Yellowstone National Park is built around the natural wonders Wyoming has to offer, and that includes abundant geothermal features throughout the area. With a boardwalk system that covers a lot of the park, it's easy to get up close and personal with many of the attractions such as Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring. If you're willing to take a short hike off the beaten path, however, you'll be rewarded with witnessing one of the most underrated natural attractions in Yellowstone.
Hiking and viewing the awesome natural attractions are all part of the adventure in Wyoming's most popular national park.
Many visitors stick to the boardwalks to take in the easy-to-access attractions, but they miss out on some of the coolest features in the park, like the Lone Star Geyser.
The trail to the geyser is only about 2 1/2 miles long, and it's pretty level the entire way, making it a great hike for people of all skill levels.
Making the trip to see Lone Star is well worth it. It's one of the largest cones in the park. It has earned a reputation for being more reliable than Old Faithful, and it puts on quite a show.
Lone Star goes off full-blast about every 2 to 3 hours, but about an hour to 90 minutes after the last eruption, it starts a splashing phase that signals another one is coming on. When the main eruption hits, you'll know it. Steam and hot water will shoot about 35 to 40 feet into the air, and the show lasts for around 30 minutes.
Often, there are one or more small eruptions between the splashing phase and the next major eruption, but they last only a few minutes and may not shoot up as high.
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You can check with the Old Faithful Visitor Center to try to time your arrival at Lone Star in time to see it go off. If you just want to wing it, though, there's plenty of beautiful scenery to take in while you're waiting for the next big show.
There's a log book near the geyser that can help you figure out when the next big eruption might occur. Visitors are encouraged to log in any eruptions they witness to assist the park in tracking the Lone Star eruptions as well as help future spectators calculate when it might go off again.
There are some smaller thermal attractions along the way to Lone Star, and even some excellent camping spots, too.
With no barriers, you can get pretty close to Lone Star, but be sure to maintain a safe distance. All in all, the experience is an amazing payoff for venturing off the boardwalk.
Hike This Trail in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park for an Unforgettable Adventure
Jenny Lake is one of the most popular lakes in Grand Teton National Park and for good reason. Tackle this 7.1-mile trail and see all that this area has to offer.
I currently live less than two hours from Grand Teton National Park. Every year, I try to make multiple trips to this bucket-list-worthy destination for a day of hiking, exploring, and observing wildlife. While I've visited every corner of this park, my favorite area is easily Jenny Lake. Not only is this body of water stunning, it is home to the Jenny Lake Trail, one of my favorite hiking trails in Grand Teton National Park. Along this hike, you’ll capture incredible views, may spot an animal or two, and will give your body a good workout. It’s an unforgettable adventure that I can’t recommend enough.
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Crystal clear water at the shoreline of Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA
Jenny Lake is one of the most popular and busiest areas of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming — and for good reason. It’s beautiful here. The lake is crystal clear and sits at the base of the Teton Range. In this area of the park, you’ll find multiple hiking trails such as Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point but I recommend you take the Jenny Lake Trail.
This trail’s route is pretty simple. The Jenny Lake Trail is a loop route that circles this beautiful body of water. The hike is 7.1 miles with nearly 1,000 feet of elevation gain, making it a bit of a challenge. You should plan at least three to five hours for this adventure and remember to keep your favorite furry friend at home. Dogs are not allowed on this trail.
While this route takes you in a circle around the lake, the beautiful Jenny Lake isn’t the only thing you will see on your journey. As you walk, you’ll come across views of Cascade Canyon, which is a remarkable canyon formed by glaciers thousands of years ago.
You’ll also want to bring your camera as you can admire scenes featuring three breathtaking mountain peaks: Mount Owen, the Grand Teton, and Teewinot. And when you are at the southern shore of Jenny Lake, you’ll also pass Moose Ponds, where you’ll want to stop and look for wildlife. It’s not uncommon to spot wildlife such as moose and beavers here.
And, of course, the views of Jenny Lake throughout your hike are truly incredible. I particularly love the scenery around the lake and the mountains in the autumn when fall foliage is at its peak. The red, orange, and golden leaves create a scene that looks like it is in a painting.
Keep in mind that to access this trail, you will need to pay the fee to enter Grand Teton National Park. And if visiting in the winter, I also suggest visiting the National Park Service website for potential road closures. If you want to spend even more time around Jenny Lake, you can take the shuttle across the lake. The shuttle will get you closer to the Hidden Falls, Inspiration Falls, and Cascade Canyon trailheads but there is a fee for this ride.
Also, keep in mind that you will hike through bear territory. Always be prepared for a bear encounter by being alert, making noise, carrying bear spray, and never hiking alone.
There are many ways to enjoy Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park but you’ll never regret the Jenny Lake Trail. Put on your hiking shoes, grab your gear, and hike. It’s 7 miles of pure adventure.
