Jenny Lake

Glaciers carved depressions in the floor of Jackson Hole during the ice age, and meltwater filled them to form the lake. Wikipedia describes the lake as held back by a terminal moraine, glacial debris left about 12,000 years ago as ice flowed out of Cascade Canyon. The lake is roughly 2.2 miles long and 1.2 miles wide with a surface elevation of about 6,783 feet. Depth figures differ between sources, but the National Park Service gives a maximum of 256 feet. Cascade Creek and String Lake feed it, and Cottonwood Creek drains it.

The name dates to the 1872 Hayden Expedition, which was assisted by Jenny Leigh, the Shoshone wife of English-born guide Richard 'Beaver Dick' Leigh. She and the couple's six children died of smallpox in 1876. Later layers of park history are still standing at the lake: the Jenny Lake Visitor Center occupies the historic Harrison Crandall Studio, built in the 1920s, and the Jenny Lake Ranger Station grew from Lee Manges's 1925 homestead cabin, which rangers moved and made into the park's first ranger station and museum in 1930.

Jenny Lake is a hub for hiking. The park service describes options to loop the lake, walk to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, or head into the backcountry via Cascade Canyon, with longer routes to Lake Solitude and Hurricane Pass. Wikipedia lists the Jenny Lake Trail around the shore at 7.1 miles. Hidden Falls is a cascade of roughly 200 to 230 feet according to NPS pages, which give differing figures. Inspiration Point looks out over the lake and Jackson Hole.

The NPS gives the distances as about 5 miles round trip to Hidden Falls and about 6 miles round trip to Inspiration Point from the visitor center on foot. Jenny Lake Boating runs a fee-based shuttle across the lake that shortens the trip, since the NPS puts Hidden Falls about a half mile from the west boat dock, with Inspiration Point roughly another half mile beyond. Scenic cruises and canoe and kayak rentals are also offered, and boat permits are handled at the ranger station. A short paved Discovery Trail of about 0.35 miles is wheelchair accessible.

The east shore looks toward Teewinot Mountain, Mount St. John and the mouth of Cascade Canyon, while the west shore looks back across the water to Jackson Hole. Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake are the two lakes in the park where motorized boats are allowed, according to Wikipedia; confirm rules with the NPS before bringing a boat.

Parking in the Jenny Lake area is limited and the NPS notes it fills in summer. Black and grizzly bears frequent the area, so follow NPS guidance on keeping at least 100 yards from bears and 25 yards from other wildlife. Trail sections, the shuttle and boat service change over time, so check the NPS and Jenny Lake Boating for current access, permits and conditions.

A Voyzo private tour with a private vehicle and driver and door-to-door pickup takes the parking question off your plate, which is a real consideration at Jenny Lake.