Paintbrush Canyon Trail

Paintbrush Canyon Trail is a mountain hiking route that winds through dense forests, climbs alpine slopes, and passes near several lakes within Grand Teton National Park. It connects String Lake to Lake Solitude while crossing through multiple elevation zones that display changing forest types and open meadows.

Native peoples traveled through this mountain corridor on established routes for centuries before the area became a protected park in 1929. Early explorations and indigenous pathways shaped the routes that modern hikers follow today.

The trail follows movement corridors used for generations by elk, mule deer, and mountain goats moving between seasonal grazing areas. Walking this route gives visitors a sense of how wildlife shapes the landscape and which passages animals naturally prefer.

This is a demanding hike requiring early starts to finish before dark, and hikers should bring plenty of water, snacks, and sturdy footwear. Weather can change quickly at higher elevations, so layers and rain gear are important precautions.

At the highest point, Paintbrush Divide, hikers gain unobstructed views of Mount Moran and neighboring peaks that look distinctly different depending on the season and time of day. Few other routes in the park offer such a direct vantage point.