This is the most scenic trail we have taken at Grand Teton National Park! We skipped the ferry and the more popular route to the falls from Jenny Lake, and took this gorgeous trail along String Lake instead. By doing so we avoided a good amount of the crowd until we got close to the actual falls. If you are going to the Tetons, this hike is a must!
Details
Distance: 4.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Type: Out & Back
Elevation Gain: 470 ft
Location: Grand Teton National Park
Parking: Lot
Bathrooms: Yes
Dog Friendly: No
Highlights: waterfall, seasonal wildflowers, lake and mountain views
Please remember that this National Park is located in bear country. Be sure to bring bear spray as a safety measure, just in case.
A Brief History
The Teton fault caused major earthquakes that lead to the dropping of the valley floor, causing erosion of the landscape, and the lifting of the Teton mountains. Glaciers flowed through the valley, making these rocky peaks and the canyons below them. This formed many of these amazing lakes along the mountain base.
How Long is the Hidden Falls Hike?
When you take the Hidden Falls trail from String Lake, the hike is 4.6 miles out & back. This trail is considered a backcountry trail. This means no dogs, bikes, or campfires are allowed.
Where do you Park?
You will want to park in the lot for South String Lake off of Jenny Lake Rd. You may have to walk from one lot to another depending on available parking. Like with most busy trails, we recommend arriving early to help increase your chances of getting a better spot.
Where is the Trailhead?
Off of the parking lot, you will want to connect to the String Lake Trail. From here, you will come to a bridge that crosses the stream. There will be a trail marker posted here stating South String Lake Trailhead, 2.2 miles to Hidden Falls. Follow the sign and cross the bridge. You can find the trail map and directions on AllTrails here.
Navigating the Trail
You will follow the signs leading you to Hidden Falls from String Lake. There are not many branches off this trail. and all are marked. Once you get towards the end of the hike, you will notice the ferry and the increased number of people on the path. This means you are getting close to approaching the falls, and the trail will get a bit steeper from here on out.
Where Does the Hidden Falls Trail End?
As expected, the trail ends once you reach the waterfall. There is a large seating area right across from the falls. Depending on the day and time, you might have to wait a few minutes to get a picture. The perk is that you’re likely to find someone to take one for you.
If you continue a bit past the falls, you can go to the lookout point. Just follow the signs, and you can stop at the lower lookout like we did or continue all the way to the top. It’s not far and worth it for the panoramic views!
Why you Shouldn’t take the Ferry to Hidden Falls
Taking the ferry to Hidden Falls is a very popular choice for many tourists. Unless you’ve never been on a ferry and that’s a bucket list item for you, we would recommend not taking it (or at the very least, take it only one way).
Why do we recommend not taking the ferry? Because you get amazing views on this hike that you will miss entirely if you take the ferry. The winding path along the lake, the Tetons up ahead in the distance, the birds chirping in the trees. The waterfall is beautiful, but the trail there provides an equally enjoyable experience. It really paints the landscape around you on your way to the falls.
With the ferry, you will only get to see the falls, missing this pretty trail entirely. It felt a bit too touristy for us, and we like to avoid lines whenever we can. So, skip the crowded ferry, and see some beautiful scenery you don’t want to miss on the trail. You won’t regret it!
Our Experience
The views here were stunning to say the least. We got some amazing sights of Jenny Lake, and the foliage in early July was lush and vibrantly green. The views of the Tetons here were fantastic, and there were wildflowers all over the trail.
We hiked this route in the morning and were given a balance of shade and sun along the way. This area also got a nice breeze, and we could hear the water hitting the shore along Jenny Lake. It felt so peaceful walking along the ridgeline on our way to the falls.
The trail got very crowded at the end, but the rest of the hike was quite peaceful. We saw enough people on the trail to not feel like we were hiking it alone, but not too many to feel like it was a busy hike.
Summary
Like it Love it Gotta hike it
We loved this hike! You can’t top the views, and the trail was quite easy and not too long, ideal for any level of hiker. We highly recommend this hike to anyone visiting the park. If you are looking for more information, check out the Grand Teton National Park website here.
For more Teton hikes, check out String Lake. Looking for a full Grand Teton Itinerary? Then read this!
