Grand Teton National Park

Welcome to the audio-described version of Grand Teton National Park's official print brochure. Through text and audio descriptions of photos, illustrations, and a map, this version interprets the two sided color brochure that Grand Teton National Park visitors receive. The brochure explores the history of the park, some of its highlights, and information for planning your visit. This audio version lasts about 57 minutes and 32 seconds which we have divided into 30 sections, as a way to improve the listening experience.

Sections 1 through 23 cover the front of the brochure and include information regarding the history of the park and the natural environment. Sections 24 through 30 cover the back of the brochure which describes a map of the park, and highlights places to visit and recreational opportunities.

Image Caption: Teton Range from Snake River Overlook.
Credit: CHRISTIAN HEEB / GNASS PHOTO IMAGES

Grand Teton National Park is located in Wyoming, which is a part of the National Park Service, within the Department of the Interior. The 310,000 acre park is situated 21.0 miles north of Jackson at the edge of Teton Range. This park was established in 1929 and is the third oldest national park in the United States. And in 1950, Jackson Hole National Monument was incorporated within Grand Teton National Park. 

Each year, over 3 million visitors come to enjoy the unique experiences that only can be had at Grand Teton National Park with its stunning scenic landscapes, incredible mountain ranges, and diverse wildlife. Hike the park’s many trails or relax by its pristine lakes. There is something for everyone at Grand Teton National Park.

For those seeking to learn more about the park during their visit, Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway visitor centers offer a variety of services and accessible facilities to allow people of all abilities to experience what the park has to offer. Audio guides and tactile exhibits 

To find out more about what resources might be available contact the park directly at 3 0 7 7 3 9 3 3 0 1 or speak to Grand Teton National Park ranger by calling 3 0 7 7 3 9 3 3 9 9 for visitor information Monday-Friday during business hours. Also, visit the "Accessibility" and "More Information" sections at the end of this audio-described brochure.

Image Caption: Teton Range from Snake River Overlook.
Credit: CHRISTIAN HEEB / GNASS PHOTO IMAGES

The front page is made up of a large header image that takes up the top one-third of the page. Below it, the text gives information about the geologic forces and the five natural communities. Each section has photos and illustrations relevant to each topic. Most photos are in color, unless indicated as black and white.

DESCRIBING: A black band across that contains text and part of a color image of the Teton Range peaks.

SYNOPSIS: A black band across the top of the brochure contains text that indicates it is about Grand Teton National Park. Other text identifies the specific U.S. government department and bureau that oversee operation of the park. A small color arrowhead logo of the National Park Service is printed on the right side. Together, these features represent graphic design branding that is common on official National Park Service publications.

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: A solid black band about one-inch-high spans the width of the brochure. It serves as a background for the three groups of white text at varying sizes. The largest text is a heading on the left that reads, "Grand Teton" on one line that's about half of the height of the black bank. And the smaller non bold text aligns left underneath "Grand Teton" that reads, "John D. Rockefeller, JR. Memorial Parkway." Farther to the right side are two columns of smaller text stacked first on three lines and second on two lines respectfully. First column reads, "Grand Teton National Park, John D. Rockefeller, JR. Memorial Parkway, Wyoming." The second column placed far to the right reads "National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior."

In the right corner is a logo of the National Park Service. It's about half the height of the black band. The outer shape resembles and arrowhead. From a tip that points downward, the shape rises and widens symmetrically to two asymmetrical notches at the widest point near the top. In the center, between the two notches, the top rises to a shallow, rounded cap. The design within this shape includes a tall green sequoia tree to the left, a white snow-capped mountain to the right, a green forest and open meadow in the middle, and suggestion of one end of white alpine lake to the right. Near the tip in the center is a full body silhouette profile of a white buffalo. White text in all capital letters above the mountain reads, "National Park Service."

CAPTION: Grand Teton National Park top branding of brochure.

CREDIT: National Park Service, NPS

DESCRIBING: This is a color panorama photo with a mountain range across the top half, a valley across the bottom half, and a river winding cutting through evergreens at the bottom lower center. It is a bright, deep blue, cloudless summer day. 

SYNOPSIS: The rugged, gray mountains are jutting highest on the left two-thirds of the range. There are only a few little snow patches remaining in its deep crevices. Dark green growth can be seen across the mountain’s bottom width, with a lighter green growth below that.

The valley is made up of two prominent, perfectly flat stretches, like plains, at different elevations. One stretches completely across at the base of the mountain, and the other stretches completely across just below that. Both flat stretches are bright light green, and the downslopes are a much darker green. Below the lowest plain, in the middle, is a short section of Snake River, an indigo blue river, cutting through heavy evergreen forests on its left and right.

Inset at the far right side of the photo are five small individual rectangular information boxes which describe the different areas covered in the photo. The top box, highlighted in grey, covers the alpine area. The next box down, highlighted in green, covers forests. There are information boxes describing “wet meadows” and “lakes, ponds.”

CAPTION: Teton Range from Snake River Overlook

CREDIT: Christian Heeb / Gnass Photo Images

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         With no foothills to obstruct the view, the jagged peaks and deep canyons of the Teton Range rise abruptly from the Jackson Hole valley. Striking, magnificent views provoke wonder. This landscape was born out of an ancient past and shaped by recent geologic forces. The 2.7-billion-year-old rocks found in the core of the range are some of the oldest in North America, but these mountains rank among the youngest in the world.

