Grand Teton’s Most Underrated Hike: Paintbrush Canyon Guide

Walk through vivid scenes of rugged mountain peaks and peaceful meadows with views of glistening lakes below. The Paintbrush Canyon trail in Grand Teton National Park is one of the most serene and underrated hikes, a perfect alternative to the busier Jenny Lake routes.

It’s a relatively long trail at a minimum of 12.5 miles, which makes it quieter and less trafficked.

Now, there are two ways to complete this trail: you can do the entire 19 mile loop up through Paintbrush Canyon and down through Cascade Canyon or you can do an out and back trail through the area. Because of its length, many visitors get backpacking permits to stay at spots along the way.

I’ve done this hike as two different day hikes. First up Cascade Canyon in the summer and then, up Paintbrush Canyon in the Fall. So I’ve seen the varying landscapes and now I’ve written this guide to help you plan your trip into this magical area. Happy trails! 🥾

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Paintbrush Canyon Trail Details

Quick Paintbrush Canyon Hiking Stats

Distance: 13 miles (to Holly Lake)/19 miles (Entire Loop)
Elevation: 2600 feet/4125 feet of gain
Type: Out and Back/Loop
Length: 6.5-14 hours total
Difficulty: Hard

Paintbrush Canyon Hike Location

Paintbrush Canyon starts on the edge of String and Leigh Lakes in Grand Teton National Park. This area of the park is just off of Teton Park Road in the Jenny Lake area, which is one of the most popular in the park.

From there, this trail travels back into the heart of the mountains, where you’ll find yourself walking among gorgeous alpine lakes and tall peaks. Its a wonderful trail to explore if you’re looking for more solitude.

Things to Know Before You Go

How to Get to Paintbrush Canyon

Paintbrush Canyon is relatively easy to get to once you’re in the Grand Tetons. The trail leaves from Leigh Lake, which is just off Teton Park Road. There is a separate parking area for String & Leigh Lakes.

The drive to String Lakes is about 30 minutes from Jackson and 10 minutes from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. 🚙

Once you’re at the parking area, you’ll follow signs for Leigh Lake. From there, you’ll continue around the lake and follow the signs for Paintbrush Canyon.

Getting Backpacking Permits for Paintbrush Canyon

Although I didn’t get to on my visit, I would love to backpack the Paintbrush Canyon trail. It was one of the quieter trails I’ve been to in the park and there were tons of beautiful areas to spend the night.

Here’s what you need to know about getting a backpacking permit:

• If you want to backpack this trail, you will need to reserve backpacking permits on recreation.gov.
• Permits are released in early January (around the first Wednesday) for the season from May 1-October 31st.
• You will need to fill out the areas you want to stay in each night. There are a number of camp areas along this trail including:
  • Leigh Lake
  • Lower Paintbrush
  • Holly Lake
  • Upper Paintbrush
  • Cascade Canyon North Fork
• Permits are $20, plus $7 per person per night
• Last minute walk up permits are sometimes available, you can check at the Ranger Station

🏕️ Read more about the backcountry zones in Grand Teton here and find my recommendations on the best tents and backpacks here!

Best Time to Visit Paintbrush Canyon

Snow clings to the mountains and trails in the Tetons for much of the year, because they are at such a high elevation. So, the best time to visit this area is when the snow has melted and the colors start to peak out again.

This trail is usually clear of snow from early July through mid-October and closed when the road is closed from November through April.

But, you can also plan your trip around the changing colors in the area. In the late summer, wildflowers cover the trail 🌸 and create a gorgeous scene. While in the early fall, the brush start to change to deep reds and yellows. 🍂

No wonder they call this area Paintbrush Canyon. It’s truly spectacular!

Packing Guide For Paintbrush Canyon

Whether you’re packing for a backpacking trip through the canyon or just a day hike, you’ll want to be prepared with layers and comfortable hiking shoes. Weather can truly shift in an instant in the mountains, so you always want to be ready.

Below you’ll find a guide on what I’d pack for a day hike and then you can read more about my backpacking gear recommendations here.

Packing Guide

• Comfortable Hiking Boots
• Day Pack
• Hiking poles– Will come in handy when walking down from Paintbrush Divide.
• Water Reservoir
• 1-2 Liters of Water
• Snacks and Food
• First Aid Kit– Make sure it’s stalked with any of your medications too.
• Sunscreen
• Bug Spray
• Bear Spray – If you’re coming from out of town, they have bear spray rentals at the park!
• Rain jacket
• Light winter jacket
• Satellite phone– Important when you’re in the backcountry!
• Bathing Suit
• Towel – perfect if you plan to swim in any of the lakes!

Paintbrush Canyon Trail Description

Now that you’ve got all the logistics down, lets talk trail details. This hike can either be completed as an out and back from String Lake to Holly Lake (or further) or it can be a long 19 mile loop Back through Cascade Canyon.

You can do this trail in either direction, but I’m going to describe the trail starting at String Lake and completing it counter clockwise.

String & Leigh Lakes to Paintbrush Canyon

Miles: 2.5 miles
Elevation: 650 feet
Time: 1 hour

As soon as you begin this trail, you’ll be amazed at the serene landscapes. The trail starts right on the edge of String Lake and if you’re lucky you’ll see a magnficient reflection of the peaks in the water.

