Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls Hike in Grand Teton National Park
Plan to do the Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls hike in Grand Teton National Park!
This incredible hike on Jenny Lake is one of the national park’s most popular trails—and for good reason.
Not only are the views of Jenny Lake at the overlook of Inspiration Point beautiful, but you’ll also get to see a waterfall, multiple streams, and the Teton mountain range up close.
Best of all, this hike is highly versatile with multiple route options, so you can extend or short it to your family’s skill level and desired length.
Kids will also love the optional boat ride across the lake if you’d like to make this experience even more family friendly.
Below, you’ll find everything you need to know to plan the perfect day hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.
Let’s hit the trail!
The Camping Kiddos at the Inspiration Point overlook
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Hike Overview
Trailhead location: near Jenny Lake Visitors Center, though multiple options on where to pick up the trail are available
Trail length: 1.5 miles each way if taking the ferry; 3.9 miles each way if you hike from the visitors center
Trail difficulty: generally easy with some moderate but steep, narrow stairs at the end
Elevation gain: 450 feet
Starting the Hike: Jenny Lake Visitors Center
We begin our hike at the Jenny Lake Visitors Center, where you can use the restrooms, grab a snack, chat with a ranger, or pick up limited hiking supplies from the small convenience store.
This visitors center is likely to be busy, especially if it’s a weekend or holiday during the summer. Despite its grandeur, Grand Teton National Park isn’t huge, and there are a surprising number of trailheads packed together without adequate parking.
This is an issue throughout the park, though it’s nowhere demonstrated better than at Jenny Lake.
Come early to park as the spaces will fill up, and you’ll have to park your car out on Teton Park Road, which will add another 1/3 of a mile each way to your hike.
From this visitors center, you can hike in multiple directions.
The Jenny Lake Loop, which will take you completely around the beautiful glacier lake,
Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point trail, which we’re focusing on here
Moose Pond Trail, which can be accessed off of the Jenny Lake Loop Trail
Ultimately, you can hike deep into Cascade Canyon from the trailhead to Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls, and we saw many backpackers heading down from their overnight trips as we headed up.
NOTE: You can get to BOTH Inspiration Point AND Hidden Falls from the same trailheads as you’ll need to pass the turn-off to Hidden Falls on the way to Inspiration Point.
I have a map below that better illustrates this, and I go more in depth into the layout of the trail if you keep reading.
Hiking around Jenny Lake vs. Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle
My son on the ferry across Jenny Lake
Your next big decision is going to determine whether you’re going to use the Jenny Lake Trail to link up with the Inspiration Point/ Hidden Falls Trail, or if you’re going to use the boat shuttle to cut off that first portion on the Jenny Lake Trail.
There’s no right or wrong approach here, though I think the method of getting to the other side of the lake depends on your overall fitness level, Grand Tetons itinerary, and general appetite for hiking.
For example, a family with younger or inexperienced hikers would do well to cut off the 2.4 miles (each way) on the Jenny Lake Trail to the Inspiration Point/Hidden Falls trailhead.
The most exciting parts of the trail start on the other side of the lake, so focusing on that with little kids or inexperienced hikers is a great way to encourage them in their hiking skills.
Plus, who doesn’t love a boat ride?
The water in the lake is this incredible aquamarine, and it’s fascinating to see that up close as you zoom across Jenny Lake.
However, the boat ride does cost money, and you’re likely to wait in line on both ends during peak times. (The wait to go to the trailhead tends to be more lengthy than that on your return trip.)
It’s not cheap, either, though that could be said about nearly everything in Jackson Hole, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone. Expect to pay $12 per adult for a round trip ticket, and about $8 per kid.
The ferry taking a load of hikers across Jenny Lake
You can opt for a one-way ticket if you’d like to get the best of both worlds. Doing so would allow you to ride across the lake, complete the hike, and then return via the Jenny Lake Trail.
Just know that, in choosing that half-and-half option, you’re committing to it as soon as you get onto the boat. There is no ticket booth on the opposite side of the lake if you change your mind.
