Jenny Lake

State: Wyoming. Type: glacial lake within Grand Teton National Park, Teton County. Surface elevation 6,783 feet; maximum depth 456 feet; surface area approximately 1,191 acres. Formed roughly 12,000 years ago by glacial action. Named for a Shoshone woman, Jenny Leigh, wife of early mountain man Richard "Beaver Dick" Leigh.

Jenny Lake is one of the signature landscapes of Grand Teton National Park, sitting directly beneath the jagged peaks of the Cathedral Group, including Mount Owen and Mount St. John. The lake formed about 12,000 years ago when glaciers pushed rock debris down from Cascade Canyon, leaving behind a terminal moraine that dams the water we see today. At just over a mile wide and just over two miles long, with a maximum depth of 456 feet, Jenny Lake is both a scenic centerpiece and the gateway to some of the park's most popular hikes. A passenger shuttle boat crosses the lake in summer, cutting miles off the hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point and opening up backcountry access into Cascade Canyon for more ambitious hikers. A 2005 water-quality study found the park's lakes, including Jenny Lake, still pristine and unaffected by air or water pollution. The historic Jenny Lake Visitor Center, housed in the 1920s Harrison Crandall Studio and renovated in 2019, anchors the area with ranger services and exhibits.

Jenny Lake sits within Grand Teton National Park in Teton County, Wyoming, at the base of the Cathedral Group of peaks. It lies along the park's Teton Park Road, south of the main visitor hub at Moose, Wyoming, and is one of the most visited developed areas within the park.

Jenny Lake sits at an elevation of 6,783 feet in the Rocky Mountains, so summers are mild during the day but cool at night, with afternoon thunderstorms common. Winters bring heavy snow and the boat shuttle does not operate; the lake and surrounding trails are far less accessible outside the main summer season. Specific average temperatures were not confirmed on the sources consulted.

The summer season, when the shuttle boat operates and trails are snow-free, is the main visiting window; the boat runs continuously through the day with lines that tend to build during the peak summer months of June through August. Early morning visits help avoid both crowds and the worst of the parking crunch, since the Jenny Lake parking lot fills quickly in summer.

The lake's terminal moraine, formed by glaciers about 12,000 years ago during the last glacial period, dammed meltwater to create the lake as it exists today. It takes its name from Jenny Leigh, a Shoshone woman married to English-born mountain man Richard "Beaver Dick" Leigh; Jenny and their six children died of smallpox in 1876. The Harrison Crandall Studio, built in the 1920s and now home to the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, was renovated in 2019 and reflects the area's long history as a hub for park visitors and early photographers of the Teton landscape.

Popular activities include hiking the Jenny Lake loop trail, taking the summer shuttle boat across the lake, and hiking onward to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Canoe and kayak rentals are available for exploring the lake itself. More ambitious hikers use the boat shuttle or the lakeshore trail to access Cascade Canyon for longer backcountry routes into the Teton Range. The paved, wheelchair-accessible Discovery Trail (0.35 miles) and ranger-led and Junior Ranger programs make the area accessible to a wide range of visitors.

Hidden Falls is roughly 5 miles round-trip from the visitor center on foot, or about 1 mile from the west boat shuttle dock. Inspiration Point is about 6 miles round-trip from the visitor center, or roughly 2 miles from the west dock. Cascade Canyon extends beyond Inspiration Point for backcountry travel into the high Teton Range. The Jenny Lake Visitor Center itself, in the historic Harrison Crandall Studio, offers exhibits and ranger assistance.

Jenny Lake is reached via Grand Teton National Park's Teton Park Road, south of the Moose entrance area; Jackson Hole Airport, located within the park, is the closest commercial airport. Parking at the Jenny Lake lot is limited and fills early in summer, so visitors should plan for possible roadside parking or an early arrival.

The Jenny Lake shuttle boat operates only during the summer season, with boats running continuously every 10-15 minutes throughout the day rather than on a reservation system. Specific visitor center hours were not confirmed on the sources consulted; check the park's official site for current-season hours before visiting.

Entry to Jenny Lake requires a Grand Teton National Park entrance pass: as of research, $35 for a private vehicle, $30 for a motorcycle, or $20 per person on foot or bicycle, each valid for seven days; an annual park pass is $70. The shuttle boat itself is a separate paid service: as of research, adult round-trip fare was $20 ($12 one-way), child round-trip (ages 2-11) $12 ($10 one-way), and senior round-trip (62+) $17, with free admission for children under 2 and adults over 80. Confirm current pricing on nps.gov and jennylakeboating.com before visiting.

A basic visit to see the lake and take the round-trip shuttle boat can be done in an hour or two; adding the hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point typically takes a half day, and a full day is realistic if you continue into Cascade Canyon.

Jenny Lake Campground offers tent camping within the immediate area for visitors who want to stay close to the lake. Beyond the campground, park lodges and the town of Jackson, along with Teton Village, provide a fuller range of hotel, cabin and vacation-rental lodging within a short drive of the lake.

Dining directly at Jenny Lake is limited to whatever concessions exist near the visitor center and boat docks; most visitors travel to nearby park lodges or into the town of Jackson for fuller restaurant options. Because the area is a popular day-use destination, packing food and water for the trail is common practice for hikers heading beyond the immediate lakeshore.

Grand Teton National Park's broader network of trails, lakes and viewpoints, including String Lake just to the north, is easily combined with a Jenny Lake visit. The town of Jackson and the National Elk Refuge sit a short drive south. Teton Village and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort are also within reach for visitors extending their stay in the area.

Jackson Hole Airport, located inside Grand Teton National Park, is the nearest airport with commercial service. A personal or rental vehicle is the main way to reach Jenny Lake, since the park's in-season shuttle system and limited parking are the primary alternatives to driving directly to the lot.

Both black bears and grizzly bears inhabit the area, so the park advises staying at least 100 yards from bears and 25 yards from other wildlife. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so plan longer hikes, especially toward Inspiration Point and Cascade Canyon, for the morning. For any emergency, dial 911.

Bear spray, sturdy hiking shoes, layered clothing and rain protection are recommended given the area's afternoon storms and wildlife. Plenty of water and snacks are important for the longer hikes to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point or Cascade Canyon. Cash or a card for the shuttle boat fare and park entrance fee is also worth having on hand.

Arrive early to beat both the parking crunch and the shuttle boat lines, which build through the day in peak summer months; walking out and riding the boat back (or vice versa) can help avoid the longest queues. Booking or timing your visit around the boat's continuous operation, rather than a fixed schedule, makes planning easier since no reservations are taken. Check current park entrance and boat fares before your trip, since both are subject to change.

Dial 911 for any emergency. For general Grand Teton National Park visitor information, call 307-739-3399 (rangers generally available by phone Monday-Friday during business hours).

Grand Teton National Park - Jenny Lake (National Park Service) - https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/jennylakeplan.htm

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.