Signal Mountain Hiking Trail, Wyoming – An Insider’s Guide

One of the less-hiked trails in Grand Teton National Park is the Signal Mountain hiking trail. Signal Mountain stands at 7,727 feet and can be reached on foot or by car. This is a great, shorter day hike starting near the Signal Mountain Lodge.

We had originally planned to hike to Amphitheater Lake, but the lingering snow had other plans for us. We headed to Signal Mountain instead.

If you want a break from hiking, take a scenic drive to the summit for the amazing views with no effort! This hike is part of our epic 10-Day itinerary in Grand Teton/Yellowstone National Parks. Check out the details below on Signal Mountain.

Need to Know Info

• It’s best to visit the Grand Tetons during late June, July, or August. During these warmer months, you can hit the trails, and everything should be mostly snow-free along the trails in the higher elevations. Key word there…”should”.
• Get to Grand Teton National Park early! Aim for before or around 8 a.m. to snag a parking spot. We showed up around that time each day and never had trouble finding parking. As a bonus, the morning sun lights up the Tetons beautifully from behind you as you enter the park. It really is pure magic. 😍
• An entrance fee is required at Grand Teton National Park. We recommend getting an annual pass. The pass expires after one year, but it usually pays for itself if you visit enough parks in one year.
  • Visit our gear page to purchase your America the Beautiful Pass online at REI’s website. In some cases, you can purchase an annual pass at the entrance of most parks, but it may save you some time to buy it early.

Signal Mountain Hiking Trail

To get to the trailhead, drive to the Signal Mountain Lodge just off Teton Park Road. On the shore of Jackson Lake, Signal Mountain Lodge offers the only lakefront accommodations in Grand Teton National Park. Check out their website for more information on staying here.

The Signal Mountain Trailhead is located south of the lodge. This trail is 8.6 miles long, and we consider it to be a moderate, out-and-back hike with a 1,000 ft. gain. You can make this hike a little bit shorter by turning around at the Jackson Point Overlook at 3.3 miles, making this a 6.6 miler.

Signal Mountain Lodge to Signal Mountain Cutoff

After checking out the Signal Mountain General Store and Gift Shop, walk south toward the Signal Mountain Dorms to reach the trailhead.

The first section of the trail crosses Teton Park Road and Signal Mountain Road as you work your way past a small pond on your left. This is a great spot to look for moose, and hopefully you’ll get lucky enough to see one near the pond.

After hiking for about 0.7 miles, you’ll reach the Signal Mountain Cutoff. Stay to the left here and continue along the trail. Then, hike for another 1.2 miles or so to reach the other junction with the Signal Mountain Cutoff Trail. Again, stay to the left to continue on to the summit.

Signal Mountain Cutoff to Jackson Point Overlook

After you pass the second junction, the trail begins to steepen as you work your way up the forest. Follow the trail and switchbacks as you wind your way toward Jackson Point Overlook, where an amazing view awaits!

Stunning views of the Tetons come in around the 3-mile mark as you reach Jackson Point Overlook. From here, take a rest and enjoy yourself as you look over the panoramic scene from this point.

From here, you have the option to turn around and head back to the lodge or continue along the road to reach the summit. If you turn back, the hike is about 6.6 miles total. Hike on for more fun!

🚶🏽‍♀️ Read next: Take a leisurely stroll on the banks of picturesque String & Leigh Lakes.

Jackson Point Overlook to Signal Mountain Summit Overlook

From the Jackson Point Overlook, continue hiking up the mountain, and you’ll reach the road. Follow the road up to the summit for another mile or so, and the trail ends at the Signal Mountain Summit.

On a clear day, the panoramic view from the Signal Mountain Summit captures five mountain ranges surrounding the Jackson Hole Valley. You will see the Teton Range in the west, the Snake River Range while looking southwest, the Gros Ventre Range to the southeast, the Absarokas to the east, and the Yellowstone Plateau while looking north.

