Hike This, Not That: Crowd-Free Trails in Grand Teton National Park

With over three million visitors per year—many of whom all show up at the same time during the area’s glorious summer season—it’s no surprise that many of the most popular hikes in Grand Teton National Park are as crowded as they are stunning. Fortunately, this national park—which will celebrate its centennial in just a few years in 2029—also offers many lesser-known, off-the-beaten-trail trails to choose from. With these, you can get an insider’s view of the park, without quite so many outsiders in each of your Instagram shots.

What’s more, backcountry camping—one of the most popular ways to stay in Grand Teton National Park—always requires a permit, many of which can be difficult to get and must be planned for months ahead of time. RV camping makes it easier to enjoy your stay in a way that’s both affordable and comfortable. And in this guide, we’ve got everything you need to know about both crowd-free hiking trails and the best RV camping opportunities in and around Grand Teton National Park!

Best Crowd-Free Trail Suggestions by AllTrails

If you’re here, you’re likely a hiker, and if you’re a hiker, you’ve likely already heard the good word about AllTrails, the very best app in the business when it comes for planning, executing and—most importantly—enjoying the very best hikes in the world. With maps, reviews, trail conditions and more, AllTrails makes it easier than ever to be prepared for the great outdoors, and while its free Base membership is a great starting point, upgrading can be, well, a big upgrade.

At the Plus level, you’ll get the option to download maps ahead of time (so you can keep an eye on your location even when you’re out of signal range), 3D trail previews so you can get a sense of every twist and turn along the way, wrong turn alerts, and more. Plus, for a limited time, our readers get 30% off an annual AllTrails Plus membership, which means you save both money and stress. Win-win!

Skip Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point via the Jenny Lake Loop Trail; Try  Signal Mountain Trail Instead

If you look up Hidden Falls via Jenny Lake Trail—a loop that doesn’t expressly include Inspiration Point, though it’s just a quick and easy addition that most hikers include—you’ll find more than 10,000 hiker reviews and more than 15,000 user photos. Once you start flipping through those photos for yourself, it’s easy to understand why. At about five miles round trip and just over 600 feet of elevation gain, this hike packs major bang for your buck as far as time and effort are concerned. Considered a moderate hike, many hikers are able to complete this one without too much sweat or strain, and the views along the way are simply breathtaking.

That said, a trail with that many positive factors does end up attracting a lot of hikers. (Understandably so.) Fortunately, there’s another trail with life-changing views and similar hiking stats, and that’s Signal Mountain Trail, where you’ll see the whole broad scape of the Grand Tetons laid out like a painting. At 7.5 miles round trip and around 1,200 feet of elevation gain, Signal Mountain Trail is a bit more of a hike—but plenty of outdoor adventurers consider that a positive. (And it’s still in the moderate category overall.) While Signal Mountain Trail isn’t a lakeside journey in the way that Jenny Lake Trail is, the hike starts close to the water and climbs to a viewpoint that will allow you to see Jackson Lake in a way few visitors to the national park ever do. You can also visit the glacier that formed that lake right up close and personal.

Need even more convincing? Here’s what some real-life Signal Mountain Trail hikers have to say about their experience.

• Be prepared for some elevation gain on the way in, though it’s definitely manageable. The trail past Jackson Overlook can be a little tricky to follow. Overall, amazing views, no crowds, and no bears. Highly recommend!
• To sum it up, nothing but stellar views. The flowers are insane right now, definitely recommend going while they’re still everywhere. Lots of shade when I started a little after 10am which is always greatly appreciated. Overall a great trail if you’re looking for something less trafficked, relatively easy and fast, with killer views.
• Spectacular wildflower blooms on this moderately challenging 4 mile hike. Plenty of parking at the signal Mountain Lodge. Surprisingly uncrowded on the trail.

Before You Go Considerations 

Every outdoor adventure requires preparation. Here’s what you need to know before you go to Signal Mountain Trail.

