Grand Teton National Park ⓘ

National parks support a wide variety of research by both park scientists and scientists from outside institutions. In Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, scientists conduct research that includes the ecology of specific plants and animals, ecosystem level interactions, climate change, geology, hydrology, glaciology, fire effects, visitor experience, and cultural resources. Park managers depend on the latest scientific information to help guide decisions about park management.

Cultural Research Reports Numerous research projects are done using the natural and cultural laboratory of Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Researchers are required to obtain a permit and report the results of their investigations to the park annually. It may take several years to complete the study. Some of the recently completed natural resource studies can be found here . Some of the recently completed cultural resource studies are listed below:

Jackson Lake Lodge Historic Structure Report: Part 1 Developmental History: Section 2 , 2015.

Search for Investigator Annual Reports of other research topics at the National Park Service Research Permit and Reporting System .

Vital Signs Report Each year, national park resource staff work to manage and protect the prehistoric and historic cultural resources of the park and parkway through short-term or long-term inventory, monitoring, preservation, and research projects. The projects are summarized and compiled in the Natural and Cultural Resources Vital Signs report .

Prospective Researchers Researchers from near and far submit proposals to conduct studies in the park. These projects are reviewed for their suitability to a national park. Apply to conduct research through the National Park Service Research Permit and Reporting System.

This graduate research fellowship honors Boyd Evison, one of the National Park Service's greatest leaders in support of expanding scientific knowledge to help shape management decisions and maintain uncompromised native resources. The Evison Fellowship encourages scientific and conservation-related research in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, providing up to $10,000 in support for work leading to completion of a master's or PhD degree in the biosciences, geosciences, or social sciences. Learn more about the Evison Fellowship, past projects, and how to apply here.

Bill Menor traveled from Ohio to Montana before settling in 1892 on the Snake River “where the river was altogether in one place.” He found that the river flow near present-day Moose narrowed to a single channel that could be crossed more easily than the wide, braided channels that comprise most of the Snake River. During the next decade, he built his cabin one room at a time. His brother, Holiday, settled on the other side of the Snake River and operated a limekiln.

Bill painted the general store with whitewash from Holiday’s limekiln. In the early 1900s, the store and ferry drew homesteaders and dudes alike, ordering supplies and crossing the river. Bill also operated a smokehouse and blacksmith shop, raised vegetables supplying produce to the local dude ranches, and served as postmaster. In 1918, he sold his homestead and ferry operation to Maud Noble.

How to get there: Drive north from Jackson to Moose Junction. Turn left onto the Teton Park Road. Drive through the entrance station and then take a right into the Menor’s Ferry Historic District. Park in the large parking lot and follow the paved path leaving from far side of the parking lot. Join a ranger for a guided walk through the district.

Bill Menor recognized the single channel of the Snake River offered an ideal crossing point, one of only three crossing points in the valley. His “reaction ferry” design dates back to ancient times, using the river current to propel the boat. During winter when the river was low, he would shuttle people across in a cable car. The ferry operated until 1927 when the State of Wyoming built a bridge.

Bill Menor lacked modern-day conveniences such as refrigeration, grocery stores or running water. His ingenuity allowed him to survive in Jackson Hole. Today, these buildings still stand.

Well: Access to the Snake River was difficult and dangerous because of the steep bank, fluctuating river level, snow and ice. Bill Menor dug a well next to the river to filter muddy water during spring runoff and provide safe access. This well was rehabilitated in 2010.

Storehouse: Bill Menor safeguarded food from animals and the elements in his storehouse. Under the storehouse, Menor preserved root crops with ice he cut during winter.

Smokehouse: Before refrigeration, meat spoiled quickly. Bill Menor cured game and livestock in his smokehouse to keep the meat from spoiling. Before smoking, he salted the meat to preserve it.

On July 26, 1923, Maud Noble hosted a landmark meeting in her cabin. Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Horace Albright joined a small group of local businessmen and ranchers. They launched a plan that planted the seed for the creation of Grand Teton National Park.

Maud Noble was the daughter of a prominent Philadelphia family, who first visited Jackson Hole in 1915 looking for adventure. She built her cabin the following year on Cottonwood Creek and moved it to Bill Menor’s homestead in 1918 when she bought his ferry operation. Today, the cabin welcomes visitors with exhibits on the history of the park.

