With plenty of snow still lingering, there is more than one way to enjoy Grand Teton during the early spring. Tie on your shoes, hop on your bike, or click into your cross country skis and head for Teton Park Road.
As the first signs of spring begin to emerge in Grand Teton, we can only think of one thing to remedy the post-winter-pre-summer blues—a snow and car free park road during the month of April! Recent plowing efforts have cleared the Teton Park Road of snow and it will be closed to vehicle traffic until May 1st. This means that visitors who wish to travel by foot, bike, or rollerblade are free to explore the distance between the Bradley-Taggart trailhead and Signal Mountain without sharing the pavement with cars. A favorite time of year among locals, the month of April provides a unique recreational experience in Grand Teton before the busy summer season.
The roadway is clear of snow and is accessible for springtime activities, but there are a few important things to remember before your trip. Leashed dogs are permitted on the road; however, they are restricted to only roads and turnouts. Dogs are not permitted to travel beyond the road, into the park’s backcountry, or on the multi-use pathways. Please be sure to pick up after your pets! Visitors should remain alert for park vehicles and snow plowing operations that continue due to late-season snow storms.
For those of you not quite ready to hang up your skis, this winter’s abundant snowfall provides a great opportunity for “crust cruising” in the park. Although there is no longer a groomed track, freezing temperatures overnight create a firm, skiable surface for those wishing to venture off-piste and explore the valley floor in Grand Teton. Grab your cross country skis and head out for an adventure in the morning hours before the snow becomes too soft!