Backcountry and Trail Conditions

This page is not updated in the winter. Please check back in May.

Rangers update these trail conditions from May to October each year.

If you have questions about general summer trip planning, or to speak to a Grand Teton National Park ranger call 307–739–3399 for visitor information Monday-Friday during business hours.

For questions about trail conditions, backcountry trip planning or permits call 307–739–3309. For information on climbing routes contact the Jenny Lake ranger station from early June to Labor Day at 307-739-3343.

 

 

Hiker on the Granite Canyon Trail.

NPS Photo/Lehle

 

The Grand Teton backcountry is a wild place with changing conditions. This website is not a substitute for good judgement. Stop by a visitor center and speak to a ranger for more information.

Hike Smart

Hiking in Grand Teton National Park can be a challenging experience due to the rugged nature of the landscape, including high elevation, steep trails, and extreme and sudden weather changes.

• High elevation may cause breathing difficulties. Pace yourself and carry extra water.

• Snow melts gradually, leaving valley trails snow-free by mid-June. Mountain trails and passes may not be snow-free until late July. Be careful crossing snowfields and streams. Do not attempt steep snow unless you have previous experience and the proper equipment.
• Be bear aware. Black and grizzly bears live throughout the park. While hiking in the park, make noise, hike in groups of three or more, carry bear spray and know how to use it.
• Carry drinking water. Dehydration is common and can be serious.
• Be prepared for rapid weather changes. Carry rain gear and extra layers.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Solo hiking, off-trail hiking, and trail running are not recommended. The use of headphones is strongly discouraged.
• Use a topographic map for backcountry hiking. Maps are sold at park bookstores.

---

---

These conditions are updated as reported from visitors and staff and may not reflect the what you find in the field. Conditions can change quickly in this wilderness park.

---

---

 

General Information

 

Backcountry Office Hours

• Local offices are closed for the 2024 season.
• Backcountry permits (for overnight trips) are available Monday-Friday (8:00am-5:00pm) at any of the backcountry offices during the summer season.

 

Boating Season

The Jenny Lake Boat Launch will be closed for the 2025 season. Jenny Lake Boating, including shuttle boats and scenic cruises, will not be affected.
 

• All lakes are currently frozen.
   
• Jenny Lake shuttle generally begins operations in May, depending on ice melt. See Jenny Lake Boating for details.

Fire Restrictions

No fire restrictions. Fire danger level is currently low.

Fishing Season

Lakes: Lakes within Grand Teton National Park are open to fishing year-round with the exception of Jackson Lake closed October 1 - October 31.

Rivers and Streams: All cutthroat trout caught in the Snake River must be released to the water immediately from November 1 - March 31.

Seasonal Closures:

• December 1-July 31: All streams and Blacktail Spring Ponds within Grand Teton National Park are closed to access; excluding Polecat Creek, Buffalo Fork River, Pacific Creek, Gros Ventre River, and Snake River in Teton County.

• December 15-March 31: A section of the Snake River is closed to access from the Buffalo Fork confluence at Moran to Menors Ferry at Moose. The Buffalo Fork is closed from the east park boundary to the Snake River Confluence in Moran.

Visit the fishing page for more information about legal tackle, creel and size limits, and more.

 

Pets

With exception of qualified service animals, pets are not allowed in the backcountry. This includes the Grand Teton Bike Pathway and the Snake River.

Snake River Conditions

• The Jackson Lake Damn is set to winter flow rates. Visit the USGS website for current water levels, temperatures and currents. 

Snow Pack

Most trails in the park are still snow covered. View current snow maps (right side of linked page) to see estimated snow depths.

If you are looking for snow-free recreation, consider walking, hiking or skating the Teton Park Road while it is closed to vehicles for the month of April.

Stock (Horses & Llamas)

Visit the Horseback Riding and Stock Use page for a comprehensive overview of rules and regulations withtin the park. 

Closed to Stock:

• All trails within the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve except the Kaufmann Creek Trail and the Wister Draw Trail.

• Phelps Lake Loop Trail except along the northeast and north portions of the lake.