For fur trappers, homesteaders and dudes, travel was challenging. The transportation barn houses a collection of wagons and other methods of early travel. This barn stands in the approximate location where Bill Menor’s barn stood in the early 1900s.

Bullboat: Early 19th-century mountain men used bullboats to transport furs and cargo on water. These men stretched bison hides, hair side out, over a willow frame, a skill learned from American Indians. The hair was left on the hide to prevent the boat from spinning and multiple boats were tied together using the tails. This bullboat is a replica.

Covered Wagon: In 1888, Robert Miller became the first homesteader to drive his wagon over the steep and treacherous Teton Pass from Idaho into Jackson Hole. Homesteaders packed their possessions into sturdy wagons such as this one and traveled for months to reach their new homes.

Yoke: This oxen yoke distributed heavy loads across draft animals’ shoulders and fastened to a U-shaped oxbow passing under the animal’s neck. A swivel hitched the animals to a plow or wagon.

Wagon Carriage: A wagon carriage could be separated from its bed allowing it to be used in a variety of ways. The horizontal frame supported a wagon bed or logs for transport.

Plow: William Beard—who homesteaded with his family in Teton Basin, Idaho—crafted this plow by hand sometime after 1865. He used his plow to break up the ground, bury weeds and crop stubble, while also aerating soil and bringing fresh nutrients to the surface.

Travois: Men used a double hitch travois at Elk Ranch to drag logs or poles for building cabins and buck-and-rail fences. Draft animals pulled this travois.

Dog sled: Jackson Hole homesteader Geraldine Lucas used an Alaskan dog sled to carry moderate loads and visit her neighbors in the early 1900s. Her sled allowed her to travel over snow easily in the harsh winter.

Coach: Visitors touring Yellowstone National Park prior to 1916 rode in coaches reminiscent of the settlers’ wagons. These coaches emphasized comfort rather than utility with padded seats, canopies and leather straps for spring. Later, two nearby dude ranches, the JY and the Bar BC, purchased them to transport their guests.

The Colter Stone, discovered near Tetonia, Idaho in 1933, is a piece of rhyolite carved in the shape of a human head. It is engraved on one side with the name “John Colter”, on the other side is the year “1808”. If authentic, it represents the only solid proof of the route followed by trapper and explorer John Colter.

Colter explored the greater Yellowstone area during the winter of 1807-8, perhaps the first white man to do so. His route, however, is uncertain as no clear maps or records exist. Colter set out from a fur trapping fort in present-day southern Montana and headed south to near today’s Cody, Wyoming. On his return he passed through what is now Yellowstone National Park. The middle section of his journey is a matter of conjecture. One theory indicates he traveled via Togowtee Pass. The other commonly held view traces Colter’s route through Jackson Hole, over Teton Pass, and north along the west side of the Teton Range. No evidence exists to substantiate either route. The only available sources of information are vague accounts and maps derived from interviews with Colter after his return.

Thus, the significance of the Colter Stone becomes clear. The location of its discovery, the west side of the Teton Range, would prove that John Colter had traveled the Teton Pass route. But the Stone has not been fully authenticated, so the Colter Stone remains a fascinating piece of the puzzle yet to fit into the mystery of John Colter’s pioneering sojourn through this region.

Evison Fellowship Projects The Grand Teton Association awarded the first fellowship in 2005. Students awarded the grant provide useful research to resource managers in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Previous award winners and their projects include: 2024 Albert Mason, University of Wyoming; Implementing long term bison monitoring across a large landscape in historical bison territory. 2022 Jeff Baldock, University of Wyoming; Evaluating the role of spring-fed streams to Snake River cutthroat trout . 2019 Hunter Cole, Boise State University; Shedding light on nocturnal fauna: the effects of artificial light at night on bats and insects . 2018 Katherine Gura , University of Wyoming; Delineating key metrics for territory size and habitat requirements to sustain great gray owls in Wyoming .

2017 Danielle Fagre , University of Montana; Avian Community Responses to Bison Grazing in North American Intermountain Grasslands . 2016 Maggie Raboin , University of California, Berkeley; Substrate-borne Bioacoustics and the Impacts of Anthropogenic Noise.

