Best trails to see Grand Teton's wonders

Jenny Lake at Grand Teton National Park.

Among the best ways to see Grand Teton National Park’s highlights is via a day hike. Just three short trails will allow you to see each of the park’s highlights – mountain views, wildlife, alpine lakes and historical homesteads.

String Lake Area
Several alpine lakes perfect for a family outing sit at the park’s central section. The 1.8-mile round trip Leigh Lake Trail heads around a crystal blue lake through green pines with gray Mount Moran soaring in the background. During summer, enjoy a picnic on the beach and then a swim in the cool waters.

Mormon Row
A collection of abandoned homesteads from the 1890s sit amid sagebrush in Antelope Flats with the towering Teton Range as a backdrop. A series of unofficial paths, here collectively called the Mormon Row Trail, ramble between the buildings along Gros Ventre Road for about a mile. Bison and pronghorn often can be seen grazing in the flats.

Teton Crest
You can hike along the Teton’ high spine via a segment of the Teton Crest Trail. From Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, take the aerial tram up Mount Hunt. A stem trail runs 2.75 miles (one-way) to the Marion Lake Trail. The trail can’t be hiked until snow has melted, which usually is late July.

Learn about other great national park day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at America’s National Parks guidebook.