Trailhead information
String Lake
PrimaryNorth end of the Jenny Lake road. NPS lists String Lake as the finish of the Teton Crest Trail and it is the start of the 19.0-mile Cascade Canyon/Paintbrush Canyon loop.
- No restrooms
- No water
Sold by zone, one night at a time
Grand Teton Backcountry Permit
Grand Teton National Park · Wyoming
The park-wide overnight permit for camping anywhere in Grand Teton's backcountry, from lakeshore sites to high mountain zones.
Get an alert when a spot opens in your GTNP Backcountry zone.
When it opens
- 2 days
- Reserve at least two days before your entry dateOne-third of all backcountry campsites
- 1 day
- First come, first served from one day before your entry dateThe remaining sitesYou book on Recreation.gov.
Source: recreation.gov
70% of the openings our scanner caught on GTNP Backcountry were gone within 10 minutes.
GTNP Backcountry reservation dates
- Season
- May 1 to October 31
- max group size
- 12people
How to get a GTNP Backcountry permit
As of September 2026, GTNP Backcountry in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming requires a permit issued via reservation. GTNP Backcountry is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled GTNP Backcountry permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The permit season for GTNP Backcountry runs May 1 through October 31.
- Type
- Overnight
- Location
- Northwest Wyoming, WY
Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Step 4: Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
GTNP Backcountry pro tips
- If the online window is full, walk-up permits release two-thirds of all sites the day before departure. Arrive at the visitor center early.
- Mountain Camping Zone permits let you choose any spot inside the zone, which gives you the most flexibility for weather and views.
- Jackson Lake and Leigh Lake lakeshore sites are paddle-in and reward an early launch before afternoon wind picks up on the water.
More on GTNP Backcountry: Live availability activityWhen GTNP Backcountry permits open upDo I need a Grand Teton Backcountry permit?
How much a GTNP Backcountry permit costs
GTNP Backcountry permit fee: $20 permit fee plus $7 per person, per night.
The GTNP Backcountry hike
- Route Type
- Varies
GTNP Backcountry landmarks
- 1Phillips Pass
Where NPS starts its Teton Crest Trail mileage, outside the park boundary.
- 2Marion Lake
A Mountain Camping Zone on the crest above Granite Canyon.
- 3Death Canyon Shelf
A Mountain Camping Zone on permit 4675342, between the Death Canyon and Fox Creek Pass zones in Recreation.gov's own ordering.
- 4Sunset Lake
Alpine lake on the west side of the divide, near Alaska Basin.
- 5Schoolroom Glacier
Small glacier just off the crest near Hurricane Pass.
- 6Lake Solitude
Cirque lake at the head of Cascade Canyon's north fork.
- 7Holly Lake
A Mountain Camping Zone in upper Paintbrush Canyon.
- 8String Lake
Where NPS ends the Teton Crest Trail, and the start of the Paintbrush-Cascade loop.
One permit unlocks a whole range. Sleep beneath the Grand, wake up on a lakeshore, or camp high in a mountain zone where you pick your own spot.
About this permit
Grand Teton runs one park-wide backcountry permit that covers every overnight zone, from paddle-in lakeshore sites on Jackson Lake and Leigh Lake to the high Mountain Camping Zones below the peaks. About one-third of sites open for advance reservation on Recreation.gov, and the rest are walk-up at the visitor centers the day before you leave.
The route
There is no single route on this permit. What you book is a place to sleep, and Grand Teton sells three very different kinds of place. On Jackson Lake and Leigh Lake the sites are numbered and fixed. In the canyons and up on the crest you book a Mountain Camping Zone instead of a site, and you choose your own ground inside it, at least 200 feet back from water and the trail. In the Pristine Sites and the Technical Climbing Sites you are booking a spot under a route rather than a campsite.
The long routes string those zones together. NPS describes the Teton Crest Trail as a 39-mile point-to-point that starts outside the park at Phillips Pass and finishes at String Lake, with 9,000 feet of elevation gain. Shorter loops out of the same zones are published too: Cascade Canyon to Paintbrush Canyon is 19.0 miles, Granite Canyon to Open Canyon is 20.2 miles, and the Tram to Death Canyon loop is 21.9 miles. Build the itinerary out of zones first and the mileage follows.
The permit itself is split. NPS says about one third of backcountry camping permits are available for advance reservation, opening at 8 a.m. MST on January 7, 2026 for the May 1 to October 31 season, and the rest are held for walk-up.
Why it matters
Grand Teton packs more vertical drama into a small footprint than almost anywhere in the lower 48. The backcountry permit is your ticket to camp inside that skyline instead of driving out to a hotel each night.
The feeling
At a Mountain Camping Zone site the peaks feel close enough to touch. Down at Leigh Lake the water goes glassy at dusk and the whole range flips upside down in the reflection.
GTNP Backcountry hike highlights
- Advance reservations open January 7 at 8 a.m. MST for the May 1 to October 31 season
- Roughly one-third of sites are reservable online, up to 2 days before your start date
- The other two-thirds are walk-up, claimed one day before departure at a visitor center
- Lakeshore districts have designated sites with tent pads, while Mountain Camping Zones let you pick any spot inside the zone
- Snow lingers on high passes into July and sometimes August
How hard the GTNP Backcountry hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required1/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route3/5
Best for: Hikers of moderate fitness willing to put in the effort.
