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Planning on taking on the Cascade Canyon hike in Grand Teton National Park?
Cascade Canyon was the first hike in Grand Teton National Park that Daniel and I decided to try. We had heard such good things about it from friends and fellow hikers–in fact, we had heard that it might be the absolute best hike in the park and we weren’t going to miss that!
There were some things we were not prepared for when heading out on this trail. The first is that the parking lot at Jenny Lake is always crazy busy, and I would have gotten started earlier knowing that. The second was that even during the cooler fall months, much of this trail is exposed, and we ended up drinking a lot more water than we expected.
We also weren’t sure whether or not the boat ride across Jenny Lake was an option, since we had heard that you need reservations in advance. Knowing that we could have taken the boat would have saved us time and hiking several miles. However, even with sore feet, this hike was more than worth it, and it should definitely be on your list of things to do in the park if you get the chance!
In summary: This guide will cover what you need to know about the Cascade Canyon hike, as well as some tips I found helpful, and some common FAQs about the trail.
Quick tip: I recommend taking on this one in the fall to avoid the crowds and to see the park in its stunning fall foliage. It’s beautiful in the summer, but magical during the month of September!
Quick stats
Distance: 9.1 miles (if taking the Jenny Lake boat)
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,102 feet
Time on trail: 5 hours
How to hike Cascade Canyon
The hike starts at the Jenny Lake Trailhead, and you have two options to begin your adventure. You can either take the shuttle boat across Jenny Lake (which saves about 2.4 miles of hiking), or hike around the lake. We opted for an early start and hiking around the lake. We thought getting tickets for the boat ride required booking them several weeks in advance, and we didn’t think that far ahead–I have more information on that below and how we were wrong.
Once you’re across or around the lake, you’ll start with a steep climb up to Hidden Falls. This is one of the park’s most popular attractions, and for good reason–the 100-foot waterfall is spectacular. But don’t spend too much time here; the best views are still to come! Continue climbing up to Inspiration Point, where you’ll get your first panoramic views of Jenny Lake and the valley below.
From Inspiration Point, the real adventure begins as you enter Cascade Canyon. The initial climb eases off, and the trail follows the crystal-clear Cascade Creek through the canyon. We were amazed by how the steep canyon walls just tower above you on both sides–it really puts into perspective just how massive the Tetons are.
What makes this trail so special is how it constantly changes. One moment you’re walking through dense forest with those gorgeous golden aspens (especially beautiful in September!), and the next you’re crossing open areas with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife–while we didn’t see anything, moose are common on this trail. Remember to keep your distance if you do see them!
About 1.5 miles into the canyon, you’ll reach a nice area with some large boulders next to the creek. This makes for a perfect rest stop and was where Daniel and I had our morning snack. The sound of the rushing water combined with the mountain views makes it hard to leave!
As you continue deeper into the canyon, the crowds thin out considerably. Most day hikers turn around at this point, but I highly recommend continuing further if you have the energy. The views just keep getting better, and the solitude is wonderful. The trail maintains a gentle grade as it follows the creek, making it surprisingly comfortable despite the distance.
The trail officially continues to the fork of Cascade Canyon (about 4.5 miles from the boat dock), where it splits toward Lake Solitude or Hurricane Pass. We made it to the fork, had lunch with an incredible view of the , and then headed back. We decided to hike back around the lake, but that made it a very long day at 16 miles. I would recommend taking the boat back on the way if you can–it will save you 2.5 miles!
If you would like, you can continue on by taking either a left or a right at the fork. This is usually done as a backpacking trip and you will need permits in order to camp overnight in the park. Personally, this hike takes up almost an entire day already, so unless you are prepared to camp, then I would opt to turn back.
Remember that afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Tetons, especially during summer months. While we had perfect weather in September, it’s always smart to start early and plan to be heading back before any storms roll in, which is for the best any way since the Jenny Lake parking area tends to fill up very quickly in the morning.
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Map of the Cascade Canyon hike
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Tips for hiking Cascade Canyon
Here are some tips I found helpful when hiking the Cascade Canyon hike in Grand Teton National Park.
- Know if you are taking the Jenny Lake boat: By taking the boat, you can shave off almost 5 miles if you are doing it both ways. The shuttle does not require reservations in advance and it runs every 10-15 minutes.
- Bring lots of water: While I would say this hike isn’t too difficult, it is long. That means you’re going to want to have plenty of water with you. Daniel and I went through 2 liters of water and had to refill using our filter. Thankfully, there’s plenty of streams to get water from if you need it.
- Get there early: The Jenny Lake parking lot fills up super quickly, especially during the busy summer months. I recommend getting there as early as you can, otherwise you’re going to have to park farther away and add miles to an already long hike.
- Wear sun protection: Parts of the canyon are very open and hot–when the sun is out, it’s easy to burn! Remember to bring along a hat that shields your face and sunscreen.
- Bring bear spray: As with all of the trails in Grand Teton, there is a possibility of running into bears along the way. Make sure you have your bear spray on hand in an accessible place and know how to use it!
Cascade Canyon FAQs
Here are some common FAQs I get about the Cascade Canyon hike.
Conclusion
There’s a reason that the Cascade Canyon hike is one of the most famous and lauded hikes within Grand Teton! If you only have time to do one or two hikes while you are there, I would definitely recommend this one. I hope this has helped you find the information you need about the hike–if you love to hit the trail, then it’s hard to beat this one for views!
Have any questions about hiking Cascade Canyon? Let me know in the comments!
