winter Grand Teton National Park

Below: a frozen over Oxbow Bend on the Snake River with Mount Moran in the background, and in the foreground a coyote having dinner.

coyote dining at Oxbow Bend December 2008 800 pxls.: coyote dining at Oxbow Bend in the snow

Signs and conditions on the road between Moose and Moran:

sign extremely icy conditions possible next 2 miles: sign that says extremely icy conditions possible next 2 milessign frequent heavy drifting: a road sign that says frequent heavy drifting (of snow) can be expectedteton road with blowing snow: teton road with two cars and blowing snow

sign caution be alert: sign that says caution be alertsign wildlife crossing road: sign that says wildlife crossing roadsign next fifty miles: sign that says next fifty miles

Most people view the hundreds of elk in the herd that winters in the Jackson refuge from the main road, N Cache Street, as it heads out of town towards the park. But if you drive up E Broadway you can find the inner refuge road, with views of more of the elk herd and the Teton range.

sign for wildlife sake stay on road: sign that says for wildlife sake stay on road

Tetons and herd from inner refuge road winter: Tetons mountian range and elk herd from inner refuge road in winter part of elk refuge herd winter: part of Jackson Hole elk refuge herd in winter

below, the Colter Bay Visitor Center permits window and footprints in snow coming from animals that live under the Colter Bay Visitor center deck:

Colter Bay visitor center permits window: Colter Bay visitor center permits window with long icicles footprints in snow from under colter bay visitor center deck: footprints in snow from under colter bay visitor center deck

Drive carefully as you may encounter wildlife on the road (they also find it easier to get around on plowed roads):

3 bison on a snowplowed road

The Teton Park Road usually first opens after winter closure for non-motorized recreational uses such as walking, bicycling, and rollerblading, between the Taggart Lake Trailhead and Signal Mountain Lodge, in early spring (2022 it was Friday, March 25).

two cyclists on road with snow all around

The press release when the road opens often says: “Please use caution, as snow and ice may persist on some sections of the roadway creating slick conditions. Recreationists should also be alert for park vehicles that periodically travel this roadway for administrative purposes as spring opening operations continue. Road crews may be clearing auxiliary roads and wayside areas, and visitors are cautioned to keep a safe distance from rotary plows and other heavy equipment.

Visitors enjoying the Teton Park Road are encouraged to be good stewards of the park and reminded:

Vehicles should slow down and use caution in the area.

Be respectful of other visitors enjoying the area and be thoughtful of how music may affect others. Operating an audio device, such as a stereo, Bluetooth speakers, radio, or musical instrument in a manner which is unreasonable and impacts park users is prohibited by law.

Water is not available at the trailhead or along the road. Be self-sufficient with water, snacks, and bicycle/skate repairs.

Vault toilets are available at Taggart Lake Trailhead and Cottonwood Picnic Area, with portable toilets located along the road between Cottonwood and North Jenny Lake Junction, and restroom facilities at Signal Mountain Lodge.

Pack it in, pack it out. There are limited trash receptacles at both ends of the road. Do not put trash in the portable toilets.

Dogs are permitted on the Teton Park Road. Dog owners are required to use a leash no longer than six feet in length and are required to clean up after their dogs. Waste disposal bag stations are located at each end of the road. Bags should be deposited into appropriate trash receptacles and not left along the road.

Consider beginning at the Signal Mountain end of the road as it is less busy and offers ample parking, restroom facilities, water filling station, and self-pay fuel pumps at Signal Mountain Lodge. Please respect the Signal Mountain Lodge area, as most facilities are not open to the public at this time.

. . . All park visitors should respect road closures and look for signs posted near the road regarding any recreational use or access. For information on park roads, visit https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/roads.htm or call 307-739-3682. . .

The paved multi-use pathways in the park are open whenever they are predominately free of snow and ice. Use of the pathway in the park is prohibited from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise. Pets are not permitted on the pathway.”

See also biking in Grand Teton National park.

Info about De Anza College Outdoor Club end of summer/early fall trips to Grand Teton National park in Wyoming starts at: Grand Tetons.