Overview
Cascade Canyon is one of Grand Teton National Park’s most popular hiking spots, with a moderate hike that starts near Jenny Lake and climbs up to the tumbling 200-foot-tall Hidden Falls and the aptly-named Inspiration Point, which looks out over Jenny Lake and the east side of Grand Teton National Park. While most visitors turn back after reaching Inspiration Point, adventurous hikers who continue on toward Hurricane Pass and Lake Solitude will be rewarded with views of the surrounding Cathedral Group and significantly fewer people.

For those searching for longer trips or an overnight, Cascade Canyon can be linked with Paintbrush Canyon or the Teton Crest Trail, where hikers can continue south as far as Teton Pass.

Note: All trail mileages on this page are given from Jenny Lake Visitor Center via Jenny Lake Loop; taking the shuttle boat reduces mileage by approximately 4 miles and elevation gain by approximately 400 feet.

Trailhead 
To get to the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, enter Grand Teton National Park from Moose Junction and take the main park road north past Menors Ferry Historic District and the Chapel of the Transfiguration. Jenny Lake is on the left, about 8 miles from Moose Junction. The trailhead is located at the mouth of Cascade Canyon and can be accessed by taking the easy, 3.3 mile (one-way) Jenny Lake Loop or by taking the shuttle boat across the lake.

Trail Details

Hidden Falls 

• 5 miles round-trip (1 mile by taking Jenny Lake boat shuttle)
• 3 hours (1.5 hours with shuttle)
• 550 feet elevation gain
• Moderate out-and-back

Inspiration Point

• 5.8 miles round-trip (2.2 miles with boat shuttle)
• 4 hours (2.5 hours with shuttle)
• 700 feet elevation gain
• Moderate to Strenuous out-and-back

Forks of Cascade Canyon

• 13 miles round-trip (9 miles with shuttle)
• 7 hours (5 hours with shuttle)
• 2050 feet elevation gain
• Moderate to Strenuous out-and-back

Plan & Prepare
Be sure to bring food and water, as there won’t be any available once you leave the Visitor Center; a few extra layers are also a good idea, especially if you’ll be going past Inspiration Point. If you plan on doing an overnight trip, a backcountry permit (available at the ranger station) and bear-proof food containers are necessary. As the trail gains elevation toward Lake Solitude and Hurricane Pass, snow may be present through late June and snowstorms may occur as early as September.