Beginning 100 million years ago, long before today’s mountains formed, the collision of tectonic plates along North America’s west coast bowed-up a vast block of sedimentary rock deposited by ancient seas. Beginning 10 million years ago, movement on the Teton fault generated massive earthquakes causing the mountains to rise while the valley floor dropped. The vertical displacement— from the sedimentary rocks overlaying the mountaintops to the same layers beneath the valley floor—approaches 30,000 feet.

While movement on the Teton fault lifted the range, erosion sculpted the landscape. Starting two million years ago, massive glaciers up to 3,500 feet thick periodically flowed south from Yellowstone and filled the valley—eroding mountains, transporting and depositing huge volumes of rocky glacial debris. As ice sheets filled the valley, alpine glaciers sculpted the jagged Teton skyline. These glaciers carved the peaks and canyons and deposited moraines along the glacier’s edge.

Today these moraines dam beautiful lakes, like Jenny Lake, along the base of the Teton Range. The general color scheme of vegetation in the 310,000-acre park hints at this geologic story. Using geology and vegetation as clues, you can determine key wildlife habitat. Geology, plants, and animals interact dynamically over a large region, or ecosystem. The mission of the National Park Service is to safeguard natural and cultural resources for the enjoyment of this and future generations. Please help care for this beautiful place.

DESCRIBING: Two geologic diagrams or graphics, one depicting the 3 step process of fault blocking and another portraying the process of canyon-carving by a glacier.

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: Three fault block sections, which are rectangular cut-aways showing the earth. The first one is a flat-topped fault block with opposing up and down directional arrows acting on different halves. The second shows the fault has risen up(up arrow) and valley has pushed down (down arrow). The third diagram now includes mountain topography on the “up” side and an alpine lake on the “down” side. Mountain elevation listed: 13,770 ft, Lake elevation listed: 6800 feet.

                Below these progressive diagrams we see a computer-generated jagged mountain range with a dotted line skirting along its base labelled “Teton fault.” An icy gray glacier snakes down the mountain, accompanied by a directional arrow. The lake coming out at the base of the glacier is labelled “Jenny Lake” and the valley land surrounding the lake is labeled “Glacial Moraine.” The tallest peak in the range is labelled “Grand Teton.”

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DESCRIBING: [Describe the type of thing you are describing here, i.e. A small, black-and-white photograph]

SYNOPSIS: [~ 1 paragraph overview, 4 to 8 chunks of information; hit the highlights]

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DESCRIBING: [There are two images collaged together. The top part of the image is a small, color photograph of an Alpine mountain terrain that slopes downward to bodies of water with grass and rocks. On the bottom is an illustration of a Pika, a small, rodent-like mammal.]

SYNOPSIS: [~ 1 paragraph overview, 4 to 8 chunks of information; hit the highlights]

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: [The Alpine jagged peaked terrain are high-elevation canyons hold lingering snow, patches of plants in crevices, and fragile meadows that will transition to bare rock higher up. And the American pikas are small, rodent-like mammals. Pikas have short, stout bodies with big, round ears and do not have a visible tail. The American pika has a brown and black coloration, which is meant to camouflage them among rocks.]

CAPTION: Grand Teton Alpine Terrain and Pika Mammal.

CREDIT:  [PHOTOGRAPH: ALPINE TERRAIN BY PAT O’HARA. ILLUSTRATION: PIKA BY NPS / JOHN DAWSON]

RELATED TEXT: A brief growing season and persistent wind and cold create desert-like conditions.

Alpine communities are harsh habitats often the color of bare rock. Elevation, hard winters, and brief summers challenge life above treeline. Lichens cling to rocks while phlox and moss campion resist the wind and cold by growing low on scant soils. Flowers emit scents that lure insects to pollinate them. The insects attract white-crowned sparrows, which eat the insects. In summer, tiny pikas dry and store plants for winter. Pikas and yellow-bellied marmots watch for predators like weasels and raptors. Most alpine residents winter at lower elevations or hibernate.

DESCRIBING: Rectangular photo of a landscape. There are rolling green hills receding from the foreground to the background, scattered with evergreen trees in dark green. Behind the hills are jagged, snow-covered mountain peaks against a blue sky.

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: Superimposed on this image are colored sketches of a tall and straight pine tree and a study of the needles and cones, showing a thin branch with two tight pine cones and clusters of green pine needles. If the image was divided into five horizontal sections from bottom to top, it would look like this: A solid dark green evergreen forest.

A series of rolling hills with trees throughout. An open field of green grassy hills. Another solid dark green evergreen forest. Tall mountains with snow on them in front of a blue sky.

CAPTION: Lodgepole pine (illustrated), the most common tree in the park, has cones (illustrated) that need heat to open and release seeds. Lodgepole trunks served Native Americans as tipi poles.

CREDIT: Main landscape photo copyright Pat O'Hara. Pine tree and branch: NPS / John Dawson.

RELATED TEXT: Tree roots tap water and nutrients, creating habitat for many other plants and animals. Darker greens of Teton landscapes are forests that grow where moraines and mountainsides hold water within reach of tree roots.

