There are 44 named and countless unnamed lakes in Grand Teton National Park. The largest of these is Jackson Lake, a natural glacial lake that has been enlarged with the construction of the Jackson Lake Dam. The lakes range in size as well as ease of access. In addition to mountain tarns, there are several large peidmont lakes. Nearly all the lakes are glacial in origin, formed by glacial action that carved out the valleys and left moraine behind that acted as dams to lock in water.
The lakes exist in the near pristine wilderness environment of the park, and recreational use, boating and fishing varies by lake. Elevation of the region classes these as alpine lakes, with Jackson lake being the largest alpine lake in the United States.