The flood gates are open and Grand Teton National Park is awash in visitors setting a new high mark for the month of March.
March saw 74,754 recreation visits, nearly 25,000 more visitors than March 2020 which tallied 51,445. In 2019, March had 65,864 visitors.
With continuing mostly dry weather, April is on track to also rack up big numbers.
âWe are seeing increased visitors using the Teton Park Road this spring,â said Denise Germann, park public affairs officer recently. âIt may be a sign of what is to come this summer. Last weekend was one of the busiest weâve seen in years.â
The park also set a visitation record for the month of January with 66,585 visitors. February, a particularly stormy month, was down with only 53,108 recreational visitors.
Lured by warm temps and smooth pavement without cars, outdoor enthusiasts (and their dogs) are flocking to Grand Teton National Park.
A 14-mile section of Teton Park Road opened last month to non-motorized recreation and has already seen so many visitors the park is expanding services to meet demand.
The park has increased parking access between the Taggart Lake Trailhead and Cottonwood Picnic Area and added additional portable restrooms, although strong winds tossed some of them over on Saturday. They also plan to add a staffed mobile information trailer, according to a recent press release.
Since dogs arenât allowed on park trails, the road is a rare opportunity for park visitors to stretch their legs alongside four-legged friends.
Enjoying the park and getting outside via non-motorized travel on the Teton Park Road between the Taggart Lake Trailhead and Signal Mountain Lodge is an incredible spring experience for many. Park visitors are reminded to recreate responsibly, especially during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, as they enjoy the outdoor opportunity.
The 14-mile section of the Teton Park Road is currently open to non-motorized travel through Friday, April 30, including walking, bicycling and rollerblading. The road will open to public motor vehicle traffic on Saturday, May 1.
Recent recreational use on the Teton Park Road has been very busy. Park staff anticipated a busy spring season on the road and implemented several changes. These changes include increased parking access between the Taggart Lake Trailhead and Cottonwood Picnic Area during peak use, a staffed mobile information trailer, and additional portable restrooms. There will also be increased signage to encourage speed reduction for everyone
Park road opens without traffic jhnewsandguide.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from jhnewsandguide.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Spring plowing operations begin next week
MOOSE, Wyo. (KIFI) Spring plowing will begin in Grand Teton National Park on Monday, March 22.
The plowing operations mark the end of over-snow access on the 14-mile section of the Teton Park Road between Taggart Lake Trailhead and the Signal Mountain area.
For safety reasons, visitors may not access the Teton Park Road once plowing operations are underway. Rotary snow removal equipment and plows may be working at any time, and the roadway will be closed to all users at all times until further notice. Skiers and those on snow shoes using areas adjacent to the roadway are cautioned to avoid the arc of snow blown from the rotary equipment because pieces of ice and gravel can be thrown great distances.