grand Teton range on the border of Idaho and Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park is an idyllic countryside image. With snowy jagged peaks, forest paths lined with spruce and fur trees, and pristine glacial lakes, all the best Grand Teton hikes have the most incredible views.

Since Grand Teton National Park covers a mountainous area, there are many challenging hikes that aren’t suitable for families. However, Grand Teton also has a lot of scenic alpine lakes. Many of the best Grand Teton hikes for kids loop around the lakes. These trails stay close to the valley floor where elevation is low.

Your family can still enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains without having to climb them! Plus, you can enjoy a dip in some of the lakes and rivers like the majestic Snake River when you’re not exploring the miles of trails on offer in Grand Teton National Park.

This guide lists all the best hiking trails for families. It starts with the easiest hikes for your littlest kids and progresses to the tougher hikes for teenagers. You’ll be able to choose the best hikes for your family’s skill level and your children’s ages so that you all have the best time on an epic national parks hiking trip!

Best Grand Teton Hikes: Interactive Map

Below you’ll find an interactive map that highlights each of the trail recommendations made in this article. You’ll be able to see the relative distance to hikes, as well as other park highlights like visitor centers, etc.

Best Grand Teton Hikes for Younger Kids

1. Lunch Tree Hill Loop Trail

This is, by far, one of the easiest out of all the Grand Teton hikes. It’s a short loop trail just next to Jackson Lake Lodge with a very short spur trail that goes out and back to Lunch Tree Hill. It only has a 110 ft elevation gain and cuts through a lush grassy meadow via a mostly paved path.

This easy trail is perfect for wildflower hunting and you can still see the Teton range across Jackson Lake. You’d have no problems taking kids of any age on this easy hike and you could easily manage babies or toddlers in a carrier or off-road stroller.

There’s a parking lot at Jackson Lake Lodge which is for public use as well as guests staying at the lodge. It has a big parking area with a gas station but it’s also just off the scenic drive through Grand Tetons National Park. There are a couple of Grand Teton hikes that begin at this trailhead so it does fill up!

2. Jenny Lake Trail to Hidden Falls

One of the most popular areas for Grand Teton Hikes is around the beautiful Jenny Lake. Some of the best views and scenic areas in the entire national park can be found here!

The entire Jenny Lake Trail to Hidden Falls, an impressive 100-foot cascading waterfall, is 4.8 miles. It also has a 620 ft elevation gain. Luckily, you can cut out a big chunk of that distance by sailing on the boat shuttle from South Jenny Lake at the trailhead to the West Shore Boat Dock.

Shuttles run every 10-15 minutes during the day. It’s the best way to cut down one of the tougher Grand Teton hikes so it’s manageable for your younger kids.

Then, it’s a short walk from the boat dock via the South Cascade Creek Trail to the waterfall! The path is mostly through forestry but it’s well-maintained. There’s a big parking lot at Jenny Lake Visitor Center (although it can get busy) and there are public bathrooms.

3. Jenny Lake Trail to Inspiration Point

If your kids manage the short hike to Hidden Falls with no problems, continue walking along the Cascade Canyon Trail to Inspiration Point. Or, you can skip Hidden Falls and hike straight to Inspiration Point from the West Shore Boat Dock via a Jenny Lake spur trail.

Either way, you should still skip the first three-quarters of the trail and take the Jenny Lake Shuttle. This trail might be short, but it’s almost all uphill with a 420 ft elevation gain. As with the hike to Hidden Falls, park at Jenny Lake Visitor Center where there are public bathrooms before taking the boat ride.

Luckily, the incredibly panoramic views you can witness at Inspiration Point will be worth the burn in your thighs! There are no less than three overlooks here where you can look out over Jenny Lake, rivers, and mountains.

4. Lakeshore Trail

Most of the Grand Teton hikes suitable for families are next to lakes. You don’t have to give up seeing great views just because the trails are easier!

One of the best shorter hikes in Grand Teton NP is the Lakeshore Trail. It follows the coastline of two island peninsulas on Jackson Lake just off Colter Bay Village. This trail is mostly flat with only a 100-ft elevation gain.