If you choose to do the full hike from Jenny Lake Visitors Center and forgo the boat, you’re going to have those 2.4 miles almost to yourself as many visitors choose to bypass this section.
The lake is peaceful and serene, and it’s an easy way to feel like you’re away from it all before you dive back into the bustling trail to Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls.
Plus, if you like hiking, that additional time and distance is just a good warm-up.
Hiking Trail to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point
We’re ready to tackle the trail in earnest now!
I’ve designed a little map to show my readers what the entire trail looks like, and where each section starts and stops. (Go easy on my design skills. I’m an English professor, not a graphic designer!)
As you’ll see in the map above, the purple line shows the entirety of the Inspiration Point/Hidden Falls Trail if you were to take it the full way from the Visitors Center.
I’ve also indicated important points along the way to show you where Inspiration Point is in proximity to Hidden Falls.
Let’s walk the trail together and talk about what to expect at each point. Hopefully, you’ll see why I named these trails some of the best easy hikes in Grand Teton National Park.
From the Jenny Lake Visitors Center via the Jenny Lake Loop Trail
You’ll start out on the paved pathways behind the Jenny Lake Visitors Center, which will take you past the main boat dock. This is where you’ll purchase tickets if you’re planning to use the boat shuttle.
If you are opting to hike in, you’ll continue on the Jenny Lake Loop Trail, which is going to transition to a packed dirt path.
Within a quarter-mile, you’ll see an intersection with the Moose Pond Trail to your left. If you want to extend your hike further, you can add on this short loop, which takes you to 2 ponds.
The Camping Kiddos climbing a boulder near the ferry stop on the far side of the lake
As you continue on the Jenny Lake Loop Trail, you’ll hike through a beautiful lodgepole pine forest. At nearly every step, you’ll be able to glimpse the water to your right.
This section of trail is relatively flat, though it climbs slightly as you get to the opposite side of the lake. Overall, this section is very easy, and just about anyone in relatively good shape could handle it.
When you see the small boat dock on the opposite side of the lake, you’ll know that you’ve arrived at the next section of the trail.
From the Ferry Drop-Off Area to Hidden Falls
It’s important to note here that the trail between the ferry drop-off area and Hidden Falls splits just a few dozen feet after you walk off the dock.
There will be 2 routes heading into Lower Cascade Canyon, and both take you to Hidden Falls (and Inspiration Point later on).
The left-handed route, South Cascade Creek, seems to be more traveled with fewer roots and a gentler incline overall.
The right-handed route, North Cascade Creek, takes you past huge boulders and has more rock steps.
Ultimately, both routes run nearly parallel, and you can see one from the other at all times. The 2 routes are split by Cascade Creek, so it comes down to which side of the creek you’d like to see. (Or, be egalitarian and hike up one way, and back down to the boat dock the other!)
About 1/2 mile onto this section of the trail, both parts come back together. You’ll see a sign that points off to the left noting Hidden Falls.
Hidden Falls from the viewing area
You should be able to hear Hidden Falls now, though you won’t have a line of sight, yet.
From the main trail, you’ll walk about 100 feet into the underbrush to the viewing area for the falls.
There’s also a small tiered seating area if you’d like to stay a moment. This is a picturesque spot to catch your breath, or have lunch.
Although you’re sure to see some people doing it, I cannot recommend strongly enough to stay off of the waterfall!
Not only will you ruin literally everyone’s photo of the falls while you’re scrambling around, you’re highly likely to hurt yourself.
We saw a man in flip-flops (additional head shaking ensues) climbing as high as he could on the slippery rocks. At one point, he tripped and the entire crowd gasped.
I really thought I was going to see someone fall to his death that day, but he managed to pull himself up and butt-scoot down.
The waterfall itself is 100 feet tall, so scaling something like that is not to be done lightly.
As in any outdoor situation, use your head, stick to the path, and leave no trace.
Overall, this section of the trail from the ferry drop-off isn’t bad, though there is a bit of elevation gain. My kids, my parents, and I all handled this section like champs.
