Getting there
- Flights to Jackson (JAC) 10 km from the start
- Flights to Salt Lake City (SLC) 325 km from the start
Treks / USA (Wyoming)
Teton Crest Trail
USA (Wyoming) · Nearest city: Jackson
TypeMulti-day trek
Days4–5
Distance≈ 64 km
Climbingvaries
Highest point3,180 m
A high traverse along the back of the Teton Range with the Grand Teton in view for days.
Fitness
Hard
Best seasonMid-July to September
High pointHurricane Pass
Watch out: Permits are required for every night. Store food in bear canisters.
Why people choose it
It's a high traverse with the Grand Teton in view for days.
What makes it different
- Constant Teton views
- Tram up from Teton Village to start high
- Bear-canister country
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Roaming in USA is expensive on most phone plans. A data eSIM bought before you fly gets you online as soon as you land.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
This trek reaches 3,180 m, and many policies stop covering hiking at 2,000 to 3,000 m unless you add an activity upgrade. World Nomads needs its Level 3 activities above 2,000 m, Heymondo its Adventure add-on above 3,000 m, and SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers trekking up to 4,500 m.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
In national parks, overnight stays need a wilderness permit and camping is often limited to designated sites. On most national forest and BLM land, dispersed camping is allowed.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Teton Village → Hurricane Pass → Jenny Lake
Simple overview map
Step by step
-
Months before
Plan and book
- Get the required permit, reservation or ticket. Popular dates sell out.
- Best time to go: Mid-July to September.
-
6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
-
Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Jackson.
-
On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
-
The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: Mid-July to September
Late June to mid-July
Early season
Snow on passes and high rivers, with wildflowers starting to bloom.
Bring
- Microspikes
- Gaiters
- Warm layers
Mid-July to August
Monsoon season
Daily afternoon thunderstorms with lightning above the treeline. Be off exposed ground by noon.
Bring
- Rain jacket
- An alpine start (before dawn)
- Bear spray where required
September
Late season
Golden aspens, stable weather and cold nights, with the first snow possible.
Bring
- Warm sleeping bag
- Down jacket
- Headlamp
Be ready for
Bear country
Store food in a bear canister or locker, cook away from your tent, and carry bear spray where rangers recommend it.
Snow patches
Early in the season, snow can cover the path on high ground. Microspikes or crampons and some experience make these sections safer.
Afternoon storms
Thunderstorms often build after midday in summer. Start early, cross passes and summits before noon, and never shelter under lone trees or on ridges.
What you'll see
5 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Teton Crest Trail
Photo credits: Grand Teton from Hurricane Pass by Joe Peacock, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Adams The Tetons and the Snake River by Ansel Adams, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Schoolroom Glacier from Hurricane Pass by National Park Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Jenny Lake Overlook by Eric Kilby, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; USA Wyoming Moose by Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