Recommended experience: Basic hiking experience. Start with shorter trails if new to hiking.
Trailhead information
Death Canyon
Access to the Death Canyon and Death Canyon Shelf camping zones and, by way of Static Peak Divide, the 25.8-mile Cascade Canyon/Death Canyon loop.
- No restrooms
- No water
Trailhead information
Granite Canyon
Valley-floor start for the Granite and Open Canyon zones. NPS publishes the Granite Canyon/Open Canyon loop at 20.2 miles and the Granite Canyon/Paintbrush Canyon route at 38.6 miles.
- No restrooms
- No water
Trailhead information
Teton Village (aerial tram)
AlternateNPS measures Tram to Granite Canyon via Marion Lake at 15.0 miles and Tram to Cascade Canyon at 28.6 miles.
- No restrooms
- No water
Trailhead information
South Jenny Lake
AlternateCascade Canyon access. NPS gives the Cascade Canyon/Death Canyon loop as 25.8 miles, or 23.4 miles with the ferry option.
- No restrooms
- No water
When to hike GTNP Backcountry
Best time to visit
Mid-July through mid-September. Passes clear of snow by late July most years and lakeshore sites open earlier in the season.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
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62°
35°
Wed
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66°
42°
Thu
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65°
42°
Fri
☁️
66°
46°
Sat
☁️
69°
45°
Sun
☀️
72°
44°
Mon
☁️
70°
52°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
GTNP Backcountry photography guide
Golden Hour
First light hits the east faces, so an east-side camp in Paintbrush or Cascade Canyon puts the range in front of you at sunrise. West of the divide, Sunset Lake and Alaska Basin hold warm light late.
Best Light
Morning for the peaks from the park side. Evening for the lakes, when Leigh, String and Jackson go still and the range reflects.
Classic Shots
- The range reflected in String Lake before the wind picks up
- Lake Solitude at the head of Cascade Canyon's north fork
- Camp on the Death Canyon Shelf, small against the wall
- Schoolroom Glacier from the crest
GTNP Backcountry rules, gear and safety
Gear checklist
Required- Approved bear canister
- Water filter or treatment
- Layers plus rain gear and warm insulation
- Map and GPS or compass
- Ice axe and traction for early-season snow on high zones
Rules & regulations
- 01A backcountry permit is required for every overnight stay
- 02Approved bear-resistant food canister required for all backcountry camping
- 03Standard permits cover up to 6 people, and groups of 7 to 12 must book designated group sites
- 04All nights on a permit must be used or the permit is voided
- 05Campfires are prohibited in most zones, so check the site rules on your permit
- 06Maximum stay is 2 nights per location, 3 nights at Jackson Lake sites
Hazards & considerations
- Grizzly and black bears are active across the park
- Afternoon thunderstorms with lightning on exposed terrain
- Snow and icy passes into late July in the mountain zones
- Fast-changing weather and cold nights at elevation
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for GTNP Backcountry.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for GTNP Backcountry · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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GTNP Backcountry FAQ
How do I get a Grand Teton backcountry permit?
About a third of sites are reservable in advance on Recreation.gov starting January 7 at 8 a.m. MST for the May to October season, up to 2 days before your trip. The rest are first come, first served as walk-up permits at a park visitor center one day before you leave.
How much does a Grand Teton backcountry permit cost?
A flat $20 permit fee plus $7 per person, per night. The nightly fee is refundable if you cancel 5 or more days before your start date. The $20 permit fee is non-refundable.
Do I need a bear canister for the Grand Teton backcountry?
Yes. An approved bear-resistant food canister is required for all backcountry camping in Grand Teton National Park. You can rent one at the park if you do not own one.
What is the group size limit for a Grand Teton backcountry permit?
A standard permit covers up to 6 people. Groups of 7 to 12 must reserve designated backcountry group sites and cannot split into smaller parties camping in the same zone.
GTNP Backcountry trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
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Questions
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Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a GTNP Backcountry permit
- Same AreaPermit required
Teton Crest Trail
The signature multi-day traverse of the range, booked on this same permit through the mountain camping zones.
Tradeoffs
One set route rather than a build-your-own itinerary, and the marquee zones fill first.
- Same AreaPermit required
Paintbrush-Cascade Loop
A classic two to three night loop over Paintbrush Divide out of the String Lake trailhead.
Tradeoffs
Snow lingers on Paintbrush Divide into July most years.
- Same AreaPermit required
Alaska Basin
Remote camping on the quieter west side of the range with easier permit odds.
Tradeoffs
Farther from the Teton skyline the east-side zones are known for.
Where to stay near GTNP Backcountry
- Jenny Lake CampgroundGrand Teton National Park
- Signal Mountain CampgroundGrand Teton National Park
- Colter Bay Marina End Ties campgroundGrand Teton National Park
- All Wyoming campgrounds
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