Lonesome Highway — Teton Pass Road to Victor via Coal Creek Summit Backdoor
The Tetons summit nobody's driving but you.
Most people hammer US-26/89 over Teton Pass on pavement and call it scenery. Drop south of the main highway at the Coal Creek Road turnoff west of Wilson, Wyoming and the crowd thins to zero inside two miles. This route climbs through Bridger-Teton National Forest on the Wyoming flank before crossing into Caribou-Targhee on the Idaho side, descending through aspen and lodgepole to the ag flatlands above Victor. The summit sits near 8,800 feet and opens a panorama across the Teton Valley to the west and the Snake River Range to the south. The road is a classic single-lane gravel shelf — tight enough that passing requires one rig to back up to a pullout — with loose talus on the upper switchbacks. Snowdrifts linger into June at the top.
This is a trail for high-clearance 4WD rigs, period. The upper Wyoming section has embedded rock shelves and off-camber shelf sections that will drag a low-slung truck. Don’t attempt before late June or after the first October snow without checking conditions with the Jackson Ranger District. No permits required. Water is available from Coal Creek early in the season but treat it. Dispersed camping is legal on both national forest sides of the pass — the Idaho flank near the bottom is more sheltered. Fuel in Wilson or Victor. Cell service is gone at the trailhead.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | Half day to 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8820 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Wilson, WY |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service — Bridger-Teton National Forest, Jackson Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Bridger-Teton NF — Jackson District USFS Caribou-Targhee NF |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a built rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD with low-range can make it, but the rocky sections near Coal Creek Summit will punish anything with less than 8–9 inches of clearance. Skid plates are strongly advised — this trail has enough sharp rock to open up an unprotected oil pan.
When does this route actually open up in the spring, and is it passable by late June?
At 8,820 feet max elevation, snowpack typically holds the upper sections until late June or early July — some years it's closer to mid-July. Don't assume it's clear based on conditions in Wilson or Victor; check with the USFS Jackson Ranger District before you go.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp along it?
No permit required to drive the trail. Dispersed camping is allowed under standard Bridger-Teton and Caribou-Targhee National Forest rules — stay 200 feet from water, no fee, 16-day limit. The route crosses both forests, so know which side you're camping on.
What's the hardest section, and what should I actually expect from it?
The climb through the Coal Creek drainage toward the summit is the crux — loose rock, off-camber shelf road sections, and limited room to maneuver. It's not a trail that punishes speed; it punishes impatience. Tire placement matters here more than horsepower.
There's zero cell service on this trail — is there any water source, or do I need to carry everything?
Coal Creek runs through the lower drainage and can be used as a source with treatment, but don't count on reliable water on the upper half of the route. Carry at least a full day's supply from the start in Wilson, and assume you're fully on your own — no signal means no help if something goes sideways.
Trail track
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