Wyoming's Pristine Lake In Grand Teton National Park Boasts Epic Mountain Views

Plenty of U.S. national parks center around mountains, but Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park exemplifies the magic and grandeur of America's western mountain ranges as few others do. Finding a breathtaking view in Grand Teton National Park is as easy as opening your eyes, but a few spots within the park do stand out as once-in-a-lifetime sightseeing experiences. One such spot is the park's ethereal Jenny Lake. Though not the largest lake in Grand Teton National Park (that honor goes to the 25,500-acre Jackson Lake), Jenny Lake's shores have arguably the best panoramas of the majestic Teton Range anywhere in the park. 

Remarkably, as pristine as Jenny Lake is, its trailhead is only a 20-minute drive from the Jackson Hole Airport. Though this commute is certainly convenient, Jenny Lake's astounding mountain views and pure, crystalline waters are the perfect antidote for the annoyances of air travel. The lake is ideal for a relaxing day of sightseeing and photography, but visitors looking for a more hands-on Grand Teton experience can also access many of the park's best scenic trails from the Jenny Lake Trailhead.

Naturally, guests don't have to limit their Jenny Lake experience to dry land, as anyone who wants to get out on the water can take advantage of water shuttles and boating excursions for unique, waterside views of the Tetons. And with the ever-photogenic Teton Range of the Rocky Mountains at its core, the stunning views and dramatic landscapes of Grand Teton National Park are close to the popular Wyoming mountain resort town of Jackson, making for a convenient trip.

When travelers think of "national park lakes," they often picture popular stops like Yellowstone Lake or Oregon's stunning Crater Lake (the deepest in the U.S.). Though not as large, Jenny Lake rivals its national park counterparts with stunning natural beauty and awe-inspiring views from its shores. Unlike manmade reservoirs in the National Park System like Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the roughly 1,200-acre Jenny Lake is a purely natural byproduct of the complex geological forces that shaped the Teton Range into the visual wonder it is today. The lake formed approximately 60,000 years ago, when glaciers moved across the landscape and carved deep grooves underneath the Teton peaks. Today, this lingering glacial parting gift reaches depths of up to 256 feet underneath Jenny Lake's surface. 

Jenny Lake is a hydrological marvel all its own, but the lake's status as a preeminent Grand Teton attraction comes from its unbeatable views. From the lake's shores, visitors can experience some of the most epic shots of the Teton Range, made all the more beautiful when framed against the lake's shimmering blue waters. 

The highlight of Jenny Lake's sightseeing is the adjacent Cathedral Group, a trio of stunning Teton peaks presiding over the Wyoming landscape in regal, cathedral-like spires. With the Cathedral Group so close, Jenny Lake's mountain vistas include iconic shots of the 12,325-foot Teewinot Mountain, the 12,928-foot Mount Owen, and the 13,770-foot Grand Teton itself (though the park's namesake peak may be a bit harder to see). Alongside the Cathedral Group, Jenny Lake's shores showcase other gorgeous Teton mountains like the 11,430-foot Mount St. John, along with topographic features like the conifer-rich Cascade Canyon. Jenny Lake's western shores also provide excellent views of Jackson Hole Valley. 

Jenny Lake's otherworldly mountain views are easily accessed at Grand Teton's Jenny Lake Visitor Center and Jenny Lake Overlook. In 2019, the visitor center received an upgrade that improved park accessibility, letting more guests enjoy the lake's magnificent scenery. Depending on conditions, you may also hear sounds of nearby ephemeral waterfalls cascading down the mountains. 

As easy as sightseeing now is, Jenny Lake offers a much richer menu of activities than just its new and improved observation area. The Jenny Lake Trailhead is a central nexus for both hiking and boating adventures through Grand Teton. Jenny Lake hikes include the 7.3-mile Jenny Lake Trail (officially the Jenny Lake Loop), which circumnavigates the entire lake and provides ample photo opportunities of both the Teton peaks and Jackson Hole. A much more daring adventure from Jenny Lake combines Grand Teton's Paintbrush Canyon, Cascade Canyon, and Inspiration Point into one strenuous but spectacular 23-mile trek. Regardless of which hike you choose, always remember that Grand Teton is very much bear country, so educate yourself on essential bear safety tips (and useful bear safety poems) before you visit.

If your feet are tired, Jenny Lake is also a terrific spot for boating. Park concessioners offer non-motorized boat rentals, water shuttle services, and sightseeing cruises across the lake, where you can get views of the nearby mountains you won't be able to find on land. Overnight options at Jenny Lake include both the more than 50 campsites at Jenny Lake Campground and the more luxurious Jenny Lake Lodge, just 5 miles from the Jenny Lake Trailhead.