Grand Teton is home to diverse wildlife, including some of North America's most iconic species. Large mammals include elk, moose, bison, pronghorn antelope, black bears, and grizzly bears. The park supports notable predator populations including wolves, mountain lions, and coyotes. Smaller mammals like beaver, pine marten, and pika are common. The park is also a crucial bird habitat, with over 300 species recorded, including bald eagles, osprey, and trumpeter swans. Several species, including the grizzly bear and wolf, are considered threatened or endangered, making the park vital for their conservation.
The park's vegetation varies dramatically with elevation, creating distinct life zones. The valley floor features sagebrush grasslands and riparian areas with cottonwood and willow. Mid-elevations support coniferous forests dominated by lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, and Engelmann spruce. Alpine zones above treeline host hardy wildflowers and small plants adapted to extreme conditions. The park boasts over 1,000 species of vascular plants, including colorful wildflowers like Indian paintbrush (Wyoming's state flower), lupine, and columbine. Many of these plants have adapted to the short growing season and harsh mountain environment.
The dramatic Teton Range was formed through a combination of tectonic uplift and glacial carving over millions of years. The mountains began rising along the Teton fault approximately 13 million years ago, while the valley floor simultaneously sank. The range's distinctive jagged appearance results from extensive glaciation during the last ice age, which carved U-shaped valleys and created numerous alpine lakes. The central peak, Grand Teton, rises abruptly 7,000 feet from the valley floor, reaching an elevation of 13,775 feet. The range is one of the youngest in the Rocky Mountains and continues to be shaped by active fault movement, erosion, and weather.
The Teton region has been home to indigenous peoples for over 11,000 years, with the Shoshone being the most recent native inhabitants. The first European explorers arrived in the early 1800s, including John Colter of the Lewis and Clark expedition. The area became significant for fur trading, and later homesteaders and ranchers settled in Jackson Hole valley. The original Grand Teton National Park was established in 1929, protecting the Teton Range and several lakes. In 1950, through the efforts of John D. Rockefeller Jr., who secretly purchased and donated land, the park was expanded to include much of Jackson Hole valley, creating the park as we know it today.
The park's most distinctive features include the Cathedral Group of peaks, with Grand Teton as the centerpiece, and the glacially-carved valleys and lakes at their base. Jenny Lake, Jackson Lake, and String Lake offer stunning mountain reflections and recreational opportunities. Mormon Row, featuring historic homestead buildings against the mountain backdrop, is one of the park's most photographed locations. The Snake River winds through the park, creating dramatic landscapes and important wildlife corridors. Teton Glacier, though diminishing, remains one of the few active glaciers in the park. The Teton fault scarp, visible along the mountain front, provides clear evidence of the area's ongoing geological activity.
Grand Teton National Park experiences dramatic seasonal variations typical of a mountain environment. Summers are mild and pleasant with average highs around 80°F (27°C), while winters are long and severe with temperatures often dropping below 0°F (-18°C). The park receives significant snowfall, averaging 450 inches annually in the mountains and 175 inches in the valley. Spring and fall are brief transitional seasons marked by unpredictable weather patterns. July and August typically offer the most stable weather conditions, though afternoon thunderstorms are common. Visitors should always be prepared for sudden weather changes regardless of season.
USA
43.7900°, -110.6800°
February 26, 1929
1254
Grand Teton National Park features the majestic Teton Range, pristine lakes, and extraordinary wildlife. The park is known for its stunning mountain scenery, opportunities for mountaineering, and abundant wildlife including elk, moose, and bison. The Snake River winds through the park, offering scenic float trips and fishing.