Alaska Basin
Driggs, Idaho
| Address: | Teton Canyon Trail Head, Teton Canyon Road, Alta, WY 83414, USA |
| GPS: |
43°45'20.4"N 110°54'54.8"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Idaho |
| Trail Length: | 16.60 miles |
| Trail Type: | Loop |
| Hike Difficulty: | Advanced |
| Elevation Gain: | 2635 feet |
| Trails/Routes: | 15.0-18.4 mi |
Lakes Rivers Streams Trails Wildflowers Pet Friendly Bicycles Motorized Use
Backpack, Hike, and Horseback
The Alaska Basin Trail is a stunning trail through the Jedediah Wilderness near Driggs, Idaho and goes East into Wyoming, just outside of Grand Teton National Park. The trail is wide and has easy terrain for the feet, but it is long, so it's best suited for intermediate to advanced hikers. There are spots on the trail where river crossing is necessary, so be prepared to rock hop, cross logs, or just get your feet wet.
Because the trail is in a wilderness area, rather than a National Park, no overnight camping permits are required; however, open fires are not allowed, so plan on bringing a camping stove. Carry bear spray and, if you are camping, plan on bear proofing your food and waste.
The trail features a variety of landscapes such as lush vegetation and wildflowers (peak season is July to August), rushing rivers and streams, the majestic Teton Mountain Range, and of course, the serene Alaska Basin. There is plenty of wildlife; black bears and moose both have been spotted on the trail. Enjoy their beauty, but please use precaution and respect their territory.
More Information
Alaska Basin - Hike to Basin Lakes in Caribou-Targhee National Forest
Alaska Basin: Details for hike to Basin Lakes in the Alaska Basin of the Grand Tetons. Trail description, key features, photos, map & elevation profile
https://www.tetonhikingtrails.com/alaska-basin.htmAlaska Basin Trail - Wikipedia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Basin_TrailCaribou-Targhee National Forest : Recreation
Find and Discover Recreation Sites and Trails in Caribou-Targhee National Forest
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/caribou-targhee/recreationBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Driggs, Idaho
- Head east on W Bates Rd toward N Main St (69 ft)
- Continue onto E Little Ave (0.5 mi)
- Continue onto Ski Hill RdEntering Wyoming(3.5 mi)
- Continue onto W Alta Ski Hill Rd (2.6 mi)
- Turn right onto Teton Canyon RdDestination will be on the left(4.6 mi)
Other Hiking Trails, Horseback Trails, and Backpacking Trails Nearby
Devil's Stairs
Driggs, Idaho
0.0 miles SEAn 8-mile round-trip trail that starts from the Teton Canyon Trailhead, climbs 1,000 feet in switchbacks, and arrives at a stunning high meadow filled with wildflowers and framed by a towering cliff.
Backpack, Hike 3.8-6.4 mi
Table Rock / Table Mountain
Driggs, Idaho
0.1 miles NWA big climb to 11,300 feet for arguably the finest view of the Grand Tetons — pick the steep Face or the gradual Huckleberry trail.
Camp, Hike 4.5 mi
Sheep Bridge Trail
Driggs, Idaho
3.6 miles WAn easy 2.25-mile trail through summer wildflowers and kaleidoscopes of butterflies along Teton Creek — cross a bridge, meander east, and dip down to the creek at a midway rest spot.
Hike, Mountain Bike 6.2 mi
Darby Wind Cave
Driggs, Idaho
5.5 miles SWWaterfalls, wildflowers, creek crossings, and a wind cave high on the canyon wall — Darby's switchback trail rewards hikers with views found nowhere else in the Tetons.
Backpack, Cave, Hike, Rock Climb 4.5 mi
Aspen Trail
Alta, Wyoming
6.5 miles WFlowing singletrack along a 6,800-ft ridgeline contour connects to Darby Canyon on a mix of smooth and rocky terrain — a satisfying intermediate out-and-back or loop.
Hike, Mountain Bike 4.9 mi
Amphitheater Lake
Alta, Wyoming
6.9 miles EAmphitheater Lake is one of Grand Teton National Park's most rewarding alpine destinations — a sparkling cirque lake cradled in granite high above the treeline, beneath the soaring peaks of...