Below, the Snake River winds its way south from Jackson Lake across the valley. If you can time your visit to Signal Mountain during sunrise or sunset, you’ll be in for a spectacular scene! Don’t forget that you can drive to the summit. This is the highest point in Grand Teton National Park accessible by car.

🌲 Looking for tours and other fun things to do near Grand Teton National Park? Check out the fun options from Viator!

Signal Mountain Summit to the Lodge

Finally, head back down the mountain the way you came back to the Lodge and parking area. If you are looking for a slightly alternate route, take the Signal Mountain Cutoff Trail to the left when you reach that point.

This extra trail heads south of the ridge past a series of small ponds and eventually meets back up with the main trail as it leads you right back to the Signal Mountain Lodge. If you plan to hike the entire trail, it’s a nice 8.6-mile day hike.

Animal Safety in Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park has a diverse range of animals living in the park. Grizzly bears, black bears, moose, elk, bison, squirrels, snakes (not venomous!), marmots, and eagles are just a few of the animals you might see.

Always carry bear spray while hiking in the Tetons. Purchase your bear spray near the park in Jackson, or rent it from somewhere if you don’t plan on keeping it. Make sure to review the steps to take if you encounter a bear during your adventure. Also note that bear spray is NOT allowed on aircraft in checked or carry-on luggage.

Before hiking, learn how to spot the difference between grizzly and black bears and what to do if you see one. That being said, it’s unlikely that you will have an aggressive animal encounter, but always be prepared. As always, when hiking in bear country, do NOT leave food in your car!

Safety and Weather in Grand Teton National Park

• Cell phone coverage could be spotty in certain areas of Grand Teton National Park.
• Don’t forget to bring your bug spray. Get our favorite here!
• Plan on letting a family member or friend who isn’t on the trip with you know where you’ll be each day while exploring. If you get lost, this will aid in your rescue.
• Water: Let’s get more sustainable and carry a water bladder instead of those pesky plastic bottles! It’s recommended to carry at least 1 liter of water for every 5 miles you are hiking.
• Food: There are limited food options near the Grand Tetons. However, Signal Mountain Lodge offers dining at The Trapper Grill.
• The weather can vary depending on your location in the park. Higher elevation areas will be cooler, especially in and around the forested and shady areas of the park. You may even see snow at high elevations in the summer months. Be aware of afternoon thunderstorms and the threat of lightning from July through August. Check out the current conditions on the national park website.

Where to Stay Near Grand Teton National Park

Jackson Hole is the perfect spot to stay while spending 4 days in Grand Teton National Park. It’s also possible to stay a bit farther away in Victor, Idaho. Here are some of the top accommodations:

• Flat Creek Inn: This roadside motel is located directly across from the National Elk Refuge. Clean and comfortable. This is one of the closest hotels to Grand Teton National Park, situated just north of Jackson Hole. We had a great stay here during part of our trip! Book it here at Expedia or Booking.com.
• Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole: Just minutes from downtown. Rooms feature private fireplaces and views of Wyoming’s surrounding wild beauty. Pet-friendly, hot tub, and a restaurant is located on site. Check it out on Expedia or Booking.com.
• The Rockwell Inn: Luxury accommodations in Jackson Hole. Begin each day with a hearty breakfast. Free parking, an on-site pool and hot tub, and fresh-baked cookies in the afternoon. Reserve your room on Expedia or Booking.com.
• Cobblestone Hotel & Suites – Victor, ID: A newer hotel offering free breakfast. However, this hotel is about 1.5 hours from Grand Teton National Park. That being said, it’s possible it could be cheaper than others in Jackson Hole during the high season. We stayed here due to this exact reason. We loved it! Book your stay on Expedia or Booking.com.

Final Thoughts

While we had planned a nice hike to Amphitheater Lake, we had to switch gears and hike the Signal Mountain hiking trail due to a deep snowpack still present from the previous winter. We hiked this trail on the recommendation of the park rangers, and it was a nice hike with an epic view at the summit!

This trail was definitely not as strenuous as the Amphitheater Lake trail, so it’s a good one for families as well. Just note that there is some elevation gain on this one, but you can also drive here if you’d rather do that.