Jenny Lake Visitor Center — Attraction in Jackson

I was here mid September. This is a 5/5 spot for lower mobility tourists or families to see a beautiful lake with a Mountain backdrop, maybe paddle around, take the ferry, or hike on paved/easily graded trails. The vault bathrooms were clean and the trash cans were not full. Rangers were out answering questions.

For my purposes it was 4/5 simply because it was so crowded. I am a long distance hiker who parked here overnight while hiking up to hurricane pass/avalanche basin via cascade canyon. I did not get a permit because I camped in Jedediah Smith national forest. In order to park at Jenny lake without a backcountry permit for the NP you call grand Teton dispatch and tell them your dates and make/model of car.

The hike around jenny lake to the boat ramp area wasn’t too bad, but from the ramp area up cascade canyon was packed with people who don’t really know trail etiquette (move over for the faster party, wait for them to pass). I don’t expect people to know this, just letting you know what to expect if you’re going up to do miles. Around 50% did not wear masks despite tight trails and group bottlenecks. Once I got up out of cascade canyon after 6 miles I only saw a few people and the views were spectacular. I made it an overnight but Hurricane pass would be a doable day hike (20ish miles) and totally worth it. On my way back I took the ferry across the lake instead of walk the 2.5 miles around again. Waited in line for the ferry for 15 minutes at 3:15pm, paid $10 on arrival at the other dock. My car was undisturbed.

I enjoyed the hike very much, but the crowds at Jenny lake are a lot to pass through on the way up and back out of solitude and views. I’d look for alternative trail access we’re into...

Fantastic spot!! Here are the details: We arrived at 7:30 AM which was the perfect time. We got a fantastic parking spot and waited only 10 mins to board the shuttle boat. The shuttle boat is 20$ for a round trip (7ish mins each way) and 30$ for a 1 hour boat ride. They were sold out of the boat ride when we went. All of the boating staff that we interacted with seemed excited to be there and knowledgeable. We took the shuttle boat to the trailhead and completed both the 1/2 mile hike and the 1 mile hike. It took us about 1.5 hours to do both. The hike is a lot of stairs, which I was not expecting. Along the hike we saw squirrels, chipmunks, marmots, mountain goat, and maybe some other critters. On our way back down the trail started to get busy so we took the shuttle back at about 9:30 or so, or it is a 2 mile hike back to visitor center. There are NO bathrooms on the other side of the lake but you can ask for wag bags from the staff. Beautiful hike and the visitor center had exactly the bear I was looking...

Well, pardner, gather 'round and hear my tale, 'Bout a trail called Jenny Lake, where spirits never fail. Out in Moose, Wyoming, where the West still holds sway, It's a hiker's haven, where you'll want to spend your day.

The path winds through pines, with the Tetons standin' tall, Reflections on the water, Mother Nature's grandest hall. The air is crisp, the sky so blue, You'll feel like a pioneer, with each step you pursue.

Keep your eyes peeled for critters, they're roamers of the land, From deer to eagles, it's a true wildlife band. And when you reach that lake, all crystal and clear, You'll know you've found a treasure, a view so sincere.

So if you're seekin' adventure, in Wyoming's wild domain, Jenny Lake's the answer, where the West still holds reign. With every step you take, you'll find a piece of history, In Moose, Wyoming's embrace, you'll unlock...