Do These 4 Things for a Great Hidden Falls Experience

Hidden Falls at Jenny Lake checks a lot of boxes on the Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) experience.

It’s a hike that is short, kid-friendly, scenic, on the Tetons, and it involves a lake, a trail, and a waterfall (and a view of the lake and valley if you continue on to Inspiration Point).

There are excellent picture opportunities for the scrapbook – or if you are like me for the computer hard drive that holds all pictures that need to be put in a book or digital photo frame.

The hike to Hidden Falls is an opportunity to be on the actual Tetons!

It is a great hike for non-hikers and 1st-time hikers of all ages. It takes you a little into the back country without all the needed back country equipment. The waterfall is big and beautiful and easily accessible. The boat ride is fun, especially for kids, and the whole experience can be flexible in duration, taking as long or as short amount of time as you want.

For all these reasons, this activity is great for everyone which makes it very popular.

Popular means busy and crowded.

I tell you this so you can be prepared, and not be surprised.

Along with all the positives of Hidden Falls, I want to prepare your spirit for all the negatives:

• Trail can be crowded
• Slower hikers don’t always know how to let faster hikers pass
• Trail is in full sun, not a lot of shade higher up
• Return Boat Shuttle lines can be long, very long, and there are no bathrooms on the west dock

But don’t get discouraged!

Now that you know the negatives, read on how to minimize them.

Four Things for a Great Hidden Falls Experience

1. Go Early in the Morning

Jenny Lake in the morning

I know I say this a lot, but Hidden Falls is #1 on the “#Go Early for Best Possible Experience” list.

If you make no other plans the entire time you are here, plan this one.

Make Hidden Falls the first event of the day, early in the morning. The longer the day goes on, the more people there are on the trail and the longer the return boat shuttle lines are.

2. Take the Shuttle

Jenny Lake Boating

Hidden Falls can be 5.2 miles or 1.2 miles round-trip, depending if you use the shuttle.

The shuttle is a boat that takes you across Jenny Lake, eliminating 2.4 miles each way.

You can purchase either a one-way ticket or a round-trip ticket. You can even buy a one-way ticket from the West dock. This is handy in instances where you walk the additional 2.4 miles, and then decide not to walk back and use the shuttle. Just tell the boat wranglers when you board and be sure to pay up when exiting the East dock. Hey, plans change and they understand.

Shuttle Prices

No reservations needed. The shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes.

First shuttle leaves at:

• May 15 – June 3: 10 am – 4 pm
• June 4 – Sept 8: 7 am – 7 pm
• Sept 9 – Sept 30: 10 am – 4 pm

The ride itself is about 10 minutes each way.

If you decide to use the shuttle, still go early! As the day goes on, the longer the return shuttle line gets. We know from experience.

The shuttle is a nice ride. It’s an opportunity to be on a boat on Jenny Lake. Kids especially like the boat ride. Well, they like the ride itself and the shortened hike. We know from experience.

3. Take the 7:00 am Shuttle

Boat Shuttle to Hidden Falls

In the high season, from June 4th to September 8th, there is a 7:00 am shuttle from Jenny Lake East Dock to the West Dock. Get up early and take this one. Be prepared to pay in cash.

The 7:00 am shuttle is heavily discounted for cash payers.  Be sure to get your hand stamped before boarding the boat, and get a paper receipt if you are camping in the back country and using the return shuttle a different day.

4. On the Trail, Pass On the Left

When you come upon a slower hiker on the trail, nicely say “on your left” and pass them on the left and thank them. In return, please do this for people who are hiking faster than you. Don’t take it personally. Don’t lessen your experience by speeding up when you don’t want to. Let them pass. We all move at different speeds.

BONUS TIPS For Hidden Falls

1. Picture Opportunities

Hidden Falls

The waterfall picture is a nice one for Instagram, Facebook and/or the scrapbook (read: computer hard drive). If you can, get one of the waterfall itself and one of you and your party in front of the waterfall. Pay it forward and offer to take a fellow visitor’s picture for them.

2. Go To Inspiration Point

Inspiration Point

After visiting the waterfall, and if you have the time and energy, hike on to Inspiration Point.

Inspiration Point is less than one mile added to your RT (1/2 mile each way, and an additional 200ft elevation). You will get a panoramic view of Jenny Lake, the Jackson Hole Valley, and see the boats on the lake. Be sure to take a picture of the Inspiration Point elevation sign to show you were at 7,200 ft.

3. Take Water

Hiker with hydration pack

Remember, you are at an elevation of at least 6,000 ft while in GTNP. The air is drier and thinner up here. Don’t get dehydrated. Take and drink plenty of water. I know this seems to be a short hike, but in the hot sun and high elevation, you will need the water. Especially if there are long return shuttle lines.

4. Sunscreen, Bug Spray, Hat, and Sunglasses

Hiker with Sunglasses and Hat

Even if you go early in the morning (AS STRONGLY SUGGESTED), these items are always, always a MUST. They are great protection from bugs and sunburn (did I mention the high elevation?), and by having them, it may give you more flexibility on how long you want to stay. No rushing back to get out of the sun, or being annoyed by pesky bugs.

Getting Here

Hidden Falls at Jenny Lake
Directions – Google Map
Jenny Lake Boating
(307) 734-9227

Be safe, have fun, keep your eye peeled for a moose! (and a bear!)

Bear Safety
Using Bear Spray
How to Use Bear Spray Video
Do you think you’ll go see Hidden Falls? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments section.

Keep Your Eye Peeled for a Moose!

Jenn Cunningham
Founder, Explore GTNP

GRAND TETON 3-DAY ITINERARY

Hidden Falls can be found in our GTNP 3-DAY Itinerary. If you are looking for additional ideas of what to do and see in Grand Teton National Park, and how to do it efficiently to make the most of your time, check out our Grand Teton 3-DAY Itinerary.

All the best places to see, hikes to do, places to dine, and the fun to have laid out day by day in this 3-DAY Itinerary.