Forests of lodgepole pine and other conifers—Douglas fir, Engelmann spruce, limber pine, and subalpine fir—occur in lower elevations of the Teton Range. In summer, elk and mule deer seek their shade. Black and grizzly bears frequent this area searching for berries, insects, and small mammals. Red squirrels live in the trees, gathering and storing cones in caches for winter. Long-tailed weasels and pine martens prey on the squirrels, snowshoe hares, deer mice, and other small mammals. Colorful western tanagers fly through less dense parts of the forest canopy.

Above 8,500 feet, whitebark pine, spruce, and fir dominate forests. Whitebark pine—a keystone species sensitive to global climate change, insects, and disease—is an important food source for red squirrels and grizzly bears. These pines also retain moisture on high windswept slopes, forest community. On the edges of these forests ruffed grouse nest on the ground and feed on buds and insects. Great horned owls hunt the forest’s voles, mice, and gophers.

DESCRIBING: Rectangular colored photograph of a log church in a sagebrush field with the base of the Teton range in the background.

SYNOPSIS: Rectangular colored modern-day photograph with a brown log building, known as the Chapel of the Transfiguration, in the middle of the photograph. The building is set in a sagebrush field with a log fence, cottonwood trees, and the base of the Tetons in the background.

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: It is a rectangular modern-day colored photograph of a small log cabin building known as the Chapel of Transfiguration. The weather is sunny and looks like summertime. The chapel is in the top third of the photograph, right-hand side. The logs are painted a very dark brown. The building shows an open door on the side of the building facing the viewer. The front door alcove is projecting out of the main square portion of the building. On the left side of the building is another room projecting out with windows that are closed. On top of the building are brown wooden shingles, a red brick chimney, and a brown skinny wooden cross. A faintly visible concrete path winds towards the door of the chapel. There is a very small second log building to the right of the chapel that is also painted dark brown. Sagebrush fields surround the two buildings and fill the bottom two-thirds of the photograph surrounding the chapel. Behind the chapel, progressing backward, is a wooden fence, a row of greeny leafy trees, and the bottom foothills of the Teton Mountain Range.

CAPTION: The sagebrush community surrounds the Chapel of the Transfiguration. Cottonwood and aspen trees in the background show where water is close enough to the surface for these trees’ roots to reach.

CREDIT: Jon Gnass/Gnass Photo Images

RELATED TEXT: What looks uniform and empty is a surprisingly diverse and complex dry habitat.

Sagebrush flats color the landscape a silvery gray-green. This plant community, covering most of the valley floor, looks barren and sparse but is quite lush. Rocky, well-drained soils discourage most plants, but hardy big sage, low sage, antelope bitterbrush, and over 20 species of grasses thrive.

Sage grouse use sagebrush for shelter, food, and nesting areas. Arrowleaf balsamroot and lupine add spring color. Small mammals like Uinta ground squirrels, deer mice, and least chipmunks live here and attract raptors. Badgers dig burrows, and coyotes and wolves lope across cobbled plains. Pronghorns live here in summer but migrate southeast to the upper Green River Basin—to avoid deep winter snow. Evenings and mornings, elk herds feed on grasses in spring, summer, and fall. Where bitterbrush abounds, moose forage, especially in winter and early spring. Birders can find sage thrashers, greentailed towhees, western meadowlarks, and vesper and Brewer’s sparrows. Bison roam the steppes between the Snake River and the forests.

For Native Americans, the valley was productive for hunting and gathering, but severe winters meant they did not live here year-round. Permanent residents eventually arrived, starting in the mid-1880s, as farmers and ranchers. Improved shelter, irrigation, and more hardy seed varieties enabled a meager living. Now people value the valley’s scenery, human history, and quality of life.

DESCRIBING: A large landscape color photograph of two moose, one in the bushes and one in the river.

SYNOPSIS: Thigh-high grass close to the water's edge and tall bushes further back border a stream or body of water. Two Moose in photo, one turned away but with face turned back to camera in background nearer to the tall bushes, appears to be eating and another is in the foreground standing broadside in the river up to its underbelly drinking.

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: It is a bright sunny day, the tall green bushes and the green thigh-high grass surrounds the towering moose with their long legs, brown coats on the upper portion of body and dark brown or black on the lower portion of body. The muzzles are long and narrow and above their eyes are very large brown gray antlers shaped like flat elongated paddles starting at the top and curving down to a soft bowl shape with prongs on the outer edges that follow the outline of the antlers.

CAPTION: Moose most commonly feed on willows. They dive up to 18 feet deep, and stay underwater up to a minute to feed on aquatic plants.

CREDIT: Copyright Jon Gnass

RELATED TEXT: Good soils and moisture produce dense vegetation attracting a variety of wildlife.

Green hues that fall between silvery sage and dark forest may indicate wet meadows, willow flats, or wetlands. Wet meadows and willow flats are flooded by water part of the year. A high water table and pockets of good soil make possible abundant grasses, sedges, and forbs. Many birds and small mammals eat these plants. In the West, the narrow bands of vegetation along waterways may account for over 90 percent of an entire region’s biological diversity. Wetlands around rivers, lakes, and marshes share many characteristics of the neighboring aquatic community.

DESCRIBING: A small portrait style color photograph.

SYNOPSIS: A few sprigs of dried out yellowish water grass in water close to edge of land. Standing beyond this water grass is an Otter, appearing to have just emerged from a lake, pond or river.

