• The Cathedral Group from the Teton Park Road

    Grand Teton

    National Park Wyoming

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Bears are active in Grand Teton

    Black and grizzly bears are roaming throughout the park--near roads, trails and in backcountry areas. Hikers and backcountry users are advised to travel in groups of three or more, make noise and carry bear spray. Visitors must stay 100 yards from bears. More »

  • Area closure in the area around Baxter's Pinnacle

    An area closure is in effect around Baxter's Pinnacle to protect nesting peregrine falcons. This closure precludes any climbs of Baxter's Pinnacle and usage of the walk-off gully. This closure will be in effect through 8-15-2013. More »

  • Area Closure in effect in the Elk Ranch area

    A temporary area closure is in effect in the Elk Ranch Area to protect wildlife during the denning and young-rearing period. Follow the link for a map of the closed area. More »

Elk Management Program

Elk grazing in the sagebrush with Mt. Moran in the background with new snow.

Elk grazing with new snow in the mountains.

Dan Ng

Elk Reduction Program
The elk (Cervus elaphus) that summer within Grand Teton National Park migrate between the park and the National Elk Refuge located southeast of the park. These elk are managed as a part of the Jackson elk herd, the largest elk herd in North America. In 1950 when Congress expanded the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park, they included a provision to manage the elk population through an annual elk reduction program.

Elk management is complex. The 2007 Bison and Elk Management Plan calls for 5,000 elk to winter on the National Elk and a summer herd segment in Grand Teton National Park of 1,600. The Wyoming Game & Fish Department has set a target objective of 11,000 elk for the Jackson herd that includes the park herd segment.

Hunters with a valid Wyoming elk hunting license and a park permit harvest elk during the annual elk reduction program. Hunters interested in participating in the program should contact Wyoming Game & Fish Department. Hunting occurs in the park from early-October through early December. Please see the elk brochure for more information about elk ecology and a map of the hunt areas. Changes to the 2013 elk reduction program were announced March 13, 2013. Please read the press release for more information.

If you are recreating in the park during the reduction period in areas open to hunting, the park recommends that you wear orange or other bright colors to alert hunters of your presence. Please read the Elk Reduction in Progress flyer for more information.

Did You Know?

Pronghorn

Did you know that pronghorns are the fastest mammals in the western hemisphere? They can run up to 70 mph, but do not like to jump fences! In the summer, pronghorn live along Antelope Flats Road, but in fall they migrate almost 200 miles to central Wyoming.