2015 Lauren Abbott , Penn State University; Exploring vertical wilderness in the acoustic environment.

2014 Kellen N. Nelson , University of Wyoming; Drivers of fuels, flammability, and fire behavior in young, post-fire lodgepole pine forests.

2013 Susma Giri , University of Wyoming; Interactive effects of temperature and parasites in native bumblebees of Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.

2012 Darren Larsen , University of Colorado; Deglaciation and postglacial environmental changes in the Teton Mountain Range recorded at Jenny Lake, Grand Teton National Park, WY.

2011 Stefan Ekernas , University of Montana; Climate change and food webs: jackrabbits, pronghorn, and coyotes in southern Greater Yellowstone .

2010 James Meadow , Montana State University; Geothermal soil ecology in Yellowstone National Park.

2009 Nicholas Dowie , University of Wyoming; Exploring symbiosis between plants Pterospora andromeda (pinedrops) and Sarcodes sanguinea (snow plant) and fungus in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

2008 Emilene Ostlind , University of Wyoming; The perilous journey of Wyoming's migrating pronghorn.

2007 Lyman Persico , University of New Mexico; Natural and historical variability in fluvial processes, beaver activity, and climate in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem .

2006 Ericka Pilcher , Colorado State University; Understanding and managing soundscapes in the national parks: Grand Teton National Park.

2005 Florence Gardipee , University of Montana; Development of fecal DNA sampling methods to assess genetic population structure of Greater Yellowstone bison.

Apply to the Evison Fellowship Boyd Evison Graduate Research Fellowship Application In keeping with Mr. Evison's wishes, the Grand Teton Association particularly encourages research to document the almost intangible and disappearing aspects of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway, and surrounding public or private Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem lands, including less well-known or charismatic ecosystem elements such as natural soundscapes; air; water; plants; fish; insects; amphibians; fungi; snails; bacteria; geologic or other processes; and social science related to public understanding of natural resources and their use or management.

People first ventured into this valley as glaciers receded. The earliest evidence of humans in this area dates back at least 11,000 years. By the time Europeans arrived, tribes such as the Shoshone, Bannock, Blackfoot, Crow, Flathead, Gros Ventre, Nez Perce and others were harvesting the valley’s seasonal riches. Native people came to hunt animals, gather plants and collect rocks and minerals. These mountains also held spiritual meaning for American Indians, a connection that endures today.

Indians camped near rivers and lakes to hunt wildlife and harvest roots and berries, often roasting camas root in underground pits. Both wildlife and plants were essential to their diet. With the coming winter, Indians often left the valley for milder locales as did most of their prey.

How to get there: American Indians mainly camped in the northern part of what is now Grand Teton National Park. A great place to view camas is an open meadow located at an undesignated turnout on the North Park Road (highway 89/197/287). The turnout is located north of Leeks Marina on the right-hand side. An interpretive wayside exhibit marks its location.

Unlike traditional dude ranches, the Bar BC entertained a well-heeled clientele with costume parties, performances of original plays and literary discussions. Burt, a popular author, attracted many artists, socialites and writers to his ranch. Some guests even arrived with their typewriters.

Struthers Burt used his literary talents to lobby for protection of the valley's open space as a wildlife park or "a museum on the hoof." Burt—a Princeton graduate and popular author—published The Diary of a Dude Wrangler in 1924. He originally opposed the creation of a national park in Jackson Hole. Later he became concerned that developments—such as the nearby Elbo Ranch racetrack—would spoil the area's frontier and wilderness qualities.

Today, many of the ranch buildings remain along the western bank of the Snake River providing a sense of the solitude and wilderness that past visitors enjoyed.

How to get there: Drive north from Jackson to Moose Junction. Turn left onto the Teton Park Road. Drive through the entrance station and pass the Cottonwood Creek picnic area. A quarter mile past the picnic area turn right and drive east on the River Road almost two miles. This road is recommended for 4-wheel drive vehicles only. As the road bends north, park at the small lot near a gate. Walk the cobble-covered hill toward the Snake River to view the remaining ranch structures. You can also view buildings from the terrace by walking to the right of the gate to an interpretive wayside and looking down. Please do not enter any of these buildings as they may be unsafe.

