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One of the best hikes in the world is the
TETON CREST TRAIL
Hikes in the same area:
- Paintbrush Divide Loop
- Death Canyon
- Open Canyon
- Granite Canyon
- Marion Lake
Do you know this hike?
This is a stub. You can expand it by emailing suggestions in the appropriate sections below. Our editors will add your comments. Thanks!
 AT A GLANCE
- 3-5 days depending on route
- 31-40mi (50-64km) depending on route
- a number of alternative trailheads
- high altitude, great views
- best months July-Sept (depending on when the snow melts)
- afternoon thunderstorms
- medium-difficult hiking
- shorter 17.8mi (28.6km) alternative is Paintbrush Divide Loop
WHY WE LIKE THIS HIKE
This is certainly the most popular multi-day hike in Grand Teton.
Highlights include:
- grand views of the toothy Tetons, the most striking range in the Rockies
- Death Canyon Shelf
- Snowdrift Lake lookout sidetrip
- Inspiration Point lookout
- Marion Lake
- the challenge of several high passes
- spying an American Dipper
- good chance to see marmot, American Bison, Moose, Pronghorn, Wapiti (elk), or Mule Deer in the Park
- slight chance to see Grizzly and Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Wolf or Coyote
- wildflowers late June to early August
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CONSIDERATIONS
- Wilderness Permit application should go in Jan. 1st for the coming season. That means getting organized a half year in advance.
- this hike climbs often above 9000ft (2,743m)
- bring an ice axe, just in case. It can snow any day of the year.
- biting insects (including ticks in the early season)
- bring binoculars or a high powered zoom lens for observing animals
- black and Grizzly bears get right of way. You need to be bear aware to hike here.
- campgrounds and parking lots on the highway are often full high season
- you need a fishing permit here (unlike Glacier national Park where you do not)
- you need purchase a park entrance permit on arrival
- note: Jedidiah Smith Wilderness campsites (on our recommended route) do not require backcountry permits
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The biggest hassle with this hike is getting a backcountry permit for the campgrounds you want on the days you want. You can try to reserve, but only between Jan. 1 to May 15th. (This means you should apply Jan. 1st.)
We like the quota system, but the application procedure is a bit of a pain. Who is thinking of booking hiking the morning after New Year's Eve? (Much better would be a lottery.)
You must decide when you want to start and where you want to camp before you apply so get a hiking guidebook as early as possible.
If you cannot get a reservation, don't panic. Only a third of the campsites are held by reservation. That means two thirds are first-come, first-served, one day prior to starting your hike. Contact the Park to see what your options are.
ROUTES
Lonely Planet Hiking in the Rocky Mountains  lays out this hike with a number of different exit options. One recommended route:
- start from Jenny Lake trailhead
- hike from there or take a boat across Jenny Lake to shorten the first day
- hike out via Teton Village Ski Resort, or ...
- instead you could connect to the Jackson's Hole Aerial Tram
- there are many possible trailheads to choose from. Email us if you have an itinerary to recommend.
- Or, you could consult with Grand Teton National Park rangers
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The most popular shorter alternative hike is alternative is Paintbrush Divide Loop.
LOGISTICS
If you sign on with a guided trip, logistics will be organized for you. This section is for independent hikers.
- driving your own vehicle is easiest
- Alltrans bus line can get you to Jackson Hole from Salt Lake City
- but quickest is to fly to Jackson Hole airport, just 10mi out of town
- from Jackson Hole, you can catch a GTLC bus to Jenny Lake
- the trailhead ranger station is in Grand Teton National Park headquarters and visitor centre on Jenny Lake
- you can start hiking from that trailhead, or catch a boat across Jenny Lake to save some time.
- if you finish at Teton Village you may have to find a ride back to Jackson
- hitchhiking is officially illegal
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INDEPENDENT OR GUIDED?
Most hike independently, but you may be abe to sign on with a guided trip. Browse the trekking guides above.
LOCAL INFORMATION
BEST HIKING GUIDEBOOKS
Lonely Planet guides are consistently good and have excellent maps. If you are hiking in other places in the Rockies or in the USA, their Rockies or USA guidebook would be the best investment.
Lonely Planet author Andrew Nystrom is co-author of the Top Trails guide, a more recently published award-winner. That's the pick if you are only hiking this region.
BEST MAPS
Other useful sites:
BEST PHOTOS & TRIP REPORTS
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