Just a few hundred yards off the road, things get a lot less crowded, and you’ll have the views and the wildlife (almost) to yourself. Getting out of the car and into the wilds is always worthwhile, but these shorter trips are the best of the best for those not doing extended, multi-day hikes.
- Amphitheater Lake Trail: Climbing the switchbacks up to this cirque-cradled, high-country lake is worth the effort, we promise.
To see the true heart of the parks, load up a backpack and spend a night or more in the wilderness. These remote areas make for unforgettable backpacking destinations, whether you’re up for an overnight or a real multiday epic.
- Cascade/Paintbrush Canyon Loop: Perhaps the most popular trail in Grand Teton, the Cascade/Paintbrush Canyon Loop, which starts on the west side of Jenny Lake, winds northwest 9.5 miles on the Cascade Canyon Trail to Lake Solitude and the Paintbrush Divide, then returns past Holly Lake on the 10-mile Paintbrush Canyon Trail. The payoff comes at the highest point, Paintbrush Divide, which offers marvelous views of Jackson Hole Valley and Leigh Lake.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
