The Best Summer Hikes in Grand Teton National Park

There's a reason people keep coming back to the Tetons. No foothills, no gradual buildup — just glaciers, granite, and sky rising straight out of the valley floor. Summer (roughly July through early September) is when the high trails finally shed their snow and the wildflowers take over, making it the best window for the routes below.

Whether you're looking for a scenic half-day with the family or a full-day mountain challenge, here are four of our favorite summer hikes — two moderate, two difficult — to help you plan your Jackson Hole adventure.

Moderate Hikes

1. Taggart Lake & Bradley Lake Loop

Distance: ~6 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: ~700 feet | Trailhead: Taggart Lake Trailhead, Teton Park Road

This loop is the perfect introduction to Teton hiking — enough climbing to feel like an accomplishment, without the exposure or crowds of some of the park's more famous trails. The path winds through sagebrush flats and a burn area from the 1985 Beaver Creek Fire before reaching Taggart Lake, where the Cathedral Group rises dramatically from the far shore.

Continue on to Bradley Lake for a quieter, more forested second act — it's larger, less trafficked, and a favorite for a mid-hike rest stop with your feet in the water. Morning starts are best in summer, both for lighting on the peaks and for beating the heat on the return climb.

2. Jenny Lake, Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point Loop

Distance: ~5–8.7 miles round trip (varies by ferry use) | Elevation Gain: ~450–1,000 feet | Trailhead: South Jenny Lake

This is the park's signature day hike, and it earns the reputation. Hike the full loop around Jenny Lake, or take the shuttle boat across and cut your mileage roughly in half — either way, you'll reach Hidden Falls and then climb a short, steep stretch of switchbacks to Inspiration Point for one of the most photographed views in the park.

Because it's popular, an early start matters — both for parking at South Jenny and for having the viewpoint mostly to yourself before the boat crowds arrive.

Difficult Hikes

3. Surprise Lake, Amphitheater Lake & Delta Lake

Distance: ~10–12 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: ~3,000 feet | Trailhead: Lupine Meadows

This is the trail locals talk about all season. From Lupine Meadows, the path climbs relentlessly through a series of switchbacks — over 600 feet of gain per mile in places — before reaching Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes, two alpine gems tucked beneath Disappointment Peak.

Many hikers add the detour to Delta Lake, whose milky turquoise water framed by the Grand Teton has made it one of the most iconic (and Instagrammed) sights in the park. Be aware: the spur to Delta Lake isn't an official, maintained trail — it involves a boulder scramble and is easy to miss, so a downloaded map or GPS track is essential. Start early, bring bear spray, and expect a full, demanding day.

4. Paintbrush Canyon–Cascade Canyon Loop

Distance: ~19 miles round trip (shorter out-and-back options available) | Elevation Gain: ~3,600 feet | Trailhead: String Lake

This is the classic Teton "big day" — a full traverse from String Lake up through Paintbrush Canyon, over Paintbrush Divide at roughly 10,700 feet, and back down through Cascade Canyon past Lake Solitude. Wildflowers blanket the canyon floor at peak summer bloom, and the views from the divide — looking down at Lake Solitude on one side and out across the valley on the other — are some of the best in the park.

The full loop is a serious undertaking best done as a very long day or split into an overnight backpacking trip with a permit. Snow can linger at the divide well into July, so check current trail conditions before you go, and plan for an early start to avoid afternoon thunderstorms at elevation.

A Few Notes Before You Go

• Bear spray is non-negotiable. Grand Teton is grizzly and black bear country — carry it, know how to use it, and make noise on trail.

• Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, especially at higher elevations. Start early and plan to be off exposed ridgelines by early afternoon.

• Water and sun protection matter more than hikers expect — much of the park sits above 6,800 feet, and the thinner air and stronger UV can catch first-time visitors off guard.

• Parking fills up fast at popular trailheads like Taggart Lake and South Jenny Lake, especially by mid-morning in July and August.

Have questions about which trail fits your group, your timeline, or your fitness level? That's exactly the kind of planning we love helping with at Journey & Wander — reach out and we'll help you build the perfect Teton itinerary.