From there, you’ll continue counter clockwise around the lake until you see the sign for the Leigh Lake trail. You’ll continue on that around the edge until you get to the Northern side of it.

From there, you’ll see a footbridge that crosses over into the mountains. Continue up that trail into the woods and over a steep area. As you walk up this hard stretch, you’ll be rewarded with views of the lakes below to your left.

Paintbrush Canyon

Miles: 3.2 miles
Elevation: 1600 feet
Time: 1.5-2 hours

Once you cross the footbridge and leave the lakes behind, the trail begins to climb steadily into Paintbrush Canyon itself. The trees close in and you’ll start to feel that alpine shift as the air cools and the peaks rise ahead of you.

This stretch gains most of the elevation, so pace yourself. 🥵 You’ll pass through dense pine forest, open avalanche zones, and meadows that burst with wildflowers in late July.

Every so often, you’ll get a glimpse of the Tetons’ jagged peaks above you, reminding you how deep into the mountains you’ve ventured.

When we hiked through this area in September it was bursting with reds and yellows. I kept stopping to look back at the amazing views of the lakes and taking photos of the scenery. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Paintbrush Canyon to Holly Lake

Miles: .5 miles
Elevation: 300 feet
Time: 15-30 minutes

As you come up through the canyon, you’ll see a small lake to your left. Once you see that lake, you’ll just have to continue a little further to get to Holly Lake.

Walk up through the woods and follow the signs. Soon, the woods will clear and you’ll come out into the open with the lake ahead of you. This gorgeous lake sits just below some of the tall peaks.

It’s a great place to take a break, enjoy some lunch, camp (if you’re backpacking, or a great stopping point if you want to turn around from here. I sat here for over an hour enjoying the peace and quiet of the lake.

Holly Lake to Paintbrush Divide

Miles: 1.5 miles
Elevation: 1200 feet
Time: 1-1.5 hours

If you continue past Holly Lake, the trail climbs steeply toward Paintbrush Divide and then descends to Lake Solitude. I didn’t make it all the way to Paintbrush Divide or Lake Solitude myself (I have done Cascade Canyon separately), but I’ve included details below based on official park info and other hikers’ experiences so you can plan your full route.

Now, you’re ready for one of the toughest points of the entire hike, the climb up to Paintbrush divide. This area can be rocky and exposed, so mentally prepare yourself before heading up.

From Holly Lake, you’ll continue over switchbacks and steep terrain for about 1.5 miles until reaching the peak of the hike at 10,700 feet. 😱

Paintbrush Divide has absolutely stunning panoramic views of the rugged mountain peaks and you’ll definitely want to stop for some pictures here. But, it’s also incredibly exposed and unsafe if there are any thunderstorms.

Note: This area can have snow through mid summer, so be careful and bring microspikes.

From the peak, you’ll immediately start your descent down into the latter portion of the trail.

Paintbrush Divide to Lake Solitude

Miles: 2.5 miles
Elevation: Loss of 1300 feet
Time: 1-2 hours

Unfortunately, the descent down to Lake Solitude is no easy feat, but you can do it! Grab your trekking poles and start the rocky, uneven 1600 foot descent down to the lake.

Just before the lake you’ll get to a meadow section before finally coming to the stunning scenery at the water. Here, you’ll find Lake Solitude nestled in the surrounding canyon.

It’s a beautiful lake and again, this is a great place to stop before continuing further.

Cascade Canyon

Miles: 6.3 miles
Elevation: Loss of 1800 feet
Time: 2-3 hours

As you start to take the Cascade Canyon trail, you’ll notice the crowds begin to pick up. There are a larger amount of day hikers that do this portion of the trail.

Then, you’ll continue into a stunning canyon with gorgeous views of the mountains all around you! It looks like a work of art and I remember feeling the sun hit my face as I stared up at the magnificent peaks above me.

Although it’s a long trail, the entire way down is scenic.

Inspiration Point, Hidden Falls & Jenny Lake

Miles: 2.5 miles
Elevation: Loss of 400 feet
Time: 1-1.5 hours

Soon you’ll arrive at the most crowded area of the trail, from the view of Inspiration Point to Jenny Lake. Many day hikers boat over from Jenny Lake and just hike to Inspiration Point or add it to their hike around Jenny Lake.

It’s no wonder this spot has the name Inspiration Point, because it’s a magnificent vista down over the Tetons. Stand there for a moment, and just take it all in.

Then, you’ll walk down the stairs and turn off the trail for a little extra walk to see Hidden Falls. But, trust me, it’s definitely worth it! The waterfall cascades over the cliffs and it’s one of my favorite points on the trail.

Finally, you can continue down to the Jenny Lake dock and keep walking to the left as you finish the loop by String Lake. Give yourself a pat on the back, you completed this challenging trail! 👏🏻

Final Tips for Hiking through Paintbrush Canyon

I’ve set the scene, so that you’ll be ready to take on Paintbrush Canyon. My biggest tips are to pack plenty of water and food, take your time, and prepare for a long hike. If you are a beginner hiker, I would recommend doing a different trail.

Plus, if you want to backpack this area, make sure to plan in advance and snag your permits early!

Even after some time, I still think about the vibrant reds and yellows I saw along this trail. It was some of the best scenery I’ve ever hiked through.

Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or you enjoyed this post!

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