Grand Teton National Park
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What is Grand Teton National Park?
Grand Teton National Park is a stunning, glacier-carved mountain region in northwestern Wyoming, just south of Yellowstone National Park. Established in 1929, it now spans 484 square miles (1,254 square km), incorporating most of the Teton Range and Jackson Hole.
The park's dominant feature is the Teton Range, rising dramatically from the valley floor, with the Grand Teton peak reaching 13,770 feet (4,198 meters). Jackson Hole, bisected by the Snake River, features a morainic landscape dotted with glacial lakes like Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake. Hiking is a popular activity on the park's extensive trail system.
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Where is Grand Teton National Park located?
Grand Teton National Park is a stunning, glacier-carved mountain area in northwestern Wyoming, just south of Yellowstone National Park and north of Jackson, Wyoming. The National Elk Refuge borders the park's far southeastern side. Grand Teton, which includes much of the Teton Range and most of Jackson Hole, a rich valley east of the Tetons, was established in 1929 and currently spans 484 square miles (1,254 square km). The Snake River runs through Jackson Hole. The park headquarters and visitor center are located in Moose.
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What natural features are found in Grand Teton National Park?
Grand Teton National Park, located in northwestern Wyoming, features a spectacular glaciated mountain region. The park encompasses much of the Teton Range and most of Jackson Hole, a fertile valley east of the Tetons, through which the Snake River runs.
The Teton Range's snow-covered peaks rise dramatically, with Grand Teton reaching 13,770 feet (4,198 meters). Glacial lakes, including Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake, dot the morainic landscape of the valley. These mountains feature U-shaped canyons formed by glaciers. The park's heavy snowfall helps sustain small residual glaciers in the high mountains.
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Why is the park named 'Grand Teton'?
The name "Grand Teton" for Grand Teton National Park and the Teton Range originates from early 19th-century French fur trappers. They referred to the three prominent peaks as les trois tƩtons, meaning "the three breasts." Grand Teton, the highest peak in the Teton Range, stands at 13,770 feet (4,198 meters) and towers over Jackson Hole valley. The park, established in 1929 and expanded in 1950, encompasses much of the Teton Range and Jackson Hole. Today, Grand Teton National Park is a major tourist destination known for its hiking trails and climbing routes.
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What animals live in Grand Teton National Park?
Grand Teton National Park is home to diverse wildlife. Herds of bison, elk, and antelope roam freely, while moose prefer the park's wetter regions. Both black and grizzly bears inhabit more remote areas. The streams are full of fish, and the park's many bird species include bald eagles and western bluebirds.
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What activities can visitors do in Grand Teton National Park?
Grand Teton National Park, located in northwestern Wyoming, is a popular destination offering many activities. Hiking enthusiasts can explore over 235 miles (380 km) of trails, while climbers can tackle routes of varying difficulty up the high peaks. The park's scenic beauty, with the Teton Range rising sharply from a lake-filled valley, provides breathtaking views. Keep an eye out for wildlife like moose while enjoying lunch by a stream. The park is accessible by road from the north, east, and south, with visitor centers at Moose and Colter Bay.
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Grand Teton National Park, spectacular glaciated mountain region in northwestern Wyoming, U.S. It lies just south of Yellowstone National Park (to which it is connected by the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway) and north of the city of Jackson; the National Elk Refuge adjoins the parkās far southeastern boundary. In 1950 most of Jackson Hole National Monument (established 1943) was incorporated into the park, which itself had been established in 1929; the park now covers 484 square miles (1,254 square km).
The park encompasses much of the Teton Range and most of Jackson Hole, a fertile valley just to the east of the Tetons, through which runs the Snake River. The snow-covered and glacially scoured peaks of the rangeāwhose highest point is Grand Teton, 13,770 feet (4,198 metres) above sea levelātower some 7,000 feet (2,130 meters) above Jackson Hole. The steep, rugged mountains give way to the morainic landscape of the valley, which is dotted with glacial lakes of varying sizes. The best-known of these is Jenny Lake, which lies at the base of the tallest peaks, and the largest is Jackson Lake, formed by a dam across the Snake River.
The national park has a generally cool montane climate, with warm summers and severe winters. High temperatures in July average about 80 Ā°F (27 Ā°C), and average lows in January are about 1 Ā°F (ā17 Ā°C). Precipitation is moderate, about 22 inches (560 mm) annually, much of it falling as snow in the colder months. The heavy amount of snowāaveraging some 15 feet (4.5 meters) per yearāhelps sustain small residual glaciers in the high mountains.
The lower elevations are forested with straight, tall lodgepole pines, which benefit from periodic wildfires (the heat releases seeds from the cones), while fir and sharp-pointed Engelmann spruce grow higher up. Deciduous trees, such as cottonwood, poplar, and aspen, grow in well-watered places. Throughout the warmer months a succession of different varieties of wildflowers appear, the earliest of which begin to bloom while still underneath the snow. The streams abound in fish. Herds of bison, elk, and antelope roam at will, moose graze in wetter areas, and black and brown (grizzly) bears are found in remote areas. Notable among the many species of birds are bald eagles and brilliantly colored western bluebirds.
Grand Teton is one of the most heavily visited of the U.S. national parks, with the great bulk of people coming during the warmer months (MayāOctober). The park is accessible by road from the north (Granite Canyon), east (Moran), and south (Moose). Park headquarters and a visitorās center are at Moose, and during the warmer months another visitorās center is open at Colter Bay on Jackson Lake. In addition to extensive camping facilities, the park has several seasonal lodging concessions, notably Jackson Lake Lodge a short distance south of Colter Bay. Grand Teton is renowned for its spectacular hiking trails, totaling more than 235 miles (380 km) throughout the park, and for climbing routes of varying skill levels up the high peaks.