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Jackson Hole Hiking & Camping Areas
Grand Teton National Park - A variety of multi-day hikes abound.
Yellowstone National Park - Hike in the world's largest concentration of thermal features and huge diversity of wildlife.
Jedediah Smith Wilderness - Hike on the "other side" of the Teton Range.
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Many two- to three-day backpacking trips can be done in the Teton Range, and the beauty of this area is how quickly you can get away from it all. Most trips involve at least one high, alpine pass, which lends to the feel of being in a truly remote place even though in most cases you’re still within a day of a trailhead.
Some examples of good two to three day trips include Cascade Canyon to Paintbrush Canyon via Paintbrush Divide, Death Canyon to Granite Canyon, or Teton Canyon into spectacular Alaska Basin. As described in the day hiking section, you can also use Teton Village’s aerial tram to gain elevation before heading out on an overnight trip. Permits are required and can be reserved 24 hours in advance of a trip at either the Moose Visitors Center or the Jenny Lake Ranger Station. They are free, though a backcountry fee program is being discussed. Backpackers are required to camp within certain designated zones in the Tetons.
If you’re doing a loop hike, make sure to shuttle a car to your exit point, as there’s no public transportation in the park. Also, if your route crosses a high pass, such as Hurricane Pass or Paintbrush Divide, check at the ranger station to be sure that it is free of snow. Some passes are not normally clear until mid July, and some years can hold snow even longer. Snow travel mandates knowing how to use an ice axe properly. For more information call (307) 739-3300.
Yellowstone National Park
The largest concentration of thermal features in the world and a huge diversity of wildlife are the two main reasons Yellowstone National is considered a world-class backpacking destination. But Yellowstone also features varied terrain from steep mountains all along the East Side of the park to lush valleys interspersed throughout its central regions.
To choose a trip, simply pull out the map and look for terrain that interests you, perhaps by scouting for interesting backcountry thermal basins. There are plenty of good options for spending a single night out, such as hiking into Heart Lake in Yellowstone’s southern reaches. You can also do longer trips, linking together as many nights as you’d like. As in Grand Teton Park, permits are free but you are required to register. Permits can be reserved 24 hours in advance.
Though an incredible beautiful place, Yellowstone has its hazards too. Be careful not to walk in any thermal areas where thin crusts could exist, not only because it could damage them, but also because you could break through and get badly burned. Yellowstone is also grizzly bear country. Rangers recommend carrying and knowing how to use pepper spray bear repellent, and you also must hang your food. For more information call (307) 344-7381.
Jedediah Smith Wilderness
Located on the west side of the Teton Range, the Jedediah Smith Wilderness is reached by driving across Teton Pass into Idaho’s Teton Valley. Trailheads into the wilderness are located all along the east side of the valley between Victor, Idaho, and the Flagg Ranch-Ashton Road to the north. There are many two- or three-day outings that lead to the Teton Crest for a look over into Grand Teton National Park.
Backpackers can choose from two-day outings during which they reach the spine of the Tetons for a look east into the main part of the park or multiple-day outings in which two different canyons are linked together. As in Teton Park, there is no transportation, so if you’re entering and leaving via different trailheads, shuttling a car is a must. For more information, stop at the Targhee National Forest’s Teton Basin Ranger District, or call (208) 354-2312.
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