Overview
The route from Teton Canyon Trailhead to Alaska Basin is the premier day hike in Caribou-Targhee National Forest and one of the finest long day hikes in the entire Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The 13-mile round-trip climbs 3,000 feet through the Jedediah Smith Wilderness to a high-alpine basin at 9,000-plus feet elevation, straddling the Teton Divide with direct views of the Grand Teton, Middle Teton, and South Teton.
Alaska Basin is remarkable both for its scenery and for what it is not: Grand Teton National Park. The basin straddles the state and park boundary, with the Idaho portion falling within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest's Jedediah Smith Wilderness. No entrance fee. No day-hike permit. No morning lottery. The Idaho side of the Tetons operates under national forest rules, which means more flexibility and considerably fewer bureaucratic barriers to entry than the park's increasingly regulated backcountry.
The route through Teton Canyon is dramatic in its own right before reaching the basin. The canyon walls rise steeply on both sides as the trail climbs through old-growth Engelmann spruce and fir, and waterfalls appear on the canyon walls in late season. The canyon gradually opens as the trail gains elevation, transitioning to the open alpine character of the basin floor.
Grizzly bears are present in this corridor. Carry bear spray and check current conditions and bear activity before departing.
The Route
Miles 0 to 3.5: Teton Canyon
The trail begins at the Teton Canyon Trailhead (approximately 6,800 feet) and enters the canyon immediately, following Teton Creek east. The canyon walls are impressive in this lower section, rising hundreds of feet on both sides. The trail is well-maintained and gains elevation gradually through the canyon floor.
At the North Fork/South Fork junction (approximately mile 3.5), take the North Fork toward Alaska Basin. The south fork leads to Table Mountain, a separate objective. This junction is a natural rest point.
Miles 3.5 to 5.5: Climbing Out of the Canyon
Above the junction, the trail steepens considerably as it climbs out of the main canyon toward the basin. A series of switchbacks gain 1,500 feet over 2 miles, passing through the tree line and into the subalpine zone. The views behind you into the canyon and toward Teton Valley expand dramatically here.
The climbing is sustained and demanding in this section. Pace yourself and allow extra time if conditions are warm.
Miles 5.5 to 6.5: Alaska Basin
The trail crests the headwall and enters Alaska Basin, a broad, relatively flat alpine expanse dotted with tarns, wildflower meadows, and scattered boulders. The Teton crest looms immediately to the east. The Grand Teton's summit is visible from the basin floor, rising above the divide in a direct and immediate way that the national park's east-side trails don't provide.
The basin offers many possible destinations within a short distance: the main floor, Sunset Lake (on the park side), the basin rim, and side trips toward Buck Mountain. Most day hikers explore the floor and return.
When to Visit
July through September. Alaska Basin typically requires late July for reliable snow-free conditions. The lower canyon is accessible earlier, but the headwall and basin hold snow into mid-July in average years. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August; plan for summit and divide time in the morning.
What to Bring
Many hikers on this demanding route carry:
- Bear spray; this is strongly recommended in this grizzly corridor
- 3 liters of water capacity; creeks provide sources in the canyon, but the upper basin has limited reliable sources late in the season
- A water filter
- Wind and rain layers; Alaska Basin is exposed and weather changes quickly
- Trekking poles for the steep canyon ascent
- High-calorie food for a long day
- Sun protection for the open basin
- Headlamp for early starts
Individual needs vary considerably. This is a long, demanding route.
Practical Details
No permit required for the Caribou-Targhee portion as of 2026. Vault toilet at the trailhead. Cell service absent. Bear canisters are strongly recommended for overnight trips.
Leave No Trace principles are particularly important in Alaska Basin, which receives concentrated use in a sensitive alpine environment.
Learn about differences between national forest and national park regulations before crossing the divide into the Grand Teton National Park portion of Alaska Basin.
Getting There
From Driggs, drive east on Teton Canyon Road (also signed for Grand Targhee Resort). Continue past the resort turnoff and proceed to the Teton Canyon Trailhead at the end of the road, approximately 13 miles from Driggs. The last 3 miles are unpaved. Passenger vehicles can make the drive in dry conditions; high clearance is preferred.