You can't improve the view from Colter Bay, but can you improve the experience at Colter Bay Village?/Kurt Repanshek file

As charming as it is, the Colter Bay Village area of Grand Teton National Park is not without its issues, which include traffic hassles and guest lodging. In a bid to resolve those and other issues, the National Park Service is embarking on a planning effort to "reestablish Colter Bay as a key destination and central location for all visitors to stay, play and learn."

"Colter Bay was constructed in the 1950s through early 1960s and has received little improvement during the last 60-70 years. Increasing visitation, changing visitor and employee needs, and aging infrastructure highlight an opportunity to plan for the next generation of Colter Bay. The primary goals of this planning effort will be to address outdated facilities and how visitors move through and use Colter Bay," the Park Service notes in a call for public suggestions on how Colter Bay Village can be made more enjoyable.

The village features rustic log cabins that run in lines through the pine forest in a variety of sizes that can accommodate families of various sizes. Available from late-May to late-September, they are not insulated against sub-freezing temps but are equipped with powerful little wall heaters to ward off the morning chill. The bathrooms are minimal — toilet, sink, and shower — but sufficient. They are aged and historic, and show their age. Some have clearly visible gaps between the doors and the door frames.

It is expensive to keep up historic properties in the parks. At Yellowstone National Park the National Park Service and the concessionaire have spent millions of dollars on renovations over the decades on Lake Hotel. During the most recent renovation, completed in 2014, work included structural enhancements to help stabilize the hotel during earthquakes, new red oak flooring throughout the lobby area, Sun Room, and dining room; room renovations that included freshly tiled bathrooms, new fixtures, carpeting, and light fixtures; the addition of four suites through room consolidations; full ADA compliance, and; plenty of fresh paint and stain throughout. In some cases, carpenters removed century-old trim and windows where necessary to accomplish work before reinstalling them.

Whether there ever would be such a capital-intensive endeavor at Colter Bay with the cabins remains to be seen, but there's reason enough to tackle such work: Not only are these structures historically significant, but the entire village was a model for the Park Service's Mission 66 program to upgrade national park facilities for an American public anxious to get out on the open road.

Guests can also choose a Spartan "tent cabin," which has two canvas walls, two wooden walls, and bunks. There's a woodstove to help you stay warm, a public restroom a short walk away, and no electical outlets. It's an interesting accommodation.

There are a few options for meals at Colter Bay: the John Colter Cafe Court, where you can order pizzas and other fast-food options, the John Colter Ranch House, which offers a somewhat heartier menu, and the General Store, where you can purchase prepackaged items, fresh fruits, soft drinks, and adult beverages.

In its newsletter announcing the planning effort, the Park Service notes that since the 1970s visitation to Colter Bay "has trended toward day-users as the predominant user type. Visitors who are not staying overnight may find the current layout confusing and have diffculty meeting their needs. Additionally, the circulation design does not support contemporary or future transportation methods used by day and overnight users navigating through the area, resulting in conficts between vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Changing environmental conditions require addressing how facilities and operations support visitation and recreation in a sustainable, long-term way."

Public comment is being taken through January 11, 2024. You can find the park's newsletter and a place to comment at this page.