Great Views on the Hermitage Point Trail

A hiker stands in awe of the reflections of the Teton Range in Jackson Lake at Hermitage Point — Enjoying the view at Hermitage Point

For years, I had my eye on the Hermitage Point Trail in Grand Teton National Park. But it’s a long hike by Grand Teton standards, especially when you can see almost the same view from the Lakeshore Trail, which is a fraction of the length. I finally had a day to kill in Grand Teton (not that it’s so very hard to kill time in the park) and decided to grit my teeth and hike all those extra miles. It turned out to be a really great hike, and while it does share some similar views with the shorter Lakeshore Trail, it also offers quite a few more – and different – views out over Jackson Lake and to the Teton Range. Is Hermitage Point worth the hike? A resounding yes!

Quick Stats

Round Trip Length: 9.7 miles Trail Type: Lollipop loop or Out & back Elevation Gain: 1,625ft. Pets: No Fees: $35/vehicle

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Craggy mountains tower over fir trees and yellow meadows around a small lake with geese and the reflection of the mountains and trees — You also get to see Heron Pond along the way to Hermitage Point

There was some construction happening around the Colter Bay Marina and the Colter Bay Visitor Center, so finding the trailhead was a little strange. But we followed the signs, and it got us to the trailhead. One thing I should warn you about this trail is that it has about a million trail junctions. Trying to describe it is almost impossible, but I’ll do my best.

An unhappy squirrel on a the rough bark of a fir tree — This squirrel was not happy with me… he even threw bark and pinecones at us!

Head up the unassuming trail to the first junction after 0.1 miles. Turn right toward Swan Lake and Heron Pond; less than a tenth of a mile later, take another right toward the same. About mile 0.4, you’ll come to the junction for Heron Pond (right) vs. Swan Lake (left). The Swan Lake Trail was closed (you can take it as a loop, but I’d recommend doing it on your way back), so I turned right toward Heron Pond.

Trees and meadows with a hiker on a trail while a mountain peeks from behind the trees — Early morning on the Hermitage Point Trail

A quarter mile beyond this junction, you’ll come to a sparsely signed junction for the Jackson Lake Ovelrook to the right. It’s worth the extra elevation gain, and I’m glad I took it on the way out, though I did take the easier route on my way back. The path to the overlook climbs 0.2 miles up to a very nice viewpoint of Mt. Moran and nearby mountains… not so much of Jackson Lake.

Towering mountains rise from behind fir trees across a meadow — Jackson Lake Overlook views

Keep following the path until you get back to the Heron Pond Trail. There are quite a few trails in this area, but most were closed due to bear activity the morning I visited (actually, by the time I came back, the signs were gone, so I was just up earlier than the park service employees!) Turn left to get back to the main path at mile 1.3 (the Heron Pond Trail travels around the pond, so technically you could also go right, though you’ll miss the reflections by doing so).

A beaver lodge reflected in a still pond — Beaver lodge in Heron Pond

Once at the main path, turn right to travel along the eastern edge of Heron Pond. The views from here are spectacular in the early morning; in fact, it’s worth the hike just to see the reflections. And the pond keeps going and going for some time, so you get lots of time to enjoy the views!

Towering, jagged mountains are reflected in a lily pad-clad pond with geese — Reflection of Teewinot Mountain (and Grand Teton) and geese in Heron Pond

Pass the junction for Swan Lake (on the left) about mile 1.7. Travel along the south end of Heron Pond, then the path turns left to enter the woods. The trail from here is generally not very exciting for the next 2.2 miles out to Hermitage Point – there is a cutoff trail junction about mile 2.6; stay right here so you don’t miss out on the views.

A rocky, towering mountain rises from behind fir trees — Mount Moran from the meadows just before Hermitage Point

The trees end just before Hermitage Point, with the scenery becoming meadows. Hold your camera, though, until you get out to mile 4.9 where you can follow a small social trail on the right down to the beach on the very end of the point (the main trail here doubles back on itself). Once on the beach, let your jaw drop – the views are amazing!

