Blacktail Butte Trailhead

Blacktail Butte Trailhead: Complete 2026 Visitor Guide

Most visitors to Grand Teton National Park drive right past the Blacktail Butte Trailhead on their way to more famous spots, missing a quiet trail system that offers some of the most direct, uncluttered views of the Teton Range without the summit crowds. The parking area, located just off the main park highway, serves as a gateway to a network of trails that climb through sagebrush flats into mixed conifer forests, all framed by the cathedral-like peaks to the west. This is where locals go for a quick morning hike or a late afternoon walk when the parking lots at Jenny Lake are a solid wall of bumpers.

Quick Information

As of 2026, Grand Teton National Park charges a $35 entrance fee per private vehicle, valid for seven days. The park and the Blacktail Butte Trailhead are accessible 24 hours a day, year-round, though the unplowed parking area can be impassable in deep winter snow. The best time to use this trailhead is from late May through early October, when trails are dry and snow-free. For precise seasonal conditions, check the best time to visit guide.

The trailhead is located in Wyoming, just north of the town of Jackson and roughly 12 miles north of Moose Junction. Cell service is notoriously spotty throughout this area of the park; assume you'll have none. There are no restrooms or water sources at the trailhead itself - the nearest facilities are at the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center in Moose. Parking is a gravel pull-off with space for about 15 vehicles. It fills by mid-morning on summer weekends. Parking on the highway shoulder is prohibited and rangers do ticket.

Getting There

From Jackson, head north on US-191/89/26. Enter the park at the Moose Junction entrance station (about 12 miles). Continue north on the Teton Park Road for approximately 2.5 miles. The Blacktail Butte Trailhead parking area will be on your left (west) side of the road, clearly signed. There's no dedicated entrance gate for this specific area; you simply pull off the main park road. The drive from Jackson takes about 30 minutes without traffic. From the airport, it's a 20-minute drive north.

The common mistake is to confuse this with the Blacktail Ponds overlook pullout, which is a viewpoint on the east side of the road. The actual trailhead is a larger, gravel parking area on the west side. If you reach the Teton Science Schools campus, you've gone about a quarter-mile too far north.

What to Expect

The trail begins at an elevation just over 6,500 feet, surrounded by wide-open sagebrush flats. The air carries the scent of dry earth and sage, especially after a rain. It narrows into a single-track path of packed dirt and gravel leading directly toward the looming mass of Blacktail Butte. The first section is flat and exposed, with the sun feeling particularly intense on a summer afternoon. After about half a mile, you enter a transition zone of limber pine and Douglas-fir, where the temperature drops noticeably and the sound of the highway fades, replaced by wind in the branches and the chatter of Clark's nutcrackers.

The terrain is deceptively simple. The initial approach is gentle, but trails that ascend the butte itself involve steady, sometimes steep, elevation gain over rocky and rooted paths. From the lower trails, the view of the Grand Teton, Mount Owen, and Teewinot is unobstructed and frontal - a perspective many of the valley-floor drives don't offer. Early morning is your best bet for soft light on the peaks and a high chance of spotting mule deer or elk moving through the sage. Most visitors underestimate the exposure on the initial stretch; there is no shade for the first mile. Pack extra water for this stretch.

Top Attractions & Points of Interest

The Summit of Blacktail Butte

The climb to the top of Blacktail Butte is a proper hike, gaining over 1,000 feet in elevation. The reward is a 360-degree view that takes in the Tetons, the Snake River valley, and the Gros Ventre range. The summit is forested, but clearings offer panoramic vantage points. It's less crowded than any Teton summit trail but requires good fitness. Allow 3-4 hours for the round-trip.

Sagebrush Flats Loop

This is the go-to for a gentle, wildlife-focused walk. The loop meanders through the open flats at the base of the butte. It's prime habitat for pronghorn, mule deer, and ground squirrels. In late spring, the wildflowers here - mostly lupine and balsamroot - can be spectacular. This trail has almost no elevation gain and is suitable for most fitness levels. Do it at dawn or dusk for the best animal activity.

