The Grand Teton Range towers 1,100 feet above Jackson Hole, and 13,770 feet above sea level. Twelve peaks (three of which are called "Tetons") reach above 12,000 feet, high enough to support a dozen mountain glaciers. In contrast to the abrupt eastern face, the west side of the range slopes gently, showing the angle of tilt of the earth's crust. Youngest of the mountains in the Rocky Mountain system, the Teton Range displays some of the North America's oldest rocks.

The rise of the Teton Range, as well as the erosion caused by eons of glaciation, has created conditions that allow several plant communities to thrive, from ribbons of green riparian plants bordering rivers and streams, to sagebrush flats, lodgepole pine and spruce forests, subalpine meadows, and alpine stone fields. The wide range of plant communities creates a habitat for a wide variety of animals, from the tiniest insects, to fish, birds and large and small mammals.

Man has taken advantage of the mountain setting and its abundant resources for approximately 11,000 years. Early residents occupied the valley during the short spring, summer and fall seasons. During the other eight months of the year, they moved to lower elevations and warmer winter climates. Beginning in the late 1800s, homesteaders and ranchers moved into the valley, bringing the technologies of irrigation and insulation, to allow them to stay through the long, harsh winter.

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General Information

Visitation

Four million people visit the park each year, primarily between Memorial Day and September 30.

Location

Northwestern Wyoming, south of Yellowstone National Park and north of Jackson, Wyoming, in Teton County.

Address

Grand Teton National Park
P.O. Drawer 170
Moose, WY 83012

Telephone

Backcountry and River Information (recorded) (307) 739-3603
Climbing Information (recorded) (307) 739-3604
Moose Visitor Center (307) 739-3399
Park Dispatch (Emergency) (307) 739-3300
TDD Information (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf) (307) 739-3400 and (307) 739-3544
Weather Information (307) 739-3611
Visitor Information (307) 739-3600

Operating Hours & Seasons

The park is open every day; visitor centers are closed on Christmas Day.

Campground opening and closing dates:

• Gros Ventre Campground open late May to early October
• Jenny Lake Campground open mid-May to late September, fills by 8 a.m.
• Signal Mountain Campground open early May to mid-October, fills by 10 a.m.
• Colter Bay Campground open late May to late September
• Lizard Creek Campground open early June to early September

Visitor center season and approximate hours of operation:

• Moose Visitor Center: open 8 a.m.-5 p.m., winter, spring and fall; 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., summer
• Jenny Lake Visitor Center: open 8 a.m.-7 p.m., June to Labor Day
• Colter Bay Visitor Center: open 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., mid-May to June; 8 a.m.-8 p.m., June to Labor Day; 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Labor Day to October 1
• Flagg Ranch Information Station: open 9 a.m.-6 p.m., June to Labor Day

Climate & Recommended Clothing

The first heavy snow falls by November 1 and continues through March. Snow and frost are possible during any month. Summer days are normally in the 70s and 80s with cool nights in the 40s. Thunderstorms are common in summer. You can expect mild to cool temperatures through September and October. Raingear is recommended during spring, summer and fall. Sub-zero temperatures are common throughout winter and demand multi-layered clothing, hats, mittens and cold weather boots.

Directions

Visitors may travel northeast from Salt Lake City, UT, east from Boise, ID, or south from Montana, to Idaho Falls, ID, then on to Teton Pass or up the Snake River Canyon to Jackson, WY, and north 12 miles to the Moose Visitor Center.

Visitors may travel west from Riverton, WY, or Casper, WY, over Togwotee Pass and then into the park's east entrance.

Visitors may also travel south from Yellowstone National Park, the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway and through Grand Teton's north entrance.

Transportation

To park: by car via I-70, I-80, I-25, I-15 and State 191; by tour bus on commercial tours only (no public bus service is available to Jackson or Grand Teton); commercial and charter air service to Jackson Hole Airport with local taxi and rental car service from the airport.

