There are a lot (like actually a ton) of hikes throughout beautiful Grand Teton National Park. If you’re anything like me and feeling ~overwhelmed~ by the many hiking options in the park, I’ve mapped out 2 relatively easy and short hikes that I loved doing while in Grand Teton.

1. Taggart Lake Loop

This is a very well-known and leisurely hiking trail that takes you to a picturesque alpine lake that’s surrounded by mountains. The entire loop is just under 4 miles long with a little over 400 feet in elevation gain. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow, although I always recommend having the trail downloaded to your phone (just in case). Throughout the hike, you’ll catch great views of the Tetons as well as nearby meadows (which may have wildflowers blooming, depending on when you go) and creeks.

Overall, it’s an easy, family-friendly hike that shouldn’t take more than 2 hours to complete.

View on AllTrails

Parking

The parking area at the trailhead is large but serves multiple trails, so it can fill up quickly during peak times (summer months). Parking is allowed along the road around the trailhead so long as your vehicle is completely over the white line and not obstructing traffic.

Facilities

There is a restroom at the trailhead (vault toilets) as well as a bear-safe trash bin. It’s recommended to dispose of any food waste (or anything that has a strong smell) from your car to prevent attracting wildlife (bears) to your vehicle.

Fees

To get to the Taggart Lake trailhead, you must enter Grand Teton National Park. The fee to enter is $35 per vehicle. The America The Beautiful Pass is accepted.

Wildlife

Aside from being a relatively easy hike with gorgeous views, another key reason the Taggart Lake Loop is so popular is because of the wildlife in the area. The trail is located in Moose, Wyoming, so it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that there are a ton of moose in the area. It’s good to be alert while hiking this trail and always always always remember that moose are wild animals that should be given plenty of space. If you’re hoping to see a moose while hiking this trail, the best times to go are early in the morning or later in the evening. I hiked this trail in the evening (after 5 pm in May), and came across 4 moose.

Recommendations

• Grand Teton National Park is home to black and grizzly bears, so all hikers should be bear-aware and carry bear spray with them.
• In May and possibly June (depending on the winter), parts of the trail may have snow or ice on it. I recommend checking the latest reviews on AllTrails before heading out.
• This trail is very popular and can get crowded during peak times. If you’re looking for solitude, do this hike early in the morning (before 9 am) or later in the day (after 5 pm). If you head out during peak time, expect a crowded parking lot and many other hikers on the trail.
• It’s never a bad idea to bring binoculars when hiking anywhere in Grand Teton. While sitting at the lake, I scanned the surrounding mountains and spotted a grizzly grazing in the grass on one of the hillsides. The bear was very far away and only visible through the binoculars. Nonetheless, it was a cool experience to watch him until he sauntered out of sight. If I didn’t bring my binoculars with me, I would have missed out on the opportunity to see him.
• Bring bug spray, especially if hiking closer to the evening. Also, it’s a good idea to wear sunscreen as not all parts of the trail have tree coverage.
• You can swim in the lake, though the water can be very, very, very cold.

2. Phelps Lake Overlook

Phelps Lake Overlook is a great alternative if the Taggart Lake Loop is a bit too mainstream for you. This trail is a quick, 2-mile trek with a little over 400 feet in elevation gain that takes you to a beautiful overlook of Phelps Lake. Most people are able to complete the trail in under 2 hours. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow, although I always recommend having the trail downloaded to your phone (just in case). The trail offers plenty of tree coverage, so you can enjoy the hike without getting scorched by the sun.

Overall, this hike doesn’t offer quite as breathtaking views of the Tetons as Taggart Lake, but it’s still a fun trail that provides a gorgeous overlook of a large alpine lake. The trail is also tucked away from the main hustle and bustle of Grand Teton, making it less crowded and increasing the opportunity for wildlife sightings.

View on AllTrails

Parking

IMPORTANT: 4WD VEHICLES RECOMMENDED FOR ACCESSING TRAILHEAD.

