| Grand Teton National Park | |
Things to Do:
Grand Teton National Park offers opportunities for a variety of activities depending on your personal interests. To make the most of your visit, stop at one of the three park visitor centers first:
Moose
Visitor Center
(307) 739-3399
Open year round and features exhibits about the Greater Yellowstone Area and
rare and endangered species, an introductory video, and an extensive book store.
Located 12 miles north of Jackson on Highway 89-191-287and 0.5 miles west of
Moose Junction on the Teton Park Road.
Jenny
Lake Visitor Center
Open June through September and features geology exhibits, a relief model, and
book sales. Located 8 miles north of the Moose Visitor Center on the Teton Park
Road.
Colter
Bay Visitor Center & Indian Arts Museum
(307) 739-3594
Open during summer only and features an Indian Arts Museum, an auditorium, and a
large book store. Located 42 miles north of Jackson on Highway 89-191-287 and
0.5 miles west of Colter Bay Junction.
Flagg
Ranch Information Station
Open during summer and in mid-winter. Offers books sales and features
information about John D. Rockefeller and the Greater Yellowstone area. Located
16 miles north of Colter Bay Junction on Highway 89-191-287.
Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway offer a variety of activities from traditional mountain park hiking, walking, wildlife viewing, photography, backpacking, camping, climbing and fishing to swimming, boating, floating, canoeing, biking and skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in the winter.
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. Free printed publications are available for backcountry camping, hiking, mountaineering, fishing, boating, floating, bicycling, skiing and snowmobiling.
Scenic
Drives
The Teton Park Road follows the base of the Teton
Range from Moose to Jackson Lake Junction. A number of turnouts
along park roads offer exhibits on park geology, wildlife, and plants. The
Jenny Lake Scenic Drive skirts Jenny Lake and provides spectacular views of
the peaks; the scenic drive is one-way and begins just south of String Lake. The
five-mile Signal Mountain Summit Road climbs 800 feet above the valley to
panoramic views of the Teton Range, Jackson Hole valley, and Jackson Lake.
Hiking
and Mountaineering
The park includes more than 200 miles of
hiking trails ranging from from level and easy trails on the valley floor to
steep, 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 trail heads fill as early as 11:00 a.m., from late June to early
September. he 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.
Ranger-Led
Activities
Rangers offer visitor center talks, museum tours, walks, and 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.
Biking
and Horseback Riding
The Teton Park Road has wide shoulders and superb views of the Tetons. The
Antelope Flats-Kelly Loop provides riding opportunities on secondary roads. Bicycles
are not allowed on trails or in the backcountry. Equipment is available at
Dornans and in Jackson from several sources. Park concessionaires offer
horseback rides at Colter Bay and Jackson Lake Lodge.
Rafting
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.
Wildlife
Viewing
Despite a short growing season, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem supports
the largest elk herd remaining in the world. About 4,000 animals summer in Grand
Teton. A small herd of bison also summers in the park and winters on the
National Elk Refuge. Other park wildlife include moose, black bear, marmot,
coyote, pronghorn, and beaver. Birds in the park include the bald eagle, osprey,
and trumpeter swan.
Other
Activities
The Menor's Ferry Trail, less than 0.5-mile long, affords a look at homesteading
and pioneer life in Jackson Hole. Visit Bill Menor's cabin and country store.
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, usually after the
4th of July). The altar window of the Chapel of the Transfiguration frames the
tallest Teton peaks.
The Colter
Bay Visitor Center and Indian Arts Museum includes art
created by native peoples and offers 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.
