The Climbers' Ranch at Grand Teton National Park/Patrick Lewis via flickr.  CC BY-NC 2.0

Shortly after issuing a prospectus for the operation of LeConte Lodge in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the National Park Service announced it is seeking proposals for operating another unusual lodging facility, the Climbers’ Ranch, a historic destination in Grand Teton National Park. 

Classified as a hostel, Climbers’ Ranch can accommodate a maximum of 74 guests in a series of 10 rustic co-ed dorm-type cabins that each sleep from four to eight persons. Lodging guests are responsible for their own sleeping bags, pads, pillow, towels, and cooking gear.  Each cabin has limited electricity and the majority, but not all, have running water and restrooms.  A central bathhouse with shower and restroom facilities is available to all guests. The cabins are not heated. A covered cook shelter is available, but guests must bring their own food. 

The bottom line is Climbers’ Ranch is a rustic, no-frills facility offering low-cost lodging for visitors in one of America’s most popular national parks. The ranch is located in the southern portion of Grand Teton National Park, four miles north of park headquarters in Moose, Wyoming.

The facility opened as Double Diamond Dude Ranch in 1924 as a retreat for wealthy high school and college males, primarily from the East. The original ranch included a log kitchen/dining room, a log lounge cabin, a small commissary cabin and a series of tent cabins.  Log cabins were added in the early 1940s to attract tourists seeking a Western experience. Buildings for the office, kitchen, and library were added in 1945 when the facility was sold to the National Park Service. Climbers’ Ranch is currently operated by the American Alpine Club, a Denver-based group that promotes climbing and conservation. 

Under the NPS proposal, operation of Climbers’ Ranch will be for ten years beginning January 1, 2025, with a minimum operating season of June through September, depending on weather conditions. Lodging includes the availability of showers and laundry for lodge guests, but not visitors. The operator is authorized, but not required, to sell limited retail items including books, maps, convenience items, and limited souvenirs. In 2023 the ranch generated $217,497 in lodging revenue. NPS approved rates for 2024 are $35 per person, per night for cabin bunk beds. 

The initial investment required of a new operator is estimated at $80,000, approximately half of which is for personal property. As national park lodges go, this is an unbelievably small amount of money to begin operation of a lodging facility. The operator will be required to pay the National Park Service a franchise fee equal to 3 percent of the previous year’s gross receipts. Proposals can offer a higher percentage to improve the chance of being selected. The National Park Service forecasts 2025 total revenue at between $162,500 and $211,500.

Several factors make this an iffy business proposition, not the least being the relative meager revenue forecast that must cover employee wages, insurance premiums, utilities including electricity, propane, and phone and internet service. Revenues must also be utilized for what the Park Service calls a component renewal reserve to pay for non-recurring expenses such as foundation work, subfloor work, electrical issues and plumbing problems.  Lastly, and perhaps the clincher, is the current operator is considered a Preferred Offerer with the right to secure the contract by matching the terms of the best proposal from another entity.

Notice of intent to submit a proposal must be received by Jennifer Parker ([email protected]) by 4 p.m. Mountain Time, September 17.  The official submission deadline is 4 p.m. Mountain Time, October 15.

 David and Kay Scott are authors of “Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges” (Globe Pequot).  Visit them at blog.valdosta.edu/dlscott.