The Western Center for Historic Preservation has stabilized and restored several cabins of the Bar BC Ranch. Read more about their efforts both in this park and other parks. To learn more about the Bar BC in the early 1900s, explore an audio tour of the site.

Explore any of the following resources for information on the history and culture of Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole.

The park's archival collections document the complex history of Grand Teton National Park. The archives—the two-dimensional paper based materials—include reports, photographs and maps documenting subjects ranging from land management, natural & cultural resources including historic landscapes & structures, and the Teton's extensive climbing history. The park holds a unique collection of early summit registers that are comprised of original items left atop peaks documenting first ascents of climbers like Jim Langford's ascent of the southeast ridge of the Grand in 1957. In addition to the summit registers, the park also has a collection of mountaineering records that document climbing activities in the Teton Range beginning in 1898, which provides information including number of climbers in the party, climbers' names, climbing dates, and which peaks were to be climbed.

To schedule a research appointment or if you have questions please email us .

Learn more about research in the park by visiting our Cultural Research page. Cultural History The park's cultural history extends back more than 10,000 years when paleo-Indians first visited the valley. Since then, many people have left their mark on this valley.

Western Center for Historic Preservation The WCHP is a preservation and education center based in Grand Teton National Park. Select this link for more information about the center.

Menors Ferry Historic District Features an old country store, the Chapel of Transfiguration, and a ferry that operates in the summer (dependent on water level).

The Colter Stone Did John Colter pass through Jackson Hole? Check out these recent photos of the Colter Stone.

Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum To learn more about the rich history of the Jackson Hole area, including the park, visit this site. The site includes a synopsis of local history, photo gallery and links to events and programs.

A Place Called Jackson Hole An on-line version of the 1999 Historic Resource Study of Grand Teton National Park by John Daugherty with contributions by Stephanie Crockett, William H. Goetzmann, Reynold G. Jackson.

The Creation of Grand Teton National Park A thumbnail history of the park that was written in honor of the park's fiftieth anniversary in 2000.

Campfire Tales of Jackson Hole This book of stories was first published by the Grand Teton Association in 1960. It was recently reprinted and is also available on the NPS history website.

National Park Service History This is site provides links to NPS history documents, websites, and books.

Peaks, Politics, and Passion: Grand Teton National Park Comes of Age is a fitting sequel to Robert Righter's Crucible for Conservation: The Struggle for Grand Teton National Park .

Peaks, Politics and Passion continues the park story from its expansion in 1950 by the addition of the Jackson Hole National Monument, and discusses what are often controversial topics then and now. Topics such as grazing and elk hunting within the park, cultural resource management, the failure to establish any designated wilderness in the park, wildlife management, interpretation and education history, the growth of the Jackson Hole airport and other management issues that the park still struggles with .

Over 1000 species of vascular plants grow in Grand Teton National Park and the surrounding area. Soil conditions, availability of moisture, slope, aspect, and elevation all determine where plants grow. Plants that require similar conditions are often found growing in the same area. These associations form various plant communities. It is useful to divide the plants of Grand Teton National Park into the following communities: sagebrush flats, riparian corridors,and wetlands, forests, and alpine areas.

The valley floor of Jackson Hole is comprised of loose rocky soil resulting from glacial outwash that allows water to percolate through easily. Silvery-green big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata ) blankets the valley. Although at first glance it appears that only sage grows on the flats, this area is remarkably diverse. Common spring flowers include scarlet gilia, silvery lupine, and low larkspur. Common shrubs include antelope bitterbrush, low sagebrush, and rabbitbrush.

Moisture-loving plants find suitable growing conditions along the Snake River, its tributaries, and other wetland areas. Narrow leaf cottonwood and willows, both of which thrive in wet areas, grow along the watercourses, creating ribbons of bright green across the landscape. Wet meadows provide the conditions suited to grasses, sedges, and wildflowers.

The canyons, mountainsides, and ridges formed of glacial debris, called moraines, contain soils capable of holding moisture. These conditions support the growth of trees. Conifers dominate these areas, coloring the slopes a dark green. Common conifers include lodgepole, limber, and whitebark pines; Engelmann and blue spruce; and Douglass and subalpine fir.

