Swan Lake and Heron Pond Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Bear country is not a suggestion here — grizzlies and black bears actively use the Colter Bay area. Carry bear spray, make noise on blind corners through the forest sections, and never approach wildlife at the ponds.
The trail can be marshy and mosquito-thick from late June through mid-July during snowmelt. Long sleeves and bug spray are non-negotiable during peak mosquito season.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Go early morning or late evening — moose frequent both ponds at dawn and dusk, and you'll often have the loop nearly to yourself before 8 AM.
Bring binoculars, not trekking poles. This trail is flat enough that poles are dead weight, but the birding at Heron Pond is some of the best in the park — great blue herons, trumpeter swans, and osprey are regulars.
Hike the loop counterclockwise (left at the junction) to hit Heron Pond first when the morning light catches the Tetons reflected in the water — the best photo opportunity on this entire trail.