In park: personal or rental vehicles, personal or rental bicycles, limited shuttle service with park concessionaires, hiking.

Fees, Costs & Rates

Entrance fee is $20 per car and is good for seven days in both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The Grand Teton Pass for $40 allows unlimited entry into the park for a year. Camping costs $12 per night per site. Fees are also charged for watercraft and snow planes.

Golden Eagle Passport
National Park Service
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Room 138
Washington, DC 20242
Attention: Golden Eagle Passport

Where entry is by private vehicle, the Golden Eagle Passport will admit the passholder as well as any passengers. Where entry by private vehicle is not possible, the pass will admit the passholder, spouse, children and parents.

The Golden Eagle Passport will not reduce use fees, such as those for camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, or cave tours. It covers entrance fees only.

Golden Age Passport

The Golden Age Passport is a lifetime entrance pass for those United States residents 62 years or older. These may be purchased at any National Park Service entrance fee area for a one-time processing fee of $10. The Golden Age Passport cannot be purchased by mail or telephone. Proof of age and citizenship or permanent residence must be shown at the time of purchase.

The Golden Age Passport will admit the passholder and any passengers in a private vehicle. When entrance is not via private vehicle, the pass will admit the passholder as well as children, spouse, and parents.

The Golden Age Pass grants a 50 percent discount to the holder on any federal use fees charged for things such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, or tours. It does not, however, reduce the price of special recreation permit fees or fees for concessions.

Golden Access Passport

The Golden Access Passport is a free entrance pass to any national park, monument, historic site, recreation area, and national wildlife refuge for those who are blind or permanently disabled. The Golden Access passport may be obtained at any National Park Service entrance fee area. Proof of a medically determined disability and eligibility for receiving benefits under federal law is necessary at purchase.

The Golden Access Passport will admit the passholder and any passengers in a private vehicle. Where entrance is not by vehicle, the pass will admit the passholder, spouse, children and parents.

The Golden Access Passport also provides a 50 percent discount on any federal use fees charged for services and facilities. It does not cover special recreation permit fees or fees charged for concessions.

All passes described above are non-transferable.

Facilities & Opportunities

Visitor Centers

• Moose Visitor Center features the Greater Yellowstone Area and a rare and endangered species exhibit, a video room, and an extensive bookstore. The Moose Visitor Center is 12 miles north of Jackson on Highway 89-191-287 and .5 mile west of Moose Junction on the Teton Park Road. From the Yellowstone National Parks south entrance, Moose Visitor Center is 48.5 miles away.
• Jenny Lake Visitor Center features geology exhibits, a relief model, and bookstore. The Jenny Lake Visitor Center is 8 miles north of the Moose Visitor Center on the Teton Park Road. From the Yellowstone National Parks south entrance, Jenny Lake Visitor Center is 33 miles away.
• Colter Bay Visitor Center features an Indian Arts Museum, an auditorium, and a large bookstore. The Colter Bay Visitor Center is 42 miles north of Jackson on Highway 89-191-287 and .5 mile west of Colter Bay Junction. From the Yellowstone National Parks south entrance, Colter Bay Visitor Center is 16 miles away.
• Flagg Ranch Information Station features information about John D. Rockefeller and the Greater Yellowstone Area. The Flagg Ranch Information Station is 16 miles north of Colter Bay Junction on Highway 89-191-287. From the Yellowstone National Parks south entrance, Flagg Ranch is 2.5 miles away.

Lost & Found

To recover lost items or report found ones, call (307) 739-3450 or check at a visitor center, a ranger station, a concession facility, or a campground office.

Religious Services

Check at the visitor centers, lodging front desks, or activity desks for times and locations of the religious services held inside the park.

Trails & Roads

There are approximately 100 miles of park roads and 200 miles of trails throughout the park. Most park trails are rough rock or dirt and are not accessible to visitors with disabilities. There are many asphalt trails in the Jenny Lake area, some of which are accessible. Some trails may begin as asphalt and change to dirt or gravel shortly thereafter. Publications on day hikes are available.

