Grand Teton National Park
A Magnificent Wyoming Adventure Filled with Diverse Activities
Visit Wyoming's other National Park, a land filled with steep, snow-covered peaks, clear glacial lakes and an expansive sagebrush habitat where pronghorn and bison roam.
Located in northwest Wyoming, at the park, enjoy the spectacular views of the Grand Teton Mountain Range, with 12 peaks over 12,000 feet in elevation. This short and compact mountain range located within the Rocky Mountains, rises vertically, 7,000 feet above Jackson Hole.
Grand Teton National Park History
Grand Teton National Park first began in 1929, when the U.S. Congress set aside the area of the Teton Range and the lakes at the base of the mountains. Then, in the next few years, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. after his visit to see the magnificent mountains, purchased and donated over 35,000 acres to the park. In fall of 1950, the two lands united to form the “new” Grand Teton National Park. The park now includes over 310,000 acres, with over 200 miles of trails. The John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway, is an 82-mile parkway connecting Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone National Park.
Activities for Visitors
While visiting Grand Teton National Park, enjoy the numerous activities available including, hiking, climbing, camping, boating, kayaking and animal viewing.
Wildlife Viewing
Catch a glimpse of one or more of the park’s 60 species of mammal or 300 species of birds, including moose, elk, deer, bison, bears, pelicans, great blue herons, ducks and so many more. When viewing wildlife, make sure to maintain your distance. Remember not to feed the animals. Do not approach or chase the animals. Also, watch for animals on the roads within the park’s boundaries.
Discover Diverse Habitats
Explore the park’s diverse habitat types. The Alpine habitat is located above 10,000 feet. It contains few plants, but is home to marmots, pikas and bighorn sheep. Much of this area is covered in snow. Most of the park is occupied by the Sagebrush habitat. Here bison and pronghorns roam freely. Coyotes can occasionally be sited hunting in the open. Between the Alpine and Sagebrush habitats, lies the Forests habitat. These forests are home to elk, mule deer, martens, black bears, and snowshoe hares. The last area to explore is the Rivers, Lakes and Ponds habitat found throughout Grand Teton National Park. Visit Jenny Lake or Jackson Lake, where moose, river otters and muskrats inhabit these areas.
Hiking and Climbing in the Park
Hike through the park on over 200 miles of trails. There are many day hikes accessible to the park’s visitors. The Teton Crest Trail, runs from the south park boundary to Paintbrush Canyon. At each trailhead within the park, grab a booklet describing the trail’s features. When hiking in backcountry, makes sure to pack a survival kit, including waterproof matches, extra food and clothing, maps and a first aid kit.
For those more adventurous visitors, the park is home to very accessible and diverse mountain climbing opportunities, from rock, snow, ice and mixed terrain. Most peaks can be climbed in one day, with conventional mountaineering equipment. Climbing rangers are employed from June until September, with climbing information. If climbing in the early season, an ice axe is an extremely important piece of equipment to bring along.
Activities for Children
Kids can take part in the Young Naturalist training, becoming a member of the Junior Ranger Program, which is offered daily during summer months. Join the rangers for short hikes, where you can learn about the park’s geology, identify wildflowers, view wildlife, or boat across Jenny Lake or Jackson Lake. Participants can also learn about North American art and culture. The new Grand Teton Discover and Visitors Center opens in August 2007, with 22,000 square feet of exhibits about the places, people, preservation and mountaineering at the park. The center will also boast life-size wildlife sculptures and 3D park maps.
