15 Grand Teton Hikes For Families: Big Mountain Views for Little Legs

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Want the big views for the little legs in your family at a pace they can handle? Grand Teton National Park is perfect for that! It is one of the most beautiful national parks with easily accessible out of this world views! There are plenty of Grand Teton Hikes that will bring you to gorgeous views of the mountain range, lakes, ponds, meadows, and rivers along trails that are easily doable for families!

When we visited Grand Teton National Park, we only had a day and were worried that we would not be able to see much of the park. We were wrong! The choices for easy hikes were plentiful, and we were able to explore several of them while also seeing the highlights of the park!

We have rounded up some of the best Grand Teton Hikes for families that come with big rewards to help you plan your trip to the area!

About Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is located in the Northwest corner of Wyoming, just south of Yellowstone National Park, making it a great combo trip! Grand Teton was officially named as a national park in 1929, and expanded to its current size in 1950.

The park is a combination of mountains, alpine lakes, moraines, valleys, and ponds. Grand Teton National Park was carved out over millions of years by glacial activity, creating the dramatic valleys and pristine lakes we see today.

Grand Teton National Park stretches over 310,000 acres in Jackson Hole valley. The Teton Mountain range has peaks that extend 7,000 feet above the valley floor, with Grand Teton being the highest peak at 13,770 feet.

Grand Teton National Park offers outdoor lovers an endless source of adventure, including over 200 miles of hiking trails, backcountry exploring and camping, wildlife viewing, and water activities.

Tips for Hiking in Grand Teton National Park

• Many areas in Grand Teton National Park are at high elevations. Hiking at higher elevations can cause breathing trouble, so be sure to pace yourself.
• The Grand Tetons are home to both grizzly and black bears. Make sure you know what to do for different bear encounters, carry bear spray, and know how to use it if it becomes necessary.
• Bring plenty of water, especially in the warmer months. Dehydration can happen quickly, so you want to make sure you are bringing/drinking enough.
• Cell service is spotty in many areas, and some areas may have no service at all. Know where you are going ahead of time, download maps, or grab one from the visitor center.
• Always be sure to follow the Leave No Trace Principles to protect yourself, the environment, and local wildlife.
• Popular parking lots/trailheads tend to fill up by 9am. Arrive early or later in the evening to avoid crowds and find parking more easily.

Easy Grand Teton Hikes For Families

Lunch Tree Hill

The Lunch Tree Hill trail is more of a walk than a hike, but it is worth the visit! The short hike with very rewarding views makes it one of the best Grand Teton Hikes for families. The trail is located behind the Jackson Lake Lodge. It takes you to the top of a hill with views overlooking Willow Flats and the Teton Range.

Lunch Tree Hill is a 0.5 mile loop trail with an elevation gain of 110 feet. The hike takes about 45 minutes to complete. Parking is available at Jackson Lake Lodge, which also has restrooms, restaurants, shops, and accommodations.

Lake Creek-Woodland Trail

The Lake Creek-Woodland Trail is one of the best easy Grand Tetons Hikes for families. The trail starts at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, before taking you along Lake Creek to the shore of Phelps Lake.

Begin by following the trail from the parking area to the preserve building. After the building, there will be a bridge to the left or a man-made waterfall to the right. You can choose either route to begin your hike.

You will begin by going through a forested area and following alongside the creek. Eventually, you will reach the shores of Phelps Lake, another crystal clear lake in the Grand Tetons. You will also get views of Death Canyon and Prospectors Mountain. Once you reach this area, you will find trails that take you to the edge of the water, the bathrooms, and the trail that continues on the loop.

Once you are done in the area, continue on the main trail until you reach a bridge. After you cross the bridge you will be headed back into a forested area on the Woodland Trail.

The Lake Creek-Woodland Trail is 3 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 770 feet, and takes 1 to 3 hours to complete. Laurence S. Rockefeller Preserve is very busy, so arriving early in the morning or later in the evening can help you avoid the crowds.

Grand Teton Hikes: Moose Ponds

The Moose Ponds trail is an easy route that offers the opportunity to spot some moose if you are lucky. It is often less crowded than the Jenny Lake Loop, making it a good alternative if you are looking for a more secluded hike.

The trail starts out by following the Jenny Lake Loop trail for about a half mile. You will then turn South off the main trail, which will take you to a couple of small alpine ponds. The trail loops around these ponds before taking you back to the Jenny Lake Loop.

Moose and beaver are sometimes spotted in the area, so keep your eye out. Be sure to follow all safety guidelines for moose encounters. Access to the Moose Ponds trail head is near the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. The trail is 2 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 180 feet.

Hidden Falls

The Hidden Falls hike is one of the most popular trails in the park. It takes you to a viewing platform at the base of Hidden Falls, a 100 foot Cascade that is fed by snow melt. When you reach the falls, not only will you get stunning views of the falls, you will also be treated to views of Jenny Lake and Jackson Hole.

