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Grand Teton National Park Ready For Summer Season

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Published Date

April 28, 2012

Though Grand Teton National Park is open every day of the year, not all of its facilities are. With summer right around the corner, the park has released its schedule of facility openings for both Grand Teton and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway.

Roads

The Teton Park Road will open to vehicle traffic on Tuesday, May 1. The Grassy Lake Road in the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway opens on June 1; however lingering snow drifts may limit the extent of accessibility. Due to pre-season work, the Moose-Wilson Road will have a delayed opening.

Motorists are advised to drive cautiously and be alert for migrating wildlife throughout the park. Animals are crossing park roads, especially from dusk to dawn. In addition, springtime repair work may be under way on any park roads. For current road conditions, call the information hotline at 307-739-3614.

Entrance Stations

The Moose, Moran and Granite Canyon entrance stations are open. Fee options include:

* $12 7-day permit for foot/bicycle entry into Grand Teton & Yellowstone national parks

* $20 7-day permit for motorcycle entry into Grand Teton & Yellowstone national parks

* $25 7-day permit for vehicle entry into Grand Teton & Yellowstone national parks

* $50 Grand Teton/Yellowstone Annual Pass valid for one-year entry into both parks

* $80 Interagency Annual Pass valid for one year entry to all fee areas on federal lands

Bicyclists are reminded that they must stop and show an entry pass before proceeding through the gates, just as vehicles are required to do. NOTE: an automated self-serve machine is located on the multi-use pathway adjacent to the Moose Entrance Station. People traveling on the paved pathway by foot, bike, or rollerblade will be required to stop and pay $12 for a 7-day entry permit, or have a previously purchased pass in their possession. Personal identification is required with any pass that requires a signature.

The new multi-use pathway that parallels Highway 26/89/191 from the Gros Ventre River to Moose Junction will not open until early summer.

Visitor Centers

The Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center is open daily, year-round. Other visitor information centers open on the following dates:

* Jenny Lake Visitor Center May 18

* Jenny Lake Ranger Station May 26

* Colter Bay Visitor Center May 26

* Laurance S. Rockefeller Center May 27

* Flagg Ranch Information Station June 4

Ranger-led activities begin Monday, June 4. An activity schedule can be found in the park's newspaper, Grand Teton Guide, or online at www.nps.gov/grte.

Campgrounds

The following campgrounds open:

* Gros Ventre May 4

* Signal Mountain May 11

* Jenny Lake May 11

* Colter Bay May 24

* Headwaters Campground & RV Sites June 1

* Lizard Creek June 8

With the exception of the RV parks, all concession-operated campgrounds within Grand Teton National Park operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Group sites are available at the Colter Bay and Gros Ventre campgrounds; to reserve a group site, call 307.543.3100 or 800.628.9988. Reservations can also be made for RV camping at either Colter Bay or the Flagg Ranch area. To secure reservations, call Colter Bay RV Park at 307.543.3100 or 800.628.9988 or Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch at 800.443.2311.

Camping is also available outside the park in nearby forest areas and at other public and private facilities.

Backcountry campsite reservations may be made until May 15 with a $25 non-refundable fee. Reservations can be made online at www.nps.gov/grte/, by fax at 307.739.3438, or by mail to Grand Teton National Park, Backcountry Permits, P.O. Box 170, Moose, WY 83012. After May 15, all backcountry site permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lodging

The following concessioner-operated facilities will open:

|-------------------------------------+----------------|

| Signal Mountain Lodge | May 11 |

|-------------------------------------+----------------|

| Jackson Lake Lodge | May 21 |

|-------------------------------------+----------------|

| Colter Bay Cabins | May 24 |

|-------------------------------------+----------------|

| Triangle X Ranch | May 25 |

|-------------------------------------+----------------|

| Jenny Lake Lodge | June 1 |

|-------------------------------------+----------------|

| Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg | June 1 |

| Ranch | |

|-------------------------------------+----------------|

Comments

An item of note for climbers. A pair of Grand Teton peregrine falcons nesting in the park has meant a temporary closure of Baxter’s Pinnacle and its southwest descent gully. A nearby climb called No Perches Necessary remains open.


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