The Camping Kiddos and I pausing for a moment on the way from Hidden Falls to Inspiration Point
From Hidden Falls to Inspiration Point
This is where the experience goes from an easy hike to one that’s more moderate.
While there is a bit of elevation gain from the boat dock to Hidden Falls, you don’t get that calf-burning elevation until you start on this last section between Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.
There aren’t any flat spots on this section, and the last 500 feet or so are all rock stairs.
The trail at this point consists of nearly constant switchbacks as you quickly ascend to the Inspiration Point overlook.
My son taking a break on the stone stairs portion of the trail
That last section is a lot for a beginning hiker or a family hiking with small kids.
You’re going up a stone staircase with a sheer drop off on one side. The trail is crowded at peak times, so you have be move over to let others by.
My 7-year-old has zero fear of heights, so he hopped up this section, which only made my mama heart leap multiple times.
I’m all for encouraging them to get out of their comfort zones, but my kids also seem to love high-intensity situations.
We are from the very flat Lowcountry area in South Carolina, so we aren’t usually hiking such steep trails. Even the mountains in SC and NC typically don’t have such intense sections, so it was a good training experience for my kids.
My parents decided to wait at the bottom of the stone staircase section for us as my mom doesn’t like heights and the drop-off on this section of the trail can be intimidating.
If you can power through the stone stair section, the views from Inspiration Point are, well, inspiring!
You can see across Jenny Lake and the visitors center and over into Jackson Hole. For a short hike that’s relatively easy, the payoff here is immense.
Despite this being a busy, popular trail, everyone we met on this trail was polite and eager to ensure everyone on the trail was comfortable.
Overall, the trail is well marked, and, if you’re uncertain about which way to go, just ask someone. It’s a heavily traffic trail, and there’s guaranteed to be someone coming down from the top.
The Camping Kiddos at Inspiration Point
Hiking with Kids on the Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point Trail
While this hike is one of my favorites in Grand Teton National Park, there are a few things to consider if you plan to take your kids out here.
NOTE: If you’re visiting this area for the first time, my Grand Tetons with Kids guide should also be helpful!
1) The pinnacle at Inspiration Point isn’t the best for the tiniest hikers.
As I noted above, the last few hundred feet and the Inspiration Point overlook itself have sheer drops down to Cascade Creek.
PIN ME!
While my 10-year-old handled this area with no issues, my then 6-year-old struggled to understand the dangers that came with walking and jumping too close to the edge.
If you have a daredevil kid, I’d talk with them prior to ascending and have clear expectations in place.
If you have really little kids who are walking (toddlers and preschoolers), I’d suggest putting them in a baby carrier for this last part for a couple of reasons. First, you’ll be able to walk at a normal pace, and, therefore, won’t be holding up others who are hiking this narrow section. Secondly, having them in a carrier means you can see the overlook without worrying about them teetering off.
2) There aren’t any bathrooms at any point on the trail.
I highly recommend using the restroom before you set out as there aren’t any vault toilets along the way—and it’s going to be tough to find a private enough area on this well-traveled trail to relieve yourself.
Kids tend to remember they need to go about 10 seconds before it becomes a real emergency, so really push the bathroom before you leave the visitors center.
If they really have to go mid-hike, there are a couple of places that you could duck off the trail without too many people being the wiser.
Between the areas where the 2 Cascade Creek sections come back together and the turn off to Hidden Falls, there is a side trail called the Jenny Lake Horse Bypass. Not as many people use this trail as the main ones noted in this post, so your child could walk down this trail before stepping off into the woods. It’s less crowded but still easy enough to jump back onto the Hidden Falls/Inspiration Point trail.
If you walk to the far side of the Hidden Lake ampitheatre (opposite from where you enter from the trail), you’ll be able to find fewer crowds back behind this area where your child may be able to use the restroom.
3) While there aren’t any specific picnic areas, the trail does have a couple places good for eating.
PB&J sandwiches and pretzel sticks for the win!
One is the Hidden Falls ampitheatre, which has wide, packed dirt tiers with boarded facia. Even at the busiest times, you’ll be able to find a free spot on the tiers. You can sit and eat your sandwich while listening to the waterfall.
