Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve

The Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve is a nature reserve in Grand Teton National Park that covers approximately 1,100 acres around Phelps Lake. The land contains a mix of forest types including fir, spruce, lodgepole pine, cottonwoods, and aspen trees that shape the landscape.

The Rockefeller family acquired the original ranch land in 1927 and worked to preserve it over the following decades. The final section was donated to Grand Teton National Park in 2001, creating the protected area as it exists today.

The visitor center offers exhibits and ranger programs that help people connect with the surrounding land and learn about the ecosystems. These activities invite travelers to notice details about the forests, lakes, and wildlife they encounter.

The preserve is accessible from May through October when eight hiking trails open to visitors. The trails wind through different forest types and offer views of the lake and the visitor center.

The visitor center became the first building in Wyoming to earn LEED Platinum certification. It uses composting toilets and solar panels, showing how a public facility can operate with very little energy demand.