Jenny Lake, Grand Teton National Park

Jenny Lake fills a basin scooped out by a glacier that once flowed down Cascade Canyon and spread onto the valley floor. As the ice melted back, it left behind a curving ridge of rock and rubble, a moraine, that dammed the meltwater and created the lake. The steep, forested slopes that ring the shore are the walls the glacier left behind.

Because the lake sits right against the mountain front, the peaks of the central Tetons rise directly from its western edge. On a still morning the whole range can appear doubled in the water, and the clarity of the glacial melt gives the lake a cold, deep blue that changes with the light through the day.

Across the lake, Cascade Canyon opens into the heart of the range, and the trails that climb from its mouth are among the most rewarding in the park. A short, steep walk leads to Hidden Falls, where Cascade Creek drops through the rocks, and continues up to Inspiration Point, a rock ledge with a wide view back over the lake and the valley of Jackson Hole.

Beyond Inspiration Point the trail continues up Cascade Canyon itself, following the creek between towering walls toward the high country of lakes and passes. Hikers with more time can climb deep into the range, while those looking for a shorter outing can turn back at the falls or the viewpoint.

A small shuttle boat runs across the lake in the warmer months, carrying visitors from the boat dock near the visitor center to the west shore trailheads. The crossing cuts a couple of miles off the walk to Hidden Falls and gives an on the water view of the peaks that is hard to match from land.

For those who would rather stay on foot, a trail loops the entire lake, winding through pine and fir forest along the shoreline with the peaks overhead. It can be walked in either direction, combined with the canyon trails, or simply followed partway for a quiet stretch of water and mountains.

The lake takes its name from Jenny, a Shoshone woman married to Richard Leigh, a British born trapper and guide who lived in the region in the mid nineteenth century. When a government survey party mapped this part of the range, they named the lake for her and the larger lake to the north, Leigh Lake, for her husband.

The pairing of the two names on the map is a small record of the people who knew this country before it became a park, and of the mixed communities of Native and newcomer families who lived and traveled through Jackson Hole in that era.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Jenny Lake, in Grand Teton National Park in northwestern Wyoming, is a stunning glacial lake nestled at the base of the towering Teton Range, one of the most beautiful and popular spots in the park. The clear, deep lake reflects the dramatic peaks rising directly above it, creating breathtaking scenery. A hub for recreation, Jenny Lake offers a scenic shuttle boat across the water, access to popular trails including hikes to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point and up Cascade Canyon, along with kayaking, paddling, and simply enjoying the gorgeous views. With its beautiful clear water, dramatic mountain backdrop, and superb hiking, Jenny Lake is a beloved highlight of Grand Teton National Park.

You can take the scenic shuttle boat across the lake to reach trailheads, hike the popular trails to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point and continue up beautiful Cascade Canyon, walk the trail around the lake, kayak or paddle on the clear water, take in the stunning views of the Tetons reflected in the lake, watch for wildlife including moose and bears, and photograph the gorgeous scenery. The shuttle boat shortens the hike to the falls. With its shuttle boat, superb hiking, paddling, and breathtaking mountain-and-lake scenery, Jenny Lake offers an unforgettable outdoor experience in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.

The Jenny Lake shuttle boat is a popular passenger boat that ferries visitors across Jenny Lake from the east-shore boat dock to the west shore, saving a couple of miles of walking around the lake and providing quicker access to the trailheads for Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and Cascade Canyon. The scenic ride across the lake offers beautiful views of the Tetons. The shuttle operates seasonally, roughly late spring through early fall, and is a convenient and enjoyable way to reach the popular hikes. Because it can be busy in peak season, checking current schedules and being prepared for lines helps you plan a Jenny Lake visit.

Summer, roughly June through September, is the prime time, when the shuttle boat operates, the trails are snow-free and accessible, and the weather is mildest, though it is the busiest, so arriving early helps with parking and crowds. Fall brings golden aspens and fewer crowds, making it especially beautiful. Winter offers snowy scenery but limited access, with the boat not running. For the shuttle boat, hiking, and full access, aim for summer, arriving early, while fall offers gorgeous color and smaller crowds at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park.

Jenny Lake is in Grand Teton National Park in northwestern Wyoming, near the park's other attractions including the Snake River Overlook, the historic Mormon Row and Menor's Ferry areas, the town of Jackson and Jackson Hole to the south, and within reach of Yellowstone National Park to the north. That makes Jenny Lake a highlight to combine with the Snake River Overlook, the other attractions of Grand Teton National Park, Jackson, and Yellowstone on a visit to Wyoming.