You can reach the hike by taking the Jenny Lake Loop, which will extend your hike, or by taking the boat shuttle across Jenny Lake. The Hidden Falls trail is 1 mile out and back with an elevation gain of 300 feet.

If you are taking the Jenny Lake Loop to reach the trail, the total hike will be 4.9 miles with an elevation gain of 620 feet. If you want to extend the hike, continue on for another half mile to reach Inspiration Point.

Schwabacher Landing Trail

The Schwabacher Landing Trail, although not really a hike, was one of our favorite walks in the park. We did not plan on walking it, but drove by and decided to stop. The views were just stunning along the Snake River! It is flat and easy, making it one of the best Grand Teton Hikes for families.

The end of the trail brings you to stunning views of the Teton Mountains. Along the way, it is common to spot frogs, beavers, and birds splashing in the water. One of the highlights of the trail is the reflection of the mountains in the clear river/pond water.

The gravel trail is only about 0.5 miles out and back, and is flat with an elevation gain of only 6 ft., making it one of the best Grand Tetons Hikes for families.

Grand Teton Hikes: Leigh Lake Trail

Starting near String Lake, this mostly flat trail winds through a peaceful forest before opening up to stunning shoreline views of Leigh Lake. The trail begins as a paved trail following the shores of String Lake and taking you to the shores of Leigh Lake. The trail is mostly gravel with some rocky sections closer to the lakes.

At Leigh Lake, you’ll find several shoreline access points with calm, shallow water. This is a good spot for a quick break, wading, or a short picnic before heading back the same way.

The Leigh Lake trail is 1.8 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 40 feet. The trail takes about an hour to complete. Parking for the trail is at the String Lake parking area.

String Lake is a very populated area, as it is frequently used for hiking, swimming, canoeing, and paddle boarding. The Leigh Lake Trail can be extended, with access to other area trails like Bearpaw Lake and Trapper Lake.

Lakeshore Trail

An easy, flat trail through a forested area of the park the Lakeshore Trail is one of the best Grand Tetons Hikes for families. The Lakeshore Trail will give you views of Jackson Lake and the Teton mountain range in the distance while taking you past towering limberpines.

The trail starts at the Colter Bay Visitor Center. It consists of two loops connected by a thin strip of land. Each loop is about a mile long, so if you wanted to shorten the hike you could choose to do only one of the loops. Wildlife that may be seen on the trail include grizzly bears, black bears, and moose.

The Lakeshore Trail is an easy 2.2 mile loop hike with an elevation gain of only 100 feet, making it one of the best Grand Teton Hikes for families. The trail takes 1 to 2 hours to complete.

Heron Pond & Swan Lake Loop

The Heron Pond & Swan Lake Loop begins at Colter Bay and takes you to two different ponds with views of the Teton Mountains in the background. The trail takes you through wetlands and forests. To begin the trail, you will start at the Hermitage Trailhead near the visitor center.

You will begin by taking the trail to Heron Pond, before continuing on to Swan Lake. The trail follows along the shore line for about half a mile before turning off into the forest. When you come to the first junction, continue right to go to Heron Pond.

After Heron Pond, you will want to continue on the trail until you come to a 4 way junction. Turn left to take the trail to Swan Lake and complete the loop. After Swan Lake, continue on the trail for another half mile back to the parking area.

The Heron Pond & Swan Lake Loop is 3.1 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 320 feet. It takes 1-3 hours to complete. Parking for the trail is near the Colter Bay Visitor Center. The visitor center is on the right, you will want to park to the left.

Polecat Creek Loop Trail

The Polecat Creek Loop Trail is an easy, flat hike in the Northern section of Grand Teton National Park that is perfect for families. The trail winds through forest and open meadows, with sections running alongside Polecat Creek.

Wildlife sightings are common in this area of the park, including birds, moose, and occasionally other animals, so it’s a good idea to stay alert and keep a safe distance. There are a few quiet spots along the creek where you can stop for a break, but there are no major viewpoints or mountain vistas like other parts of the park.

The Polecat Creek Loop Trail is a 2.5 mile loop hike with 120 feet of elevation gain. Parking for the area is at the Flagg Ranch’s Store. Park at the far end of the lot away from the store, and cross Grassy Lake Road to the trailhead.

Taggart Lake

The Taggart Lake Trail is one of the best Grand Teton Hikes for families. The trail can be done out and back, which is the most common route, or can be done as a loop trail, which is slightly longer. The trail follows alongside a stream, through forested areas, before opening up into views of the Teton range.

The out and back option is 3 miles. This trail has a very slight uphill grade most of the way with an elevation gain of about 360 feet. From the parking area at the Taggart Lake Trailhead, you will begin with a flat path that will split after about 300 feet. At the junction, you will want to take the path to the right and follow the trail to Taggart Lake.

The alternative option is a loop hike with the Beaver Creek Trail. You will start by going right at the junction at the start of the trail. The loop option adds a little bit of distance to the hike, making the entire loop 3.8 miles.

Once you reach Taggart Lake, keep to the left and follow the trail for about 150 feet before crossing a small footbridge. The trail will climb for a little bit before beginning to descend, taking you back to the parking area.

