Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is located in northwestern Wyoming, USA, near the border with Idaho. It lies just south of Yellowstone National Park, with the closest town being Jackson, about 10 miles from the park's southern boundary. The park is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and encompasses the dramatic Teton Range, Jackson Hole Valley, and the Snake River. The park was established on February 26, 1929, to protect the iconic Teton Mountain Range. However, it wasn’t until 1950, after significant land donations by John D. Rockefeller Jr., that the park expanded to include the surrounding valley, now making up its current boundaries. The park preserves an extraordinary landscape shaped by glaciers, geologic uplift, and natural forces over millions of years. Parking is available at numerous locations throughout the park, including visitor centers, trailheads, and scenic spots. Popular parking areas include the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, Colter Bay, and Signal Mountain. There is a $35 entrance fee per vehicle, valid for seven days, which also grants access to nearby Yellowstone National Park. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including grizzly and black bears, elk, moose, bison, and pronghorn. Bald eagles and trumpeter swans are among the notable bird species that inhabit the park. Wildlife viewing is a highlight of any visit, especially along the scenic roads and trails. Flora in the park varies by elevation, with sagebrush and grasslands dominating the lower elevations, and dense forests of lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce, and subalpine fir covering the mid-elevations. Wildflowers like lupine and Indian paintbrush bloom vibrantly during the summer months. The towering Grand Teton peak, standing at 13,775 feet, is the park’s most famous feature. Other highlights include Jenny Lake, the Snake River, and historic sites such as the Mormon Row barns. Public transportation options to the park are limited; most visitors arrive by car, though shuttle services and guided tours are available from Jackson.