Teton Pass to Granite Hot Springs — Hoback Canyon and Granite Creek Backcountry via US-189 and Granite Creek Road
Hoback Canyon to a natural hot spring — earn the soak.
Teton Pass itself hits 8,431 feet and is a genuine white-knuckle descent in any season outside summer — steep grades, tight switchbacks, and a drop into Jackson Hole that gets icy fast. But the real run starts when you peel east off US-189 south of Hoback Junction and follow the 10-mile Granite Creek Road (Forest Road 30500) into the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The road parallels Granite Creek through dense spruce-fir forest before opening into a broad canyon ringed by peaks topping 10,000 feet. The endpoint — Granite Hot Springs Pool — sits at the canyon’s head, a 93–112°F geothermal pool managed by the Forest Service, open year-round if the access road isn’t buried in snow. The road itself is well-graded gravel, but winter travel adds considerable commitment.
Rated Moderate for the Granite Creek Road segment specifically — stock 4WD handles it in summer, but high-clearance is advisable and mandatory in spring mud or after heavy rain. In winter, snowmobiles and ski touring share the corridor and vehicle access often ends early on the road. The USFS charges a day-use fee at Granite Hot Springs; no reservation required. Best season is June through September for full vehicle access. Cell service drops to nothing on Granite Creek Road. This is a genuinely rewarding half-day detour off the main Wyoming overland corridor — hot springs, canyon scenery, and backcountry camping in one compact package.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 34 mi / 54.7 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8431 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD recommended; high-clearance in wet conditions |
| Nearest town | Jackson, Wyoming |
| Land manager | Bridger-Teton National Forest, Jackson Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Granite Hot Springs page Bridger-Teton National Forest |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle Granite Creek Road without modifications?
Yes — a stock 4WD with decent clearance handles it fine in dry summer conditions. After rain, the dirt sections get slick and rutted fast, so high-clearance becomes less optional. A 2WD crossover should stay home regardless of conditions.
When does Granite Creek Road typically open in spring, and is it accessible in early October?
The road usually opens in late May or early June depending on snowpack and mud conditions — Bridger-Teton National Forest posts seasonal closures on their site. By mid-October it's a coin flip; snow can shut it down without much warning. Stick to June through September for reliable access.
Is there a fee to use Granite Hot Springs, and do you need a permit for this route?
There's a day-use fee to soak at Granite Hot Springs pool — currently $6 per person, collected on-site. No permit is required for the drive itself or for dispersed camping along Granite Creek Road. Campground sites at Granite Creek Campground are reservation-based through Recreation.gov.
What's the hardest section of the route and what should I actually expect?
The trickiest stretch is the upper portion of Granite Creek Road as it narrows toward the hot springs — loose gravel, some off-camber shelf sections, and creek-adjacent soft spots after rain. Nothing technical enough to call it hard, but enough to punish inattention or bald tires. The Hoback Canyon leg on US-189 is paved and straightforward.
Is there any cell service on this route, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
Cell service is essentially zero once you leave the Jackson area — plan accordingly and download offline maps before you go. Gas up in Jackson before dropping Teton Pass; there's nothing reliable along Hoback Canyon or Granite Creek Road, and the nearest stations are back in Jackson (~34 miles from the hot springs).
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.