Grand Teton National Park · Wyoming
Premier multi-day traverse of the Teton Range with world-class alpine scenery.
Get an alert when a night opens on your Teton Crest dates.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Teton Crest were gone within 5 minutes.
From Jackson Hole Aerial Tram (Rendezvous Mountain) to String Lake Trailhead. Camp anywhere inside a zone, or book a designated site by name.
Mile 0 at Jackson Hole Aerial Tram (Rendezvous Mountain)
Miles 0–5.3 of 35.9
As of September 2026, Teton Crest in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming requires a permit issued via reservation. Teton Crest is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Teton Crest permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The Teton Crest route covers 35.6 miles with 9,000 feet of elevation gain, rated strenuous.
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
More on Teton Crest: Live availability activityWhen Teton Crest permits open upChance of an openingTeton Crest Trail permit itinerary
Traverse the spine of America's most dramatic mountain range, where jagged peaks pierce the sky and alpine meadows explode with wildflowers at every turn.
The Teton Crest Trail is widely regarded as one of America's premier high-altitude backpacking routes, traversing the dramatic backbone of the Teton Range through Grand Teton National Park and the adjacent Jedediah Smith Wilderness.
From the tram to String Lake, this 36-mile traverse stays above 8,000 feet for nearly its entire length, crossing alpine passes, skirting pristine lakes, and offering constantly changing perspectives of the iconic peaks. The Grand Teton, at 13,775 feet the highest summit in the range, serves as a constant companion.
Unlike many backcountry destinations, the TCT requires advance planning due to highly competitive permit reservations. However, the trail's passage through permit-free wilderness (Alaska Basin) offers options for those who couldn't secure park permits.
Starting from the Aerial Tram at Teton Village (or hiking up from Phillips Pass), you quickly enter high alpine terrain. Marion Lake offers the first taste of Teton grandeur before Death Canyon Shelf provides arguably the most dramatic trail miles in America. Alaska Basin, technically in the Jedediah Smith Wilderness and permit-free, serves as base camp for many. From here, Hurricane Pass leads to South Fork Cascade Canyon, then Paintbrush Divide (the trail's highest point at 10,700 feet), before the final descent to String Lake.
The Teton Crest Trail offers the most concentrated mountain grandeur in the lower 48 states. These peaks have inspired mountaineers and artists for generations, and the trail provides intimate access to their vertical splendor.
Each step brings the Grand Teton closer, its summit growing impossibly large against the Wyoming sky. At Death Canyon Shelf, you walk a narrow bench between vertical walls and a thousand-foot drop, fully immersed in the mountains. By sunset at Alaska Basin, you understand why people return year after year.
Best for: Experienced backpackers comfortable with high altitude and variable mountain weather. Those who can handle 10+ mile days with significant elevation change.
Recommended experience: Should have completed multi-day backpacking trips with significant elevation gain. Altitude experience above 8,000 feet recommended.
Not recommended for: Those who haven't backpacked at altitude before, anyone uncomfortable with exposure or heights, hikers who need flat terrain.
Trailhead information
10,450 ft elevation
NPS says starting from the tram saves about 4 miles and 2,400 feet of climbing.
Large paid lot at Teton Village. Free parking available further back.
Reached via Highway 390 from Jackson. NPS charges no tram fee. The aerial tram is a resort ticket, priced by the resort
Teton Village: restaurants, gear shops. Jackson (12 miles) for full services
Trailhead information
6,873 ft elevation
Common exit point for SOBO hikers, can also start NOBO here
Very popular lot, fills by 7am in summer. Arrive early or use shuttle.
From Jenny Lake Junction, follow signs to String Lake
Moose Junction (15 miles): general store, gas
Mid-July through mid-September. Snow clears from high passes by late July most years. August offers the most reliable weather and trail conditions. September brings fall colors and fewer crowds but colder nights.
Trailhead (6,800 ft)
Backcountry Tips
Today
62°
35°
Wed
66°
42°
Thu
65°
42°
Fri
66°
46°
Sat
69°
45°
Sun
72°
44°
Mon
70°
52°
Sunrise from Alaska Basin illuminates the Grand Teton's west face in dramatic red light. Sunset from Death Canyon Shelf creates incredible alpenglow on the peaks.
Morning light from the east illuminates the Grand Teton beautifully from most points on the trail. Late afternoon creates dramatic shadows in the deep canyons.
Midweek trips see significantly fewer hikers. The South Fork Cascade and Paintbrush sections are busiest. Plan to photograph these at dawn. Alaska Basin, being outside the park, is generally less crowded.
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Teton Crest.
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Teton Crest · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Teton Crest cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Teton Crest permits use a reservation system.
Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.
This permit has a demand score of 8/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked about every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.
No active conditions reported
Sign in to report trail conditions.
3-day loop from Teton Canyon into Alaska Basin and return via the South Fork. No GTNP permit needed.
Misses Death Canyon Shelf and Paintbrush sections but still offers spectacular Teton scenery. Less competitive permits.
Day hike from Jenny Lake to Lake Solitude: 9.6 miles round trip with boat shuttle or 15 miles via trail.
No permit needed. Sees some of the best scenery without multi-day commitment.
Shorter 2-day trip featuring Death Canyon Shelf, the trail's most dramatic section.
Easier permit to secure. Captures the most iconic views with less distance.
Build your full itinerary start to finish
Add your dates and get a day-by-day plan: what needs a permit, what gear to bring, and one link to share with your whole group to coordinate every step.
No permit needed to start
Google lets you pick the sites it highlights for you. Add PermitSnag and our permit pages get marked as one of yours in AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Takes less than a minute.
