Wyoming · Hiking · Near Jackson

Shade Monkey

1.5 mi
round trip
352 ft
climb
6,616 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Shade Monkey is an easy, 1.5-mile out-and-back hike on Forest Service land in Wyoming, about half a mile from Jackson. The trail rises about 350 feet from a low point of 6,268 feet to a high of 6,616 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Jackson show July highs around 79°F with lows near 41°F, while winter brings highs in the mid-20s and regular snow days from November through March. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows both bikes and horses. Several other outings sit within a short drive, including the Skyline Trail and Snow King Nature Trail, both about 0.6 miles away, and the Jackson Ranger District fishing area at under a mile. For an overnight stay, Curtis Canyon Campground is about 5.8 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    The Virginian RV Park

    Campground

    Campground · 0.9 mi from the trail

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Jackson

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Shade Monkey

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      26° / 6°

      12 wet · 11 snow

    2. Feb

      30° / 9°

      10 wet · 8 snow

    3. Mar

      40° / 18°

      9 wet · 6 snow

    4. Apr

      50° / 26°

      9 wet · 3 snow

    5. May

      60° / 32°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      70° / 38°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      79° / 41°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 40°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 33°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 25°

      9 wet · 2 snow

    11. Nov

      38° / 16°

      10 wet · 6 snow

    12. Dec

      26° / 7°

      13 wet · 11 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Jackson, WY, 1 mi away at 6,210 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Viewpoint TrailPhoto: Anton Molodtsov, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Viewpoint Trail

~2 min drive

0.8-mile out-and-back hike in Wyoming with 314 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

South Boundary Turnout

~9 min drive

Although not the actual southern boundary of the park, this turnout is your first opportunity to get a picture with the iconic Grand Teton National Park sign with sweeping views of the Teton range in the background. The turnout is about four miles north of the town of…

HIKE

Skyline Tr

~2 min drive

11.51-mile out-and-back trail in Wyoming with 513 ft gain.

HIKE

Sink or Swim

~2 min drive

4.50-mile out-and-back trail in Wyoming with 306 ft elevation gain.

Kellys TrailPhoto: Anton Molodtsov, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Kellys Trail

~2 min drive

1.38-mile out-and-back hike in Wyoming with 326 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Putt - Putt Trail

~2 min drive

8.94-mile out-and-back hike in Wyoming with 696 ft gain.

HIKE

South Fork Leeks Canyon

~2 min drive

3.50-mile out-and-back trail in Wyoming with 772 ft elevation gain.

Blair Dr. Bike Skills TrailPhoto: Anton Molodtsov, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Blair Dr. Bike Skills Trail

~4 min drive

0.76-mile out-and-back bike skills trail in Wyoming with 12 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Miller Butte Trail

~5 min drive

4.76-mile out-and-back hike in Wyoming with 2,704 ft elevation gain

HIKE

Josies Ridge

~2 min drive

4.54-mile out-and-back trail on Josies Ridge in Wyoming with 1,647 ft gain.