Phelps Lake from the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve

The walk starts at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center on the Moose-Wilson Road, on land given to the park by Laurance S. Rockefeller. The Lake Creek Trail follows the creek up through forest to the shore of Phelps Lake, where there are views across the water into Death Canyon. The loop returns through mature forest on the Woodland Trail.

It is a 3.2-mile (5.1 km) loop with 270 feet (81 m) of climbing; allow about 1½ hours. The grade is Easy: wide, mostly level trails, with some rocks and roots.

In 2026 the Moose-Wilson Road is closed between Moose and the preserve from September 8 to November 15 for construction, so come in from the south through the Granite Canyon Entrance near Teton Village. From November 1 to mid-May, the section of road past the preserve is closed to cars for winter. Vehicles over 23 feet long or 8 feet wide, and trailers, are not allowed on the road. Bears may be about at any time: carry bear spray, make noise and hike in a group.

The lot holds about 50 cars and in summer is usually full from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the Preserve Center is open daily from early June to late September.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.