Emma Matilda Lake is a long, secluded lake in the northeastern corner of Grand Teton National Park – a forest-rimmed, glacially carved lake just south of Two Ocean Lake, prized for its solitude, wildlife and quiet cutthroat fishing. Wrapped by one of the park’s classic loop trails and far from the crowds, it’s a peaceful place to hike, watch for moose and bears, and fish beneath big Wyoming skies. This guide is part of our growing Wyoming Lakes Database.
- Emma Matilda Lake at a glance
- A secluded Teton lake
- Fishing Emma Matilda Lake
- Hiking, paddling and wildlife
- Getting there and what’s nearby
- Know before you go
- Frequently asked questions
- What fish are in Emma Matilda Lake?
- Do you need a Wyoming license to fish Emma Matilda Lake?
- Can you hike Emma Matilda and Two Ocean lakes together?
- Where is Emma Matilda Lake?
Emma Matilda Lake at a glance
- Size: a glacial lake about 2.7 miles long
- Elevation: ~6,900 ft, in northeastern Grand Teton National Park
- Trail: a forested loop circles the lake (often combined with Two Ocean Lake)
- Top fish: cutthroat trout
- License: a Wyoming state fishing license is valid in Grand Teton National Park
A secluded Teton lake
Emma Matilda Lake stretches about 2.7 miles through quiet forest just south of Two Ocean Lake, in the same wild northeast corner of Grand Teton. More enclosed and less visited than its neighbor, it offers solitude, dense wildlife habitat and glimpses of the Tetons from the open ridges along its trail. It’s named, like the area’s features, for early local figures, and remains one of the park’s most peaceful walks.
Fishing Emma Matilda Lake
The lake offers quiet fishing for cutthroat trout. As in the rest of Grand Teton, a Wyoming state fishing license is what you need (the park uses the state license, unlike Yellowstone). Anglers fish from the bank, float tubes and small non-motorized boats; the seclusion and lack of crowds are the draw as much as the fish. Access requires a hike, so it rewards anglers willing to walk in.
Hiking, paddling and wildlife
A loop trail circles Emma Matilda Lake and connects to Two Ocean Lake and Grand View Point, letting hikers combine the two lakes into a longer day; the lake is also reached from the Jackson Lake Lodge area. The forests and meadows here are rich with moose, black bears and grizzlies, plus waterfowl and the occasional trumpeter swan – carry bear spray and stay alert. The water is quiet and non-motorized; there’s no developed swim beach.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Emma Matilda Lake is in northeastern Grand Teton National Park, reached by trail from the Two Ocean Lake Road near Moran or from the Jackson Lake Lodge area. Two Ocean Lake, Jackson Lake and Oxbow Bend are nearby.
Know before you go
- License: a Wyoming state fishing license is valid here (Grand Teton rules).
- Bear country: dense habitat for moose and bears – carry bear spray and make noise.
- Hike-in solitude: quieter than Two Ocean Lake; combine the two for a great loop.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Emma Matilda Lake?
Cutthroat trout, fished from the bank, float tubes and small non-motorized boats.
Do you need a Wyoming license to fish Emma Matilda Lake?
Yes – Grand Teton National Park uses the Wyoming state fishing license (Yellowstone, by contrast, requires a park permit).
Can you hike Emma Matilda and Two Ocean lakes together?
Yes – their trails connect via Grand View Point, making a longer loop that takes in both lakes.
Where is Emma Matilda Lake?
In northeastern Grand Teton National Park, just south of Two Ocean Lake near Moran, 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.