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: An Otter stands on land at the water’s edge, soaking-wet with light brownish gray, where the sun's strongest fur is almost white. Rump is to the rear and front toward the photographer. something caught its attention, head up looking just to its left as if not noticing the photographer, gazes intently, water dripping from its whiskers.

CAPTION: River otters hunt in water for fish, frogs, and snakes. Otters are far more agile in water than on land. Until the 1700s they lived by most major rivers in North America.

CREDIT: Erwin and Peggy Bauer

RELATED TEXT: Lakes and ponds dot the landscape with shades of blue. Streams and rivers are reflected as ribbons of blue and silver. Snake River tributaries drain the mountains around Jackson Hole. Stream banks, floodplains, lakes, and ponds are rich habitats teeming with life. Snake River float trips are an excellent way to see the park’s variety of wildlife. Native cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, and other fish are crucial food for otters, bald eagles, and osprey. At Oxbow Bend there may be American white pelicans, great blue herons, and trumpeter swans.

DESCRIBING: Rectangular color photo of a grizzly bear in a meadow.

SYNOPSIS: A grizzly bear is walking in a green meadow at dusk. Sage and willows fill the background. The willows have turned a rust shade of orange indicating it is fall.

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: The bear has its legs extended in a walking motion and appears to be moving from the right of the photograph to the left. The bear is around 500 lbs and has the characteristic features of a grizzly bear, including a concave face, long snout, and two short ears. The bear is slightly facing the viewer. The front right paw extends forward while the opposite sided back paw extends backwards indicating that bear’s gait is at a walking pace. The bear’s fur is long and thick. The coloration has variation. The tones change from a deeper brown on the legs, face and neck,to lighter honey color on the back and rump.

The bear is walking on short dry grass that extends toward the viewer. Behind the bear, there is a small patch of silvery twiggy brush. Above that, orange willow branches extend to fill the top third of the photo.

CAPTION: View all wildlife from a safe distance and respect their need for space. People too close to wildlife risk serious harm when animals defend themselves or their young.

CREDIT: NPS / Danielle Lehle

RELATED TEXT: The park’s clean air, waters, and natural sounds enhance your visit and the quality of habitat for native species: 1,200 plants, 300 birds, more than 60 mammals, and 12 fish. The park and parkway let you enjoy nature’s sights and sounds safely. Stay on trails to protect native vegetation. Dispose of waste properly in bear-resistant trash containers; recycle or reuse food and drink containers. Observe wildlife quietly from a safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves, 25 yards from all other animals. The park newspaper lists schedules of ranger-led activities like talks, walks, hikes, demonstrations, and other programs conducted early June through September. The newspaper lists visitor center hours and concession services, like restaurants, lodging, stores, gas stations, and mountaineering and float trip services.

Be Bear Aware! All odorous items must be stored properly at all times to protect people and bears. Ask at a visitor center or check the park newspaper to learn about proper food storage in bear country.

DESCRIBING: A graphic identifying four mountains in the Teton Range: South Teton, Middle Teton, Grand Teton, and Teewinot Mountain

SYNOPSIS: An image of just the mountains without sky or background. The view clearly shows the “Cathedral Group”. Moving left to right, peaks are labeled South Teton, Middle Teton, Grand Teton, and Teewinot Mountain.

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: The mountains in the graphic are the same as the cover of the unigrid. The mountains are cut out and are set on the white background of the page. It is summer, the trees at the base of the mountains are green. Lingering patches and strips of snow creep all the way up into the alpine. Large fields of snow are visible in the canyons. South Teton makes the edge of a canyon named Avalanche Canyon. Following the jagged silhouette of the peaks down into the canyon and back up, the Middle Teton makes the northern side of Avalanche Canyon. Continuing to follow the silhouette, it descends into the lower saddle and up again to the large triangular face of the Grand Teton. Next to the Grand, Teewinot Mountain has a jagged and wide top. The mountains slope downward to the valley and the graphic.

CAPTION:

CREDIT: Christian Heeb / Gnass Photo Images

For trip planning information please call phone number 307-739-3399 or visit the park website.

Download the official NPS App to guide your visit.

Federal laws protect all natural and cultural features in the park.

Camping

Park campgrounds may require advance reservations; check the park website for details. Jenny Lake Campground is tent-only. Use only dead and down wood as firewood. Check the park newspaper for group camping information.

Backcountry camping is permitted only in designated areas. Permits are required, and reservations are accepted early January through spring. Fees are charged for advance reservations and backcountry permits.

Water Safety and Protection

All craft require park permits and a WY Aquatic Invasive Species decal.

Floating the Snake River in the park is allowed only in hand-propelled boats and rafts; inner tubes are prohibited. Only experienced floaters should launch on the river.

Motorboats are allowed on Jenny and Jackson lakes; Jenny Lake has a 10-horsepower limit.

Swimming in park waters is generally a cold experience. The shallow areas of Jackson, Leigh, String, and Jenny lakes have reasonable temperatures in July and August. There are no lifeguards. Swimming in the Snake River is not advised.

Boil or treat stream and lake water to kill or remove harmful organisms like Giardia and Campylobacter, which may cause severe gastrointestinal distress.

Fishing is allowed in most park streams and lakes. Wyoming fishing licenses are required. Visitor centers have information on park fishing regulations and license locations.

