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Teton Crest Trail wilderness permit area in Grand Teton National Park - backcountry hiking destination
ReservationThru-HikeHigh Demand

Teton Crest Trail

Grand Teton National Park

Premier multi-day traverse of the Teton Range with world-class alpine scenery.

“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.”

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Be notified instantly when Teton Crest permits become available.

Demand
High
8/10
Method
Reservation
Booking Method
First-Come, First-Served

Teton Crest Quick Facts

Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh8/10

Key Information

Permit Details

TypeThru-Hike
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level8/10
LocationNPS

What to Expect

Route Details

Distance
40 miles
Elevation Gain
9,000 ft
Route Type
Point to Point
Duration
3-5 days
Difficulty
Strenuous
Elevation Range
6,800 - 10,700 ft

Highlights

  • •Sustained high-altitude hiking above 8,000 feet
  • •Dramatic exposed sections along Death Canyon Shelf
  • •Multiple high passes above 10,000 feet
  • •Active grizzly bear habitat requiring bear canister

Best Time to Visit

Mid-July through mid-September. Snow clears from high passes by late July most years.

Hazards & Considerations

  • !Altitude sickness above 10,000 feet
  • !Afternoon thunderstorms with lightning
  • !Snow on passes into late July
  • !Grizzly bears common throughout

How to Get This Permit

1

Create a Recreation.gov account

Sign up at recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.

2

Know the release schedule

Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.

3

Be ready when permits drop

Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.

4

Monitor for cancellations

If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Apply at Recreation.gov
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Best booking timesCancellation huntingRecreation.gov tips

When to Go

Peak: Summer monthsShoulder: Spring and Fall

Conditions

Summer offers the most reliable conditions for most wilderness areas.

Crowd Level

Moderate

Advantages

  • +Longest days
  • +Warmest temperatures
  • +Reliable trail conditions

Challenges

  • !Peak demand for permits
  • !Book accommodations early
  • !Weather varies

Difficulty Assessment

Physical Demand4/5

Fitness and endurance required

Technical Skill3/5

Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills

Exposure Risk4/5

Steep dropoffs and fall potential

Navigation2/5

Route finding and trail clarity

Commitment4/5

Difficulty of bailing out mid-route

Best For

Experienced backpackers comfortable with high altitude and variable mountain weather.

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.

About This Permit

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 adjacent wilderness.

The Experience

Why It Matters

The Teton Crest Trail offers the most concentrated mountain grandeur in the lower 48 states. These peaks have inspired mountaineers and artists for generations.

The Route

Starting from the Aerial Tram at Teton Village, 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.

The Feeling

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.

Rules & Regulations

  • •Backcountry camping permit required within GTNP
  • •Bear canisters required
  • •Maximum group size of 6
  • •Campfires prohibited above 6,800 feet
  • •Alaska Basin has no permit requirement

Gear Checklist

Required

  • Bear canister
  • Water filter
  • Layered clothing
  • Rain gear and warm insulation
  • Map/GPS

Plan Your Trip

🎒

Gear Checklist

Required and recommended gear for Teton Crest

🚐

Shuttle Services

Trailhead transportation options

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Guide Services

Experienced wilderness guides

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Key Landmarks

↑
9,000ft
Gain
↓
9,000ft
Loss
⛰️
10,700ft
High
📏
40.0mi
Distance
📐
0.7%
Avg Grade
Click on a marker to view details•7 landmarks

Landmarks (7)

Safety & Planning

🚨

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Teton Crest. Sign up to track this permit.

🐻

Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit. Sign up to track this permit.

12,453 permits and 8,294 campsites secured by PermitSnag users

Teton Crest FAQ

How do I get a Teton Crest permit?

Teton Crest permits are obtained through a reservation system. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.

When is the best time to visit Teton Crest?

Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.

How competitive is the Teton Crest permit?

This permit has a demand score of 8/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.

What if I can't get a Teton Crest permit?

Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. We check availability every 2-3 minutes, 24/7.

👥Community

Trail Conditions

Questions

Trip Reports

Write Report

Photography Guide

Golden Hour

Sunrise from Alaska Basin illuminates the Grand Teton's west face in dramatic red light.

Best Light

Morning light from the east illuminates the Grand Teton beautifully from most trail points.

Beat the Crowds

Midweek trips see significantly fewer hikers. Alaska Basin, being outside the park, is generally less crowded.

Classic Shots

  • 📍Grand Teton from Paintbrush Divide
  • 📍Death Canyon Shelf with peaks behind
  • 📍Wildflowers at Alaska Basin
  • 📍Lake Solitude reflection

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