Backpack, Hike 1.0-5.1 mi
Jenny Lake Trail
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
8.2 miles EAn easy loop around Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park — visiting Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and abundant wildlife including marmots, moose, and occasional bears along the well-built stone-stair trail.
Hike
Mount Owen
Jackson, Wyoming
8.8 miles EMount Owen is the second-highest peak in the Teton Range, a striking 12,928-foot summit rising in the heart of Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, just north of its famous neighbor, the Grand Teton....
Hike 3.9-14.4 mi
Grand Teton
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
8.8 miles EAt 13,770 feet, the Grand Teton towers over Western Wyoming — all popular routes require rock climbing gear and are for skilled climbers only, with 3,000 feet of exposure where a fall is fatal.
Backpack, Hike, Rock Climb 13.8 mi
Middle Teton
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
8.8 miles EThe 12,804-ft Middle Teton rewards serious alpinists with glacier bouldering through the Southwest Couloir and panoramic views of the Grand, South, and surrounding Tetons.
Backpack, Hike, Rock Climb
Teewinot Mountain
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
8.8 miles ETeewinot Mountain is a 12,325-ft Teton spire above Jenny Lake — the range's deadliest peak and a committing 4th-class East Face climb, not a hike.
Backpack, Hike
Mt. Moran
Alta, Wyoming
8.8 miles NEAt 12,610 feet, this dominant Teton peak rises 6,000 feet above Jackson Lake, with the Skillet Glacier plainly visible on its massive east face.
Hike 3.6 mi
String Lake
Alta, Wyoming
9.4 miles EA shallow, warm lake connecting Jenny and Leigh Lakes at the base of the Tetons — the clear water lets you see the bottom from a kayak, wade easily with kids, and access wilder open water beyond.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim 0.1-7.3 mi
Leigh Lake
Alta, Wyoming
9.5 miles ETucked beneath Mount Moran and just a mile from the String Lake trailhead, Leigh Lake rewards with majestic serenity, shoreline views of Boulder Island, and calm waters perfect for kayaking or canoeing.
Backpack, Canoe, Hike, Kayak 10.5-16.2 mi
Paintbrush Canyon
Alta, Wyoming
9.6 miles EA beautiful trail along String Lake, Leigh Lake, and Lake Solitude in Grand Teton — with a short, rewarding scramble to the secluded Micah Lake perch for even fewer crowds.
Backpack, Hike 24.3 mi
Cascade Canyon Trail
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
9.6 miles EA wildlife-rich canyon hike past Hidden Falls and into Cascade Canyon, where waterfalls pour off glacier-fed mountains flanking the Grand Teton.
Backpack, Hike 1.3-4.3 mi
Phelps Lake
Jackson, Wyoming
11.4 miles SEA 5.5-mile loop around beautiful Phelps Lake with mountain scenery, majestic blue water, several Teton waterfalls, and lakeside campsites — plus a popular cliff jumping rock along the trail.
Backpack, Camp, Dive, Hike, Swim
Jumping Rock at Phelp's Lake
Jackson, Wyoming
11.4 miles SEA solo 20-foot boulder perched above deep water at Phelps Lake, with Death Canyon looming overhead — one of the most dramatic jump spots in all of Wyoming.
Dive, Hike, Swim 4.6 mi
Coal Creek Trail
Alta, Wyoming
17.3 miles SA hike beyond Coal Creek Meadows to a mountain divide with dramatic views of the Mesquite Creek Valley and the peaks to the north, including Grand Teton on the horizon.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Bitch Creek Trestle
Tetonia, Idaho
18.0 miles NWA Rails-to-Trails railroad bridge converted into an easy family viewpoint above Bitch Creek — part of the 30-mile Ashton-Tetonia Trail with more trestle adventures nearby.
HikeNearby Campsites
Table Rock / Table Mountain
Driggs, Idaho
0.1 miles NWA big climb to 11,300 feet for arguably the finest view of the Grand Tetons — pick the steep Face or the gradual Huckleberry trail.
Camp, Hike
Teton Canyon Campground
Alta, Wyoming
0.2 miles WTeton Canyon Campground is the gateway to Alaska Basin, Table Rock, and the Teton Crest Trail — each site stocked with a picnic table, fire ring, and bear box.
