Sight · Grand Teton National Park
A small meadow lake beneath Mount Moran, reached by a long walk.
Overview
Trapper Lake is a small backcountry lake in an open meadow beneath Mount Moran, at the end of the Bearpaw and Trapper Lakes hike. Keep going past Bearpaw if a long walk for a meadow-and-mountain setting sounds like your kind of day; this isn't a casual roadside stop. Plan on a full day. Route estimates fall between 9.2 and 10 miles round trip, with about 460 feet of climbing; starting at String Lake adds about a mile compared with Leigh Lake.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs the walk worth it?Map
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Grand Teton Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Grand Teton National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Grand Teton audio tourMore stories near here in the app
“…We have been driving around with the audio tour and it has been informational and spot on. The whole family has been impressed. We used it for Yellowstone and Grand Teton.”
Guide
The trail passes String and Leigh lakes, then Bearpaw before the final meadow. Expect small ups and downs, with roots and rocks along parts of the way. Dogs aren't allowed. Day hikers don't need a reservation, but overnight stays require a backcountry permit.
Trapper is a small lake, with reeds along much of its edge and a small beaver pond at the inlet. It's a different destination from Bearpaw Lake, which you pass earlier on the same route.
The meadow opens toward Mount Moran, and a small knoll beside the lake is a good place to pause. For a photo, include some reed-lined shore or meadow in the foreground with Moran behind it; that gives the lake a sense of place.
Wildlife
172 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
195 sightingsBrown BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
32 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
1,816 sightingsMooseMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
614 sightingsBisonMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
738 sightingsElkMost seen around 7 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Grand Teton. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
EasyString Lake Loop3.7 mi · 2.5 hr · 3.1 mi awayEasy lake circuit, gentler east shore, climbing west ridge.
EasyLeigh Lake Trail1.8 mi · 1.5 hr · 3.1 mi awayA short lakeshore walk ends where String meets Leigh.
ModerateBearpaw and Trapper Lakes Trail9.2 mi · 5 hr · 3.1 mi awayLong lake shores lead to Bearpaw, Trapper, and a view of Moran.
ModerateBearpaw Lake Trail7.8 mi · 4.5 hr · 3.2 mi awayA long forest walk to Bearpaw Lake, with little climbing.
ChallengingPaintbrush Canyon - Cascade Canyon Loop19.9 mi · 12.5 hr · 3.4 mi awayTwo canyons, one high pass, and a long day in the Tetons.
ChallengingHolly Lake Trail12.8 mi · 8 hr · 3.4 mi awayA full-day climb from String Lake to a high alpine lake.
ChallengingLake of the Crags Trail4.6 mi · 7.5 hr · 4.4 mi awayA steep, unmaintained climb through Hanging Canyon to two alpine lakes.
ModerateForks of Cascade Canyon9.4 mi · 7 hr · 4.6 mi awayA high canyon walk whose hardest steps come before the big views.Sight · 0.3 mi awayBearpaw LakeA modest stop before the more scenic Trapper Lake.
Sight · 2.5 mi awayLeigh LakeA short walk leaves the busier String Lake shore behind.
Sight · 2.9 mi awaySpalding Bay Boat Launch and Camp AreaSmall-boat access with two permit-only campsites beside Jackson Lake.
Picnic area · 3.2 mi awayString Lake Picnic AreaA shady lakeside lunch spot with swimming and Teton views.
Sight · 3.2 mi awayCathedral Group TurnoutA quick roadside view of the Cathedral peaks and fault scarp.
Scenic pullout · 3.3 mi awayMountain View TurnoutA wide Teton panorama without a hike
Lodging · 3.6 mi awayJenny Lake LodgeA seasonal cabin stay with five-course dinners and Dude Ranch roots.
Sight · 4.3 mi awayCascade Canyon TurnoutA quick roadside glimpse into glacier-carved Cascade Canyon.Parkwolf’s Grand Teton ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
