Hiking the Moose Ponds Loop Trail in Grand Teton National Park
Distance: 2.0 miles / 3.2 km
The Moose Ponds Loop Trail in Grand Teton National Park is a local and visitor favorite in Jackson, as the easy trail is without a doubt one of the best places to see and photograph wildlife early in the morning!
I would even go as far to say that the Moose Ponds Trail is the best morning hike that you can do if you want to see wildlife in the park!
All being said, it’s important to hike the Moose Ponds Loop responsibly. Just because the Moose Ponds are notorious for wildlife sightings doesn’t change anything in terms of safety or personal responsibility—meaning you should always hike with bear spray on any trail in Grand Teton National Park.
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
When is the Best Time to See Wildlife in Grand Teton?
It’s a known local secret that in order to see larger wildlife, such as moose, bears, and elk, you want to start the Moose Ponds Loop shortly after sunrise while it’s still cool out.
Typically speaking, after 9 a.m., the chances of spotting wildlife decline significantly compared to the early morning hours.
Moose Ponds Loop Trailhead Parking
The Moose Ponds Loop can begin from either one of three different trailheads.
First, you could begin from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, which is the longest route to access the loop. Second, you can begin from the south parking area near the end of the loop, or finally, you can begin from the parking area linked below (which is my preferred trailhead).
Google Maps Directions: Moose Ponds Loop Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Yellowstone-Tetons
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in the Yellowstone-Teton area.
Bear Spray & Holster - If you aren’t flying, don’t rent bear spray! It’s a waste of money. Prepare ahead of time by buying your own, as this may be one of the most important items on this list.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Moose Ponds Loop Trail
You can either go right or left on the Moose Ponds Loop, but personally, I like to go left first to hike away from the busier Jenny Lake connection.
Some people like to hike toward the ponds first, but it’s all personal preference because the bear you see in this post was taken within the first few minutes of starting the trail going away from the Moose Ponds.
Go straight at this intersection to continue around the Moose Ponds Loop Trail.
You never really know when or where you are going to see a bear in Grand Teton, which for me, happened within the first few minutes of the Moose Loop Trail.
Along this stretch, you may see other wildlife tour groups, which I’ll talk more on later.
Southern Moose Ponds Loop Trailhead
After only 0.5 miles (0.8 km), the Moose Ponds Loop Trail meets up with the southern parking area mentioned earlier.
This sign below may be mislabeled, or it’s referring to the road that leads back to the Jenny Lake Visitor Center.
The Teton side of the Moose Ponds Loop Trail is more forested half, and it’s also where the trail will round the Moose Ponds just prior the linking up with the Jenny Lake Loop Trail.
Once on the far side of the forested section, the Moose Ponds will be found shortly ahead.
Moose Ponds
The Moose Ponds is the section of the trail that everyone typically wants to slow down to look for all sorts of different wildlife.
Grand Teton Wildlife Tours
Overall, I am not a Grand Teton wildlife expert, and the best I know from local secrets is to hike the Moose Ponds Loop early in the morning.
However, if you want more of a guarantee with more stops that just the Moose Ponds, I highly recommend booking a local tour guide out of Jackson. Their guides are experts for knowing where to look, when to look, and how the animals move with the seasons!
Jenny Lake Loop Trail Junction
The Moose Ponds Loop Trail uses a short connection with the Jenny Lake Loop to complete the trail. This is why I mentioned earlier that the Moose Ponds Loop could begin from either the Jenny Lake Visitor Center or the other two trailheads.
In any case, go right here to complete the Moose Ponds Loop Trail.
Additionally, I think it’s worth noting that just prior to me reaching the Jenny Lake Trail, a mom and two cubs crossed right over the trail.
Read My Separate Post: Jenny Lake Loop Trail
Valley Trail (Lower Moose Ponds) Junction
After only 0.1 miles (0.2 km) on the Jenny Lake Loop, the Moose Ponds connection will be found on the right-hand side.
That being said, it may be labeled 'Valley Trail,' as the much longer Valley Trail traverses a number of different hikes across Grand Teton National Park.
Read My Separate Post: Jenny Lake Loop Trail
After leaving the Jenny Lake Trail, the Moose Ponds Trailhead will be located a short distance ahead.
Again, I only saw the one brown bear on my entire hike, so if you’re looking for more of a guarantee, book one of the tours below!
The local guides out of Jackson are your best option for a great wildlife experience.
How Bad are the Mosquitoes?
If this is your first trip to Wyoming, you’re likely unfamiliar with how bad the mosquitoes will be. Locals don’t joke when they call the mosquito the Wyoming state bird, which is why I recommend grabbing this cheap bug net before going. You never know where and when you may want it because even midday in the most unsuspecting places, the mosquitoes can be out in clouds!
More Grand Teton Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Grand Teton National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
From personal experience, I’ve seen that the Yellowstone-Teton area has one of the highest Grizzly Bear densities in the country. Even on the popular trails, you need to be hiking with bear spray and know how to react in the event of a Black or Grizzly Bear encounter.
Aside from wildlife, Wyoming, like any Mountain West state, is known for its violent afternoon thunderstorms, which are more typical in the warmer summer months than other times of the year.
That said, it’s important to check the local forecast before setting off on any adventure, as lightning strikes are not uncommon in and near mountain ranges across the West. I have personally been knocked to the ground by a strike that hit near me in the past, and I confidently say that it’s an experience you don’t want to live through. This is why I highly recommend checking Mountain Forecast for any high-elevation adventures you may be interested in—especially when climbing a summit.
Finally, know that when micro-spikes are necessary for an early-season adventure, micro-spikes are never supposed to be a substitute for conditions that require crampons.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park websites.
National Park Service: Grand Teton National Park / Yellowstone National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
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