Programs & Activities

Summer activities include ranger-led walks, nature talks, and evening campfire programs. Inquire at park visitor centers and ranger stations for schedules.

Lodging & Camping Facilities

During the summer season all lodging and camping facilities throughout Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks fill by early afternoon, including overnight lodging in Jackson, Wyoming. Many dining establishments recommend or require reservations during summer. Waiting lists often exceed one hour.

Lodging within the park is available through the following park concessionaires:

Flagg Ranch
Box 187
Moran, WY 83013
1-800-443-2311

Grand Teton Lodge
Box 240
Moran, WY 83013
(307) 543-2811

Signal Mountain Lodge
Box 50
Moran, WY 83013
(307) 543-2831

Dornan's Spur Ranch Cabins
Box 39
Moose, WY 83012
(307) 733-2415

Five National Park Service campgrounds are available within the park:

Gros Ventre Campground, south of Moose, has 360 sites, a trailer dump station, and generally fills in the evening.

Jenny Lake Campground
Located north of Moose
Includes 49 sites, but is restricted to tents. The campground generally fills by 8 a.m.

Signal Mountain Campground
Located north of Jenny Lake
Includes 86 sites and a trailer dump station. The campground generally fills by about 10 a.m.

Colter Bay Campground
Located north of Jackson Lake Junction
Includes 310 sites with showers, a laundry facility and a trailer dump station. It usually fills by noon.

Lizard Creek Campground
Located at the north end of Grand Teton National Park
Includes 60 sites and fills by about 2 p.m.

Flagg Ranch (a concessionaire-operated campground)
Located on the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, just south of Yellowstone National Park.

Concessionaire-operated trailer villages are available at Colter Bay and Flagg Ranch. Other commercial campgrounds and trailer villages are available in Jackson, WY.

Food & Supplies

There are several restaurants inside the park that offer a variety of fare, from modest buffet and counter service, and from family dining to full service, elegant dining. Restaurants are located at the Jenny Lake Lodge, Signal Mountain Lodge, Jackson Lake Lodge, and Flagg Ranch. Buffet and snack bar service are available at Signal Mountain Lodge, Jackson Lake Lodge, Colter Bay, and Flagg Ranch. Dornan's offers full meal service and in the main season, a soup and sandwich delicatessen and outdoor barbecue.

Camper stores are available at Dornan's, South Jenny Lake, Signal Mountain, Colter Bay, and Flagg Ranch. For major shopping, super markets are located in Jackson, as well as a full range of mountaineering, fishing, skiing, general hardware, and auto parts stores.

Other Concessions

In addition to camping, lodging and dining opportunities, park concessionaires and operators provide the following services at these locations:

• Gros Ventre Slide In is open May 1 to September 15, youll find snacks, gift shop and a housekeeping unit.
• Dornans Gift Shop offers a service station, spirits, sports equipment rental, and fly shop.
• South Jenny Lake Boat shuttles, cruises and rental, and mountaineering guide service.
• Flagg Ranch offers a gift shop, service station, float trips, spirits and snowmobiling and snowcoach tours in the winter.
• Leek's Marina Pizza Restaurant and Marina.

Accessibility

Facilities for visitors with disabilities include restrooms, picnic tables and a limited number of campsites. Refer to the Accessibility section for more information.

Recommended Activities & Park Use

Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway offer a variety of activities including hiking, walking, wildlife viewing, photography, backpacking, camping, fishing, swimming, boating, floating, canoeing, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Some activities such as overnight backpacking, boating, floating, canoeing, fishing and snowmobiling require fee permits, licenses or registration. Special regulations may also apply, so take the time to become informed at any visitor center or ranger station.

Here are some suggestions for activities for the summer visitor season, listed in a north to south order, beginning at Yellowstone National Park's south boundary and proceeding south through Grand Teton National Park. The distance from Yellowstone's south boundary to Grand Teton's south boundary is 56 miles; approximate driving time with no stops is 1.5 hours.

