Hike Cascade Canyon in Grand Teton National Park

Hiking Cascade Canyon in Grand Teton National Park is an unforgettable experience, offering a perfect blend of breathtaking landscapes and the thrill of encountering wildlife in their natural habitat. Known for its frequent black bear and moose sightings, Cascade Canyon gives hikers one of the best opportunities to view these majestic creatures through one of the park's most celebrated canyons.

Trail Info

Length 10 miles

Elevation gain 1,150 feet

Route Out & back

Permit required no

Dogs allowed no

Trailhead elevation 6,812'

Water abundant throughout

Don't miss taking it slow and looking for wildlife

Hike Cascade Canyon

Hikers have two options to reach the Cascade Canyon Trailhead: either take the 2-mile Jenny Lake Loop Trail from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center or purchase a ticket at the Jenny Lake boat launch for a five-minute shuttle across Jenny Lake. The information below assumes hikers choose the shuttle option.

From the Cascade Canyon Trailhead, the trail begins with a steep ascent, leading to a modest waterfall along Cascade Canyon around the 0.2-mile mark.

After crossing a footbridge over the falls, the trail continues for another 0.4 miles, following a fairly steep incline, to reach Hidden Falls—a stunning 100-foot cascade along Cascade Creek. While Hidden Falls offers plenty of spots to relax and enjoy the scenery, hikers should be prepared for large crowds.

From Hidden Falls, the trail climbs more steeply toward Inspiration Point, an overlook above Jenny Lake, near the 1-mile mark. Before leaving the viewpoint, hikers might take a moment to admire the impressive view of Teewinot Mountain (12,300') and Mount Owen (12,933'), two of the peaks, along with Grand Teton, that make up the Cathedral Group.

Beyond Inspiration Point, the trail continues to ascend for about a quarter mile before leveling off. By this time, the crowds from Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point usually thin out significantly. From here on, the trail alternates between pine-forested terrain and open canyon views, gently gaining elevation while never straying far from the crystal-clear waters of Cascade Creek. Throughout the hike, the south side of the canyon is dominated by near-constant views of Teewinot Mountain and Mount Owen, while The Jaw (11,405') and Symmetry Spire (10,561') rise dramatically along the northern side. Ahead, Table Mountain (11,111') and The Wigwams South (10,817') fill the skyline.

The first two miles beyond Inspiration Point are ideal for wildlife viewing, with moose and black bears (including the Cinnamon subspecies) being the most common sightings.

Due to the frequent bear activity in Cascade Canyon, hikers are strongly advised to carry bear spray.

And if someone shouts, "there's a bear behind you," it's wise to turn around and give the bear space.

As park rangers sometimes point out, if bears are given their space and aren't provoked, hikers usually have nothing to fear.

About midway through the canyon, at least two towering cascades can be seen tumbling down from the peaks above.

The trail ends at a marked junction with the South Fork Cascade Canyon and North Fork Cascade Canyon Trails around the 5-mile mark. Here, hikers will be greeted by the sight of Tabletop Mountain, which has been visible for much of the hike, rising directly ahead.

At this point, hikers have two options: they can either return to the trailhead by retracing their steps or continue their hike by heading up the South or North Fork Cascade Canyon Trails, both of which are along the much longer Teton Crest Trail. Turning right onto the North Fork Cascade Canyon Trail and hiking about 0.6 miles, hikers will be rewarded with a stunning new perspective of the Cathedral Group.