Favorite Hikes in YNP and GTNP
 

What were your favorite hikes of 6 miles or less in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks?

Jennie Lake is a lovely hike halfway around a lake and then up to a waterfall. If you want, you can then take a boat ride across the lake for the trip back.

I liked the hiked to inspiration point (or higher) in Jenny Lake.

The two previous posters are talking about basically the same hike in the Grand Teton. Inspiration Point is above the waterfall. And, yes, it's highly recommended.
I'd recommend to get a copy of Frommer's pocket guide "Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks." It includes a plethora of helpful information and is $11 well spent!

We got the above book from the library (after seeing that Howard had suggested it so often), and agree that it is very worthwhile. Although we have been to Yellowstone and the Tetons before, we found enough new information in it that we ended up buying a copy. I think it would be especially helpful for a first visit. Most books have too much information and it gets confusing.

Digbydog,

I go often and one of my favorites is from the Coulter Bay visitor's center to Swan Lake. Short but very scenic. You will probably see the wild swans nesting, other birds (maybe even great blue herons), and moose. Bears are a possibility too, as always.

PS- another of my favorites in Yellowstone is the Tower Falls hike - all the way to the bottom. Well worth it!

Thanks for the endorsement, maj.
Another good hiking area is at String Lake in the Teton.
A good general bit of advice about hiking in both parks: Check with the rangers. They've always given us solid information and can "custom" their suggestions to your hiking criteria.

Thanks for the suggestions. We have done the hike to Inspiration Point and enjoyed it very much. We have not been to the Tower Falls area of YNP and will check that out. Swan Lake also sounds iinteresting. Has anyone done the hike to Mt. Washburn? Was that worthwhile?

Howard--we have the Frommers guide to Montana and Wyoming. Is there extra info in the guide specifically on the parks or is it the same info from the bigger guide?

Digbydog, I've never seen the larger Frommer's guide, so I can't help you. However, either way, for that small price ($11) I'd still get it. It's a much handier reference source to carry around with you!

Thanks, Howard! I just ordered it from the library so that I can compare it to what I have.