Grand Teton National Park

Lakeshore Trail

easy FamiliesPhotographersEasy Morning Walk
0 mi Distance
1-2 hours Estimated Time
Out & Back Trail Type

What to Expect

Starting from the Colter Bay Visitor Center, the Lakeshore Trail eases you through a lodgepole pine forest before opening up to the rocky shoreline of Jackson Lake. The path is flat and well-worn — no scrambling, no route-finding, just a mellow walk through the trees with the occasional peek of the Tetons through the canopy. Once you hit the lakeshore, the full Cathedral Group spreads out across the water like a postcard you didn't have to suffer for. The trail traces the water's edge, with cobblestone beaches perfect for skipping rocks or just sitting. On calm mornings, the range reflects in the lake surface so perfectly it almost looks fake. This is the trail for families with small kids, anyone recovering from yesterday's Death Canyon slog, or photographers who want Teton views without earning them the hard way.
FamiliesPhotographersEasy Morning WalkBirdwatchersPost-Hike Recovery

Safety Advisory

Bear country applies here just as much as the backcountry — carry bear spray and make noise in the forested sections. Grizzlies and black bears frequent the Colter Bay area, especially in early morning and evening.

The cobblestone lakeshore can be slippery when wet. Watch your footing if you wander off-trail to the water's edge, especially with kids.

Trail Details

Difficulty easy
Estimated Time 1-2 hours
Trail Type Out & Back
Pets Not allowed
Season Year-round
Trailhead Lakeshore Trail

Pro Tips

Trail Tip

Hit this trail early morning before the Colter Bay parking lot fills up — by 10 AM in July and August, you may be circling for a spot. The morning light on the Tetons across the lake is worth the early alarm.

Trail Tip

Bring binoculars. Pelicans, osprey, and bald eagles are common along the lakeshore, and moose browse the willows near the trailhead with surprising regularity.

Trail Tip

Combine this with the short walk out to the Colter Bay Swim Beach for a full morning — the trail connects easily, and you can cool off in the lake afterward if you are brave enough to handle the snowmelt temperatures.

Photos

Waves crash on the shore of a lake at the base of a mountain range.NPS Photo/A. Falgoust

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Explore Grand Teton National Park

8 campgrounds, 60 trails, 3.6M annual visitors

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