Grand Teton National Park Fall Day Hikes
It’s easy to find a hike at Grand Teton when there are over 100 miles of hiking trails! Here’s a list of the best Grand Teton National Park fall day hikes to enjoy mountain views, lakes, waterfalls and wildlife!
This Grand Teton National Park guide will detail the best fall hiking trails, tips for fall hiking, what to pack, where to stay, and more!
From easy strolls along the shoreline of Jackson Lake to more challenging hikes up Mount Moran or Garnet Canyon, there’s a Grand Teton day hike for everyone. So grab your gear and get ready to explore the beauty of Grand Teton in the fall while hiking!
Use our Grand Teton National Park packing list to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for fall hiking! Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!
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A Photo Tour of Grand Teton National Park
Take a visual tour through Grand Teton National Park to see the stunning landscape and wildlife you’ll find in the park!
Visiting Grand Teton National Park in the Fall
Grand Teton is open 24 hours, every day of the year. Early fall is still a busy time at the park. By late fall services at Grand Teton begin to close. When you visit Grand Teton in the fall you can expect cooler temperatures due to the higher elevation.
- Grand Teton in September: highs mid-60s | lows 30s degrees F
- Grand Teton in October: highs 50 | lows mid-20s degrees F
- Grand Teton in November: highs 35 | lows in the teens
There are a few areas along Highway 191 from Jackson to Moran where you can explore various areas like Schwabacher Landing, Mormon Row and Cunningham Cabin.
Keep in mind the side roads like Antelope Flats, Pilgrim Creek, and Schwabacher Landing close seasonally based on conditions.
Grand Teton National Park is home to variety of wild animals. While exploring the park’s hiking trails you can run into deer, elk, moose, black bears and grizzly bears. When hiking in Grand Teton National Park, even if it’s on a short and busy trail, always be alert for wildlife.
When visiting Grand Teton National Park, ALWAYS carry and know how to use bear spray, especially if you’ll be exploring the hiking trails. It’s also good to make noise and hike in groups of three or more.
Tips for Fall Hiking at Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is known for its hiking trails. You’ll find a variety of Grand Teton day hikes that include easy, moderate, and strenuous trails.
Starting in the fall, some higher elevation trails can start to get muddy or even snow-covered. Stop by a visitor center to get recent trail conditions.
Fall Clothing for Hiking at Grand Teton
It’s important to be prepared with the right clothing for fall hikes at Grand Teton!
- Wicking Clothing: You may also need base layers.
- LAYERS: Fleece jackets, insulated jackets, winter gloves, winter hat
- Darn Tough hiking socks: Do not wear cotton socks. Darn Tough Socks are comfortable, breathe well, and prevent blisters!
- Sturdy hiking shoes: Hiking shoes or boots should be sturdy with good tread and traction.
Grand Teton Fall Hiking Gear
Here’s the hiking gear we recommend for exploring Grand Teton:
- Water: Carry and drink at least two liters of water. Use refillable water bottles or hydration packs. We carry Propel powder packets to add to our water to help replace electrolytes.
- Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin!
- First aid kit: No matter whether your hike is long or short, always pack a hiking first aid kit. Make sure your first aid kit has the essentials like plasters, bandages, anti-bacterial wipes, etc.
- Headlamps: If you’ll be hiking in the morning or late afternoon, carry a headlamp so you’re prepared in case you need to hike in the dark.
- Snacks: Pack salty and easy to digest snack to replace electrolytes.
Grand Teton National Park Fall Day Hikes
Always carry and know how to use Bear Spray when hiking at Grand Teton National Park.
If you like to photograph Grand Teton National Park as much as we do, these fall day hikes will take you to amazing views!
We recommend hiking in the morning when the lakes are calm in order to photograph reflections of the mountains in the water. And the sunlight on the mountains in the morning isn’t as harsh as it is during the day.
1. Hidden Falls + Inspiration Point Fall Hike
- Hike length: 1.3 miles roundtrip
- Time required: 1 to 2 hours
- Hike difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead Location: Jenny Lake
The hike to Hidden Falls begins at the Jenny Lake Trailhead. You can hike the Jenny Lake Trail around the south end of Jenny Lake, or you can take the shuttle boat across the lake to the Cascade Canyon Trailhead.
The 12 minute boat ride shortens the hike by 2.4 miles each way. But there is a fee for the Jenny Lake shuttle boat. The services at Jenny Lake begin to close in September. Usually, the shuttle closes the end of September, but it’s always good to check for the most updated closing dates.
From the Cascade Canyon Trailhead, located at the west shore boat dock, the trail begins climbing through a conifer forest. You’ll soon cross over Cascade Canyon Creek. Around three-tenths of a mile, you’ll come to the Valley Trail, which also serves as the western portion of the loop hike around Jenny Lake.