Taggart Lake is a crystal clear lake with the Teton Mountains as a backdrop. It is a common spot for dipping your toes in the water (it will be cold!) or swimming if you are brave enough (no lifeguards on duty). Parking can be tough, because there is a small trail head parking area that tends to fill up quickly. Plan on arriving early in the morning or later in the evening.

Phelps Lake Overlook

The Phelps Lake Overlook is an easy way to get stunning panoramic views of Phelps Lake. The trail takes you along a forested trail before opening up to the Phelps Lake Overlook. The trail has a steady incline the entire route, but is easily doable for families.

Keep your eyes open along the trail, this is a common area to spot moose. Bears are also common, so be prepared if an encounter occurs and know what to do to keep yourself and the bear safe. The Phelps Lake Overlook is a 2 mile out and back trail with an elevation gain of 470 feet.

The road to the trail head can be a challenging drive, especially for smaller cars. The road, Whitegrass Ranch Road, or Death Canyon Road, is off of Moose Wilson Road. The road to the trail head is about 15 miles, with the last mile being a rough, narrow, dirt road. High clearance vehicles or 4WD is recommended.

Moderate Grand Teton Hikes For Families

Jenny Lake Loop

The views along the Jenny Lake Loop are stunning, making the Jenny Lake Loop on of the best moderate Grand Teton Hikes for families! Views include Cascade Canyon, the Cathedral Group, and of course Jenny Lake. During our visit to the park, Jenny Lake was one of our favorite stops and the views were out of this world!

The hike begins at the Jenny Lake Loop trail head. The trail takes you through forested areas, along the Lakeshore, and past scenic views including Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls. Wildlife are commonly spotted along the trail, including moose, beaver, and birds.

The Jenny Lake Loop is a longer hike at 7.1 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 1,040 feet. If you want to add on more hiking, access to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point and Cascade Canyon can be found along the trail. You can also choose to hike only sections of the trail if you aren’t up for the full 7 miles.

There is a large parking area at Jenny Lake, but it still tends to fill up very quickly. You will want to arrive early or later in the day. If you choose to do a boat ride on the lake, make sure you arrive very early-you don’t want to be looking for parking and be late for your ride (we almost missed ours for this reason!).

Cascade Canyon Trail

The Cascade Canyon trail is one of the most scenic trails in the park, taking you to views that include Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, canyon views, and ending at The Forks of Cascade Canyon. You will also get some awesome views of Jenny Lake below from the trail.

Most of the elevation gain along this trail is at the beginning when hiking to Hidden Falls. Once you reach the canyon, the hike becomes flatter, taking you through a valley with views of the surrounding mountain peaks. The trail is on the longer end, but you can choose to turn around at any point and make it manageable for your family.

The Cascade Canyon hike is about 9 miles total round trip with an elevation gain of about 1,400 feet. The Cascade Canyon Trail can be accessed by using the Jenny Lake ferryboat, which reduces the distance of the hike by about 4 miles.

Wildlife is common, including moose and bears, so carrying bear spray and staying alert is important.

Grand Teton Hikes: Death Canyon to Patrol Cabin

The Death Canyon to Patrol Cabin is a hike better suited for older children or more experienced hikers. The hike begins at the Death Canyon Trail head and takes you through a remote area of the park to the Patrol Cabin. The trail takes you through meadows, forests, views of Phelps Lake and Jackson Hole, and cascades along the way.

A lot of the elevation gain is at the start of the trail, with an ascent through a forest and several switchbacks before you reach an overlook with views of Phelps Lake. For this hike, you will want to turn around after reaching the Patrol Cabin. The trail does continue deep into the Teton Range and gives access to backcountry camping areas, but becomes more strenuous after the cabin.

The hike is about 8.6 miles round trip with an elevation gain of around 1,500 feet. The trail takes 5-7 hours to complete. The trail head for the Death Canyon trail is on Moose-Wilson Road. The last mile to the trail head is a narrow dirt road that can be difficult for low clearance vehicles. 4 wheel drive is recommended.

Taggart & Bradley Lake Loop

The Taggart & Bradley Lake Loop is one of the best moderate Grand Teton Hikes for families. The trail brings you to two pristine alpine lakes surrounded by the lush wilderness of the Teton areas.

The trail begins by going through a moraine lined with Aspen trees, before opening up to views of the Tetons in the distance. The trail starts with a steady uphill section for about 1 mile before reaching Taggart Lake. This is the most significant climb on the route. After that, the trail becomes more gradual as it continues toward Bradley Lake.

As you begin towards Bradley Lake, there will be some opportunities for viewing the Teton range and some open spots along the Bradley Lake shore to stop. After enjoying both lakes, you will head back to the trail head.

The loop trail starts at the Taggart Lake trail head on Teton Park Road. The trail is 5.6 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 890 feet, taking about 2-3 hours to complete.

Frequently Asked Question

***The Navigating Mom (and this post) may contain affiliate links. If you purchase from one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.****