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Rangers update these trail conditions from May to October each year.
For information about backcountry trip planning or permits check out our Backcountry Camping page. For general trip planning information check out the Plan Your Visit section of our website.
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
Backcountry permits (for overnight trips) are available Monday-Friday (8:00am-5:00pm) at any of the backcountry offices during the summer season.
General Updates
Early season conditions exist on many trails. Prepare for wet or snowy conditions as a precaution.
Many trails have downed trees that could make travel difficult. Trail crews are working to clear passage over the coming weeks.
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.
Jenny Lake shuttle is open for the 2025. See Jenny Lake Boating for details.
Fire danger is currently high, meaning wildfires can start easily and spread quickly. The safest option is to not build a fire at all. Dress warmly and use layers instead of relying on campfires for warmth.
If you choose to have a fire in areas where it's allowed:
Never leave a campfire unattended.
Have a shovel and water bucket on hand.
Use several gallons of water to fully extinguish your campfire.
Drown, stir, feel and repeat until the ashes are cold to the touch.
Break up charred logs and cover all remains with dirt.
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 theSnake 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.
With exception of qualified service animals, pets are not allowed in the backcountry. This includes the Grand Teton Bike Pathway and the Snake River.
Visit the USGS website for current water levels, temperatures and currents.
Check the Advanced Snake River Map for hazards like snags, strainers, and narrow channels. This map is updated weekly from Spring to Fall.
Some high elevation trails in the park are still snow covered. View current snow maps (right side of linked page) to see estimated snow depths.
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 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: 6/23/2025 One very small snow crossing before patrol cabin, very easily passed. Camping zone is clear, snow starts near Fox Creek Pass. Campers reported seeing porcupines around the group site.
Death Canyon Shelf: 6/14/2025 95% of the trail is snow covered. There are numerous snow fields that are difficult to navigate. There are some campsites that are thawed out in areas. Beware of porcupines. They are out and about if you decide to camp here.
Granite Canyon - Lower (below fork): 6/21/2025 Trail clear of snow. Campsites including group site are free of snow. 200m of standing water on trail before reaching group site, 1 foot deep.
Granite Canyon - North Fork/Upper/Marion Lake: 6/21/2025 Upper Granite Canyon clear of snow until Mount Hunt Divide Junction. Group site mostly melted out. Snow abour 0.5 miles from Marion Lake. Lake starting to thaw, still surrounded by tons of snow.
Granite Canyon South/Middle Fork/Tram Trail: 6/4/2025 Mostly snow covered, trail hard to follow.
5/30/2025 Trail is clear and open.
Open Canyon from Death Canyon Trailhead: 6/13/2025 Dry for the first 7 miles. Switchbacks are mostly covered in snow. Some dry patches. Microspikes are trekking poles are reccomended. Melting snow on north face of mount hunt. South face completely covered.
6/13/2025 Phelps Lake Loop is snow free and downed trees have been cleared.
Teton Village to Taggart Lake: 6/20/2025 Snow free - expect some down trees.
Taggart Lake to Lupine Meadows Trailhead: 6/13/2025 Trails are clear.
Teton Park Road
Bearpaw & Trapper Lakes Via String Lake Trailhead: 6/13/2025 Dry and Clear
Cascade Canyon - Lower: 6/20/2025 Snow free to the forks.
Cascade Canyon North: 6/21/2025 Trail is clear until 0.5 miles from camping zone. Some campsites melted out but very wet/muddy.
Cascade Canyon South: 6/21/2025 First set of campsites melted out, middle and end of camping zone still holding snow but some sites are usable.
Via Lupine Meadows Trailhead: 6/16/2025 Small patches of snow in boulder field. Lake is entirely thawed out.
Garnet Canyon (Lupine Trailhead to Meadows): 6/25/2025 Snow free to the boulder field. Patchy snow from boulders to Meadows. 1 bear box in the meadows is accessible.
6/13/2025 Clear of snow. Shuttle boat is open and operating across the lake from 7a.m. to 7p.m.
6/13/2025 Clear of snow. Shuttle boat is open and operating across the lake from 7a.m. to 7p.m.
6/13/2025 Clear of snow, trail is dry.
5/30/2025 Clear of snow. Bear sightings are frequent in this area.
Paintbrush Canyon - Lower to Holly Lake: 6/20/2025 Outlier site under running water. 3 Holly Lake sites are either under standing water or isothermic snow.
Paintbrush Canyon - Upper: 6/21/2025 All Snow. Begins to thaw out as you are hiking down to lower at the switchbacks. Paintbrush pass is impassable without ice axe and crampons. Very dangerous pass to attempt to go over. (There are a few dry camping sites in this zone.)
Via Lupine Meadows Trailhead: 6/25/2025 No snow until the lakes. 50% snow between Surprise and Amphitheater. Lakes clear of ice. Some dry spots in camping area. Cache and bear box are clear of snow.
6/20/2025 Snow free
Signal Mountain & Moran
5/28/2025 Trail clear of snow. Some small downed trees.
6/21/2025 Mostly snow covered, trail hard to follow.
Cascade Canyon North: 6/21/2025 Trail is clear until 0.5 miles from camping zone. Some campsites melted out but very wet/muddy.
Cascade Canyon South: 6/21/2025 First set of campsites melted out, middle and end of camping zone still holding snow but some sites are usable.
Death Canyon: 6/23/2025 One very small snow crossing before patrol cabin, very easily passed. Camping zone is clear, snow starts near Fox Creek Pass. Campers reported seeing porcupines around the group site.
Death Canyon Shelf: 6/14/2025 95% of the trail is snow covered. There are numerous snow fields that are difficult to navigate. There are some campsites that are thawed out in areas. Beware of porcupines. They are out and about if you decide to camp here.
South/Middle Forks/Tram Trail: 6/4/2025 Mostly snow covered, trail hard to follow.
Paintbrush Canyon - Lower to Holly Lake: 6/20/2025 Outlier site under running water. 3 Holly Lake sites are either under standing water or isothermic snow.
Paintbrush Canyon - Upper: 6/21/2025 All Snow. Begins to thaw out as you are hiking down to lower at the switchbacks. Paintbrush pass is impassable without ice axe and crampons. Very dangerous pass to attempt to go over. (There are a few dry camping sites in this zone.)
Passes
6/20/2025 Steep Snow - an ice axe and/or crampons, and experience are needed to safely traverse.
6/20/2025 Steep Snow - an ice axe and/or crampons, and experience are needed to safely traverse.
6/20/2025 Steep Snow - an ice axe and/or crampons, and experience are needed to safely traverse.
6/20/2025 Steep Snow - an ice axe and/or crampons, and experience are needed to safely traverse.
Last updated: June 27, 2025
Park footer
Contact Info
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 170
Moose,
WY
83012
Phone:
307-739-3399
Talk to a Ranger? To speak to a Grand Teton National Park ranger call 307–739–3399 for visitor information Monday-Friday during business hours.