Cascade Canyon Guide
Just across Jenny Lake, Cascade Canyon is one of the premier hikes in Grand Teton National Park. Following the Cascade Creek and literally taking you between the Teton mountains, this hike offers solitude, amazing views, and a great chance to see wildlife.
When to Visit
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The main road through Grand Teton National Park is closed from November until the end of April, making accessing Cascade Canyon during these months pretty tough, if not near impossible. Expect some snow along the trail if visiting in the spring.
How to Get There
The trail to Cascade Canyon is just across Jenny Lake--reach it by taking the loop trail around the lake, or if you want to save yourself two miles each way, book a ride on the ferry.
Cascade Canyon Trail
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Time: 4-5 hours.
Distance: 9 miles/13.9 miles.
Beginning from the Jenny Lake boat dock, most of the elevation gain (around 1,100 feet) comes in the first mile or so of this hike: follow signs for Inspiration Point and Cascade Canyon. A semi-intense hike up a staircase built into the rock pops you out at the aforementioned Inspiration Point, an amazing vista that overlooks Jenny Lake and Jackson Hole. Expect this area to be crowded, unless you begin early in the morning.
Ferry across Jenny Lake (above) & view from Inspiration Point (below).
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Continue on, following signs for Cascade Canyon for about another mile through dense forest. Eventually you’ll come around the bend and be greeted with your first proper view of Cascade Canyon itself: it’s easy to see why this hike is so popular.
Trail to the canyon (above) & first view of Cascade Canyon.
Beaver dams quiet Cascade Creek, and you’re liable to see wildlife ranging from mule deer, moose, to black bears–give everyone their space and continue on towards the back of the canyon.
Moose (above) & Cascade Canyon view (below).
Grand Teton Video Guide
Explore the amazing Grand Teton National Park in this video guide! From the shores of Jenny Lake, to the views from Schwabacher Landing, the summit of Delta Lake, grizzly bears, moose, Mormon Row, and more!
The jury’s out on where the best view within the canyon itself is, with many saying it comes right at the beginning, and it’s not necessary to continue towards the back and the trail’s end. That’s up to you though, but in my opinion, the views are picturesque throughout, as the trail descends back into dense forest, into openings with clear views of the canyon and the creek, and back into forest again. At the back of the canyon, the trail doesn’t actually end, but branches out, with one heading towards Lake Solitude, and the other behind the Grand Teton itself. For more to do in Grand Teton National Park, click here.