Hike Phelps Lake Loop Trail in Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is one of my absolute favorite national parks to hike in. There is a hike here for every ability and desire. And don’t worry, if you are not able to hike far it will not prohibit you from seeing some amazing views or getting close to that incredible reflection lake. On this trip, we explored three absolutely stunning hikes. Written in three parts with all the information you need to know to experience each of these trails.

Part 1: Phelps Lake Loop Trail

Phelps Lake Trail is the easiest of the three hikes. During this one hike you will get views of the Tetons, hike through wildflowers (in the spring and early summer), be able to take a dip in the lake and meander through the forest. It easily and quickly became a favorite in the area.

Miles: 8
Elevation Gain: 700′
Trailhead Elevation: 6,800′
Difficulty: Easy to Easy/Moderate
Dogs: NOT Allowed
Parking Lot: Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve – There is limited parking and it is strict monitored by how many cars are allowed in. They have a queue that you can wait in.

This trail is known for the its Jumping Rock. This will also be the busiest part of the trail with groups and individuals waiting their turn for a picture jumping off the Jumping Rock with an amazing backdrop. We skipped this and decided to do the entire loop around the lake. For an avid hiker this trail is easy. This would be a great trail for someone who is trying to up their mileage. What makes this hike slightly moderate is the starting elevation. You are higher than the mile high city of Denver by over 1,500′!

Let’s get started. Starting off at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, you begin on the Lake Creek Trail. This will take you through part of the preserve and right to Phelps Lake. You can also choose to take Woodland Trail that veers to the right and it will also take you directly to the lake.

This is the the destination for a lot of the hikers. A view of the Tetons and Phelps lake. You can take your pick as to which way you go. We went counterclockwise, which I highly suggest for the views.

If getting to the famous Jumping Rock, this is also the way that you will want to go. It is the quickest and easiest way to get there. Since we skipped this area we got some of the best views of the hike. The trail is absolute perfection.

There is a great water feature of the clearest water you will ever see.

Then came the wildflowers! Don’t worry, I didn’t pick the flower. I just got a closer look at what was moving on it. A bunch of ants were after something tasty on it!

Then we thought we might have heard a bear! We didn’t though.

The final view along the hike. We couldn’t believe how fast the 8 miles went with things to see throughout the entire hike. The casualness to it, the calmness and relaxation. Normally our hikes are pretty strenuous either because of miles or elevation gain, so this was not familiar territory. We loved it.