The road to the Phelps Lake Overlook trailhead is a bit gnarly. It’s a narrow dirt road with quite a few rocks and potholes. Therefore, 4WD is recommended and drivers should be cautious. You’ll likely encounter vehicles coming in the opposite direction and will need to pull over to let them through.

Once you reach the end of the dirt road, there is a small parking area. The parking lot may fill up during peak times, but this trail doesn’t get as much traffic as others in the area. I went on a Sunday evening, and there were only 2 other vehicles in the lot.

Facilities

There is a restroom (vault toilet) at the base of the trailhead.

Fees

To get to the Taggart Lake trailhead, you must enter Grand Teton National Park. The fee to enter is $35 per vehicle. The America The Beautiful Pass is accepted.

Wildlife

This hike takes you through thick forests and valleys, so there’s a good chance of seeing wildlife. Spotting a moose isn’t uncommon, and I saw a ton of moose scat along the trail (but sadly no actual moose). It’s also important to be aware of bears, and all hikers should carry bear spray. I came across a mother black bear and her 2 cubs while hiking this trail.

Recommendations

• There is no cell service in the area, so download any maps or essentials beforehand.
• Grand Teton National Park is home to black and grizzly bears, so all hikers should be bear-aware and carry bear spray with them.
• In early May and possibly June (depending on the winter), parts of the trail may have snow or ice on it. I recommend checking the latest reviews on AllTrails before heading out.
• Bring bug spray.
• Be prepared to drive down a narrow, pothole-filled dirt road to access the trailhead. There is a sign at the entrance that says “4WD Recommended”.
• Bring binoculars. You never know what you might see, especially when overlooking the lake.

Tips for hiking in Grand Teton National Park

• Plan accordingly: Grand Teton gets really busy in the summer (over 2 million people visit every year), and parking at popular trailheads can be tough. If you’re looking for a quiet hike without many people around, you’ll want to go early in the morning or later in the day.
• Be ready to pay entrance fees: To help keep entrance lines moving, be prepared to either pay $35 to enter the park (per vehicle, per day) or consider purchasing the America The Beautiful Pass ahead of your visit.
• Drive slowly to and from your destinations: One of the coolest things about Grand Teton is the abundant wildlife that lives there. That said, it’s important to be alert while driving and obey all speed limits. At night, the speed limits are reduced due to the number of elk, moose, and deer in the area. When I was there, a local wolf was hit by a car and killed (big sad). Don’t let yourself be the person who killed or injured wildlife while in the park.
• Have bear spray with you: When hiking in bear country, every adult in your group should have bear spray on them. The bear spray should NOT be stowed away in a backpack, but rather strapped to your side or chest so that you can quickly grab it. (I use a belt to holster mine to my side, while my partner typically holds his bear spray while hiking.) If you’re unsure of how to use bear spray, I recommend watching this video before hiking in the park.
• Be aware of wildlife: As mentioned, there’s a ton of wildlife in the park—some of which you may not have ever encountered in your life. I recommend taking 5 minutes to read about the different wildlife in Grand Teton National Park, so you’re prepared for a potential interaction.
• Stay on the trail: It’s always important to stick to the trail to ensure you don’t damage vegetation, but it’s even more important to stick to designated trails in Grand Teton because that will decrease your risk of surprising a grizzly bear. Most bear attacks occur off-trail, typically when a person surprises a grizzly. By sticking to the trail, you can decrease your risk of having an unpleasant bear encounter in Grand Teton.
• Let others know if you see something: If you see significant wildlife near the trail (such as a bear or moose), it’s common courtesy to give other hikers heading that way a heads-up.
• Remove food-scented items from your vehicle: Wildlife (specifically bears) have an insanely good sense of smell. People who leave food wrappers or leftover food in their vehicles run the risk of attracting bears to their vehicles. There are plenty of bear-safe garbage disposals throughout the park, so try to throw away anything and everything with a smell before leaving your vehicle.
• Follow the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace: As always when hiking, follow the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace.