JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Recent snow accumulation has helped park officials get Grand Teton NP ready for winter. Designated portions of Teton Park Road, Moose-Wilson Road, and Signal Mountain Summit Road within GTNP have been changed from wheeled access to over-snow access and ready to accommodate winter recreation. Use of the roads by wheeled vehicles is now prohibited for the season.
More importantly, despite recent reports, the park will continue plowing operations as in years past. According to a Grand Teton spokesperson, the park will continue to maintain safe access on park roads not designated for over-snow travel, including US Highway 26/89/191, during the winter season.
GTNP superintendent David Vela said, “The safety of park employees and the traveling public is top priority regarding winter snow-plowing operations in the park. The public can expect the same plowing priority and service levels as in the past.”
Each year, Teton Park, Moose-Wilson, and Signal Mountain Summit roads are closed to public motor vehicle use beginning November 1. During the period of time that the roads remain free of snow, visitors may use the roadways for recreational activities such as walking, bicycling, and in-line skating.
Once snow begins to accumulate on the roadbeds, the status is changed to over-snow access and approved winter season activities such as cross-country skiing, skate skiing, and snow-shoeing become possible. Snow bikes are not permitted on roads designated for over-snow access. Snow bikes are allowed on all roadways open to motor vehicle use in Grand Teton National Park.
Grooming schedule
The 14-mile section of the Teton Park Road between the Taggart Lake Trailhead and Signal Mountain Lodge will be groomed approximately twice-weekly from late-December to mid-March. The road is scheduled to be groomed on Tuesday and Friday mornings, though the schedule is dependent on snow and weather conditions. For grooming updates, visitors can call the park’s road information line at 307-739-3682.
Grooming is made possible through the financial support of Grand Teton National Park Foundation, Jackson Hole Nordic Alliance, and a Federal Highway Administration Recreational Trails Program grant managed by the State of Wyoming.
New this year, the foundation and alliance are supporting a webcam which will show the condition of the groomed road and prevailing weather conditions from the Cottonwood Creek Bridge in real time. A link to the webcam will be posted on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/grandteton as well as the park’s social media channels once the solar-powered camera is up and running.
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. For the safety of wildlife, pets, and visitors in wildlife habitat, pets must be leashed at all times. Pet owners are required to pick up waste.
Vela encourages all individuals traveling park roads in the winter to be prepared for winter driving conditions and possible road closures or restrictions, and to be proactive in developing backup plans. The use of Wyoming Department of Transportation’s 511 traveler information systems is highly encouraged and is the best way to receive timely road status updates. Travelers can sign up to receive email or text alerts using 511 Notify, download the 511 app, visit www.wyoroad.info, or dial 511 (1-888-WYO-ROAD). Individuals can also call the park’s road information line.
