Jenny Lake is the jewel of Grand Teton National Park – a crystal-clear glacial lake cradled at the very foot of the Teton Range, with the jagged peaks rising straight from its western shore. One of the most photographed and beloved spots in all of Wyoming, it’s the gateway to the park’s best hiking, a shuttle-boat ride to Hidden Falls, and a postcard come to life beneath the Grand Teton itself.
This guide covers Jenny Lake: the scenery and hiking, the shuttle boat, the fishing, and how to visit. It’s part of our growing Wyoming Lakes Database.
Jenny Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~1,190 acres; a deep, clear glacial lake
- Location: Grand Teton National Park, Teton County, northwestern Wyoming
- Formed: by glaciers, dammed by a moraine at the base of Cascade Canyon
- Top draws: Teton views, the shuttle boat, Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point, the Jenny Lake loop trail
A glacial lake beneath the Tetons
Jenny Lake was scooped out by glaciers and held in place by a ring of rocky moraine at the mouth of Cascade Canyon. The result is a deep, clear, cold lake that mirrors the Teton Range – Teewinot, Mount Owen and the Grand Teton soaring nearly 7,000 feet above the water. It’s named for Jenny, the Shoshone wife of mountain guide “Beaver Dick” Leigh, whose name the neighboring Leigh Lake carries.
Hiking and the shuttle boat
Jenny Lake is the trailhead for some of the finest hiking in the Tetons. A popular shuttle boat ferries visitors across the lake, cutting miles off the walk to Hidden Falls and the climb to Inspiration Point, with the trail continuing up spectacular Cascade Canyon. You can also walk the Jenny Lake Loop (about 7-8 miles) around the entire shore, or stroll shorter sections from the visitor center. This is prime wildlife country – watch for moose, black bears and the occasional grizzly, and carry bear spray.
Fishing and boating
Unlike Yellowstone, Grand Teton uses a Wyoming state fishing license. Jenny Lake holds cutthroat, lake trout, brown trout and mountain whitefish, though most visitors come for the scenery rather than the fishing. Boating is allowed with restrictions – non-motorized craft and small motors only – and kayaks and canoes drift the clear water beneath the peaks. As always in the park, boats need an aquatic-invasive-species inspection.
Visiting Jenny Lake
Jenny Lake is extremely popular, and parking fills early in summer – arrive early or use park shuttles. The renovated Jenny Lake area has a visitor center, ranger station and the boat dock, and the exclusive Jenny Lake Lodge sits nearby. The neighboring String Lake and Leigh Lake offer quieter, swimmable water.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Jenny Lake is in Grand Teton National Park along the Teton Park Road, about 20 minutes north of Jackson, Wyoming. Jackson Hole, Jackson Lake, and Yellowstone to the north complete one of the greatest national-park road trips in America.
Know before you go
- Arrive early: parking fills by mid-morning in summer – come early or shuttle in.
- Shuttle boat: saves miles to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point (fee, seasonal).
- Fishing license: Grand Teton uses a Wyoming state license (unlike Yellowstone).
- Bear country: carry bear spray on the trails.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Jenny Lake famous?
It’s a clear glacial lake at the foot of the Teton Range, with the peaks rising straight from its shore – one of the most scenic and photographed spots in Grand Teton National Park, and the gateway to Hidden Falls and Cascade Canyon.
Is there a boat across Jenny Lake?
Yes – a seasonal shuttle boat ferries visitors across to the Cascade Canyon trailhead, cutting miles off the hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.
Can you fish Jenny Lake?
Yes, with a Wyoming state fishing license. It holds cutthroat, lake trout, brown trout and whitefish, though most visitors come for the scenery and hiking.
Where is Jenny Lake?
In Grand Teton National Park, about 20 minutes north of Jackson, Wyoming, along the Teton Park Road.
Related: explore more of the largest lakes in Wyoming, or head back to the Wyoming Lakes Database.