Hot Springs

Soaking in pools where thermal waters originate is prohibited to protect resources. Soaking in adjacent run-off pools or streams is allowed, provided they do not contain an originating water source. These waters may harbor organisms that cause illness, skin rash, or fatal infections.

Vehicles

Use caution. Drive only on established roadways and observe posted speed limits, particularly the 45-mph speed limit at night.

Dawn and dusk are excellent times to observe wildlife; be mindful of other drivers for sudden stops. Park in turnouts or completely off the road to observe or photograph wildlife and scenery.

Be alert for animals going across or along roadways.

Wildlife

Park animals are part of complex, protected natural systems.

Do not feed any wildlife.

Always maintain a distance of at least 100 yards (91 meters) from bears and wolves, and 25 yards (23 meters) from other wildlife. Use binoculars or a spotting scope for a good view.

Never position yourself between a female and offspring—mothers are very protective. If your actions cause an animal to flee, you are too close.

Pets and Service Animals

Pets must be restrained on a leash of 6 feet or less and must stay within 30 feet of roadways. Owners must properly dispose of pet waste.

Pets are not allowed in visitor centers, on the multiuse pathway, on ranger-led activities, or on park hiking trails.

Pets are ONLY allowed in boats on Jackson Lake—no other waterways.

Service animals must assist with a disability and be trained to perform tasks to aid with the disability. Dogs whose sole function is providing comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you plan to take your service animal into the backcountry, you should complete an acknowledgment form in a visitor center at your convenience.

Climbing

Mountain climbing is a technical sport requiring proper knowledge, experience, physical condition, and equipment. Jenny Lake Ranger Station offers climbing information June through early September. Solo climbing is not advised.

Remotely Piloted Aircraft

Launching, landing, or operating remotely piloted aircraft like drones within the park is prohibited.

Firearms

For firearms regulations check the park website.

Winter Access

In winter most concessioners and all visitor centers except Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center are closed. Winter road closures (partial list):

Teton Park Road from Taggart Lake Trailhead to Signal Mountain Lodge

Moose Wilson Road from Granite Canyon Trailhead to Death Canyon Road

US 89/191/287 north of Flagg Ranch to Yellowstone

Antelope Flats Road, Mormon Row

Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway offer a variety of services and accessible facilities to allow people of all abilities to experience what the park has to offer. 

We strive to make facilities, services, and programs accessible to all. For information go to a visitor center, ask a ranger, call, or check the park website.

For more information, contact the park:

• Phone: 307-739-3300, TTY 307-739-3301
• Email: grte_info@nps.gov
• Website: go.nps.gov/grteaccessibility

Grand Teton National Park

PO Box 170

Moose, WY 8 3 0 1 2  0 1 7 0

Phone: 3 0 7  7 3 9  3 3 0 0

Website: www.nps.gov/grte

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Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway are two of over 425 parks in the National Park System. Learn more about national parks at website www.nps.gov.

National Park Foundation. Join the park community. Website www.nationalparks.org.

Grand Teton National Park and the National Park Service protect nearly half the park, including most of the Teton Range, as wilderness. These lands are formally recommended to Congress to be part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The 1964 Wilderness Act made designated wilderness the most protected category for federal public lands. The act and National Park Service policies mandate preserving the land’s wilderness character and natural conditions. Wilderness offers outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive, unconfined recreation. Learn more at website www.nps.gov/wilderness.

The US Forest Service manages over one million acres of designated wilderness next to the park and memorial parkway.

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway commemorates the many contributions to conservation by Rockefeller on behalf of America’s National Park System. Established in 1972, the parkway encompasses 24,000 acres that connect Grand Teton National Park with Yellowstone, the world’s first national park.

Visiting Jackson Hole in the 1920s, Rockefeller was dismayed by the haphazard development marring the landscape. With a vision to protect the spectacular Teton scenery he began buying land, later donating over 32,000 acres of the valley to the federal government. Rockefeller’s philanthropy ensured that views of the Teton Range and public access to northern Jackson Hole would be preserved for future generations.

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway lies at the center of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Recreational activities include hiking, camping, boating, and fishing. Grassy Lake Road (not paved) provides access through parkway lands to the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.

DESCRIBING: A map of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. The park is shown primarily in a saturated green color; within the park, its mountain peaks are depicted in snowy white; its lowlands in a yellowish-beige; its interspersed lakes in blue; and its major roads and highways in red.

SYNOPSIS: Grand Teton National Park is a large, irregularly-shaped area that runs primarily north-to-south; its jagged western boundary is almost entirely defined by the ridgelines of the Teton Range, while its eastern flank consists of staircasing straight lines that taper out a bit from the park’s center. Within the park are dozens of peaks, lakes, roads, trails, and points of interest. This description will begin by discussing the major features of the Teton Range; then follow the park’s major roadways and waterways to describe its many visitor sites and amenities; go over the other major sites and areas surrounding the park; and finally provide a transcription of the map legend.

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION:

The Teton Range

The western third of Grand Teton National Park is defined by the vast and jagged Teton Range, whose linear, north-to-south orientation acts as the spine of the park. Starting at the park’s northern tip, a network of trails winds through a series of canyons around unnamed peaks; along the park boundary itself, this area includes Survey Peak and Moose Mountain. Heading further south, Ranger Peak, at 11,360 feet (3,463 meters) and Eagles Rest Peak, at 11,263 feet (3433 meters), loom prominently over Jackson Lake, the park’s most prominent body of water.

