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In Grand Teton National Park, activities for the 2007/08 winter season begin on Wednesday, December 19. The Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center (12 miles north of Jackson, Wyoming) is the only visitor center that is open year-round in the park; winter hours run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Discovery Center will close for December 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday.
A Single Day Pass is available to winter visitors at the Moose, Moran and Granite Canyon entrance stations. This winter-season permit allows a one-day entry into Grand Teton at a cost of $5 per vehicle. The single day pass is valid only in Grand Teton and cannot be used for entry into Yellowstone. Winter visitors may choose to purchase one of the following other options for entry:
$15 One-day Pass valid for snowmobile entry to Grand Teton and the JDR Parkway
$20 Seven-day Pass valid for snowmobile entry to Grand Teton and the JDR Parkway
$25 Seven-day Pass valid for single vehicle entry into Grand Teton and Yellowstone
$50 Grand Teton/Yellowstone Annual Pass valid for one year entry into both parks
$80 Interagency Annual Pass valid for one year entry to all federal land management fee areas
Ranger-led snowshoe hikes will begin December 26 at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. This 2-hour activity is offered every day at 2 p.m. and previous experience is not necessary. Snowshoes are provided for a requested donation of $5 for adults and $2 for kids aged 8 years and older. Reservations are required and can be made at 307.739.3399.
Backcountry users and mountaineers planning to stay overnight in the backcountry must get a non-fee permit before their trip at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. Permits are not required for day users. To obtain weather forecasts and avalanche hazard information, stop at the Discovery Center, visit the backcountry Web site http://www.jhavalanche.org/ , or call the avalanche hotline at 307.733.2664.
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular winter activities in the park. Trails are skier tracked, but not groomed. The Teton Park Road (TPR) is a designated winter trail, open to non-motorized use only. During the winter season, the unplowed TPR will be intermittently groomed for cross-country touring and skate skiing from Taggart Lake parking area to Signal Mountain. Severe winter storms or park emergencies may preempt the trail grooming schedule on occasion.
Important reminder: Snowshoers should walk adjacent to – and not on top of – cross-country ski tracks.
Skiers and snowshoers are not restricted to established trails; however, for protection of wildlife, they are required to observe closure areas from December 15 to April 1. To obtain trail maps, closure locations, or winter information, go to the park’s Web site at http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/maps.htm or visit the Discovery Center in Moose, Wyoming. Winter wildlife closure areas include:
Snake River floodplain from Moran to Menors Ferry near Moose
Buffalo Fork River floodplain within the park
Kelly Hill and Uhl Hill
Willow Flats
Static Peak
Prospectors Mountain
Mount Hunt areas (see the park's cross-country ski brochure for descriptions)
Leashed pets are allowed on the park's plowed roads and turnouts, the unplowed Moose-Wilson Road, and the Grassy Lake Road. Pets are not allowed in the backcountry, which includes all other park areas beyond the defined roadways.
The unplowed TPR will be open to visitors who wish to walk, snowshoe or ski with their leashed pet. Dogs are restricted to the multi-use portion of the TPR winter trail, and must be restrained at all times on a leash no longer than 6-feet in length. Dogs must also be leashed while in the parking areas at Taggart Lake and Signal Mountain. Please remember to keep dogs off the groomed ski tracks.
Mutt Mitt stations are in place at the TPR trailheads to dispense plastic bags for pet waste; trash receptacles are also available for disposal of used bags. Pet owners are required to clean up their pet's waste and properly dispose of the bags in the receptacles provided. In recent winters, some pet owners have left used bags along the side of the road; these bags become buried in snow and cause problems for rotary snow plows during the spring road opening. If pet owners do not comply with the rules and regulations—especially with regard to pet waste disposal and leash rules—it is possible that pets will be prohibited from the TPR in the future.
Dog sleds are not allowed on the Teton Park Road. However, dog sleds are allowed on Grassy Lake Road in the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway.
Snowmobilers may use the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail (CDST) after snow conditions permit its opening. This trail runs through both Grand Teton and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, and the Grassy Lake Road in the JDR Parkway. Snowmobile operation hours are from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The CDST will open once enough snow has accumulated to allow grooming for safe passage along the route. In addition, the CDST opens in coordination with the State of Wyoming's portion of the trail which provides access into the park through the Moran Entrance Station. Trail information is available through a recorded message by calling 307.739.3683.
Snowmobiles may also be used on the frozen surface of Jackson Lake for the purposes of ice fishing only. A Wyoming State fishing license and appropriate fishing gear must be in possession.
Please Note: Snowmobilers are required to use only approved best available technology (BAT) machines on the CDST and on Jackson Lake. Before operating a snowmobile in Grand Teton, please review current snowmobile regulations and approved BAT machines online at http://www.nps.gov/yell/parkmgmt/current_batlist.htm, or stop at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center in Moose, Wyoming.
For further information about winter activities in Grand Teton National Park or the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, please visit the park’s Web site at http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/winter.htm.
Buffalo Fork River floodplain within the park
Kelly Hill and Uhl Hill
Willow Flats
Static Peak
Prospectors Mountain
Mount Hunt areas (see the park's cross-country ski brochure for descriptions)
Leashed pets are allowed on the park's plowed roads and turnouts, the unplowed Moose-Wilson Road, and the Grassy Lake Road. Pets are not allowed in the backcountry, which includes all other park areas beyond the defined roadways.
The unplowed TPR will be open to visitors who wish to walk, snowshoe or ski with their leashed pet. Dogs are restricted to the multi-use portion of the TPR winter trail, and must be restrained at all times on a leash no longer than 6-feet in length. Dogs must also be leashed while in the parking areas at Taggart Lake and Signal Mountain. Please remember to keep dogs off the groomed ski tracks.
Mutt Mitt stations are in place at the TPR trailheads to dispense plastic bags for pet waste; trash receptacles are also available for disposal of used bags. Pet owners are required to clean up their pet's waste and properly dispose of the bags in the receptacles provided. In recent winters, some pet owners have left used bags along the side of the road; these bags become buried in snow and cause problems for rotary snow plows during the spring road opening. If pet owners do not comply with the rules and regulations—especially with regard to pet waste disposal and leash rules—it is possible that pets will be prohibited from the TPR in the future.
Dog sleds are not allowed on the Teton Park Road. However, dog sleds are allowed on Grassy Lake Road in the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway.
Snowmobilers may use the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail (CDST) after snow conditions permit its opening. This trail runs through both Grand Teton and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, and the Grassy Lake Road in the JDR Parkway. Snowmobile operation hours are from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The CDST will open once enough snow has accumulated to allow grooming for safe passage along the route. In addition, the CDST opens in coordination with the State of Wyoming's portion of the trail which provides access into the park through the Moran Entrance Station. Trail information is available through a recorded message by calling 307.739.3683.
Snowmobiles may also be used on the frozen surface of Jackson Lake for the purposes of ice fishing only. A Wyoming State fishing license and appropriate fishing gear must be in possession.
Please Note: Snowmobilers are required to use only approved best available technology (BAT) machines on the CDST and on Jackson Lake. Before operating a snowmobile in Grand Teton, please review current snowmobile regulations and approved BAT machines online at http://www.nps.gov/yell/parkmgmt/current_batlist.htm, or stop at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center in Moose, Wyoming.
For further information about winter activities in Grand Teton National Park or the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, please visit the park’s Web site at http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/winter.htm.
—NPS—
www.nps.gov/grte
