About
Summary
The Jumping Rock on the northeastern shore of serene Phelps Lake is a very popular summer destination for locals and out-of-towners trying to cool off after a nice hike in the area.
Distance
5.0 miles
From the Death Canyon Trailhead to the Rock and back is about 5 miles all told.
Destination Distance From Downtown
Time To Complete
1 hours
90 minutes to a full day
Review
Intro
Phelps Lake is a very scenic body of water located in the southern end of Grand Teton National Park. In the summer months, it experiences a lot of recreational traffic. Hikers and backpackers enjoy the many surrounding trails, and many people even swim in the cold, glacial waters. And the best place to do this is the popular "Jumping Rock."
What Makes It Great
On the northeastern shore of the lake lies a granite rock outcropping with a 20-foot drop into the water. As far as natural rock jumps are concerned, this one easily ranks as one of the best around. After enjoying a hot, summer hike on one of the many surrounding trails, plunging into Phelps Lake from a moderately sized jump is one of the most enjoyable, refreshing, and exhilarating things you can do.
There are campsites at the western end of the Lake if you want to spend the night.
From either direction, you'll see the boulder sticking out into the lake.
Who is Going to Love It
Families with young children, teenagers looking for thrills, 20-somethings, 30-somethings, 40-someth... you get the point. Everyone and their mother loves the Jumping Rock at Phelps Lake. The adrenaline of leaping into the frigid glacial lake is out of this world and getting there is easy as pie.... It's leaving that's the hard part.
Directions, Parking, & Regulations
Starting at the Rockefeller Preserve, hike 1.5 miles to the southeastern shore of Phelps Lake, cross the lake's outlet via a pedestrian/equestrian bridge and continue on a trail up the northern shore for 20 to 25 minutes.
To get to the rock from the Death Canyon Trailhead, hike 1.2 miles to the Phelps Lake Overlook and then .75-mile down to the Valley Trail. Head east on the Valley Trail, passing a few campsites, for approximately 15 minutes.
