If you are unable to get a permit in the designated camping zones, call the ranger station and ask about camping in these undesignated areas to confirm potential alternate itineraries.

These areas include Grizzly Bear Lake, Snowdrift and Taminah Lakes, and the west side of the Avalanche divide (among others). Camping in the Alaska Basin portion of the wilderness is a good backup option if you are unable to get a permit to camp at the Death Canyon Shelf zone.Īdditionally, it is possible to camp in a few areas that are short side trips from the main Teton Crest Trail. The only exception is that dispersed camping is allowed in Jedediah Smith Wilderness which the Teton Crest Trail crosses through in two areas. Also note that dispersed camping is not allowed along the Teton Crest Trail in Grand Teton National Park and you are required to camp in these designated zones. You do not simply say that you want to hike the trail between date X and date Y. For your permit, you need to reserve spots in specific camping zone for each night. Keep in mind that most people hike the Teton Crest Trail in the clockwise direction because this provides the great views of the Teton mountains when you descend from Hurricane Pass. You can more detailed maps of each camping zone here. The backcountry camping guide with a map of all designated camping zones can be found here. More info on backcounty reservations can be found on the NPS website.īefore reserving a permit, you will need to decide on a rough itinerary (with a few backups in case availability is limited). Permits reserved online cost $45 and walk-in permits picked up in person cost $35. However, the most optimal dates/sites are typically booked within the first week of reservations being open. Campsites can be reserved online between the first Wednesday in January and May 15th. Due to the trail’s popularity, permits for the campsites along the Teton Crest Trail are reserved very quickly. One-third of permits are available for advanced reservation and the other two-thirds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis the day before you start your trek. Permits: A permit is required in order to camp Grand Teton National Park. Preparations: Click here to read about Permits Shop Sale & Clearance Items at REI.com (up to 50% off)! Jump to Day 5: Holly Lake to Jenny Lake Visitor Center Jump to Day 4: South Fork Cascade to Holly Lake Jump to Day 3: Death Canyon Shelf to South Fork Cascade Jump to Day 2: Lower Granite Canyon to Death Canyon Shelf Jump to Day 1: Taggart Lake Trailhead to Lower Granite Canyon Link to purchase a great topographic map of Grand Teton National Park ( here).Overall Teton Crest Trail Loop Map ( PDF).Overall map of this Teton Crest Trail itinerary – Day 1 (purple), Day 2 (black), Day 3 (yellow), Day 4 (blue), Day 5 (red). If you are unable to attain permits for this trek, the Cirque of the Towers Loop in the nearby Wind River Range is a good alternative. Highlights include panoramic views of the Teton Range, high alpine terrain with fields of wild flowers, turquoise colored alpine lakes, and sweeping views of a variety of geological structures in Grand Teton National Park. One of the most scenic backpacking loops in the United States, this challenging trek has a starting elevation of 6,600 feet, a peak elevation of 10,700 feet, and climbs +/-9,300 feet over the course of the 48 mile loop. Trip Overview: As described, this ~48 mile backpacking loop circumnavigates the three Teton peaks (Grand Teton, Middle Teton, and South Teton) in Grand Teton National Park and covers roughly 30 miles of the Teton Crest Trail.

Paintbrush divide trail conditions