GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK — The environmental assessment regarding proposed Taggart Lake improvements in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) is now available for public review.
In a press release sent Wednesday, Aug. 20, GTNP shared that it is moving forward with a major project to improve facilities at the Taggart Lake trail and trailhead area. This 35-day public comment period for “Reimagining the Taggart Lake Experience” will run through Sept. 23.
“The project is aimed at meeting growing visitor demand while improving safety, accessibility and the overall visitor experience,” the statement reads.
The reconstruction cost is estimated at $14.6 million, with about $10.5 million of that coming from philanthropic funding from the Grand Teton National Park Foundation. Construction and closures are likely to begin in 2026, per the statement.
Visit the National Park Service’s (NPS) park planning website to review the environmental assessment and submit public comment. GTNP will host a virtual public meeting at some point during the comment period. Details of the virtual meeting will be announced on the NPS project website and on GTNP’s social media channels.
The proposal for “Reimagining the Taggart Lake Experience” includes the following elements:
- A larger parking lot
- New restrooms and a potable water station at the trailhead
- A redesigned, accessible trailhead area
- Improved multiuse pathway connections
- Upgrades to the Taggart Lake Trail, including reconstruction up to the trail’s first bridge in order to meet accessibility standards
- Taggart Lake shoreline improvements to define access points and mitigate environmental impacts
- Accessibility and facility improvements to the Cottonwood Creek Picnic area