Lakeshore Trail is a carefully-pruned forest path so there are trees on either side. This somewhat spoils the view (there are gaps where you can walk out to the edge of the lake) but it’s a little safer for families with super young kids. It’s a wide path so you could even use an off-road stroller.

You can park at Colter Bay Village which is right at the trailhead. It also has bathrooms, a campground, a visitor center, and a grocery store.

5. Polecat Creek Trail

Grand Teton hikes that are paved and maintained are usually the most kid-friendly hikes, but there are a couple of wild trails still suitable for families. Head to the north of the national park and you’ll find a little built-up area called Flagg Ranch. There’s an information station, campground, and lodge here as well as the trailhead to an easy hike called Polecat Creek Trail.

This trail only has 120 ft elevation gain so it’s flat but nothing more than a worn-out grassy path. The trail follows Polecat Creek for most of the way and ends at a hot spring called (yes, you guessed it) Polecat Hot Springs. It’s in the middle of a huge meadow surrounded by fur trees, so it’s a peaceful setting.

You can park outside Flagg Ranch Lodge where you can get more information on this short hike if you’re struggling to find the start. There are bathrooms in the campground.

6. Moose Ponds Loop Trail

Not only is Moose Ponds Loop Trail one of the best hikes for families, but its name doesn’t lie. It’s one of the best Grand Teton hikes to spot moose! Although you’d have to get to the trail very early.

This short hike circles three small ponds and only has around 170 ft of elevation gain. While the path isn’t paved and you will have to walk around the odd boulder, it’s a maintained route.

If your kids are too young to walk the whole round trip, you can turn it into a 2-mile out-and-back trail instead. Just follow the trail anti-clockwise and stop once you reach the second lake.

Like some of the other Grand Teton hikes on this list, the trailhead for Moose Ponds Loop is at Jenny Lake Visitor Center.

7. String Lake Loop Trail

Yet another of the Grand Teton hikes with incredible scenic views of lakes, String Lake Loop Trail is the perfect trail for kids on a summer’s day.

Many of the lakes in Grand Teton National Park are glacial lakes which usually means they maintain their frigid temperatures. String Lake has shallow water and tends to be warmer, so it’s perfect for little feet to go for a paddle.

Although the elevation gain on this trail is 275 ft, it feels gradual and there aren’t many steep climbs. The path is well maintained although it cuts through forestry so you can expect lots of rocks and branches. There’s an open bridge at the top of String Lake before it feeds into Leigh Lake which is super fun to cross.

Park at the String Lake parking lot or, if it’s full, the Leigh Lake parking lot is also on the trail and it’s much bigger.

8. Leigh Lake Trail

Leigh Lake Trail starts on the String Lake Trail but instead of turning left onto the bridge to loop around the lake, you continue walking on to Leigh Lake. This is a great hike and tends to be a favorite for kids. You get to paddle in String Lake and walk through dense forestry out of the beaming sun’s rays.

Plus, it’s a much, much more level hike than String Lake Trail. The elevation gain for Leigh Lake Trail is only around 50 ft so there’s no good reason why your kids shouldn’t love this hike!

Parking is at Leigh Lake Trailhead and it’s a bigger lot than you might expect. However, there aren’t any public bathrooms here and the closest ones are at Jenny Lake Visitor Center.

9. Heron Pond-Swan Lake Trail

Most Grand Teton hikes that follow a loop path usually encircle a lake, but Heron Pond-Swan Lake Trail is different. This trail loops in the middle of Heron Pond and Swan Lake, rather than around them both. It’s a great way of seeing two scenic lakes without walking twice the distance, so it’s one of the best places to hike with kids!

Starting at Colter Bay, take the Hermitage Trail south and either stay on this trail and walk anti-clockwise around the trail or take the Swan Lake Trail. This trail’s elevation gain is 320 ft but you’ll barely notice the difference. Most of the trail is through thick forestry on a well-maintained woodland path.

Colter Bay Village is the perfect place to park with lots of amenities like a public bathroom, grocery store, and campground.

10. Christian Pond Loop Trail

As one of the few quieter trails, Christian Pond Loop is one of the best Grand Teton hikes if you’re keen to avoid the masses during the peak summer season. It has a 250 ft elevation gain, but like some of the other lake loop trails, you hardly notice it.

