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Hiking GuidesWyoming

Hiking Guide: Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point

Hidden Falls

Contents

Overview

Hidden Falls is a magnificent 100-foot waterfall on Cascade Creek in the Grand Tetons. It’s found near the bottom of Cascade Canyon.

The fastest approach is to ride a shuttle boat across Jenny Lake and hike 0.6 miles to Hidden Falls from Jenny Lake Trailhead, where the boat drops you off.

Hidden Falls
Hidden Falls

Jenny Lake Boating operates the shuttle service and charges $18 for an adult roundtrip ticket. Boats leaves the dock every 10-15 minutes and aren’t reservable.

If you miss the last boat back (at 7pm) or purchase a one-way ticket, you can return via a 2-mile hike around the east side of the lake.

I highly recommend hiking up to Inspiration Point after seeing Hidden Falls. It’s 0.5 miles and 200 feet elevation gain from the waterfall and gives you a fabulous view of Jenny Lake and Teewinot Mountain.

The view of Jenny Lake from Inspiration Point
The view of Jenny Lake from Inspiration Point

Quick Facts

  • Distance: 1.9 miles
  • Hike Time: 2 hours
  • Elevation Gain: 400 feet
  • Fee: $35 for a 7-day pass to Grand Teton National Park, $18 for an adult roundtrip Jenny Lake Boating shuttle
  • Dogs: No
  • Difficulty: Easy

Hiking the Trail to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point

We got to Jenny Lake Visitor Center at 2:30pm on a Monday and the parking lot was full, but we found a space to parallel park along the road in.

There was some confusion among other groups about where to walk to get to the boat dock. We had been here earlier in the week, so we had a vague idea of where to go.

Maia next to the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle sign
Maia next to the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle sign

There was a sign pointing toward the asphalt path heading north, so we followed it. Once we got to the lake, we bore left and found the dock (to our right) within a few minutes.

In hindsight, the path to the east of the visitor center is a more direct approach.

We purchased our tickets at the dock and waited in line for 15 minutes of so, then boarded the arriving boat after its passengers got off.

In my opinion, the boat ride itself is worth the money! It’s a fun experience to zoom across Jenny Lake and take in immense views of the Grand Tetons.

Kim and Maia on the boat shuttle
Kim and Maia on the boat shuttle

Once you get off the boat, bear left and follow the trail through the forest, 0.6 miles to Hidden Falls. The trail has a moderate incline and it’s just enough to get your heart pumping.

Columbine wildflowers next to the trail
Columbine wildflowers next to the trail
Our little family in front of Hidden Falls
Our little family in front of Hidden Falls

From Hidden Falls, backtrack to the most recent junction and bear left to continue 0.5 miles to Inspiration Point. This is a great place to do lunch!

The trail to Inspiration Point is steep and exposed, so be careful!
The trail to Inspiration Point is steep and exposed, so be careful!

You can continue up Cascade Canyon Trail for miles and miles if you want, but remember the last boat leaves at 7pm. If you miss it, you are not out of luck though. There’s a 2-mile trail that goes around the eastern edge of Jenny Lake and returns to the visitor center.

Kim poses at Inspiration Point
Kim poses at Inspiration Point

Map

Location

Whether you ride the boat shuttle to Jenny Lake Trailhead or hike the whole way there, you will start at Jenny Lake Visitor Center. It’s located off of Teton Park Road (to the left), 7.9 miles from the turnoff on U.S. Highway 191.

Get Directions

Resources

Guidebooks

Topo Maps

Links

Photos

Kim and Maia pose in front of Teewinot Mountain
Kim and Maia pose in front of Teewinot Mountain
Jenny Lake from Inspiration Point
Jenny Lake from Inspiration Point
Hidden Falls
Hidden Falls
Teewinot Mountain from Inspiration Point
Teewinot Mountain from Inspiration Point
Another view of Teewinot Mountain
Another view of Teewinot Mountain
Cascade Creek
Cascade Creek

More Great Hikes in Grand Teton National Park

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