• Grand Teton Pathways except for bridges over the Snake River, Cottonwood Creek, and Ditch Creek.

• Rendezvous Mountain Trail from the park boundary to the Middle Fork cutoff of Granite Canyon Trail.

• Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes Trail and Garnet Canyon Trail from the Valley Trail.

• Hidden Falls trails between the Jenny Lake West Shore Boat Dock and the junction of the designated horse trail west of Inspiration Point except for the section between the southwest shore horse trail, east to the Lower Cascade Creek Bridge (Chasm Bridge), and directly north to the Cascade Canyon horse trail bypass junction.

• The trail on the east shore of Jenny Lake between the outlet of Jenny Lake and the junction of the designated horse trail north of Jenny Lake Overlook.

• The trail on the west shore of Jenny Lake between the west shore boat dock and the horse trail junction near Moose Ponds Overlook.

• Holly Lake Trail from the Holly Lake hitch rail, past Holly Lake, to the Paintbrush Canyon Trail.

• The String Lake Trail and east lakeshore between the String Lake Trailhead and Leigh Lake Trailhead except adjacent to the String Lake footbridge to faciliate safe backcountry access.

Weather

Weather can change rapidly in Grand Teton and many experienced hikers are not prepared for snowy coniditions in spring and early summer. Check our page on weather for more detailed information.

 

Moose-Wilson Corridor

 

Death Canyon

• Death Canyon: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.
• Death Canyon Shelf: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

Granite Canyon

• Granite Canyon - Lower (below fork): Trail conditions not updated in the winter.
• Granite Canyon - North Fork/Upper/Marion Lake: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.
• Granite Canyon South/Middle Fork/Tram Trail: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

LSR Preserve

• Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

Open Canyon

• Open Canyon from Death Canyon Trailhead: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

Phelps Lake

• Trail conditions not updated in the winter. 

Valley Trail

• Teton Village to Taggart Lake: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.
• Taggart Lake to Lupine Meadows Trailhead: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

 

Teton Park Road

 

Bearpaw & Trapper Lake

• Bearpaw & Trapper Lakes Via String Lake Trailhead: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

Cascade Canyon

• Cascade Canyon - Lower: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.
• Cascade Canyon - North Fork: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.
• Cascade Canyon - South Fork: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

Delta Lake (NOT MAINTAINED)

• Via Lupine Meadows Trailhead: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

Garnet Canyon

• Garnet Canyon (Lupine Trailhead to Meadows): Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

Hidden Falls/Inspiration Point

• Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

Jenny Lake

• Snow covered

Leigh/String Lakes

• Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

Moose Ponds

• Via Lupine Meadows Trailhead: Trail conditions not updated in the winter. 

Paintbrush Canyon

• Paintbrush Canyon - Lower to Holly Lake: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.
• Paintbrush Canyon - Upper: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

Surprise & Ampitheater Lakes

• Via Lupine Meadows Trailhead: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

Taggart & Bradley Lakes

• Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

 

Signal Mountain & Moran

 

Signal Mountain Trail

• Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

Two Ocean/Emma Matilda Lakes

• Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

 

Colter Bay

 

Hermitage Point

• Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

Lakeshore Trail

• Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

Swan Lake & Heron Pond

• Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

 

Grand Teton Pathway

 

Grand Teton Pathway

• Snow covered

 

Teton Crest Trail

 

Alaska Basin Trails

• Snow Packed

Casscade Canyon

• Casscade Canyon North: Snow packed.
• Casscade Canyon South: Snow packed.

Death Canyon

• Death Canyon: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.
• Death Canyon Shelf: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

Granite Canyon

• South Fork: snow packed.
• Middle Fork: snow packed.

Paintbrush Canyon

• Paintbrush Canyon - Lower to Holly Lake: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.
• Paintbrush Canyon - Upper: Trail conditions not updated in the winter.

 

Passes

 

Hurricane Pass

• Snow covered

Paintbrush Divide

• Snow covered

Sheep Steps - Alaska Basin

• Snow covered

Static Peak Divide

• Snow covered