About one half mile from the boat dock you’ll pass the horse trail leading up from Jenny Lake, where you’ll proceed straight ahead at this junction.
Soon after you’ll reach the short side trail that leads to Hidden Falls. Turn left here to enjoy the viewing area of this awesome waterfall that drops one hundred feet along rock steps.
Keep in mind this trail is very popular and gets crowded. We like to hike this trail in the early morning and early evening.
We recommend continuing your hike to visit Inspiration Point for amazing views of Jenny Lake. This section only adds another 200 feet of climbing to your overall roundtrip hike.
2. Lakeshore Trail Fall Hike
- Hike length: 2 miles roundtrip
- Time required: 1-2 hours
- Hike difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead Location: Colter Bay Visitor Center
The Lakeshore Trails begins on the backside of the Colter Bay Visitor Center. It consists of two connecting loops that circle around the inner and outer portions of the wooded peninsula that forms Colter Bay.
Since the Lakeshore Trail is short and level, it is also recommended for children.
This trail is home to various wildlife including bear, moose, elk, mule deer, beaver, muskrat, river otters, sandhill cranes, trumpeter swans, ospreys, great blue herons, as well as snowshoe hares and martens.
You’ll enjoy picturesque views of the Teton mountains with fall colors on this hike.
3. Phelps Lake Overlook Fall Hike
- Hike length: 2 miles roundtrip
- Time required: 1-2 hours
- Hike difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead Location: Death Canyon Trailhead
To reach the trailhead from Moose Junction, turn left onto Moose-Wilson Road and drive roughly 3 miles south to reach the turn-off for the Death Canyon Trailhead. Turn right and drive another 2 miles to the end of the road.
Although the first mile is paved, the last mile travels over a fairly rugged gravel road. The park highly recommends using a 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach the trailhead. At the point where the paved road ends there’s a small parking area that allows people in 2-wheel drive vehicles to park and walk the last mile to the trailhead.
You’ll start the hike with a moderate climb through a forest that then meets with the Valley Trail. Turn left onto the Valley Trail to continue towards the Phelps Lake Overlook.
In one mile you’ll arrive at the Phelps Lake Overlook that’s an elevation of 7200 feet. Take time to enjoy the views of Grand Teton with fall colors!
If you want to explore the area around Phelps Lake, hike another 1.4 miles to reach a small sandy beach area along the lake’s northern shore.
4. String & Leigh Lakes Fall Hike
- Hike length: 3.7 mile loop trail
- Time required: 2-3 hours
- Hike difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead Location: String Lake Trailhead
You can begin the String Lake Loop in either direction, but we recommend going counter-clockwise so you can photograph the mountains above String Lake illuminated by the early morning light.
Morning is the best time to catch calm water so you can photograph the mountains reflected in the lake. And you’ll have a better chance to see moose or mule deer along the trail.
Leigh Lake is a 3.7 mile roundtrip hike that’s also considered an easy trail. It begins at the Leigh Lake Trailhead.
There are only a few spots where you can reach the shoreline of Leigh Lake to see the views of the Tetons. One of the best spots is about 1.8 miles along the trail. This is where we stop to enjoy the view, take photos, eat a snack, then head back.
5. Jenny Lake Loop Fall Hike
- Hike length: 7.5 mile loop trail
- Time required: 3-5 hours
- Hike difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead Location: Jenny Lake Trailhead
There is a paved path from the parking lot to the Jenny Lake boat dock to access the loop trail.
You can hike Jenny Lake Loop in either direction, but we like hiking counter-clockwise in the morning to catch the light on the Tetons. And hiking in the morning you’ll avoid the crowds since this is a popular area in the park!
Most of the trail is close to the shoreline and there are many spots to see and photograph the mountains.
In 5.1 miles you’ll reach a junction where the trail to the right goes to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. To continue the loop, turn left and cross the footbridge over Cascade Canyon Creek.
6. Taggart Lake – Bradley Lake Loop FAll Hike
- Hike length: 5.5 miles roundtrip
- Time required: 3-4 hours
- Hike difficulty: Moderate
- Trailhead Location: Taggart Lake Trailhead, 2.3 miles north of the Moose Entrance Station
The Taggart Lake – Bradley Lake Loop is a heavily trafficked trail so we recommend hiking in the morning. Do the trail counter-clockwise for the best views and photo opportunities.
About one mile from the trailhead you’ll reach an area that was burned during the 1985 Beaver Creek Fire. As a result, you’ll have a good chance to see birds, owls, marmots, elk, mule deer and bears. Moose are often seen on the trail and near the lakes!
