Special Events in Grand Teton National Park

Winter
Winter is a unique and amazing time of the year to experience Grand Teton National Park. As the snow drapes its wintry blanket across the Teton peaks, a peaceful quiet settles onto the landscape, offering a sharp contrast to the busy summer season. Winter recreation activities abound, as the park becomes a popular destination for cross-country skiers, snowshoers and photographers who wish to capture the beauty of a Teton winterscape. If you are planning a visit during the winter season, make sure you check current weather forecasts and road conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

The park's main roadways, Highway 89/191 and Highway 26/287, are plowed and open for winter travel from the town of Jackson to Flagg Ranch near Yellowstone National Park's south boundary. These travel routes offer outstanding mountain vistas and wildlife viewing opportunities. Park roads are often snow-covered and icy. Be prepared for winter driving conditions and carry a winter safety kit in your vehicle for emergencies. In addition, wildlife can linger near park roads, so be alert, and drive slowly for their safety and yours.

Much of the Teton Park Road (also called the inner park road) is not open to vehicles during the winter months. The unplowed section of the road from Taggart Lake parking area to Signal Mountain--a distance of 15 miles--is open to non-motorized use only (skiers and snowshoers). A variety of other trails throughout the park offer winter visitors many ways to experience a snowy Teton wonderland. As a safety precaution, outdoor enthusiasts should carry--at a minimum--water, high energy snacks and extra winter clothing during any backcountry excursion. Please stop by the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center (12 miles north of Jackson, Wyoming) to speak with a park ranger about suggested trails and safety tips, or to pick up a ski/snowshoe trail brochure.

Autumn in the Tetons
Grand Teton National Park is a wonderful place to visit any time of year, but fall is especially magical for a number of reasons. Beautiful fall colors, wildlife, and few crowds make for a wonderful and relaxing time of year. In general, fall in the Tetons lasts from the beginning of September until about mid-October. But like all natural events, fall depends on local climatic conditions. The amount of rainfall and the nighttime temperatures both play important roles in determining fall colors. While no one can accurately predict exact "peaks" of fall colors, in the Tetons, the third week in September has historically been about the peak for fall colors. And of course, some years are better than others! No matter when you come in the fall, the park holds many wonders to explore.

The Teton Range has large stands of deciduous trees whose leaves blaze mostly yellow and orange (and occasionally red) shades in the fall. Cottonwoods line the banks of the Snake River and other creeks in the area. Aspens are found on hillsides and scattered throughout the park's moist areas. Numerous species of willows, as well as other shrubs, transform lake and canyon trails into yellow and red carpets in the fall.
Fall is also an important time for the deer species, whose annual rut (breeding season) takes place during this time. Male elk actively bugle to signal their dominance and attract females, an eerie sound that pierces early evenings. You may even witness a sparring match between two dominant male elk -- truly an incredible sight to behold.

The bull moose in the park are also actively searching for females and may at times spar for dominance too. Bears are actively searching for the berries and any other food source they can find, as they only have a few short weeks left to gain the additional fat they will need to survive hibernation. Since so much wildlife is active (and often aggressive) in the fall, please enjoy viewing them from your car, or a safe distance away (25 yards at least for most wildlife, and 100 yards for bears).