Another great area is on a switchback about halfway between Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.
Here, you’ll see a collection of large, flat-ish rocks that are great for catching your breath or having a snack.
While you’re not as far up as at Inspiration Point, there are still some great views of Jenny Lake and beyond here.
We stopped here on the way up to Inspiration Point as my kids were starving and couldn’t walk a minute more.
There were several other couples and families who stopped for a breather and a snack, too, so we’re not the only ones who think it’s a good rest stop.
4) Talk about trail etiquette before starting out.
Since this trail is popular, you’re going to have to work around many other hikers here.
It’s important for kids to understand trail etiquette so that everyone can enjoy their hikes equally.
Help kids to be aware of:
how to pass other hikers,
how to walk (and not run) in crowded passages,
how to pack out their trash (even small pieces!), and
how to watch for roots and rocks while they walk as not to trip themselves or others.
First time out with a little one? Check out my tips and tricks for hiking with a toddler!
What to Pack for This Hike
As noted previously, you’re on your own when you leave the visitors center, so you’ll need to bring a daypack filled with essentials.
Here’s what you should pack for a hike to Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls:
Snacks
You’ll want, at minimum, some trail mix or protein bars in case you get hungry along the way.
My kids always want to eat everything in sight when we’re out on even a short trail, so we tend to overpack food.
Since we completed this hike in the late morning, we packed sandwiches, fruit bars, trail mix, pretzels, and fruit leather. (My kids ate all of it before we got to the peak, so I was justified in hauling it all out there!)
Water
Bring plenty of water. There is a water fountain at the visitors center, and the convenience store sells bottled water.
You’re at high altitude here, and hiking can exacerbate the nausea, dizziness, headaches, and shortness of breath that comes along with that.
Staying hydrates helps fight potential altitude sickness, so carry water and sip it constantly.
(I know this advice flies in the face of the no-bathrooms comment from earlier, but you’ll have to find that perfect balance.)
We have water bladders in our day packs, which is easy to carry and provides more water than we can drink usually.
For more tips on prepping your kids for the trail, check out our kids hiking gear guide with printable checklist.
Toilet paper
Just in case.
And especially if you’re hiking with kids.
The shorter version of the hike (taking the ferry and starting on the far shore) might take 1.5-2 hours when you’re hiking with little ones, and those little bladders can only handle so much.
I’d rather have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it.
Just make sure that your toilet paper is biodegradable.
A tiny roll like this one takes up no room at all in your bag, but serves as an important insurance policy if your kids need it.
You’ll also need a lightweight hiking shovel to dig a hole after you use the paper.
Hiking shoes
My kids wearing their tried and true hiking boots (Merrells for my daughter and Keens for my son)
I’m a big proponent of wearing proper footwear on any trail.
No one likes aching or injured feet, plus good hiking shoes make the entire experience easier and more fun.
(And isn’t that the entire reason we’re getting our kids on the trail?!)
The Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls trail is packed dirt with plenty of knobby roots from the lodgepole pines and lots of rocks.
Don’t attempt to hike it in flip flops or Crocs as your feet will not be happy later on.
Instead, buy a well fitting pair of hiking shoes for everyone in your family.
I break down the pros and cons of hiking types in my best hiking clothes for women guide.
For younger hikers, check out my picks for the best toddler hiking shoes.
Raincoat
The weather in the Grand Tetons can change in an instant.
Even in the summer, you can go from a sunny day in the mid-70s to a rain storm with temperatures that plummet 15 degrees in no time.
The storms can roll over the mountains quickly, and, once you’re on the trail, there aren’t any places to shelter. You’ll need to come prepared, and a lightweight raincoat is essential for this area.
Light layer
Snow in June.
It’s not unheard of in the Grand Tetons.
Stay ahead of the crazy weather here by packing a light, long sleeved layer even when you’re hiking in June, July, and August.
The weather during the summer tends to start out chilly and then rise to beautiful weather, but it can quickly change.
Being prepared on the trail means you’re going to have a great hike no matter what.
Keep the adventures going in Grand Teton National Park!