Continuing south are Bivouac Peak and Mount Moran, whose peak sits at 12,160 feet (3,844 meters) and is surrounded by a series of small glaciers. Beyond this, Rockchuck Peak and Mount St John are separated from Mount Moran by another series of canyons and lie northwest of Jenny Lake. These two peaks are encircled by a long trail loop that travels through the surrounding canyons, and an additional spur trail leads southwest to another trail network outside the park.

South of Mount St John, a cluster of peaks surround the park’s namesake summit of Grand Teton, which rises to 13,775 feet (4,199 meters) and is the highest point in the park. Around Grand Teton, in clockwise order and starting at 12 o’clock, are Mount Owen at 12,933 feet (3,942 meters); at 2 o’clock, Teewinot Mountain at 12,330 feet (3,758 meters); at 6 o’clock, Nez Perce; at 7 o’clock, Middle Teton at 12,809 feet (3,904 meters); also at 7 o’clock, South Teton, at 12,519 feet (3,816 meters), but about twice the distance from Grand Teton as Middle Teton; and, on the park boundary at 9 o’clock, Table Mountain. Two glaciers, Teton Glacier and Middle Teton Glacier, also lie to the east and south, respectively, of Grand Teton.

Beyond the Grand Teton cluster of peaks, the Teton Range continues to the south and then southwest before heading out of the park’s southern boundary. From north to south, peaks along this stretch include Mount Wister; Buck Mountain at 11,943 feet (3,640 meters); and Static Peak. Then, heading southwest, are Prospectors Mountain; Mount Hunt; and Rendezvous Mountain at 10,455 feet (3,187 meters). This final summit is connected via the southeast-running Aerial Tramway to Teton Village and the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, both of which lie outside the park boundary. Also here is the Rendezvous Mountain (Tram) Trailhead, which has hiking and connects to a weblike network of trails running in and out of the southwest portion of the park, among which include the Teton Crest Trail near the park’s western boundary.

Jackson Lake

Back at the northern tip of the park, the eastern two-thirds of Grand Teton National Park is largely defined by numerous lakes, the braided Snake River, low-lying hills, and flat plains. By far the largest and most prominent of these features is Jackson Lake, which begins just south of the point where the Snake River flows south into the park and gradually widens into a cone-like shape that runs approximately halfway down the park. Within the lake’s southern basin are two islands, Elk Island in the center and Donoho Point in the east, as well as a peninsula, Hermitage Point, which juts into the basin from the northeast. A note indicates that Jackson Lake’s surface elevation is 6,772 feet (2,064 meters). For most of its length, Jackson Lake is paralleled on the east by a single highway designated collectively as U.S. Routes 89, 191, and 287.

Following this highway from north to south are the following sites and points of interest: Lizard Creek, which has a campground; Jackson Lake Overlook; three picnic areas that are approximately evenly-spaced out from one another; and a short spur road heading north from the highway and towards Jackson Lake. Along this spur are Leeks Marina, which has food service and a marina; and the UW-NPS Research Center AMK Ranch. Back on the highway, another short spur branches off towards the southwest to Colter Bay Village, which has a ranger station, picnic area, campground, food service, lodging, gas station, store, marina, and horseback riding. Slightly further down this spur are Colter Bay Visitor Center and the Hermitage Point Trailhead, which has hiking and connects to a network of trails along Jackson Lake’s southeastern shore.

Back on the highway, the road curls east and then south, passing a dense network of trails that encircle two long lakes, with Two Ocean Lake to the north and Emma Matilda Lake to the south. Further down the highway is Jackson Lake Lodge, which has food service, lodging, a gas station, horseback riding, and a medical clinic. Past Jackson Lake Lodge is the Willow Flats Overlook and then the highway’s intersection with Teton Park Road, which heads in the opposite direction to the southwest.

Beyond this intersection, the road heads east parallel to the Snake River and passes the Oxbow Bend Turnout, another unnamed overlook, and an intersection with Pacific Creek Road. This minor road in turn leads northeast to two unpaved roads; one road forks northwest to Two Ocean Lake Trailhead, which has a picnic area and hiking, at the eastern end of Two Ocean Lake; and the other unpaved road goes northeast and heads beyond the park boundary.

Past this intersection, the highway reaches Moran Entrance and Moran Junction. At this point, the highway splits into two. One branch, a single road labeled as both U.S. Routes 26 and 287, heads eastward, passes an unnamed overlook, and then leaves the park. The other branch, also a single road labeled as U.S. Routes 26, 89, and 191, heads generally southwest into Jackson Hole.

Western Jackson Hole

The dominant feature in the southern half of the park is Jackson Hole, a large valley stretching between the Teton Range to the west and a series of unlabeled hills in the east and extending from Jackson Lake in the north to the southern park boundary and beyond. At the western rim of the valley, a series of smaller lakes are nestled within the foothills of the Teton Range peaks. A cluster of these just south of Jackson Lake consists of, from north to south, Leigh Lake and Jenny Lake, with the sinuous String Lake connecting the two; a bit further south of these is the pairing of Bradley Lake and Taggart Lake; and finally Phelps Lake sits alone in the southwest corner of the park. Further east in the valley’s interior, Jackson Hole is split in the middle by the Snake River, which flows south from Jackson Lake and also extends to the southern park boundary and beyond. Within the park, the Snake River is almost wholly surrounded by a loop of roads formed by Teton Park Road in the west and U.S. Routes 26, 89, and 191 to the east.

