Though spring wildflowers are still a couple months off at Grand Teton National Park, work will begin in earnest Monday to open the Teton Park Road for visitors.

Park crews are set to begin their annual spring plowing of the park road from Taggart Lake parking area to Signal Mountain Lodge on Monday. As plowing operations get under way, recreation on this winter trail will cease for the season. Visitors may continue to use other winter trails, and/or areas adjacent to the Teton Park Road, for skate-skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing until conditions are no longer favorable. Snow removal will also begin on the Moose-Wilson Road, once work is concluded on the Teton Park Road.

For safety reasons, park visitors may NOT access the Teton Park Road while rotary snow removal equipment and plows are working; the roadway is closed to ALL users during this time. Park rangers will enforce the temporary closure to all visitors to ensure safe conditions for plow operators and recreationalists.

Skiers and snowshoers using areas adjacent to the Teton Park Road are cautioned to avoid the arc of snow being blown from the rotary equipment because pieces of ice and gravel can be mixed with the spray.

Depending on weather, snow conditions and plowing progress, the roadway should become accessible to traditional springtime activities by mid-April. After the Teton Park Road opens to non-motorized use, people should be alert for park vehicles that occasionally travel for administrative purposes and for snow plowing operations that continue as a result of late-season snowstorms. 

The Teton Park Road will open to vehicle traffic on Thursday, May 1. 

Grassy Lake Road in the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway is currently closed to all vehicles and will remain so from April 1 to May 31, due to springtime grizzly bear activity.

Leashed dogs are permitted on the Teton Park Road and other park roads; however they are restricted to roads and turnouts—they are not permitted to travel beyond the roadbeds, into the park’s backcountry, or on the multi-use pathways. Owners are required to keep pets on a leash (six foot maximum length). Mutt Mitt stations are in place at the Taggart Lake parking area and pet owners are required to use these disposal bags. 

As a reminder, entrance stations are operating and collecting fees. Fee options are as follows:

* $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

When entering the park using a pass, please be sure to bring personal identification. Bicyclists are required to stop and show a pass before proceeding through the gates, just as motorized vehicles are required to do.