Reflections of the Teton Range in Jackson Lake — Reflections in Jackson Lake from Hermitage Point. L-R the peaks are Teewinot Mountain, Grand Teton, Mt. Owen, Cascade Canyon, Mt. St. John, Rockchuck Peak, Indian Paintbrush Canyon (with other peaks up the canyon – I’m using an official NPS map, but I think this may be Paintbrush Canyon now), Mt. Woodring, Leigh Canyon, and Mount Moran.

We spent probably an hour on the beach enjoying the views. It was still early in the morning, so not very many people were out in motorboats yet.

Towering, craggy peaks above a quiet lake — Closeup of Tewinot Mountain and Grand Teton

For your return trip, you can retrace your steps, or you can choose to take the loop option – I don’t remember exactly why I decided to retrace my steps, but given how I feel about loops, I’m going to guess the Swan Lake Trail closure made the loop not an option for me. I also believe the loop is a couple of tenths of a mile longer overall.

Two hikers on a small path through a meadow with fir trees and mountains in the background — Hikers in the meadows on their way back from Hermitage Point

Round Trip Trail Length: I went 9.7 miles. To make it shorter, stop at Heron Pond about 3.2+ miles (you can even walk all of the way around the pond for more views) and then loop back via Swan Lake (not as good views, but nice if you like “average lakes”).

Elevation Gain: 1,625ft. (6,893ft. to 6,769ft.)

Facilities: Almost everything you could imagine near the trailhead in the Colter Bay complex including restrooms, visitor services, a store, campground, and much more.

Fees: $35/vehicle, valid 7 days. America the Beautiful National Parks & Federal Public Lands Passes and Grand Teton Annual Passes are accepted.

Sunrise turns craggy peaks pink while low-hanging clouds float over a peaceful lake — Sunrise over Jackson Lake – though we stopped at a picnic area a bit north of the Colter Bay area. The mountains are Grand Teton (with its head in the cloud), Mount Moran, Traverse Peak, and Bivoac Peak.

Trail Notes: The trail has some elevation change, but not much, so it’s an easy 9.7 miles. I highly recommend hiking this early in the day, when the views of the Tetons are best and also when there’s the best chance of seeing wildlife. I heard an elk bugle, but the only wildlife I saw were birds (geese, ducks, grouse) and an energetic squirrel who didn’t like me invading his territory.

A sooty grouse stands in a grassy forest — A sooty grouse near Heron Pond

Trail

Road

Signs

Scenery

Would I go 100 miles out of my way for this?

Overall Rating:

Trees line the shoreline of a quiet cove with reflections of mountains — A quiet cove of Jackson Lake

GPS Coordinates for Hermitage Point

TH: 43.9010460°, -110.6415110° (43°54.06276′, -110°38.49066′ / 43°54’03.7656″, -110°38’29.4396″) (6,797ft.) (0.0)

Trail Junction: 43.8996850°, -110.6400770° (43°53.98110′, -110°38.40462′ / 43°53’58.8660″, -110°38’24.2772″) (6,884ft.) (0.13)

Mountain cliffs rise over trees and low-hanging clouds — Low-hanging clouds above Jackson Lake but below the mountain peaks… can you see the waterfall in the center of the photo?