Just beyond you’ll reach the Bradley Lake Trail junction. The trail to the left leads directly up to Taggart Lake. In order to visit both lakes, stay to the right to see Bradley Lake first. The eastern shore of the lake provides a stunning reflection and view of the mountains.
Return back to the junction and hike to the right to head south along the Valley Trail. The trail climbs and passes through a fairly long stretch of huckleberries. Be sure to make a lot of noise to warn any bears that might be in the area, and have your bear spray ready!
7. Phelps Lake Loop Fall Hike
- Hike length: 7.2 miles roundtrip
- Time required: 3-4 hours
- Hike difficulty: Moderate
- Trailhead Location: Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Visitor Center
Park in the lot and walk across a sagebrush flat to the Visitor Center where the trail begins. About 1.3 miles you will reach the Phelps Lake Trail junction where the lake is only a short walk from this point.
We recommend hiking the loop counter-clockwise since the most scenic part is along the eastern shore, and you’ll get the best photos in the morning.
Around the 5 mile mark, you’ll find a side trail that leads to Huckleberry Point. It’s only one-tenth of a mile to see amazing views of Death Canyon and Albright Peak.
Keep in mind the entire Phelps Lake Loop trail runs through prime bear habitat so make lots of noise and carry your bear spray!
8. Death Canyon to the Patrol Cabin Fall Hike
- Hike length: 8 miles roundtrip
- Time required: 4-6 hours
- Hike difficulty: Strenuous
- Trailhead Location: Death Canyon Trailhead
From Moose Junction turn left onto Moose-Wilson Road and drive roughly 3 miles south to reach the turn-off for the Death Canyon Trailhead. Turn right and drive another 2 miles to the end of the road.
The first mile is paved and the last mile is a fairly rugged gravel road. The park highly recommends using a 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach the trailhead. At the point where the paved road ends there’s a small parking area that allows people in 2-wheel drive vehicles to park and walk the last mile to the trailhead.
Around mile 1, you’ll reach Phelps Lake Overlook. From there the trail descends to the valley floor where you’ll have access to the lake.
At 1.7 miles you’ll reach the Death Canyon Trail junction. The path on the left leads down to a small sandy beach on the shore of the lake. The trail straight ahead will take you to the Death Canyon Patrol Cabin.
Keep an eye out for black and grizzly bears and look for moose near the creek.
9. Cascade Canyon Fall Hike
- Hike length: 10 miles roundtrip
- Time required: 5-7 hours
- Hike difficulty: Strenuous
- Trailhead Location: Jenny Lake Trailhead
To access the Cascade Canyon Trail, you either hike the Jenny Lake Trail around the south end of the lake, or take the shuttle boat across the lake. The boat takes off 2.4 miles of walking each way, but there is a fee for the Jenny Lake boat ride.
Be sure to take the side trail to Hidden Falls, then return back to the trail to continue on to Inspiration Point.
The trail passes through quite a few berry patches so make noise, especially near the creek where bears may not be able to hear you coming. Due to the black and grizzly bears along this trail, it’s recommended to hike in groups of three or more. And for sure have your bear spray ready!
At the 5 mile mark you’ll reach the Forks of Cascade Canyon where you will return the way you came.
10. Amphitheater and Surprise Lake Fall Hike
- Hike length: 11.5 miles
- Time required: 5 to 7 hours
- Hike difficulty: Strenuous
- Trailhead Location: Lupine Meadows Trailhead
To reach the trailhead turn west off Teton Park Road at Lupine Meadows junction, 7 miles north of Moose Junction. The trailhead is located at the end of the gravel road about 1.6 miles from the junction.
Due to numerous black bear sightings along the Amphitheater Lake trail, the park recommends hiking in groups of three or more, making lots of noise and carrying bear spray!
Close to the 5 mile mark beyond a meadow, you’ll find a short side trail that leads to Surprise Lake. After that it’s only 1/4 mile to the shores of Amphitheater Lake.
AMAZON: Yellowstone and Grand Teton Guides and Maps
Where to Stay in Jackson near Grand Teton
- Where to Stay Near Grand Teton National Park
- Grand Teton National Park Lodging
- Grand Teton National Park Camping
- RV Parks near Grand Teton National Park
- Glamping Near Grand Teton National Park
Here’s a list of our favorite places to stay:
- Elk Refuge Inn – this is right across from the refuge and the closes hotel to the park entrance – our favorite place to stay!
- Elk Country Inn – awesome property if you want to be in town.
- Vacation Rentals – we LOVE having a kitchen to prepare our meals!
- Hotels in Jackson Hole
