Bronze marker honoring Jenny Lake Restoration at Grand Teton National Park/GTNPF

Grand Teton National Park is a national treasure and a memorable destination for visitors from all over the world. At the core of this beloved national park is Jenny Lake—a glacial lake crowned by the Tetons and a vibrant touchstone for the park’s long conservation story.

Over the years, the area became greatly deteriorated as millions of visitors sought the famous views that define Jenny Lake. The cumulative damage threatened fragile habitat and prevented people with limited abilities from exploring all the area has to offer.

Grand Teton National Park Foundation launched the Inspiring Journeys Campaign for Jenny Lake in 2012 and completed the fundraising effort on August 25, 2016—the National Park Service’s 100th birthday. The Foundation raised $14.5 million and the National Park Service contributed more than $6 million to make the ambitious vision a reality.

Jenny Lake’s trails, bridges, key destinations, and visitor complex have transformed into a portal for discovery and now allow people with a wider range of abilities to connect with the park in meaningful, memorable ways. National Park Service crews dramatically improved access to iconic destinations such as Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls by building new stone steps, smoothing and leveling trails, and ensuring better drainage for rainwater and snowmelt. Work completed also reduces congestion and ambiguity by creating suggested directional trails, larger boat docks, increased restroom facilities, and designated areas to rest and take in the stunning views.

Most importantly, hands-on interpretive elements like bronze 3-D relief maps, new signage, mountain viewing scopes, and a mobile application in its final stages of development blend both traditional and modern platforms to enrich the Jenny Lake experience for visitors of all ages and abilities.

The renewed visitor plaza at Jenny Lake, Grand Teton National Park/GTNPF

By offering an enhanced understanding of the people, place, and preservation efforts that shaped Grand Teton, the outcomes achieved in this project will inspire the next generation of park supporters and stewards for years to come.

The completion of work at Jenny Lake has led the Foundation and park to focus their next partnership project on another essential resource in Grand Teton. In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic designation of the headwaters of the Snake River, Grand Teton National Park Foundation is launching a multi-year campaign that will transform three popular river access points—Moose Landing, Pacific Creek Landing, and Jackson Lake Dam. Snake River Gateways will address inadequate facilities and environmental damage to better connect people with this magnificent resource.

The projectwill enhance and refine the experience at each launch site. By improving the flow of people and watercraft, reclaiming sensitive natural areas, building capacity to address safety, and creating spaces for visitors of all abilities, Snake River Gateways will foster a greater appreciation for and advance stewardship of one of the most iconic waterways in the West. Work at the three locations will be guided by Grand Teton National Park’s Wild and Scenic Snake River Management Plan and reflect the designation’s standard for these rivers of distinction, including preservation of free-flowing conditions and water quality, as well as universal access and opportunities to connect with the river.

“Floating the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park provides the opportunity for visitors to experience one of the most beautiful stretches of river in the world,” Grand Teton National Park Foundation Leslie Mattson said. “Working with our partners in the park, this project will engage people in the incredible importance of this resource and inspire the next generation of park lovers and supporters.”

Grand Teton National Park Foundation is working to improve access points to the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park/Sheets Studios

To date, the Foundation has secured $2 million toward the preliminary fundraising goal of $6 million. When combined with at least $2 million from the National Park Service, private philanthropy will provide a margin of excellence that would not be possible otherwise.

Project Priorities

• Restoration and protection of shoreline habitats
• Educational elements to inspire mindful discovery and stewardship
• Functional improvements that prioritize safety, separate user groups, and support visitors and recreationists of all abilities
• Added capacity to address resource protection and safety through volunteer Snake River Ambassadors 

Taken together, the improvements at all sites will elevate visitor experiences along this world-class resource. Visit www.gtnpf.org/SnakeRiver for more information.