GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK — Heads up, hikers!
Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) has enacted a wildlife closure on the Hermitage Point Trail system along the eastern shore of Jackson Lake due to recent bear activity. The closure includes Swan Lake and Heron Pond Loop.
“Several bears, both black bears and grizzly bears, are currently using the Hermitage Point area,” GTNP stated. “Among them are mothers with young cubs of the year. These bears are actively foraging for natural food sources while also navigating around other bears. Recent encounters between visitors and bears in the area have created potentially dangerous situations for both people and wildlife.”
GTNP noted that wildlife encounters are possible anywhere in the park, but park staff ultimately decided to close this area after carefully considering “both wildlife protection and visitor safety.” The closure will be actively monitored and lifted when conditions are considered safe.
“If you encounter a wildlife closure sign in the park, it is not a suggestion — it is a hard closure,” GTNP posted to social media.
Bear encounters are still top of mind for many in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem following a grizzly encounter in Yellowstone National Park last month that left two hikers seriously injured.
The park shared the following bear safety reminders:
- Hike in groups.
- Be alert for bear signs.
- Carry bear spray.
- Know how to use it.
- Respect all closures.
- Never run. If you encounter a bear, back away slowly.
See GTNP’s wildlife closures website for more information.
