The Taggart Lake Trail is a popular hiking trail that offers breathtaking views of the Teton Range and leads to the serene and beautiful Taggart Lake.
Taggart Lake Loop Trail Basics
2-3 Hours
3.9 Miles Roundtrip
Loop
465 Feet
Duration: 2-3 Hours
Walking the entire loop to Taggart Lake and back takes about 2-3 hours. We did it in just over 2 hours, including time to sit by the lake and stop for a water and snack break.
Distance: 3.9 Miles Roundtrip
While not the longest hiking trails to a mountain lake in the park, this is still a considerable distance. The Taggart Lake Loop Trail spans almost 4 miles.
Type: Loop Trail
If you stick with the Taggart Lake Loop Trail, then this is a complete loop. You can choose to extend the loop at the Bradley Lake Trail split by going to Bradley Lake and then back to Taggart Lake.
Elevation Change: 465 Feet
Most of the moderate grades on this first half of the loop occur between the horse corral and the Bradley Lake Trail junction on the walk to the lake. Then, on the way back, there is a steep elevation drop near the Valley Trail junction as you descend back to the valley floor.
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
The best time of year to visit Grand Teton is in the late spring through early fall. Summer is the peak season in the park, so the most crowded, but it’s also the best time of year to visit due to the mild summer temperatures.
Time of Day: Any
You can walk on this trail any time of the day but it’s best to get an early start as this popular spot can get crowded later in the day.
Amount of Shade: Moderate
As you walk through long stretches of aspen groves, spruce trees, and lodgepole pines, you will be in the shade for a considerable amount of this trail. The first one-tenth of a mile is in the open fields until you get close to crossing Taggart Creek.
Difficulty: Easy
Even though it’s a longer trail, the walk around the Taggart Lake Loop is an easy hike overall. The 465 feet of elevation gain is gradual other than a steep decrease when you reach the intersection with Valley Trail.
What Makes Taggart Lake Loop a Great Hike?
The Taggart Lake Loop Trail is a fantastic hike, largely because of the diverse range of landscapes you experience as you make your way along the path. From the very beginning, the trail opens up to an expansive open meadow with unobstructed views of the majestic Teton Range. The meadows are often adorned with wildflowers during the summer, adding color and vibrancy to the surroundings.
After traversing the open meadows, the trail leads you across a scenic river, which often runs fast and clear in the spring and early summer. This crossing marks a shift in the landscape as you enter a beautiful aspen-covered moraine, where the terrain becomes more varied.
As you reach the far end of the loop, the landscape changes once again when you arrive at the shore of Taggart Lake. The lake itself is a picturesque, serene body of water nestled at the foot of the towering Tetons. It’s an excellent choice to take a break, soak in the views, and enjoy the peacefulness of the area.
On the return leg of the trail, the path winds through a dense forest of lodgepole pines, offering shade and cooler temperatures. The forested section of the trail contrasts beautifully with the open meadows and lake views, adding yet another layer to the variety of environments experienced during the hike.
Although the trail is relatively easy and accessible for most hikers, it does offer a few challenges in certain spots. Some sections may have modest elevation gains or uneven, rocky terrain, particularly near the moraine and along the lake’s shore. There may also be some steeper sections or spots where footing requires extra attention. However, these challenges are minor and add just the right amount of adventure without making the trail overly strenuous.
Scenery on the Taggart Lake Loop Trail
Start of the Trail
From the trailhead hikers are immediately greeted by breathtaking panoramic views of three iconic peaks in the Teton Range: Grand Teton, Middle Teton, and South Teton. As you begin the hike, you’ll want to veer to the right at the initial junction to ensure you’re staying on the correct path toward Taggart Lake. Not long after starting, you’ll come across Taggart Creek, a lovely mountain stream that flows through the area. The sound of the rushing water adds to the tranquil atmosphere, and the creek’s cool, clear water is especially refreshing to see during the warmer months. Shortly after crossing the creek, you’ll pass by the National Park Service (NPS) horse corrals. These corrals are often home to the park’s horses, used by rangers and park staff for patrols and other duties. As you move past the horse corrals, the trail begins to transition into more open meadows, offering even more expansive views of the Tetons and the surrounding natural beauty.