Trail Junction: 43.8989710°, -110.6402360° (43°53.93826′, -110°38.41416′ / 43°53’56.2956″, -110°38’24.8496″) (6,874ft.) (0.18)

Trail Junction: 43.8957540°, -110.6423720° (43°53.74524′, -110°38.54232′ / 43°53’44.7144″, -110°38’32.5392″) (6,806ft.) (0.44)

Towering mountains rise over fir trees and a lily pond with reflections of the mountains — Mt. Moran over Heron Pond

Jackson Lake Overlook Junction: 43.8928440°, -110.6431600° (43°53.57064′, -110°38.58960′ / 43°53’34.2384″, -110°38’35.3760″) (6,781ft.) (0.67)

Jackson Lake Overlook: 43.8902920°, -110.6426920° (43°53.41752′, -110°38.56152′ / 43°53’25.0512″, -110°38’33.6912″) (6,876ft.) (0.85)

Lily pads cover part of the reflection of towering mountain peaks — Closeup of the reflections of Grand Teton

Heron Pond Junction: 43.8877280°, -110.6394480° (43°53.26368′, -110°38.36688′ / 43°53’15.8208″, -110°38’22.0128″) (6,780ft.) (1.17)

Return to Main Trail: 43.8879090°, -110.6380030° (43°53.27454′, -110°38.28018′ / 43°53’16.4724″, -110°38’16.8108″) (6,800ft.) (1.31)

A lily pad pond with fir trees and mountains beyond — Views from the south end of Heron Pond

Views across Heron Pond: 43.8850430°, -110.6347210° (43°53.10258′, -110°38.08326′ / 43°53’06.1548″, -110°38’04.9956″) (6,776ft.) (1.61)

Swan Lake Junction: 43.8844350°, -110.6327630° (43°53.06610′, -110°37.96578′ / 43°53’03.9660″, -110°37’57.9468″) (6,802ft.) (1.74)

Mountains rise behind fir trees across a brushy meadow — The Teton Range from the meadows just before the end of Hermitage Point

Trail Junction: 43.8754330°, -110.6334310° (43°52.52598′, -110°38.00586′ / 43°52’31.5588″, -110°38’00.3516″) (6,842ft.) (2.59)

Hermitage Point: 43.8504910°, -110.6487010° (43°51.02946′, -110°38.92206′ / 43°51’01.7676″, -110°38’55.3236″) (6,770ft.) (4.95)

End at TH: 43.9010420°, -110.6415650° (43°54.06252′, -110°38.49390′ / 43°54’03.7512″, -110°38’29.6340″) (6,796ft.) (9.67)

Reflections of towering peaks in a lake beyond a gravely beach — Mount Moran, Moran Canyon, Traverse Peak, Snowshoe Canyon (with peaks), and Eagle’s Rest Peak from Hermitage Point

The gpx file for Hermitage Point can be downloaded – please note that this and the GPS Coordinates are for reference only and should not be used as a sole resource when hiking this trail.

Download GPX File size: 137.0 KB Downloaded 36 times

(Note: I do my best to ensure that all downloads, the webpage, etc. are virus-free and accurate; however, I cannot be held responsible for any damage that might result, including but not limited to loss of data, damages to hardware, harm to users, from use of files, information, etc. from this website. Thanks!)

Reflections of towering mountains in a calm lake — A closer picture of Teewinot Mountain, Grand Teton, Mt. Owen (almost invisible), Cascade Canyon, Mt. St. John, Rockchuck Peak, Indian Paintbrush Canyon, Mt. Woodring, and Leigh Canyon.

Getting to the Hermitage Point Trailhead

From Moran Junction, drive north on US-191N / US-287N / US-89N, following signs for Jackson Lake and Yellowstone. Pay your fee (or flash your pass) at the Grand Teton Entrance Station 0.2 miles later, and continue north another 9.3 miles. Turn left at a sign indicating Colter Bay Junction and drive 0.9 miles; turn left. Pass the visitor center and park as near to the end of the lot as possible.

A squirrel sits on a pine branch eating a pinecone — A much happier squirrel eating a pinecone

Or from the southern entrance to Yellowstone National Park, head south on US-191S / US-287S / US-89S 17.7 miles. Turn right at the sign indicating “Colter Bay Junction” and follow the directions (above) to the parking area.

Visual trail map and elevation profile for the Hermitage Point Trail. See what I mean about a million trail junctions?!?

Explore More of Grand Teton National Park – and Beyond!

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