Teton Park Road begins east of Jackson Lake and runs southwest, passing over Jackson Lake Dam and then running parallel with the southeast shore of the lake. Sites along this stretch of the road include a picnic area just before the dam; the Chapel of the Sacred Heart, which has a picnic area; and Signal Mountain Lodge, which is on the shores of Lake Jackson and has a campground, marina, food service, lodging, gas station, and store. Across Teton Park Road from Signal Mountain Lodge is a small trail network leading eastward to the summit of Signal Mountain, at an elevation of 7,727 feet (2,355 meters). Signal Mountain Road descends from this summit back to Teton Park Road at an intersection south of the lodge. Finally, an unnamed unpaved road stretches east from Teton Park Road to the banks of the Snake River.

From here, the road heads west, passing the Potholes Turnout and Mount Moran Turnout before reaching another unnamed overlook and the beginning of a small loop road. This roughly-triangular shaped loop heads past the Cathedral Group Turnout, then reaches its apex at Jenny Lake Lodge, which has food service and lodging; and String Lake Trailhead, which has hiking. A very short road also extends from here to the northwest and ends at Leigh Lake Trailhead, which has a picnic area and hiking. Beyond this point, the loop road becomes a one-way road in the southeast direction and runs parallel to the eastern shore of Jenny Lake, passing the Jenny Lake Overlook before returning back to Teton Park Road. Between the start and end points of this loop, the Cascade Canyon Turnout can also be found along Teton Park Road.

Next along the park road is Jenny Lake Visitor Center, which has the Jenny Lake Trailhead; a ranger station; store; campground; and hiking. This visitor center is also the starting point of a multi-use path that runs south alongside Teton Park Road. A dotted line stretches across Jenny Lake from its southwest shore to Inspiration Point on the western shore of the lake. Further south along Teton Park Road is an unpaved road that curls down to Lupine Meadows Trailhead, which has hiking; Teton Glacier Turnout; and another unpaved road leading southwest to Climbers Ranch. Next is a longer unpaved road stretching east to Bar BC Historic Site, near the Snake River; a picnic area; Taggart Lake Trailhead, with hiking; and Menor's Ferry Historic District, with the Chapel of the Transfiguration and a self-guiding trail. Finally, the road ends at its intersection with U.S. Routes 26, 89, and 191 in Moose, where it passes the Moose Entrance; the Park Headquarters; Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, with a ranger station; and Dornans, which has food service, lodging, a gas station, and a store.

Also in Moose, another road, Moose-Wilson Road, branches off Teton Park Road and heads southwest out of the park. Along its route it passes an unpaved road leading southwest to Murie Ranch; another unpaved road stretching north to Death Canyon Trailhead, which has hiking; Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, with hiking and a ranger station; Granite Canyon Trailhead, which has hiking; and Granite Canyon Entrance. A note in red indicates that Moose-Wilson Road is closed to trucks, RVs, and trailers.

Eastern Jackson Hole

Back in the area east of Jackson Lake, the highway consisting of U.S. Routes 26, 89, and 191 extends south from Moran Junction and runs parallel to the Snake River until it runs out the southern tip of the park. Starting at Moran Junction, the highway passes by Elk Ranch Flats Turnout; Cunningham Cabin Historic Site, with a self-guiding trail; Triangle X Ranch, with lodging; Deadmans Bar Road, which extends west from the highway to reach the Snake River; Snake River Overlook; Teton Point Turnout; an unpaved road branching up to Schwabacher Landing on braids of the Snake River; Glacier View Turnout; and an unnamed turnout.

Beyond this turnout, Antelope Flats Road branches off towards the east and passes Mormon Row Historic District, which has Moulton Barns and a self-guiding trail, before ending at an unlabeled road running north-to-south. Following that road south, it then meets another road that branches off to the northeast and leads to Teton Science Schools and then out of the park. Beyond this intersection, the road passes an unnamed turnout and then merges with the east-west running Gros Ventre Road, with Kelly Warm Spring near the intersection. The eastern stretch of the road reaches the park boundary a short distance from this intersection, while the western stretch passes Kelly; and Gros Ventre, with a campground. At this point, the road travels southwest along the Gros Ventre River and the park boundary, before reaching U.S. Routes 26, 89, and 191 at a roundabout.

Back on the highway, the stretch between the intersections with Antelope Flats Road and Gros Ventre Road passes, from north to south, Moose, two unnamed turnouts, and Jackson Hole Airport and is also paralleled by a multi-use path. After reaching the roundabout, the highway and multi-use path both continue past another unnamed turnout; Park Entrance Turnout; and Jackson National Fish Hatchery, almost immediately after which they exit the park.

Outside the Park

Numerous additional sites and protected areas are also highlighted outside of Grand Teton National Park. Starting at the south end of Jackson Hole and the Snake River valley, the main route out of the park is U.S. Routes 26, 89, and 191 that passes along the National Elk Refuge, shaded in light orange and situated to the east of the highway, and with a section of Grand Teton National Park on the West side of the highway. Heading south out of the park, this route passes the Jackson National Fish Hatchery, the National Museum of Wildlife Art and finally, just before entering the town of Jackson, the National Elk Refuge and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center. The highway continues through Jackson to Pinedale, off the map. A side road leads to the Snow King Mountain Resort.