Camp
Reunion Flat Campground
Alta, Wyoming
1.8 miles WCamp near Alta, Wyoming
Camp
Darby Canyon Camping
Alta, Wyoming
7.7 miles SWDispersed campsites with fire lays in scenic Darby Canyon — no official campground, just established spots in Wyoming wilderness. Leave No Trace and use existing rings only.
Camp
Jenny Lake Campground
Jackson Hole, WY
9.6 miles ETucked right at the base of the Tetons, this tent-only campground fills before 8 AM in summer for good reason — alpine beauty, quiet sites, and unbeatable Teton proximity.
Camp 1.3-4.3 mi
Phelps Lake
Jackson, Wyoming
11.4 miles SEA 5.5-mile loop around beautiful Phelps Lake with mountain scenery, majestic blue water, several Teton waterfalls, and lakeside campsites — plus a popular cliff jumping rock along the trail.
Backpack, Camp, Dive, Hike, Swim
Mike Harris Campground
Victor, Idaho
15.8 miles SWA scenic mountain campground at 6,200 feet along Teton Pass just 5 miles from Victor, Idaho — a peaceful base for fishing, trail exploring, and sightseeing in the Teton region.
Camp
Pine Creek Campground
Victor, Idaho
19.3 miles SWThe Pine Creek Campground has 10 single units and has restrooms.
Camp
Sheep Falls on Fall River
Ashton, Idaho
24.1 miles NA local gem off Cave Falls Road where the river splits into multiple falls tumbling over each other — primitive campsites and beautiful views make it a great picnic stop.
Camp
Loon Lake
Ashton, Idaho
24.8 miles NCamp, Kayak, and Swim near Ashton, Idaho
Camp, Kayak, Swim
Crystal Creek Campground
Jackson, Wyoming
26.2 miles SEA small, peaceful campground along two Wild and Scenic Rivers — the Gros Ventre and Crystal Creek — with nearby options for hiking, biking, and OHV riding.
Camp
Cave Falls of Yellowstone
Ashton, Idaho
27.1 miles NA campground right on the Fall River along Yellowstone's south boundary puts you steps from legendary fishing, with fire rings and bear-proof boxes at each site.
Camp, Hike
Porcupine Creek
Ashton, Idaho
27.5 miles NWA backcountry hunting, fishing, camping, and swimming spot in Targhee National Forest, surrounded by forests, meadows, a creek, and unmarked trails — bear country, so pack and store food carefully.
Camp, Swim
Moody Meadows
Driggs, Idaho
27.9 miles WGood place for kids, they can ride bikes in the meadow, play in the stream, and camping is off of the road. Hiking, motorbiking, and horseback riding trails are abundant in the area.
Camp 2.8-4.1 mi
Palisades Creek Trail / Lakes and Waterfall Canyon
Irwin, Idaho
28.9 miles SWSpectacular mountain views, two landslide-formed alpine lakes, and mountain goat sightings — all within a 4-to-6-mile hike in the Swan Valley wilderness.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Horseshoe Lake
Ashton, Idaho
29.5 miles NA lily-pad-dotted lake hidden in the Targhee National Forest with a gradual beach entry perfect for wading, a floating dock for jumping, and no motorized boats.
Camp, Canoe, Dive, Swim
Big Elk Campground
Irwin, Idaho
31.6 miles SA versatile campground near Palisade Reservoir with fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and kayaking — plus a small secluded lake on the drive in that's perfect for a quiet afternoon.
Camp 6.9 mi
Big Elk Creek
Irwin, Idaho
31.6 miles SA versatile campground on a small dammed lake with fishing, kayaking, hiking and backpacking into the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, and stunning fall Aspen and Douglas-Fir colors on the Big Elk Creek Trail.
Backpack, Camp, Canoe, Hike, Horseback, Kayak
Falls Campground
Victor, Idaho
31.7 miles SWA Snake River campground near Swan Valley with cottonwood shade, abundant wildlife — eagles, osprey, moose, and deer — and Fall Creek Falls just a quarter mile away; Palisades Reservoir is 20 miles out.
Camp
Fall Creek Falls
Swan Valley, Idaho
31.8 miles SWA shaded Snake River campground near Swan Valley with abundant wildlife, great trout fishing, and Fall Creek Falls a quarter-mile away.
Camp, Cave, Hike, Kayak, Swim
