Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park protects a mountain range in western Wyoming where sharp peaks rise straight from the valley floor to more than 13,000 feet (4,000 meters). Below the ridges sit several glacier-fed lakes surrounded by meadows and forests of spruce and fir.

Congress created the protected area in February 1929 after years of debate over preserving the mountain range. The park later expanded to include portions of Jackson Hole valley through a private donation of land.

The name Teton likely comes from French fur trappers who traveled through the region in the early 1800s. Today the park attracts photographers and climbers drawn to the clear light and open valley below the peaks.

Three visitor centers offer maps and details about trails and wildlife viewing areas throughout the park. Summer through early fall provides the most accessible conditions, though some high-elevation routes remain snow-covered until July.

The Snake River curves through the protected area and forms Oxbow Bend, a wide river loop where moose and beavers often appear along the shore. On calm mornings the reflection of Mount Moran on the water draws photographers from before dawn.

Location: Teton County

Inception: February 26, 1929

Operator: National Park Service

Website: https://nps.gov/grte

GPS coordinates: 43.83333,-110.70083

Latest update: December 11, 2025 22:34