Granite Canyon

Granite Canyon Trailhead to South Fork junction: 13.4 miles return, 2,190 feet gain; strenuous forest-and-meadow canyon hike.

Trail

Trail

From Granite Canyon Trailhead, follow the established canyon trail through forest and meadows to the South Fork junction, then return the same way: 13.4 miles round-trip with 2,190 feet of elevation gain. NPS rates this a strenuous 7–11-hour outing. It is a long canyon hike, not a knife-edge ridge scramble. Other starting points are different routes with different distances and access needs.

Quick facts

Distance Miles
13.4
Route Type
Out-and-back (13.4 miles round-trip)
Difficulty Level
Strenuous
Elevation Gain Feet
2190

Trail profile

Distance Miles
13.4
Route Type
Out-and-back (13.4 miles round-trip)
Difficulty Level
Strenuous
Elevation Gain Feet
2190
Estimated Time
7–11 hours round-trip; allow daylight and a turnaround margin
Trail Surface
Established unpaved trail through forest and meadows; uneven footing and steep sections. This named route does not require a knife-edge ridge scramble.
Trail Features
  • Granite Creek canyon
  • Forest and meadows
  • Granite walls
  • South Fork junction turnaround
Trail Highlights
Follow Granite Creek through forest and open meadows beneath canyon walls. The South Fork junction is the named turnaround for this route; a ridge summit is not part of the outing.

Trailhead & access

Trailhead Location
Granite Canyon Trailhead on Moose-Wilson Road. During the current closure north of Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, approach from WY-390/Teton Village to the south; check NPS road construction updates before departure.
Parking Lot Size
Trailhead parking is limited; a space is not guaranteed. Use only designated parking.
Parking Fill Time
Allow extra time for limited parking; do not rely on a guaranteed arrival-time cutoff.
Shuttle Required
No
Shuttle Details
This is an out-and-back from Granite Canyon Trailhead, not a tram-assisted route. Arrange your own trailhead transport and verify road access.

Permits & conditions

Permits Required
No
Permit Details
No backcountry camping permit is required for this day hike. Overnight backcountry camping is a separate trip and requires the appropriate Grand Teton permit; use the official reservation and permit process.
Fees
Standard Grand Teton entrance is $35/private vehicle for 7 days, $30/motorcycle, or $20/person on foot or bicycle (ages 16+; ages 15 and under free). Each non-US resident age 16+ also owes $100 unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass; only covered visitors receive that exception. Check official pass coverage and group rules.
Trail Status
Check current trail and road conditions; this is not a guarantee of open or snow-free access.
Seasonal Closures
Snow and weather can affect this trail. Moose-Wilson Road and Death Canyon trailhead construction have separate access restrictions; consult the current NPS notices.

Facilities & rules

Restrooms At Trailhead
No
Water Sources
Carry adequate water for a full-day hike. Treat any natural water before drinking and do not assume a particular source will be flowing.
Accessibility
This long unpaved route has steep and uneven sections and is not a wheelchair-accessible trail. It does not require the invented ridge scrambling described in the former copy.

Safety & strategy

Hazards
  • Long distance and elevation gain
  • Uneven footing
  • Snow and slippery sections
  • Changing weather and lightning
  • Bear-country travel
Hazard Details
The principal commitment is a long strenuous canyon hike. Check snow, footing and weather, carry navigation and bear-safety equipment, and turn around with sufficient daylight. Do not substitute an off-trail ridge scramble for the established route.
Cell Service
No cell service on trail
Crowd Level
Use varies; remoteness is not a guarantee of solitude.
Peak Crowd Times
Summer hiking season; parking and trail use vary.
Best Season
Summer and fall when conditions permit; NPS notes snow usually remains until late July.
Best Time To Visit
Plan for a long summer or fall day when the trail is passable. Snow commonly lingers into July; check current conditions rather than assuming a late-June opening.
Tips Advice
  • Carry 3–4L of water—this is a dry trail with no reliable sources until the snowmelt canyon.
  • Trekking poles are mandatory; loose rock and steep descents demand them.
  • Start at first light and turn back by 2pm if you're not at the ridge crest.
  • Wear a helmet or pack one; rockfall risk is real on scramble sections.
  • Check weather obsessively; afternoon thunderstorms are dangerous at elevation.
  • The canyon floor route is faster but exposed; the ridge traverse adds 1–2 hours for views.
  • Bring a map and compass; cairns disappear under snow patches.

More details

Park Area
Southern Grand Teton: Granite Canyon, accessed from Moose-Wilson Road
Trail Markers
Follow the established Granite Canyon trail and signs to the South Fork junction. Carry an offline/topographic map and verify junctions.
Dogs Allowed
No
Biking Allowed
No
Shade Level
Forest provides shade on portions of the route; meadows and openings still require sun protection.
Emergency Contacts
Park Rangers (emergency): call from trailhead or nearest ranger station. Moose Visitor Center: (307) 739-3399. Jackson Hole Mountain Rescue is volunteer-based; self-rescue is expected.
Map Recommended
Yes
Alltrails Link
www.alltrails.com
Snow Dates
Snow often persists into July; actual snow-free dates vary. Check current NPS trail conditions.
Mud Season
April–May: muddy canyon floor. June: wet in shaded sections.
Wildflower Peak
July–early August. Alpine flowers (columbine, lupine, Indian paintbrush) blanket meadows.
Fall Colors Peak
The route includes forest and meadows; fall conditions and color timing vary.
Bug Season
July–August: mosquitoes in canyon bottom, especially near water. Higher elevation less buggy.
Insider Tips
Keep the South Fork junction as the planned turnaround. Start with enough daylight, carry a map and adequate water, and turn back earlier for weather, snow or fatigue. Rendezvous Mountain and Teton Village starts are different routes, not shortcuts with these same statistics.
Recent Updates
Route and road guidance checked October 10, 2026. Death Canyon Road/trailhead remains closed to all use during construction; Granite Canyon is an alternative trailhead, not permission to enter the closure. Check NPS for changes.
Family Friendly Notes
Choose this full route only for hikers prepared for 13.4 miles return and 2,190 feet of gain. A shorter out-and-back requires its own deliberate turnaround; do not describe it with the full-route statistics.
Nearby Facilities
Plan supplies before departure and check trailhead facilities with NPS. Backcountry camps are separate overnight destinations requiring permits.
Review Summary
A strenuous full-day canyon outing through forest and meadows. Choose it for the canyon landscape and a long hike, not an advertised technical ridge scramble or guaranteed solitude.

Frequently asked questions

Which Granite Canyon route do these facts describe?

Granite Canyon Trailhead to the South Fork junction and back: 13.4 miles return, 2,190 feet gain, 7–11 hours.

Are the tram and Teton Village routes the same hike?

No. NPS lists the Rendezvous Mountain route as 12.9 miles one-way with 1,480 feet gain and 5,520 feet loss, and the Valley Trail route from Teton Village as 15 miles return with 3,250 feet gain. Plan transport and effort for the route you select.

Do day hikers need a camping permit?

No. A backcountry permit is required for overnight camping, not this ordinary day hike.

Does the route require knife-edge scrambling?

No. This description follows the established canyon trail. Stay on that trail, carry navigation, and check current snow, weather and access conditions.

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Sources

Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated June 2026. Report an issue.