Stephen Koch

Hidden Falls is a beautiful 80-foot-high “waterfall” located near Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. In the summer, park visitors can hike the trail leading up to the falls, one of the busiest in Grand Teton. The distance to Hidden Falls from the boat dock, where the shuttle boat drops you off, is a ½ mile with a vertical gain of about 150 feet.

Preston enjoying the cool breeze off of Hidden Falls in Grand Teton National Park. Photo © Stephen Koch

Jenny Lake on a calm morning.

Inspiration Point offers a magnificent view of Jenny Lake and Jackson Hole beyond and is 1 mile from the boat dock and about 400 feet above the lake. The hiking trail is dirt and strewn with imbedded boulders with several steps built into it. A hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point may not be for everyone, but those who venture there will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the falls and the cool, damp breeze emitted from the spray of the cascade. You can also hike right above the exciting rush of water that is Cascade Creek.

Begin your trip at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, which has a large parking lot. Once at the Visitor Center, you can decide to follow the trail around the lake, 2 miles heading west or about 5 heading north, or take the shuttle boat to the other side.

SHUTTLE BOAT HOURS: The hours of operation for the shuttle boats, which depart about every 15 minutes are:

May 15 – 31 10am – 4pm
June 1 – July 5  8am – 6pm
July 6 – Aug 15  7am – 7pm
Aug 16 – Sept 7  8am – 6pm
Sept 8 – 30 10am – 4pm

The cost to ride the shuttle boat across Jenny Lake to Cascade Canyon trailhead is $10 round trip for adults and $5 for children.

Ken Barkey and his kids hiking to Hidden Falls for some rock climbing. Photo © Stephen Koch

When at the view point of Hidden Falls, make sure to look up at the great climbing and rappelling taking place on the rock walls above. There are several bolted climbs and rappel anchors for climbers of all abilities.

Learn to climb safely and correctly by finding a mentor, hiring a guide and buying this video.

Learning to rock climb in Grand Teton National Park.

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