Jenny Lake Ranger Station

In the 1930s, the Jenny Lake Ranger Station and Museum opened as the park’s first visitor facility. Today, climbing rangers provide safety information, issue backcountry and boat permits, share climbing route conditions, and perform mountain rescues. Climbing and day hiking do not require a backcountry camping permit unless camping overnight in the backcountry. Backcountry permits involving climbing or mountaineering, and camping in Garnet Canyon must be obtained at the Jenny Lake Ranger Station.

Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04

Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04

Heading north from Jackson on US 26/89/191, turn left (west) at Moose Junction and continue eight miles north to South Jenny Lake Junction. Turn left (west) into the developed area. Heading south from Yellowstone on US 89/191/287, turn right (southwest) at Jackson Lake Junction and continue 12 miles south to South Jenny Lake Junction. Turn right (west) into the developed area.

Outside the side entrance to the Jenny Lake Store, an asphalt path at the eastern end of the granite plaza leads up an incline between two four-foot tall boulders. A sign on the face of the left-hand boulder identifies this is part of the Discovery Trail and points the way uphill to the Permits Office and the Lakeshore, 200 yards (183 m) away. It also indicates this is the way to the Shuttle Boat, Hidden Falls, and Inspiration Point. Moving up the sloped walkway, we come to a one-story log cabin structure in a small stand of trees at the right. Along the path at the right, a black-and-white photograph at the top of a small, angled metal reading rail shows this same building. Text on a panel below the photograph reads: Historic Jenny Lake – Ranger Station This building was originally the cabin of homesteader Lee Manges. It was dismantled and moved in 1930 from near Windy Point Turnout to the shore of Jenny Lake. There, it served as the early park’s only ranger station, visitor center, and museum. Today the building is a ranger station, where visitors can obtain permits for many park activities. Note a fork here in the asphalt path. The right fork leads to the Permits Office and campground. The left fork continues along the Discovery Trail to the Lakeshore and Shuttle Boat launch. Looking away from the Ranger Station you can see the Jenny Lake Visitor Center (Crandall Studio) to the west of the General Store. A log cabin similar in construction to the Ranger Station, this building is not accessible during the 2016-2017 seasons due to construction here at Jenny Lake.

• Colter Bay Visitor Center
  Passport stamp
• Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center
  Passport stamp
• Jenny Lake Visitor Center
  Passport stamp
• Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center
  Passport stamp
• National Elk Refuge & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center

• Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway
  4 mi away
• Teton Scenic Byway
  19 mi away