Half-day Activities

Colter Bay Visitor Center and Indian Arts Museum - Visit the museum to view art created by native peoples and gain a glimpse of 19th century American Indian life. American Indian and wildlife videotapes and a park orientation slide program are shown throughout the day. Ranger-led activities include museum tours, park orientation talks, natural history hikes and evening amphitheater programs.

Signal Mountain Summit Road - This 5-mile drive starts 1 mile south of Signal Mountain Lodge and Campground. The road winds to the top of Signal Mountain, 800 feet above the valley. Summit overlooks provide panoramic views of the entire Teton Range, Jackson Lake, and most of Jackson Hole. The road is narrow and parking at overlooks is limited.

Jenny Lake Scenic Drive - Turn at North Jenny Lake and drive southwest. Stop at the Cathedral Group Turnout for a spectacular view of the Grand Teton, Teewinot and Mt. Owen. The road is two-way as far as String Lake and Jenny Lake Lodge. South of String Lake, the road becomes one-way and provides a relaxed lakeshore drive with views of Jenny Lake. Rejoin the Teton Park Road near South Jenny Lake.

Menor's Ferry and the Chapel of the Transfiguration - Turn off the Teton Park Road 0.5 mile north of Moose. The Menor's Ferry Trail, less than 0.5-mile long, affords a look at homesteading and pioneer life in Jackson Hole. Also, visit Bill Menor's cabin and country store, or ride a replica of the ferry that crossed the Snake River at the turn of the century (the ferry is launched after high water in the spring. The altar window of the Chapel of the Transfiguration frames the tallest Teton peaks.

Whole-day Activities

Add the following stops to those suggested for half-day visits.

Willow Flats - Stop at the Willow Flats Turnout, 6 miles south of Colter Bay, for a view of an extensive freshwater marsh that provides excellent habitat for birds, beavers and moose.

Oxbow Bend - Located one mile east of Jackson Lake Junction, this cutoff of the Snake River attracts a wide variety of wildlife. Mount Moran, the most massive peak in the Teton Range, dominates the background.

Jackson Lake Dam Overlook - Jackson Lake Dam, 1 mile west of Jackson Lake Junction on the Teton Park Road, raises the level of Jackson Lake a maximum of 39 feet. An immense glacier that once flowed from Yellowstone National Park formed Jackson Lake. For a peaceful view of Jackson Lake and Mount Mora, park on the southwest side of the dam and take a short walk.

South Jenny Lake - Park at South Jenny Lake and take a short walk to view the glacially-carved Jenny Lake, nestled at the base of the tallest Teton peaks. A 6-mile hiking trail encircles the Lake. Shuttle boats (early June through late September; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; fee charged) provide easy access to the west shore of the lake and trails to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and Cascade Canyon. Parking is limited and the trail becomes crowded, so plan to arrive early or late in the day. A midday arrival will be frustrating.

Antelope Flats-Kelly Loop - At Gros Ventre Junction, 5 miles south of the Moose Junction on Highway 26-89-191, turn east. Follow the road to the small town of Kelly. To see the Gros Ventre Slide, turn at the sign marked "national forest access." The Gros Ventre Slide occurred in 1925 when earthquakes and rain caused the north end of Sheep Mountain to break off and dam the Gros Ventre River, forming Lower Slide Lake. Follow the Antelope Flats Road along hayfields and ranches to rejoin Highway 26-89-121.

One Day or More

In addition to the suggestions listed previously, try some of these:

Ranger-led Activities - Join a ranger for a visitor center talk, museum tour, stroll, hike, or evening program. From early June to Labor Day a full schedule of activities is conducted daily. Consult a park newspaper, available at visitor centers and entrance stations, or various bulletin boards in the park. Attend the activities of your choice and learn more about the natural and human history of the park and parkway.