Christian Pond Trail isn’t as maintained as some of the other trails near Colter Bay or Jenny Lake but it’s mostly flat and grassy. It’s a great spot for wildflowers during the spring and summer seasons too.

The best place to park for this easy hike is Jackson Lake Trailhead. Christian Pond Loop Trailhead is across a busy highway from this parking lot and service station, but you won’t need to cross it with your kids to get to the trail. Luckily, there’s a path that runs underneath the road so you can avoid it altogether.

11. Taggart Lake Trail

This might be the last trail on this list of Grand Teton hikes for younger kids, but it’s actually one of the more popular trails with families! Many who visit Grand Teton National Park consider visiting Taggart Lake to be one of the best things to do there. It doesn’t hurt that you’re totally surrounded by mountains and green shrubs on this trail.

Taggart Lake Trail follows Taggart Creek and ends at an absolutely incredible overlook of Taggart Lake. It’s a little steeper than some of the other Grand Teton hikes as it has an elevation gain of 360 ft, but it’s a fairly gradual climb. The path is narrow but worn and maintained.

It’s one of the busier trails but if you start early, you’ll have a great time exploring this part of the park. There’s a small parking lot at Taggart Lake Trailhead and there are public toilets further up Teton Park Road at the Cottonwood Creek Picnic Area. Note that access to this hike is shut from November to May and often the snow doesn’t totally clear until late June.

Best Grand Teton Hikes for Older Kids

12. Lake Creek Trail/Phelps Lake Trail

Aside from Taggart Lake and Jenny Lake, the Phelps Lake area is another popular spot families choose for Grand Teton hikes. Lake Creek Trail (which joins Phelps Lake Loop Trail) is particularly well-loved, despite its 770 ft elevation gain.

If you have older kids, it’s a totally doable hike. Once you witness the views you’ll be glad you picked it! Much of the trail is through woodland so expect loose rocks and branches on the path but it’s usually pretty clear.

Park in the lot next to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center which has room for a decent amount of cars. The road leading to the preserve is also closed from November to May, so this is a hike to tackle in the summer season.

13. Valley Trail to Phelps Lake Overlook

Although the Phelps Lake Loop Trail takes you close up and around the lake, the Valley Trail to Phelps Lake Overlook is one of the best Grand Teton hikes for views. While the trail is much longer, this shorter section is perfect for pre-teen kids.

This is a fairly short out-and-back trail with 470 ft elevation which some younger kids might be able to handle. One of the only reasons why you might not want to take younger kids is that the overlook is that the trail is often right on the edge of the hill. It’s also fairly narrow, so you wouldn’t be able to walk next to your kids and keep them on the inside.

Valley Trail starts at Death Canyon Trailhead which doesn’t have a proper parking lot so you’ll have to off-road park. It’s only accessible from May to November and the closest bathrooms will be at Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve if it’s open.

14. Bradley Lake Loop Trail

This loop trail is one of the best day hikes (or half-day hikes) in Grand Teton National Park. It will not only take your family passed the scenic Taggart Lake, but Bradley Lake too. It’s a little steep with an 890 ft elevation gain but it’s very gradual.

Start on the Taggart Lake Loop Trail and follow it to the right. There will be a signpost after a mile or so where you can turn right onto the Bradley Lake Loop. It’s not as long or strenuous as the full Taggart Loop Trail, so it’s better for kids.

Park your car at the Taggert Lake Trailhead and there are more amenities available at Cottonwood Creek Picnic Area.

15. Jenny Lake Loop Trail

Jenny Lake really is one of the most postcard-perfect lakes in the national park. You and your kids might be tempted to venture on the entire Jenny Lake Loop Trail, despite the daunting 1,040 ft elevation gain.

Although there are climbs, you’re not hiking up the side of a canyon or the ridge of a mountain so it’s always perfectly safe. And if your kids do get tired while walking around the lake, you can always skip the last section and take the boat shuttle back to the trailhead.

Most of the hike is through woodland so the paths are well-trodden but maintained. You can park at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center but it is one of the first lots to fill up so get there early!

