You don’t want to miss out on these exciting hiking experiences in Grand Teton National Park. Check out beautiful Jenny Lake, find Hidden Falls, and admire the expansive views from Inspiration Point. Plus, it’s only a 2.5-mile hike!
Our family loves waterfalls, and we love exciting hikes. So I knew we HAD TO check out Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point during our visit to Grand Teton National Park.
And, let me tell you, this hiking experience was awesome.
From the shuttle boat ride across Jenny Lake and pretty cascading creek to the impressive waterfall and sweeping mountaintop views, it was all incredible!
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Our Experience at Jenny Lake
We arrived at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center area at 8:30AM and easily found a parking spot. It’s a good thing we got there so early though. I doubt we would have been able to find parking later. The parking lot was overflowing by the time we returned from our hike (around 11AM)!
PRO TIP: Arrive to the Jenny Lake Visitor Center early because parking fills up fast.
We were anxious to get hiking. So, after a quick look around the visitor center and a quick chat with a park ranger, we were on our way.
The Hidden Falls/Inspiration Point trailhead is located on the west shores of Jenny Lake. To get there, you need to park at the visitor center lot and then cross the lake.
To cross Jenny Lake, there are two options:
1. Take the ferry shuttle for a fee
OR
2. Hike around the lake
The hike to the west shore is about 2.5 miles. (That would be 5 miles round trip!) Instead of hiking it, our family chose to take the boat shuttle across Jenny Lake.
At the time of our visit, ticket prices were $18 for an adult round-trip ticket and $10 for a child round-trip ticket. (Click here for current ferry rates.) As it turned out, the Jenny Lake Shuttle Service also offered a family rate that was not mentioned on their website. We were able to take advantage of that special rate and save a little money on out ferriage.
PRO TIP: If riding the ferry with kids, be sure to ask about the family rate.
Hidden Falls Hiking Trail
The trailhead for the Hidden Falls trail is located at the west shores dock.
The trail to Hidden Falls is an easy to moderate scenic hike. It crosses over Cascade Creek several times and features several impressive cascades as you gently ascend 200 feet in elevation.
This half-mile trail ends at an overlook allowing you to see the spectacular Hidden Falls in the distance.
FUN FACT: Hidden Falls is the only accessible waterfall in Grand Teton National Park. This impressive 100-foot waterfall is fed by snowmelt.
After admiring the waterfall for a while and snapping a few pictures, you will turn around and head back along the same trail. A short ways down this path, you will find a turnoff for Inspiration Point.
Inspiration Point Hiking Trail
Catch the trail to Inspiration Point at a turnoff from the Hidden Falls Trail. While only .5 miles in length, this trail is strenuous and difficult. (The views are worth it though.)
If this is your first time on this trail, here are a few lessons we learned during our hike:
- Be prepared to carry small children. The trail is tough… especially for families with small children. I saw three different families who had small children going into total meltdown tantrums on this short trail. If you choose to hike this trail with small children, be aware that their little legs will become tired. You will probably end up having to carry your small children.
- Use Caution! This hike is steep in areas. Much of the trail consists of narrow ledges, uneven surfaces and loose rocks.
- Don’t be fooled! We discovered that there are three different landing areas as you progress along this trail. Our family jokingly referred to them as inspiration point 1, inspiration point 2 and inspiration point 3. As we approached each landing all tired and weary from the strenuous upwards hike, we found ourselves thinking “this must be it.” But it usually was not.
The real inspiration point is the third landing, and it is clearly marked with a sign.
FUN FACT: Inspiration Point is at an elevation of 7200 feet. The snow on the Teton Mountains starts at 9000 feet in elevation.
The view at Inspiration Point is pretty impressive. It overlooks Jenny Lake, Jackson Hole Valley, and the Cathedral Group of mountains (Mount Owen, Teewinot and the Grand Teton).
Just as amazing as the views is the sense of accomplishment you will feel after completing this difficult hike. Seriously! You will want to give yourself a pat on the back after that short-yet-difficult upward hike.
Bonus! You may find entertainment once you reach Inspiration Point. There are several lively chipmunks that hang out there. These chipmunks are not shy and seem to enjoy putting on a show for visitors. Our children found them quite amusing and cited the chipmunks as their favorite part of our Jenny Lake hikes.
Maps and Other Helpful Information
Download the Grand Teton National Park app ahead of time. Its interactive map was a huge help to us while on the hiking trails.
Stop at the ranger station for a map before crossing the lake. (Or, click here to download/print a trail map from the National Park Service.)
Ask for the family rate. If you are traveling with children and wish to take the shuttle boat across Jenny Lake, be sure to ask if the shuttle service still offers a family rate. This special discounted price was not advertised on the website but was available upon request at the time of our visit.
Follow the signs. These hiking trails are clearly marked.
Dress in layers. The temperatures change quickly as you ascend into higher elevations as well as when you pass through sunny areas and shady areas.
Wear sunscreen and bring bug spray. We paused our hike to re-apply both – sunscreen and bug spray – while hiking these trails.
Wear sturdy footwear. In many sections, these trails have uneven surfaces, loose rock and exposed roots. Sturdy closed-toe footwear would be preferred.
Wear a daypack. We were glad to have our hiking day pack
Give yourself a little space on the hiking trails. These are popular hikes and the trails can be crowded. Everyone on the boat shuttle are hiking to the same places you are. We found it helpful to take a pause at the beginning of our hike in order to allow the other hikers to get ahead of us. Adding some distance this way allowed us to enjoy our hike more as we had fewer crowds to contend with.
Consider bringing bear spray. There are bears throughout Grand Teton National Park. You may want to bring bear spray
Visit the Grand Teton National Park website for even more hiking tips.
Enjoy Your Hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point!
Will you be visiting Jenny Lake at Grand Teton National Park?
Do you plan to hike to Hidden Falls?
Will you make the extra trek up to Inspiration Point?
If you do, I want to hear all about it. Tell me about your experience in the comments section below.
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- Waterfalls and More in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
- Experience Oregon Trail History at Independence Rock
- Exploring Starved Rock State Park in Illinois
- How to Actually Enjoy Hiking With the Kids
- Family Bonding on the North Country Trail
What a beautiful place to explore, especially Hidden Falls! I need to plan a visit. Gorgeous pictures!
It was such a fun hike! Your family would love it! If you go, get there early. I couldn’t believe how early the parking lot filled up at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center!