Southwest of the park, the main road is State Highway 22, connecting Jackson to Wilson, WY just after crossing the Snake River. The map shows river access at the crossing. Shortly after crossing the Snake River, the Moose-Wilson Road provides access to Teton Village, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and the aerial tramway mentioned previously.

After Wilson, State Route 22 climbs to Teton Pass at 8,431 feet (2,570 meters) in the Bridger Teton National Forest. A number of forest roads and trails in this area provide access to the national forest and the Jedediah Smith Wilderness. As State Route 22 continues northwest it passes a campground at Trail Creek on the Wyoming side of the state boundary with Idaho. Upon crossing into Idaho, the same road becomes State Route 33 and passes the Mike Harris campground in Idaho and the town of Victor.

Further north along the western edge of the park there are only a few roads and trails indicated, mostly within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. These include trails in the Alaska Basin and on Table Mountain. In Idaho, there is also access from State Route 33 by road from the town of Driggs east to the Grand Targhee Resort and the Teton Canyon campground.

Further north, and due east of the park, the map shows the topographic relief of the Teton Range, but has no named features until about 11 o’clock, where there are trails in the area of Survey Peak, also in a section of the Jedediah Smith Wilderness. Further north and east, near the Yellowstone National Park boundary there is an unpaved road named the Ashton-Flagg Ranch Road that crosses from Idaho into Wyoming and eventually leads to the Grassy Lake Reservoir and the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. Northeast of this section is the Winegar Hole Wilderness.

The topmost section of the map shows the south entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park to the south is a section of park labeled as the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. This area includes an 8 mile (13 km) section of U.S. Routes 26, 89, and 191, as well as Grassy Lake Road, an unpaved road that the map indicates is not recommended for trailers or RVs. This road provides access to the Glade Creek Trailhead and eventually connects to the Ashton Flagg Ranch Road near Grassy Lake Reservoir.

The John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway section also features the Flagg Ranch Information Station, with trails, camping, food, groceries, gas, horse riding, a ranger station and hiking.

Between 1 and 2 o’clock northeast of the park, the map shows topographic features, but not a lot of named features. This area of the Bridger-Teton National Forest includes Arizona Lake, Arizona Creek, the Teton Wilderness, an unpaved road to the Pacific Creek campground, and several lengthy hiking trails.

Continuing south and east, now at around 3 o’clock, U.S. Route 26/287 exits the park and heads to the Hatchet campground. Off the map, this road heads to Dubois, Wyoming. Buffalo Valley Road is shown heading north and east from Highway 26/287, just outside of the eastern entrance to the park along the Buffalo Fork of the Snake River.

The map shows only a few details south of Highway 26/287 to the south entrance of the park. There is an unpaved road leading out of the park in the area of Antelope Flats and forming a backwards “C” into an area named Shadow Mountain.

South of this, Gros Ventre Road leaves the park and continues to a self-guiding trail and the Atherton Creek Campground on the north side of Lower Slide Lake.

East of the National Elk Refuge, between roughly 4 and 5 o’clock, the map shows more of the Bridger-Teton National Forest and the Gros Ventre Wilderness. Finally, just southeast of the National Elk Refuge is a series of unpaved roads that lead from the city of Jackson to the Curtis Canyon campground.

Legend

The bottom left corner of the map has a north arrow, pointing directly up; and a scale bar that gives measurements of 1 and 5 kilometers on the top, and 1 and 5 miles on the bottom. The bottom right contains the map legend consisting of three columns with five entries and a fourth column with two entries. The leftmost column of legend entries consists of the following:

• A red line with a black semicircle in the middle representing a turnout or overlook;
• A red triangle with red text reading “5 miles / 8 kilometers” for a distance indicator;
• A white line encased within two thin black lines for an unpaved road (4-wheel drive recommended);
• A dashed green line with long dashes for a multi-use pathway; and
• A dashed gray line with short dashes for a trail.

The remaining three rows of legend entries show simplified white pictographic symbols encased in rounded black squares for the following park services and amenities:

• A building with a flag above it representing a ranger station;
• A person with a backpack looking to the right at an angled sign, with a dotted line starting at the base of the sign and following the right perimeter of the square to point back at the person to represent a self-guiding trail;
• A person on a horse, both facing to the right, for horseback riding;
• A person with a backpack and hiking stick and facing to the right for hiking;
• A gas pump, with the hose and nozzle curling up and to the right of the payment kiosk, for a gas station;
• A fork to the left and a knife to the right for food service;
• A picnic table for a picnic area;
• A one-half gallon milk jug to the left and an apple to the right for a store;
• A triangle-shaped tent for a campground;
• An anchor for a marina;
• A bed with a person laying in it, with only their head visible under the sheets, for lodging; and
• An upright cross with four short arms of equal length for a medical clinic.

To the right of the legend entries is a final piece of bolded text stating, “Do not use this map for backcountry hiking. Topographic maps available at visitor centers.”

CAPTION: Park Map for Visitors

CREDIT: [NPS]Date Created: 2024/05/01