16. Aspen Ridge-Boulder Ridge Loop Trail

One of the toughest Grand Teton hikes that is not too difficult for older kids used to hiking is the Aspen Ridge-Boulder Ridge Loop Trail. While the name suggests this trail is a precarious path on top of a mountain peak, that’s not the reality. Most of this loop trail weaves through woodland or is, at worst, on the edge of a hill with a gradual edge.

Although, the 1,140 ft elevation gain of this hike still makes it one of the tougher trails! The pay-offs are the incredible views above Phelps Lake and Death Canyon. You can park at Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center for this trail when it’s open from May to November.

Best Grand Teton Hikes That Aren’t Ideal for (Most) Kids

Some of the most popular hikes in Grand Teton National Park are way too strenuous for most families. Not only are they long and steep but many traverse rocky mountain ridges too.

However, if you are planning a Grand Teton hiking trip with your older teenage kids who have hiked all their lives, they might be up to the challenge! You and your kids are the only people who will know for sure, so this is a list of the most epic Grand Teton hikes.

• Amphitheater Lakes Trail: This 10.1-mile out-and-back strenuous trail starts at Lupine Meadows Trailhead and ends at Surprise Lake. It’s a very steep climb with 3,000 feet of elevation gain and takes between five and seven hours, but it does offer great views across Delta Lake.
• Garnet Canyon Trail: Also starting at Lupine Meadows Trailhead, this is an 8.2-mile out-and-back trail that will take around 6 hours to complete. With a 2,430 ft elevation gain, it’s a strenuous hike! You’d also have to navigate a very rocky boulder field.
• Cascade Canyon Trail: Described as moderately strenuous, this 9.4 mile out and back hike has 1,480 ft of elevation gain. It starts at Jenny Lake Trailhead so you could shave off a few miles by taking the boat shuttle, but it’s still a tough hike.
• Cascade Canyon Loop Trail: Continue on the Cascade Canyon trail and you’ll be hiking the 20-mile loop trail. It covers Paintbrush Canyon in the Paintbrush Divide and passes Lake Solitude and Holly Lake. This trail has an unbelievable 4,480 ft of elevation gain, so it’s for hardcore hikers only!
• Static Peak Divide Trail: This 16-mile trail is also a strenuous hike along the ridge of Static Peak with an elevation gain of 5,590 ft. It starts at Death Canyon Trailhead, so don’t accidentally walk along this trail when you want to visit Phelps Lake!

Tips for Families on the Best Grand Teton Hikes

• Pack the Family Hiking Essentials: Some of this is common sense, but the park rangers at Grand Teton suggest bringing a first aid kit, waterproof layers, water and snacks, and sun protection when enjoying Grand Teton hikes from early summer to fall.
• Stop at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center: It’s always a smart idea to stop at the National Park Visitor Center for detailed information on the weather forecast. Grand Teton has a couple of visitor centers, but the one at Jenny Lake is considered the main center. In the higher elevations of the Grand Tetons range, snow doesn’t melt until late July so it’s always check the weather with park rangers.
• Prepare for Higher Elevation: The lowest elevation of Grand Teton National Park is 5,975 ft just outside Jackson Hole, which is still a pretty high elevation. If you and your family are used to lower elevations, keep an extra eye on your kids to ensure they’re not getting altitude sickness symptoms.
• Some Areas Require a Backcountry Permit: If you are traveling with your family, you are probably sticking to maintained hiking paths. But it’s a good idea to note that if you did want to visit places like Granite Canyon, Cascade Canyon, and Death Canyon and camp overnight then you would need to get a backcountry permit.
• Be Aware of Bears: Black bears and grizzly bears live in Grand Tetons National Park. Stay on paths, encourage your kids to make noise (this shouldn’t be too hard!), and stick together. If you want to carry bear spray, learn how to use it.
• Visit Yellowstone National Park: If you’re enjoying a road trip through Wyoming and have the time then you should visit the first national park in the United States, Yellowstone National Park! The National Park Service also cares for eight other sites, including Devil’s Tower and Fossil Butte, which are also well worth visiting.