A boat ride on Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park is a great way to experience the Teton Range’s stunning scenery and explore otherwise inaccessible areas.
Grand Teton National Park
1 Hour
Spring, Summer, Fall
$20 per adult,
$12 per child
Overview
The Jenny Lake shuttle boat (also known as the Jenny Lake ferry) is the quickest way to shorten the hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Otherwise, you have to hike around the lake first, which adds about 2.4 miles to your trip each way.
The boat ride starts near Jenny Lake Visitor Center and the campground. After a boat ride of about 10-15 minutes, you are dropped off at the West Shore Boat Dock. From there, you can take a short walk to Hidden Falls or a longer hike to Inspiration Point and into the Cascade Canyon Trail along Cascade Creek.
Boat Ride on Jenny Lake Plan
On our first day in Grand Teton, we decided to take the Jenny Lake shuttle boat across the water. It was an activity we had seen information about before heading into the park because we wanted to hike to Hidden Falls without adding almost 5 miles from walking around the lake.
When we were ready, we just went up to the boat house on the East Dock and were able to purchase tickets for the Jenny Lake boat ride that was leaving in 15 minutes. We were there in the summer, which is usually peak season, but it was also the summer of 2021 so there were still a lot of people opting out of things like the boat due to Covid.
Getting There
Location
Grand Teton National Park is located in the northwestern part of Wyoming. The closest airport is Jackson Hole (JAC), which is also the name of the closest town to the park. We flew into Jackson Hole but stayed just over the mountain in Driggs, Idaho on our first trip to the park and in Victor, Idaho on our second trip to the park.
Best Time to Go
The best time to go to Grand Teton National Park is late spring-early summer in May and June or in the early fall months of September and October. You don’t have the heat or crowds that summer break brings, but you aren’t snowed in, either.
Boat Ride on Jenny Lake
Who Can Go?
The boats are handicap-accessible, but as soon as you get off at the west side of Jenny Lake, there are a number of stairs you have to climb to get to the main trail. If you are ready for hiking and exploring, then this is a great way to get there. For those who are looking for a more relaxed experience, you may want to try the scenic boat tours that are also available on Jenny Lake.
What You'll See
From the boat, you’ll see breathtaking views of Grand Teton and the surrounding mountain peaks. You may also see wildlife such as moose, bears, and eagles, especially for those who take an early morning or late afternoon boat ride. The park ranger captaining the boat will tell you about the area.
Views from the boat ride
Views from the boat ride
What to Bring & Wear
Bring your hiking gear if you plan to hike to Hidden Falls or beyond. Wear sturdy shoes and make sure you have plenty of water and snacks. Don’t forget the sunscreen and sun protection while out on the trails. Even though there aren’t any picnic areas on the trails, there are natural stadium seats at Hidden Falls where you can enjoy a packed meal.
Where to Go
The boat ride starts at the Jenny Lake Boating Dock which is on the east shore of the lake. It is near the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, which is easily accessible from the park’s main road, Teton Park Road. There is parking available at the visitor center, but it can fill quickly during peak season so it helps to get an early start.
How Long Does it Take?
The boat shuttle across the lake takes about 10-15 minutes one way. Then you can get off the boat and take the most popular hike in the Jenny Lake area to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, or along the Cascade Canyon Trail. Overall, we spent about an hour between the boat ride to and from the West Dock as well as time to walk to Hidden Falls and back.
Cost
Taking a shuttle ride on Jenny Lake will have a cost in addition to the park’s entrance fee of $35 for a private vehicle. There are other costs for the lake cruises that don’t go to the west dock.
- $ 20.00 – Adult Round-trip (12 yrs to 61 yrs)
- $ 12.00 – Adult One-Way
- $ 12.00 – Child Round-trip (2 yrs to 11 yrs)
- $ 10.00 – Child One-Way
- $ 17.00 – Senior Round-trip (62 yrs and over)
- No Senior One-Way rate
- FREE Under 2 years of age and over 80 yrs
Tips for Boat Ride on Jenny Lake
- Shuttles run every 10-15 minutes throughout the day. The last boat will leave the dock at the posted closing time.
- Reservations are not taken as the boats run continuously throughout the day. Come to the East Boat Dock, purchase the fare, and board the boat on a first-come first-served basis.
- For those who don’t want to hike at all, there are also scenic cruises that you can take on Jenny Lake which is about an hour long.
- Scenic boat tours are also available on Jackson Lake including a dinner cruise to Elk Island or you can do a float ride on the Snake River.