Bradley Lake is the deeper, quieter sibling of Taggart Lake – a glacial lake tucked into a moraine bowl at the base of the Teton Range in Grand Teton National Park. Reached on the popular Taggart-Bradley loop, it sits right beneath the mouth of Garnet Canyon and the Grand Teton itself, offering some of the most dramatic mountain scenery and cutthroat fishing of any easy Teton hike. This guide is part of our growing Wyoming Lakes Database.
Bradley Lake at a glance
- Setting: a glacial lake in a moraine bowl at the foot of the Teton Range, fed by Garnet Canyon
- Depth: the deepest of the Teton “base” lakes for its size – cold and clear
- Elevation: ~7,000 ft, in Grand Teton National Park
- Location: Teton County, off the Teton Park Road (south of Jenny Lake)
- Access: via the ~5.8-mile Taggart-Bradley loop hike
- Top fish: cutthroat trout, brook trout
A moraine-bowl lake beneath the Grand
Bradley Lake sits in a textbook glacial moraine – a bowl of rock and forest left by the glacier that carved it – directly below the mouth of Garnet Canyon, the climbers’ route toward the Grand Teton. It’s noticeably deeper and quieter than nearby Taggart Lake, and the view across the water to the towering peaks is one of the finest in the park. Most visitors reach it on the scenic Taggart-Bradley loop, pairing the two lakes in one moderate hike.
Fishing Bradley Lake
Bradley holds cutthroat trout and brook trout in its cold, clear water, and its greater depth gives fish good refuge. A Wyoming state fishing license is required (Grand Teton uses the state license). It’s a hike-in fishery – pack light tackle – and the deep water and dramatic backdrop make it a rewarding place to fish or simply sit and take in the scene.
Hiking, swimming and what to know
The Taggart-Bradley loop (about 5.8 miles, with a footbridge over Bradley’s outlet) is a Grand Teton classic – moderate, scenic and doable by most hikers. The lake is a beautiful spot to rest and picnic; a summer dip is possible but cold. There’s no camping at the lake (it’s day-use), and this is bear country – carry bear spray, travel in groups and store food properly. Arrive early for trailhead parking.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Bradley Lake is reached from the Taggart Lake Trailhead (or the Bradley-Taggart trailhead) on the Teton Park Road in Grand Teton National Park, about 25-30 minutes north of Jackson. Taggart Lake, Jenny Lake and Jackson Hole are nearby.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a Wyoming state license is required (Grand Teton, not a park permit).
- Moderate hike: the ~5.8-mile Taggart-Bradley loop; arrive early for parking.
- Bear country: carry bear spray and store food properly.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Bradley Lake?
Cutthroat trout and brook trout, in cold, clear, fairly deep water; a Wyoming state license is required.
How do you get to Bradley Lake?
On the ~5.8-mile Taggart-Bradley loop hike from the Teton Park Road in Grand Teton National Park.
Where is Bradley Lake?
In Grand Teton National Park beneath Garnet Canyon, off the Teton Park Road, about 25-30 minutes north of Jackson, Wyoming.
Related: explore the small lakes of Wyoming, or head back to the Wyoming Lakes Database.
Explore more Wyoming lakes: the largest lakes in Wyoming and the deepest lakes in Wyoming.