• Be bear aware. Both black bears and grizzlies call Grand Teton National Park home, and there are different protocols for interactions with each of them (which are rare, but possible). To learn more about how to tell the difference between these types of bears and what to do should you encounter them, check out the NPS website or talk to a park ranger once you arrive.
• Be bug aware, too. Along with the wildflowers and epic views, many of the reviews of this trail included mention of bugs—so bring plenty of insect repellent or consider wearing a mosquito net if you’d rather avoid the chemicals.
• Keep the season in mind. While the national park is open year-round, some hikes—including this one—may be inaccessible or substantially more difficult depending on the weather. Even in the temperate summer months, be prepared for sudden changes in climate with multiple layers, including a waterproof rain shell.

Skip Taggart Lake Loop; Try South Landing Trail Instead

The glassy surface of Taggart Lake reflects the snow-capped mountain peaks around it, making for a rewarding viewpoint along a relatively short and easy trail. At just under four miles round trip and a touch more than 400 feet of elevation gain, it’s easy to see why Taggart Lake Loop is one of the most popular hikes in Grand Teton National Park. However, that same popularity means the parking lots can fill up early and your hike may end up feeling more like queuing in line than frolicking through the wilderness.

Instead, AllTrails recommends South Landing Trail, another easy hike of just about five miles round-trip and very little elevation change. Although it’s an out-and-back instead of a loop, this hike also has the benefit of lingering along the waterside for almost its entire length (as opposed to just a peek-a-boo viewpoint). The combination of bright blue skies, purple-hued mountains with their snowy peaks and majestic stands of evergreen trees makes it a stunner of a trail—especially since you’re unlikely to run into too many strangers along the way.

Here’s what AllTrails reviewers had to say about their experiences on South Landing Trail:

• Great trail with spectacular views. A little overgrown but that just means it’s less traveled. And adds to the charm. Easy hike.
• Easy, quiet hike. Saw a deer and the resident elk. Nice little beaches to jump into the lake if it gets too hot.
• Nice easy hike with Jackson Lake views almost all the time. Worth doing.

Before You Go Considerations 

Here’s what to bear in mind before tackling the South Landing Trail.

• Elk live here. Along with the bears and bugs, which are everywhere in the park, this trail is also specifically well known for being home to some of Grand Teton’s elk population. While most hikers find it exhilarating to see elk on their hike, it’s important to maintain a safe distance and avoid fast motions if you encounter one.
• Consider a satellite phone. Although this is an easier hike, it, like many other trails in Grand Teton National Park, is fairly remote. Especially if you’re hiking alone, you might want to consider getting a satellite phone (and the monthly subscription they require to be operational) to keep help just a call or text away should you need it.

Post-Hike Resources for Grand Teton National Park 

While it would be easy to spend a lifetime in Grand Teton National Park (and still not see everything), there’s even more to explore and do while you’re in this beautiful part of the world.

• For starters, be sure to check out the best RV campgrounds in and around Grand Teton National Park—and just like the backcountry camping permits, you’ll want to be sure to make your reservations as far in advance as you can! With views this beautiful, things sell out fast.
• There are also other incredible wilderness areas nearby to explore, including—of course—Yellowstone National Park as well as the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
• Unlike many other national parks, Grand Teton is actually very close to a relatively large city (at least by Wyoming standards): Jackson, which boasts over 10,000 year-round residents and plenty of incredible restaurants and to-dos. For starters, we recommend dinner at The Whistling Grizzly (if you’re looking for a more upscale experience) or Fiesta Mexican if you’re just looking to get the carbs and protein you need to tackle these hikes in a yummy and affordable way. Outdoor outfitters can also lead you on whitewater rafting adventures, sleigh rides (in winter) and more. There are also plenty of pet-friendly campgrounds and RV parks in the Jackson, Wyoming area!

Grand Teton National Park is a stunning and worthwhile destination, no matter how you get there—but we hope this guide has given you some great ideas when it comes to seeing it the easy (and less-crowded) way! And don’t forget, hikers: save 30% when you sign up for your AllTrails Plus membership today!