16 mi of trail, end to end · about 2,800 ft of climbing · 6,353 ft–7,412 ft · earth, native, wood surface · trail class Developed, Minimally Developed, Moderately Developed · hiking, horse
ViewsBackcountry camps
Along the waySouth District Lakes Bradley LakePhelps Lake Overlook
TrailheadLupine Meadows Trailhead 6,736 ft Drive there
Valley Trail - Phelps Lake Overlook the Park Service's write-up
7-9 Hours · no dogs · Spring, Summer, Fall
Start Valley Trail Trailhead
Hikers are rewarded with views of Phelps Lake and the valley from the overlook. Photo: NPS Photo/C. Adams
The Valley Trail is a strenuous, out and back trail that winds through alpine forests, connecting Teton Village to Grand Teton National Park's valley lakes. Start the trail from the Teton Village base area. After an initial ascent to the start of the Valley Trail via Jackson Hole Mountain Resort trails , follow the trail across rolling terrain before ascending to the Phelps Lake Overlook. Return the same way or continue on for a longer hike.
Accessibility The Valley Trail is a strenuous, 13.2 mi (21.3 km) RT hike with 2,360 ft (720 m) of elevation gain and an average slope of 17%. The trail features trail obstacles, such as exposed roots and rocks.
The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.