Have you ever hiked the Jenny Lake Trail in Grand Teton National Park? What are your favorite hikes in this Wyoming national park? Let me know. I’d love to hear from you. And if you are looking for even more hikes in Grand Teton NP, check out AllTrails.
If you’re craving a hidden gem hike that’s equal parts wild and scenic, with a dash of history and a whole lot of Wyoming wilderness, the Encampment River Trail might just be calling your name. Nestled in the state's southern reaches, this gem of a trail offers the kind of raw, unfiltered beauty that Wyoming does best: jagged mountains, rushing rivers, and more wildlife than you can shake a trekking pole at. Starting from the trailhead at Odd Fellows Campground, the Encampment River Trail is a beautiful, yet surprisingly overlooked trek that hugs the riverbanks and gives you front-row seats to some of Wyoming’s best natural wonders.
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The Encampment River Trail is a roughly 15-mile out-and-back hike, tracing the path of the Encampment River through the Encampment River Wilderness. While it's the smallest wilderness area in Wyoming, it's definitely not short on beauty! The river winds through a lush canyon with towering cliffs, evergreen forests, and wide-open skies, which means this trail has a little bit of everything. You'll find thick stands of pine and spruce to sagebrush-strewn meadows, plus the occasional dramatic vista where the canyon walls open up to reveal the rugged landscape in all its glory.
From the get-go at Odd Fellows Campground, you’re greeted by the burbling sounds of the river, which you’ll be following for much of the hike. The river itself is crystal clear, and if you’re an angler (or just a fishing enthusiast), you might spot brown and rainbow trout darting beneath the surface. While the trail is generally flat, there are a few elevation gains here and there, but nothing too strenuous — just enough to keep things interesting and give you a better view of the scenery.
As you hike along the river, the canyon walls occasionally close in, creating narrow, intimate stretches where the river rushes by at your feet. Other times, the landscape opens up and you’ll find yourself in wide, sun-drenched meadows where wildflowers bloom in the warmer months. In the fall, the trail is transformed into a canvas of gold, with aspens lighting up the landscape in fiery hues. This is one hike you'll want to do in every season!
The wildlife along the trail doesn’t disappoint either. Mule deer, elk, and the occasional moose are known to frequent the area, and if you’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you feel about it), you might even spot a black bear ambling through the trees. The canyon is also home to plenty of smaller critters like chipmunks, marmots, and a variety of birds. Birdwatchers should keep their eyes peeled for golden eagles soaring overhead and osprey diving for fish in the river.
One of the coolest aspects of the Encampment River Trail is its connection to the region’s history. This whole region was once the site of a booming copper mining industry in the late 1800s and early 1900s. While the mines have long since closed, remnants of this era are still scattered throughout the area. Along the trail, you might even stumble across old cabin remnants or rusting mining equipment — ghosts of a bygone era when the canyon was bustling with prospectors and miners hoping to strike it rich.
For the most part, the Encampment River Trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, making it accessible for hikers of all skill levels. The path is relatively flat for the first few miles, though it does get a bit more rugged and rocky as you head deeper into the canyon. There are a few creek crossings to navigate, so be prepared to get your feet wet, especially in the spring when the snowmelt is at its peak. (Pro tip: waterproof boots are your friend here!)
If you’re planning to tackle the whole 15 miles in one go, it’s a good idea to pack for a full day of hiking. But don’t worry if you’re more of a casual hiker; the first few miles of the trail offer plenty of rewarding scenery, so you can turn around at any point and still feel like you’ve gotten your dose of nature. If you’re up for it, though, the trail also makes a great overnight backpacking trip, with several dispersed camping spots along the way where you can pitch a tent and enjoy the sounds of the river as you drift off to sleep. The trail also connects to a few others in the area, like Purgatory Gulch.
The Encampment River itself was an essential lifeline for these early settlers, providing water and a means of transportation for goods. As you walk the trail, it’s easy to imagine what life might have been like for those hardy souls who called this wild, remote corner of Wyoming home.
Ready to explore? The trailhead at Odd Fellows Campground is located just south of the small town of Encampment, which is about a 30-minute drive from Saratoga, Wyoming. From Encampment, you’ll head down Forest Service Road 550, which will lead you right to the campground and the start of the trail. The road is gravel but usually in decent condition, and doable for most vehicles. Once you arrive, you’ll find ample parking and basic facilities, including picnic tables and vault toilets. It’s a great spot to relax, eat a fuel-up meal, and maybe even chat with fellow hikers before hitting the trail. You can also stay the night if you'd rather get an early start!
The Encampment River Trail may not have the fame of some of Wyoming’s bigger-name hikes, but it’s exactly this off-the-beaten-path vibe that makes it so special. There’s something magical about a trail that feels like your own private slice of wilderness, and if you ask us, it’s the perfect excuse to grab your gear, lace up your boots, and hit the trail!
