Step Back in Time at Cunningham Cabin

Cabin isn't much to look at, but the views of the Tetons are great!

Great view from historic site

Cunningham Cabin Trailhead is one of the easiest trailheads to access in Grand Teton National Park. From the highway, there are two access points leading onto a paved road that takes you a short distance to a surprisingly large parking lot near the cabin. As the author of the Jackson Hole Hiking Guide, I really like this location because you can put together a little over a one-mile loop around Cunningham Cabin and the surrounding historic property without committing to a major hike. It’s an excellent option when you want to get out and walk but don’t have hours to spend on the trail. The trailhead itself is easy to identify, with the wooden entrance structure and sign near the parking area. There’s also an information kiosk with historical and trail information along with an interpretive sign explaining more about the area. From the trailhead, the dirt trail heads down and to the right. The terrain is relatively gentle, with only minor elevation changes. I wouldn’t describe the trail itself as wheelchair accessible, but for anyone comfortable walking on slightly uneven dirt and handling a small amount of elevation change, it’s a very approachable hike. As the author of 50 Jackson Hole Photography Hotspots, I also love where this trailhead takes you. Cunningham Cabin is extremely photogenic, and if you move some distance away from the structure, you can compose the historic cabin with the Tetons rising behind it. There aren’t many places left in the park where you can create that classic combination of an old homestead structure, open landscape, and the Teton Range in a relatively uncluttered composition. One practical thing to watch for while walking through the surrounding grass is badger holes. They can be surprisingly deep and difficult to see, so pay attention to where you’re stepping once you leave the more obvious trail. I also appreciate how quiet this trailhead usually is. Compared with many of the major trailheads elsewhere in Grand Teton, I’ve rarely found Cunningham Cabin particularly busy. The parking area is much larger than the number of vehicles I’ve typically encountered here. It’s an absurdly accessible way to experience a historic part of the park, take a short walk, photograph one of its most interesting remaining cabins, and enjoy the open landscape without dealing with the crowds found at many of Grand Teton’s better-known trailheads.

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.