The Cache Creek Trail is an easy and pleasant hike through the bottom of a canyon at the edge of the town of Jackson, Wyoming. Traversing through the lower Gros Ventre Mountains, the boundary to the Gros Ventre Wilderness Area is found 5.6 miles up the trail, though many people hike in to any stopping point along the trail before turning back.

View more images available as prints from the Gros Ventre Mountains

Cache Creek Trail Description

The Cache Creek Trail begins at a large parking area at the end of Cache Creek Drive. The main trail looks like a dirt road, which the first quarter-mile or so is. If you’re up for a bit of a scenic route, a small boardwalk trail parallels the main trail for a short distance, as well Cache Creek itself. Once reconnected with the road, the road will soon fork off to the right where private chuckwagon dinners are held, so be sure to head left at the fork where the trail begins a gradual climb, transitioning from dirt road to trail.

The trail ascends a small rise, and at the top, opens up into large meadow lined with aspen trees at the bottom of the canyon. You’ll also notice a trail junction with trails going left and right. This will become a common pattern in the early miles of the trail. Many other alternative hiking and biking trails parallel the main trail, giving visitors the chance to change up the terrain. Feel free to catch one on your way out, but know that you might wind up adding a small bit of extra distance if you do.

The trail beyond continues an easy and relaxing pace along the canyon floor, frequently joining the creek for a calm and tranquil outing. You’ll also notice that the farther back you go, the less people you’ll see. This is one of those trails where you go as far as you’re comfortable. There are no significant landmarks or destinations, but it’s simply a convenient way to get out and enjoy a small canyon just outside of town.

If you want to make a lengthy day hike out of it, there are multiple trails that extend from the Gros Ventre Wilderness boundary that you can catch that will bring you to deeper destinations into the Gros Ventre Mountains.

That’s generally the thing about this area that keeps people coming back: there’s a large trail network to explore away from the frantic busyness of Grand Teton National Park.

However you choose to experience the trails of Cache Creek is totally up to you. Some go a couple of miles in and out of the main trail, others go for several miles linking multiple side trails. Whatever you decide, odds are you’ll love this peaceful area of Jackson Hole.

Getting There

From Town Square in Jackson, Wyoming, head east on Broadway Ave for 0.6 miles, then taking a right at the 4-way stop sign at Redmond. Follow that for 0.4 miles, then taking a left at Cache Creek Drive. Continue for 1.2 miles until the road dead-ends at the parking area, being sure to obey all speed limit signs.