Blacktail Butte Peak Trail

Route Description for Blacktail Butte Peak Trail

The Blacktail Butte Peak Trail offers similar views to those from the Jackson Hole, just from higher up with lesser crowds than from pullouts and parking lots. Densely wooded, there are only a few lookouts of the mountainscape, so enjoy the views when they are revealed. Note this area of wilderness sees plenty of wildlife, so to be safe, at least one person in your group should carry a bear canister and know how to use it. Located in the Teton National Park, visitors must purchase a pass; refer to the NPS website for additional information.

Indulge in the beauty of lush montane meadows, dense forests, and incredible views of the Teton Mountain Range on the Blacktail Butte Peak Trail. Featuring a diversity of flora and fauna, this stimulating adventure will not disappoint. Ideal for those acclimatizing to the area’s altitude, this route boasts a wonderful workout without too much strenuousness. Though this route can be explored year-round, we encourage hikers to visit in the spring when the wildflowers are blooming and a picturesque dusting of snow adorns the craggy Tetons. Note intrepid adventurers with proper gear can scale a sheer limestone rockface on the northwestern corner of the mountain.

Once your shoes are laced, and your camera is charged, you are set to begin your journey along the Blacktail Butte Peak Trail. Setting out from the trailhead, the path travels south along the Jackson Hole valley floor before diverting into the woodlands. Admire the views of the Tetons in the west, then escape below the tree canopy. Gradually climbing southeast, you will reach an intersection soon after your departure from the trailhead. Those seeking a rock-climbing experience divert left here to the limestone rock wall.

Hikers will follow the route right, wandering through the mixed woods interspersed with aspen stands and green meadows. Revel in the panoramas of the snow-capped jagged peaks in the west, the encompassing valley, and the Gros Ventre Range in the east through the tree breaks. As you ascend the butte, be mindful of fauna, including elk, deer, and moose. Eventually, the path will reroute southwest, scrambling up some rocky scree. Mind your footing on the uneven terrain and follow the rock cairns up to the trail’s end. At the overlook, you will be granted impressive vistas of the expansive valley, and you will likely notice planes landing at the nearby airport. When you are through appreciating the scenery, head back the way you came to the trailhead.

Trail Highlights

Blacktail Butte

Blacktail Butte is a 2,343 m mountain in the Grand Teton National Park. Rising from the Jackson Hole valley, the flat-top peak offers incredible views of the Grand Teton Mountain Range and the encompassing valley. The heavily forested mountain has a contested history behind its name. Some argue the Butte is named for the black-tailed deer that are common to the area, but others hold the stance that the name reflects the north face that is so densely wooded that it appears black. Either way, this wonderful mountain is worth your exploration.

Insider Hints for Blacktail Butte Peak Trail

• At least one person in your group should have bear spray and know how to properly use it
• If you do encounter wildlife, admire them from a safe distance
• Charge your camera, the mountainscape is photogenic
• The path is not well marked, so download the trail GPS prior to departure
• Pack lunch and enjoy a picnic overlooking the beautiful scenery