Although they appear gray and lifeless, the high alpine reaches of the park support plants specially adapted to the harsh growing conditions found there. Wind, snow, lack of soil, increased ultraviolet radiation, rapid and dramatic shifts in temperature, and a short growing season all challenge the hardy plants that survive here. Most plants adapt by growing close to the ground in mats like the alpine forget-me-not.

Greater Yellowstone Inventory and Monitoring Network The Greater Yellowstone Inventory and Monitoring Network (GRYN) is one of 32 NPS inventory and monitoring networks created to provide oversight, planning, and consistency in monitoring the long-term health of the nation's parks. The parks of the GRYN include Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.

Wildlife is never far in Grand Teton National Park. High in the mountains, a yellow-bellied marmot whistles a warning as a golden eagle soars above. Searching for insect larvae, a black bear rips into a rotten lodgepole pine log. On the valley floor, a herd of bison graze as a coyote trots through the sagebrush, looking for a meal. Along the Snake River, an osprey dives into the water with talons extended, rising with a cutthroat trout. In a nearby meadow, a moose browses the tender buds of willows growing in this rich environment. Animals are interconnected. They relate to and shape the environment where they survive. Some of these relationships are obvious, while others are less so. These relationships and connections cross park boundaries. Grand Teton National Park's 310,000 acres lie at the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem encompasses over twenty million acres and is considered one of the few remaining, nearly intact, temperate ecosystems on Earth. The animals inhabiting Grand Teton National Park depend on this vast area for survival, residing in and migrating to different areas depending on the season.

The Greater Yellowstone Inventory and Monitoring Network (GRYN) is one of 32 NPS inventory and monitoring networks created to provide oversight, planning, and consistency in monitoring the long-term health of the nation's parks. The parks of the GRYN include Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.

Grand Teton National Park is home to a large number of plant and animal species, unfortunately some of these species do not occur here naturally. Non-native species out-compete the native plants and animals for resources leading to a decrease in habitat for native species and biodiversity.

Park scientists fight noxious weeds with mechanical (hand or tool control), chemical, biological and cultural controls. Biological controls involve using native predators of the weed (usually insects) to control its spread. Cultural controls include educating people about the dangers of noxious weeds and changing their behavior to avoid further weed spread. The park is also involved with local agencies, groups, and individuals to help control the spread of non-native weeds in the Jackson Hole valley.

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are aquatic organisms that are not native to an area. These species vary greatly and usually brought in by watercraft. Once introduced, the species can thrive without the presence of their natural predators or competitors. This can result in major alterations to native ecosystems, and adversely impact recreation, water utilization, and the local economy. Today the park inspects watercraft as they enter the park, and decontaminate boats as needed. The efforts are slowing the spread, but are not a perfect solution.

Mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) are native to many rugged mountains of the northwest US, however not to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The nearest native mountain goat are in the Lemhi Range of Idaho, approximately 125 miles northwest of Grand Teton National Park. From 1969 to 1971, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game released goats into the Snake River Range south of the park for hunting. This population grew and moved into to new areas. Mountain goats first appeared in the Teton Range in 1977, and in the park two years later. Until 2008, mountain goats were seldom seen and not thought to be permanent residents. Since then, park biologists have documented adult female mountain goats (nannies) with young (kids) each year, indicating that a breeding population is now established in the park. The park is now trying to actively manage the mountain goats to protect the fragile bighorn sheep population.

Kelly Warm Spring is a thermal feature with a long history of aquarium dumping leading to numerous nonnative species in the spring. Biologists found some warm water species downstream in Ditch Creek, and some traveled to within 10 yards of the Snake River. Some of the most common species are goldfish, mad toms, and American bull frogs. After years of analysis, the park moved forward to remove the non-native species in an effort to restore the native ones. The treatment involved rotenone, a chemical lethal to organisms with gill. Approximately 600-700 pounds of fish died through these efforts, but some of the invasive species survive. The park is looking for other treatment strategies to remove the remaining invasive species to make way for the re-introduction of the species that belong!