Forest Canyon Overlook

A lesser-used spur trail that branches off the main butte ascent leads to a rocky outcrop overlooking a deep, forested canyon on the butte's north side. It feels secluded and is a quiet spot to listen for pileated woodpeckers or just enjoy the silence. The overlook is not signed; look for a well-worn path branching to the right about two-thirds of the way up the main ascent trail.

Historic Ranch Boundaries

Keep an eye out for old, weathered fence lines and wooden posts crumbling back into the soil. These mark the boundaries of early 20th-century homesteads and cattle operations. They're not highlighted on maps, but they offer a tangible connection to the valley's history before it was a park. The most obvious ones are found along the eastern edges of the Sagebrush Flats loop.

Activities

The primary activity here is hiking trails. The network offers options from a flat 1.5-mile loop to a strenuous 6-mile summit trek. Trail runners use the lower loops for training due to the packed, fast surface. It's also a premier location for sunrise and sunset photography; the east-facing position of the butte means the first morning light hits the Teton peaks directly from this vantage, while sunset paints the butte's own cliffs in warm light.

For wildlife viewing, the sagebrush flats are reliable. Bring binoculars and scan slowly. This is also a fantastic area for birding, transitioning from open-country species like meadowlarks in the flats to forest birds like mountain chickadees higher up. There are no official climbing routes on Blacktail Butte, and its rock is generally not suitable for technical climbing.

In winter, when the park road is plowed, the area becomes accessible for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The open flats are a good, safe beginner zone for snowshoeing, but venturing onto the steeper, forested slopes of the butte requires avalanche awareness and training. The park does not groom trails here.

Seasonal Guide

Practical Information

Your $35 vehicle entrance fee to Grand Teton National Park covers access here. No additional permits are required for day hiking. For overnight trips, you'll need a backcountry permit, but there are no designated campsites accessed from this trailhead.

For lodging and accommodations, the town of Jackson is the nearest full-service hub, with Moose and Teton Village offering closer, limited options. There are no restaurants, gas stations, or gear rentals at the trailhead. The last chance for supplies is in Moose or Jackson. The nearest camping options are at the Gros Ventre Campground (9 miles south) or Jenny Lake Campground (further north, and often full by 8 AM).

Safety & Preparation

Altitude is your first consideration. The trailhead is at 6,500 feet, and the summit tops 7,500 feet. If you're newly arrived from lower elevations, take it slow and drink plenty of water. Headaches and shortness of breath are common.

Weather changes fast. A sunny morning can become a cold, windy thunderstorm by afternoon. The exposed summit of Blacktail Butte is a dangerous place during a lightning storm. Check the forecast and be prepared to turn back.

This is bear country, both black and grizzly. Carry bear spray, know how to use it, and make noise while hiking, especially in forested sections or where berries are present. Traveling in groups is recommended.

The trails are well-defined but not always perfectly signed. Having a basic map or a GPS app (downloaded for offline use, as cell service drops out at the trailhead) is wise. Let someone know your plans.

Dehydration is a real risk due to the dry air and sun exposure. There is no water available. Bring at least one liter per person for short loops, and two to three liters for the summit hike. The gift shop in Moose sells water for $4 a bottle. Bring your own.

Insider Tips

1. The parking situation here is first-come, first-served. If the lot is full, do not park on the vegetation or the highway shoulder. Drive north to the Teton Science Schools lot (if allowed and signed for public use) or south to the Moose Visitor Center and consider another hike.
2. For photography, the best light on the Teton peaks from the flats is within the first hour after sunrise. In the evening, the butte itself glows red-gold about 30 minutes before sunset.
3. The Sagebrush Flats loop is a superior wildlife walk compared to many roadside pullouts. You're moving quietly on foot, which increases your chances of seeing more than just distant specks.
4. If you hear a loud, rhythmic knocking in the forests on the butte, stop and look up. It's likely a pileated woodpecker, a crow-sized bird with a bright red crest, hammering on dead trees.
5. The park service recommends checking at the Moose Visitor Center for recent wildlife activity reports, especially bear sightings, before heading out.
6. In fall, the most vibrant aspen colors are on the butte's northern slopes, visible from the trail but even better up close. It's worth the climb.
7. Consider pairing a morning hike here with an afternoon on a tours and guided experiences offering, like a float trip, for a full day of varied perspectives on the park.

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