Hike Taggart Lake – A Grand Teton Hike for Everyone

Taggart Lake Hike

Distance: 3.3 Miles RT
Elevation Gain: 300 ft
Trail Type: In and Out
Difficulty: Easy
Directions

Taggart Lake Hike is the Hike

If you only have time to do one hike in Grand Teton National Park, make it Taggart Lake, as it provides the most views in the shortest amount of distance.

This hike has everything!

Including aspen trees, creeks, a cascading waterfall, footbridges (always great pictures), forests, Grand Teton views, and a tree-lined lake all under 4 miles RT, actually under 3.3 mi (trail in red on map).

Taggart Lake Hike – to the lake and back – trail in red.

The View

A great feature of this hike is that you don’t have to wait until the end of the hike for the grand (pun intended) view! You get fantastic views, including the Grand Teton, at the beginning of the hike!

Taggart Lake Hike

Diverse Landscape

As mentioned before, this hike has many different features packed into 1.6 miles (the distance to Taggart Lake). The landscape is always changing on this hike! You will have plenty of opportunities to take pictures of all the different scenes, including:

Walk in Aspen Trees

Cascading Waterfall

Taggart Lake Footbridge

Accessible to Most

With the distance being around 3.3 mi RT, and little elevation gain (300 ft), this hike is inviting to people of all hiking abilities and ages.

It is relatively flat with a couple of inclines to get the heart pumping a little. And with this option being 3.3 miles total round trip, you can do it in 1 – 3 hours, depending on how fast you go and how many pictures you take (you might want to add in time for photos…). In our humble opinion, this one is worth taking your time.

On the Trail to Taggart Lake – Ages 13 – 74

Taggart Lake is an easier one for kids to do (but that doesn’t mean they’ll like it…or guarantee they won’t complain…).

Once you reach the lake, you will see some big rocks to sit on and take pictures. It’s a good place to have a snack too. If you want to picnic here on this rock, go early. Otherwise, there will be fellow hikers staring you down to get a picture on the rock.

Big rock for viewing and/or picnicking

Trail Options

When you ready to leave Taggart Lake and return to the trailhead, you have three different options of trails.

Option #1 – Taggart Lake, In-And-Out

Retrace your steps (trail in red on map). This is the original hike that is under 3.3 miles round trip with a 300ft elevation gain. You will be going back the same way you arrived.

Taggart Lake Hike – to the lake and back – trail in red.

Option #2 – Beaver Creek Loop

Or, if you want to do the Beaver Creek Loop, (purple trail on the map) follow trail signs and check the map . By doing the Beaver Creek Loop, it will add .6 mile to your round trip and add another 125ft in total elevation (adding this loop still falls under “easy” in difficulty ratings).

The Beaver Creek loop is the less traveled of the trails here, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have great views. You will have views of surrounding mountain ranges to the south and east, and overlook grassy meadows and hillsides. The advantage of taking this trail is that there will be fewer people and it will be more quiet and peaceful.

Beaver Creek Loop in purple

Option #3 – Taggart Lake – Bradley Lake Loop

A third option to leave Taggart Lake is the trail to Bradley Lake. It will add another 2.2 miles and 285ft elevation. The additional distance and elevation gain puts this option in the “moderate” difficulty rating. If you are interested here is a map (blue trail on the map).

Hiking to Bradley Lake – in blue on map

Pro Tip: For the Bradley Lake Loop, note that the trail shown here in blue doesn’t take you to the water’s edge of Bradley Lake. You will be at a higher elevation, above the lake looking down at the water. If you want to go to the water’s edge, you will need to follow the trail signs down to where the trail meets the water. This will add extra distance and elevation to your total round trip.

Go Early in the Morning

This is a popular hike, due to the short distance and scenery. Popular means that it gets busy, fast.

This is another hike to do as early in the day as possible. Not only to avoid the crowds but go early to hike in cooler weather, to be done before possible afternoon showers, and for you photographers (pro and amateur) go early for the calm water of Taggart Lake that gives Teton reflections.

If none of those reasons motivate you to go early, then go early to get a parking spot.

See the difference in the parking lot at 9:20am and 1:20pm.

9:20 am Parking Lot:

Taggart Lake Parking Lot 9:20 am

1:20 pm Parking Lot Overflow onto Teton Park Road:

Taggart Lake Parking Lot Overflow 1:20 pm

Park Ranger Led Hikes Available

If you don’t want to do the hike on your own, there is a Park Ranger led hike to Taggart Lake every day that meets at the Taggart Lake Trailhead at 8:30 am.

This hike is available from early June to Labor Day.

No reservations needed. And it’s FREE.

You will hike with a Park Ranger who will tell you stories and point out all the flora and fauna of the area. Once you get to Taggart Lake, you can hike back with the Ranger, or head off on your own to explore. They list the hike as being 2.5 hours long, covering 3 miles.

Pro Tip For 2021 – Check to see if Ranger Led Hikes are happening. They may not be due to Covid.

Note: The Ranger-led hike does not provide any of the essentials. You will still need to bring your own water, carry your own bear spray, use sunscreen and bug spray, etc…

More Info: Ranger Led Programs

Know Before You Go

• Know Bear Safety
• Carry and know how to use bear spray
• Even though this is described as “short” and relatively “easy” hike, do take plenty of water. You’ll be surprised how quickly you get thirsty at this high elevation and in the sun. Water backpacks are a good option if you want to keep your hands free of carrying water bottles.
• Use bugspray. Mosquitos are everywhere, especially in forests and near water.
• Use sunscreen. Again, high elevation in sun will affect you sooner and more intensely than lower elevations.
• Bring hats and sunglasses. Hats are great protection from the sun, and if you wear a big hat like me, they provide shade and keep you cooler.
• Wear proper shoes. Again, I know this hike is short, but there are rocks and tree roots on the trail. These make your foot land unevenly on the ground. The flatter and less padded the soles, the more you are going to feel everything. This will tire your feet out. A good pair of sneakers is good – hiking shoes are best. Save the flip-flops and sandals for the parking lots.
• Consider using trekking poles to navigate the uneven, rocky parts of the trail
• If you go in Spring you may need waterproof shoes for the patches of snow and snow melt on the trail.
• Wildflowers are usually in full bloom in June.
• If you swim or wade in Taggart Lake, remember it is an alpine lake and the water will be cold. Wear water shoes to navigate the rocky shores.
• If berries are visible, be extra aware of your surroundings. Wildlife, especially bears, like berries. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.

If you have any questions or comments about Taggart Lake Hike, we’d love to hear from you! Feel free to put them in the comments section.