Heron Pond - Swan Lake Loop Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
This is prime grizzly and black bear habitat, especially near the ponds at dawn and dusk. Carry bear spray, make noise on the forested sections, and keep at least 100 yards from any bear you encounter.
Moose are common along the shorelines and in the marshy sections — they look docile but are unpredictable and fast. Give them a wide berth, especially cows with calves in spring and early summer.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Hike the loop counterclockwise — you'll hit Heron Pond first when morning light is best for wildlife spotting, then catch Swan Lake with the Tetons lit up as the sun climbs higher.
Bring binoculars, not trekking poles. This trail is flat enough for sneakers, but the birding is exceptional — great blue herons, trumpeter swans, osprey, and pelicans are all regulars, especially in June and September.
The unmarked spur trail on the south side of Heron Pond leads to a quiet shoreline clearing that most hikers walk right past — it's the best spot to photograph moose feeding in the shallows without a crowd of telephoto lenses behind you.
Photos
NPS Photo/C. Adams
