Travel on the majority of the Teton Park Road, Moose-Wilson Road, and Signal Mountain Summit Road within Grand Teton National Park is now open to over-snow access only. The designated portions of these roads now accommodate winter recreation, and the use of wheeled vehicles is prohibited for the season.
Once snow begins to accumulate on the roadbeds, the status is changed to over-snow access and approved winter activities such as cross-country skiing, skate skiing, and snowshoeing become possible. Bicycles, including, snow/fat/electric bikes, are not permitted on roads designated for over-snow access. Bikes are allowed on roadways open to motor vehicle use in Grand Teton National Park.
The 14-mile section of the Teton Park Road between the Taggart Lake Trailhead and Signal Mountain Lodge will be groomed approximately three times a week dependent on snow and weather conditions.
* Tuesdays- Four lanes groomed Taggart to South Jenny Lake
* Fridays- Two lanes groomed Taggart to Signal Mountain
* Sundays- Four lanes groomed Taggart to South Jenny Lake
Grooming is anticipated to begin soon and will continue through mid-March, as conditions allow. Grooming is made possible through the financial support of Grand Teton National Park Foundation and a Federal Highway Administration Recreational Trails Program grant managed by the State of Wyoming. For grooming updates, call the park’s road information line at 307-739-3682.
Parking will be modified this winter to help facilitate snow plowing activities and additional parking for day-use, backcountry and Teton Park Road recreationists. Parking will be allowed at Taggart Lake Trailhead and on the west side of the road south of the trailhead. New this winter, parking will also be available north of Taggart at the Cottonwood Creek Picnic Area and along the west side of the road across from the picnic area. Backcountry-users who plan to stay in the backcountry overnight are encouraged to use the Taggart Lake Trailhead parking, while day-users are encouraged to park along the west side of the road and at the Cottonwood Creek Picnic Area. Porta potties will be available.
Visitors planning to recreate on the northern portion of the Teton Park Road for winter activities are encouraged to park at the Signal Mountain Lodge Parking Area. The lodge provides restroom facilities, telephone access and pay-at-the-pump gasoline for winter recreationalists.
Generally, pets are only permitted along park roadways open to motor vehicle use. However, pets are allowed on the over-snow access portions of the Teton Park Road and Moose-Wilson Road by special exception. Pets are not allowed in the backcountry. For the safety of wildlife, pets and visitors, pets must be leashed at all times. Pet owners are required to pick up waste. Dog sledding and ski joring are not allowed in the park.
Additional Winter Recreation Activities
* For winter backcountry permits, visitors can receive a permit by calling the park’s permit office at 307-739-3309 Monday through Friday, and Teton Interagency Dispatch Center at 307-739-3301 on weekends. Permits are available 24 hours in advance and are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry.
* Ranger-led snowshoe hikes are not scheduled for the 2020-21 winter season.
* Winter activities at Colter Bay include winter camping, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, and ice fishing on Jackson Lake. Winter camping is allowed in the parking lot adjacent to the Colter Bay Visitor Center from December 1 through April 15, with a $5 per night fee.
* Visitors should respect all winter wildlife closures within the park These closures are in place to protect animals during a challenging time of the year as they adapt to survive the winter.
* Always maintain a safe distance of at least 100 years from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from all other wildlife. Please let wildlife thrive undisturbed.
* Several businesses and organizations provide a variety of visitor services in the park through a contract or permit with the National Park Service. Services include guided cross-country ski and snowshoe tours, wildlife viewing tours and photography workshops.
* For more information about winter activities in Grand Teton, visit the park’s webpage at www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/winter.htm.
Know Before You Go:
* Visitors to Grand Teton National Park are reminded to recreate responsibly and be COVID-19 safe. The park highly encourages visitors to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local and state authorities, by maintaining social distancing guidelines and wearing a face covering when in high-visitation outside areas to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
* If an area is crowded, visitors are encouraged to consider an alternate area or activity. Less populated areas of the park and surrounding areas are available to explore.
* Visitors and recreationists are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace principles by disposing of trash properly, packing out all items brought in, including all trash, masks, and left-over food. Recycling is not available in the park during winter months.
* Entrance fees are required to enter Grand Teton National Park and recreate on the Teton Park Road. Park passes are available for purchase at the Moose and Moran Entrance Stations daily and at the Granite Entrance Station Friday through Monday. For employee and visitor safety due to COVID-19, plan to pay the entrance fee with a debit or credit card. For more information about park entrance fees visit the park’s website at https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/fees.htm.
* Winter driving, especially near snow plows, requires care and patience. Visitors are advised to stay back from operating snow plows and be respectful of road operators by following their direction and giving big equipment plenty of space.
* Visitors can get up-to-date information on park roads by calling the park’s road information line at 307-739-3682. For additional road-related information and potential road closures, visitors can check with the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) by calling 511 or by visiting www.wyoroad.info.
For more information and park updates, please visit www.nps.gov/grte and the park’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
Tags: tetonsafe road road closure
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
