Snow Removal on the Teton Park Road to Begin April 1st

Rotary snowplow opening the Teton Park Road in spring 2012

News Release Date: March 28, 2013

Contact: Public Affairs Office, 307.739.3393

Grand Teton National Park road crews will begin their annual spring plowing of the Teton Park Road from Taggart Lake parking area to Signal Mountain Lodge on Monday, April 1, 2013. As plowing operations get underway, recreation on this winter trail will cease for the season. Visitors may continue to use other winter trails, or areas adjacent to the Teton Park Road, for skate-skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing until conditions are no longer favorable. 

For safety reasons, park visitors may NOT access the Teton Park Road while rotary snow removal equipment and plows are working; the roadway is closed to ALL users during this time.   

Skiers and snowshoers using areas adjacent to the Teton Park Road are cautioned to avoid the arc of snow being blown from the rotary equipment because pieces of ice and gravel can be mixed with the spray. Park rangers will enforce the temporary closure to ensure safe conditions for plow operators and visitors alike. 

Depending on weather, snow conditions and plowing progress, the roadway should become accessible to traditional springtime activities by mid-April. Once the Teton Park Road opens to non-motorized use, people should be alert for park vehicles that occasionally travel for administrative purposes and for snow plowing operations that continue as a result of late-season snowstorms. 

The Teton Park Road will open to vehicle traffic on Wednesday, May 1, 2013.  

Due to budget reductions from sequestration, the Moose-Wilson Road, Antelope Flats, Death Canyon and Signal Mountain Summit roads will not be plowed this spring. Vehicles can access these roads once they have naturally melted out and road closed signs are removed. Grassy Lake Road in the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway is close for the winter and will remain closed to all vehicles from April 1 to May 31, due to springtime grizzly bear activity. Although the Grassy Lake Road will be open to vehicles for the 2013 summer season, dispersed campsites and vault toilets along the road will not open due to budget reductions. 

Leashed dogs are permitted on the Teton Park Road and other park roads; however they are restricted to roads and turnouts-they are not permitted to travel beyond the roadbeds, into the park's backcountry, or on the multi-use pathways. Owners are required to keep pets on a leash (six foot maximum length). Mutt Mitt stations are in place at the Taggart Lake parking area and pet owners are required to use these disposal bags.  

As a reminder, entrance stations are operating and collecting fees. Fee options are as follows:

• $12 for 7-day permit for foot/bicycle entry into Grand Teton & Yellowstone national parks
• $20 for 7-day permit for motorcycle entry into Grand Teton & Yellowstone national parks
• $25 for 7-day permit for vehicle entry into Grand Teton & Yellowstone national parks
• $50 for Grand Teton/Yellowstone Annual Pass valid for one-year entry into both parks
• $80 for Interagency Annual Pass valid for one year entry to all fee areas on federal lands 

When entering the park using a pass, please be sure to bring personal identification. Bicyclists are required to stop and show a pass before proceeding through the gates, just as motorized vehicles are required to do.