Take a Hike - There are more than 200 miles of hiking trails in the park and parkway range, ranging from level and easy trails on the valley floor to steep to arduous trails into the mountains. At visitor centers, ask a ranger for recommended hikes and look at or purchase maps and trail guides. Parking areas at popular trailheads fill as early as 11 a.m., from late June to early September.

Raft Trips on the Snake River - Park and parkway concessionaires and operators provide a variety of floating and fishing trips on the Snake River. Equipment is also available for rent in Jackson from several sources.

Ride a Bike - The Teton Park Road has wide shoulders and superb views of the Tetons. The Antelope Flats-Kelly Loop provides riding opportunities on secondary roads. Ride bikes only where cars can legally go; bicycles are not allowed on trails or in the backcountry. Equipment is available at Dornan's and in Jackson from several sources.

Mountaineering - The Teton Range offers many opportunities for climbers and mountaineers. The Jenny Lake Ranger Station is the center for climbing information and climbers are encouraged to stop in and obtain information on routes, conditions and regulations. Registration for day climbs is not required, while all overnight stays require a backcountry permit. The Jenny Lake Ranger Station is open from early June to mid-September, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Horseback Riding - Park concessionaires offer horseback rides at Colter Bay and Jackson Lake Lodge. A publication is available for saddle and pack stock.

Reservations & Permits

Reservations may only be made from January 1 through May 15 for group campsites. Overnight stays in the backcountry require a free backcountry permit available at the Moose or Colter Bay Visitor Centers and the Jenny Lake Ranger Station. Reservations may be made for backcountry campsites between January 1 and May 15, or up to 24 hours ahead of your first nights stay. Write to: Grand Teton National Park, Permits Office, P.O. Drawer 170, Moose, WY 83012 or Fax to 307-739-3438. The park will return written confirmation. Call the park permits office (307) 739-3309 for permits, reservations, and information pertaining to stock campsites. Permits are required for motorized and non-motorized watercraft and are available at visitor centers and ranger stations for a fee. A Wyoming fishing license is required for fishing in the park and several varieties of non-resident licenses are available. Licenses may be purchased in fishing stores in Jackson, Dornan's, and at park marinas.

Basic Visit Recommendations

An enjoyable trip to this heavily visited park requires some measure of planning and timing. Some basic services such as rental cars, rental equipment, and lodging are sold-out every day. Reservations should be considered essential for main season visits. Campgrounds are frequently filled by noon (Jenny Lake by 8 a.m. during peak season) with the possible exception of Gros Ventre Campground near the park's south boundary. Arrive early, plan carefully and seek information at park visitor centers and ranger stations.

The Grand Teton Natural History Association, a non-profit organization that supports the National Park Service's educational, interpretive and research programs, can provide approximately 900 separate book titles, maps, posters and other interpretive literature to help you plan your visit. For information on acquiring these materials, call (307) 739-3403. The executive director is available at (307) 739-3406 and P.O. Drawer 170, Moose, WY 83012.

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History

The Earliest Visitors

Archeological studies have established that humans occupied Jackson Hole as early as 11,000 years ago, but knowledge of those inhabitants is extremely limited. Data suggests they used the area from spring to fall, based on seasonal availability of resources. Prehistoric people crossed the passes into Jackson Hole en route to seasonal hunting grounds in the region. In historic times, tribes such as the Shoshone, Gros Venture, Flathead and Blackfoot knew the Teton country.

The Days of Mountain Men

The splendor of the Teton Mountains dazzled fur traders. Although evidence is inconclusive, John Colter probably explored the area in 1808. By the 1820s, mountain men followed wildlife and native trails through Jackson Hole and trapped beaver in the icy waters of the valley.

Fur trappers of the 1820s coined the term "hole" to describe a high altitude plateau ringed by mountains. Thus, Jackson Hole is the entire valley, 8 to 15 miles wide and 40 miles long. The valley was named for David E. Jackson, a trapper who reputedly spent the winter of 1829 along the shore of Jackson Lake.