Planning Your Backcountry Trip The most successful backcountry trips are a combination of the right trail, doable mileage, camp spots, and the right gear. In Grand Teton, there are many things to consider, from late season snow, to permit availability, to bear safety. With all the moving parts, use this planner to prepare for your trip into the backcountry. Permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry , whether the destination is a lakeshore site on Jackson Lake or Leigh Lake, a camping zone along the Teton Crest Trail, a Technical Climbing/Garnet Canyon area site, or a site in the remote Northern Canyons. Planning tools The Grand Teton Backcountry point to point mileage map provides trail distances and campsite locations. Topographical maps and books describing the trails are available for purchase at the Grand Teton Association website .

Get Your Permit After you've made your plan A (and B...and maybe C), the next step is to get a permit. Backcountry camping permits are in high demand, especially in the summer months. Be flexible with your plan and dates.

Get on the trail Get the gear, it's time to go backcountry camping! Learn how to backcountry camp in bear country and how to travel safely in the mountains. Watch the park's video to help plan your adventure to the high country in Grand Teton National Park. Learn about safe travel, camping in bear country, clean camping practices and summer weather.

For Your Safety Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. Solo hiking and off-trail hiking are not recommended. Check with a ranger for current information on trail conditions . Be prepared for rapid weather changes; bring rain gear and extra clothing. Thunderstorms occur frequently during the summer, even when not forecasted. Please watch our "Summer Weather" video for more information. High elevation may cause breathing difficulties; pace yourself. The best cure for altitude sickness is retreating to a lower elevation. Snow melts gradually, leaving valley trails by mid-June and canyon trails by late July. Be careful crossing snowfields and streams. Do not attempt crossing steep snow without previous experience and the proper equipment. Carry drinking water. Water sources are found throughout the park, but water should be treated. Bring tablets or water filtration devices to purify water in the backcountry. This is bear country. Make bears aware of your presence and avoid surprising them by making loud noises like shouting or singing. Please watch our "Which Bear Did I See?" and "Protect Wildlife, Keep Your Food Safe" videos .

Things to Know Help protect resources and ensure the backcountry experience. By signing the backcountry permit, you agree to respect the backcountry. Read and abide by the backcountry regulations printed on the back of your permit as well as park regulations and safety advisories . Failure to comply may result in fines and revocation of the permit. Your permit is valid only for the dates, locations, and number of persons indicated. Wood and charcoal fires are permitted only at Jackson, Leigh, Bearpaw, and Trapper lakes within established metal rings. Creating a fire ring is prohibited. Fires must be kept small. Fires must never be left unattended. Dead and downed wood may be collected. Fires must be fully extinguished, and ashes must be cool to the touch upon departure. Fuel stoves are permitted. Pets, bikes, wheeled vehicles (wheelbarrows, kayak carts, etc.), and motorized equipment (generators, chainsaws, drones, etc.) are not permitted in the backcountry. All garbage and food scraps must be carried out. Never bury or burn trash. Your campsite must be left clean after your stay. Human waste must be disposed of at least 200 feet from water, the trail, and/or the campsite. Dig a 6 inch cathole for solid waste. Pack out used tissue paper and hygiene products. On Jackson Lake, all solid human waste must be packed out from the site and shoreline. Permit offices may provide WAG (waste-and-garbage) bags. Short-cutting trails is prohibited. When hiking off-trail, stay on rock, snow, or bare ground. Avoid hiking on vegetation. Camping is not permitted within 200 feet of water and the trail. Drinking water must be treated. Lakes and streams must be kept free of soap, suds, food scraps, etc. Scented items (food, toiletries, trash, etc.) must be stored in an Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee approved, bear-resistant canister. Food must not be left unattended. Grand Teton's bear-canister loan program is a complimentary service. Canisters must be clean upon return. Failure to return a canister is a federal violation and may require a mandatory court appearance. Horse and stock use is limited to established trails and stock camps. Where provided, the of use of hitchrails is encouraged. Stock may not be tied to trees. Grazing is not permitted. Stock feed must be carried.

Construction is planned across the park in 2027. Death Canyon Trailhead will be closed until June 19, 2027. Taggart Lake Trailhead and trail will be closed for the entire summer season, from May 1 - Nov 15, 2027. Taggart Lake will be accessible via the Valley Trail.

307-739-3399 Talk to a Ranger? To speak to a Grand Teton National Park ranger call 307–739–3399 for visitor information Monday-Friday during business hours.