Stephanie and Ryan on the bridge over Taggart Creek in 2021
Justin, Stephanie, Ryan, and Tyler on the bridge over Taggart Creek in 2018
On the Trail
The pathway along the Taggart Lake Trail continues to wind its way alongside Taggart Creek, guiding hikers through a beautiful and diverse forest. The trail is shaded by towering spruce, fir, and lodgepole pine trees, creating a cool, forested atmosphere. These trees, with their sturdy trunks and rich green canopies, provide a refreshing contrast to the open meadows at the start of the hike. The dense forest also offers a sense of serenity and peace, with the sound of the creek flowing nearby adding a calming soundtrack as you walk. In addition to the coniferous trees, you’ll also pass through lovely stretches of aspen groves. As you progress about a mile from the trailhead, you’ll encounter a section of the trail that offers a glimpse into the park’s ecological history. This area was affected by the 1985 Beaver Creek Fire, a lightning-ignited wildfire that burned through part of the forest.
End of the Trail
As you continue your hike and make your way up to the base of the Teton Range, you’ll approach one of the most rewarding moments of the journey: reaching the southeastern shore of Taggart Lake. Just a short distance past the Bradley Lake Junction, the trail opens up to reveal the sparkling waters of Taggart Lake, nestled at the foot of the towering Tetons. This section of the hike feels like a true payoff, as the path gradually brings you closer to the iconic mountains, with the lake offering a perfect natural foreground to the dramatic peaks rising in the distance. From this point, you can easily walk right up to the edge of Taggart Lake, where the water is often crystal-clear and inviting. It’s the perfect spot to take a break and immerse yourself in the peaceful beauty of the surroundings. Many hikers choose to cool off by dipping their hands or feet in the lake, feeling the refreshingly cool, glacier-fed waters. Among the visible towering peaks, you’ll see Mount Owen, which stands at over 12,000 feet, rising to the north of the more famous Grand Teton. To the east, the distinctively steep Teewinot Mountain captures your attention with its craggy, triangular shape. This peak is particularly stunning and appears almost vertical, adding to the dramatic scenery. In addition to these towering summits, the view also takes in the impressive Garnet Canyon, a glacially carved valley nestled between the peaks.
Notable Places on the Hike
At about 0.4 miles into the trail, if you go counter-clockwise like we did, you will come to a wooden bridge across Taggart Creek. For those visiting in the late spring or early summer, the water will likely be rushing through the area.
Bridge over Taggart Creek
Enjoying the view at Taggart Lake
Taggart Lake Loop Trailhead Information
Park Name: Grand Teton National Park
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.
Finding the Trailhead
The trailhead for Taggart Lake Loop is in the northwest corner of the parking area. You'll find it to the left of the vault toilet facilities.
Markers Along the Trail
At about 1 mile into the trail, you will come to the junction with Bradley Lake Trail, the smallest glacially-carved lake below the Teton Range. Stay to the left to continue to Taggart Lake.
Nearest Restrooms
There is a set of vault toilets in the parking area for the Taggart Lake Trailhead.
Parking Area
The parking lot for the Taggart Lake Trailhead is about 2.5 miles north of the Moose Entrance Station on the main road through the park. The parking area is rather large, with over 60 spots available, so finding a parking spot shouldn't be an issue.
Other Trails at this Trailhead
- Bradley Lake Loop Trail
- Valley Trail aka Beaver Creek Trail
- Grand Teton Park Road Multi-Use Pathway
Tips for Taggart Lake Loop Trail
- Grizzly and black bears are known to frequent this area, so make sure to carry bear spray with you.
- Other animals you may see include mule deer, moose, river otters, bald eagles, hawks, and ospreys.
- Get an early start to help avoid the crowds and ensure you have more peaceful moments at the lake.
- Make sure to carry enough water and snacks for the trail because there is nowhere to fill water along the path.
Accessibility Information for Taggart Lake Loop Trail
Dirt
Paved
Trail Type: Dirt
The Taggart Lake Loop Trail is a dirt path with some natural obstacles such as large loose rocks and tree roots. With the elevation gain, plus the terrain, this is not an accessible trail.
Parking: Paved
The parking lot at the trailhead is a paved lot with multiple handicap-accessible parking spots.