Following the decline of fur trade in the late 1830s, Jackson Hole activity diminished until the military and civilian surveys of the 1860s and 1870s. Members of the Hayden Survey named many of the areas features.

Settlers at the Turn of the Century

Because of its geographic location, Jackson Hole remained unsettled until late in the 19th century. The first permanent homesteaders, John Holland and John Carnes, settled north of the present town of Jackson. By 1890, Jackson Hole had a population of 64 people. The soils and climate made ranching and farming risky.

Mountain-valley ranching was the chief occupation. As settlement progressed, small communities emerged to provide goods and services. By 1910, Jackson, Wilson, Kelly, and Moran had become the dominant villages in Jackson Hole. Elk, Marysvale, Grovont, Zenith, and Menors Ferry extablished post offices. Incorporated in 1914, Jackson became the seat of Teton County and the commercial center of the valley.

The First Tourists

The region acquired a national reputation for its splendid hunting and fishing in the 1880s and 1890s. Many settlers supplemented their incomes by serving as guides and packers for wealthy hunters. A few, such as Ben Sheffield, made it a full-time occupation. He acquired a ranch at the outlet of Jackson Lake in 1902 as a base for outfitting his expeditions. The ranch eventually became the town of Moran.

Others recognized that "dudes" wintered better than cows and began operating dude ranches. The JY and the Bar BC were established in 1908 and 1912, respectively. By the 1920s, dude ranching made significant contributions to the valleys economy. At this time, some local residents realized that scenery and wildlife (especially elk) were valuable resources to be conserved rather than exploited.

The Jackson Hole Story Continues

Much of the recorded history of Jackson Hole involves the story of Grand Teton National Park. The emergence of the conservation movement in the United States prevented the transfer of public lands to private ownership in the Tetons. Through the Forest Reserve Act of 1891, President Grover Cleveland established the Teton Forest Reserve in 1897. Teton National Forest was created in 1908. These reserves included much of the land of Jackson Hole.

Congress established Grand Teton National Park in 1929. The 96,000-acre park included the main portion of the Teton Range and most of the glacial lakes at the base of the mountains.

After touring the area in 1926, John D. Rockefeller Jr. decided to buy private lands in Jackson Hole for park use. Rockefellers agents formed the Snake River Land Company, which purchased over 35,000 acres during the next 20 years. Political controversy defeated attempts to add the valley to the park in the 1920s and 1930s.

In 1943, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued a proclamation establishing Jackson Hole National Monument by authority of the Antiquities Act of 1906. The 210,000-acre monument included most federal land in Jackson Hole. In 1949, the Rockefellers donated nearly 33,000 acres to the federal government and in 1950, Congress passed legislation merging the park and national monument.

Today tourism is the cornerstone of the local economy. Visitors come to enjoy breathtaking scenery and a plethora of wildlife.

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Reservation Information

An enjoyable visit to this heavily visited park requires some measure of planning and timing. Some services such as rental cars, rental equipment, and lodging are sold-out every day. Reservations are essential for main season visits. Campgrounds are frequently filled by noon, with the possible exception of Gros Ventre Campground near the park's south boundary. Arrive early, plan carefully, and seek information at park visitor centers and ranger stations.

Reservations may only be made from January 1 through May 15 for group campsites. Overnight stays in the backcountry require a free backcountry permit available at the Moose or Colter Bay Visitor Centers and the Jenny Lake Ranger Station. Reservations may be made for backcountry campsites between January 1 and May 15, or up to 24 hours ahead of your first nights stay. Write to Grand Teton National Park, Permits Office, P.O. Drawer 170, Moose, WY 83012 or Fax to 307-739-3438. The park will return written confirmation. Call the park permits office (307) 739-3309 for permits, reservations, and information pertaining to stock campsites. Permits are required for motorized and non-motorized watercraft and are available at visitor centers and ranger stations for a fee. A Wyoming fishing license is required for fishing in the park and several varieties of non-resident licenses are available. Licenses may be purchased in fishing stores in Jackson, Dornan's, and at park marinas.

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