Ranger Programs

Park rangers provide a wide variety of activities for park visitors including hikes, slide shows, children's activities and wildlife viewing. While most programs are offered during the busy summer season, fall brings the wildlife caravan for wildlife watching and spring is the time to visit if you would like to see the sage grouse strut. Check at a visitor center to learn about special programs. For more information about program schedules download the park newspaper.

Spring Programs
Summer Programs
Autumn Programs
Winter Programs

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Junior Ranger Program

2013 Summer Programs

A variety of ranger-led activities take place throughout the park during the summer season. Summer programs begin in early June and last through Labor Day weekend. Join a ranger to learn about the wild communities, history and geology of the park. Regularly scheduled programs are described below, but districts also offer special programs throughout the summer. Unfortunately we will not be offering any evening programs this summer. Check at a visitor center for upcoming special programs. Summer programs are grouped by park district. For more detailed information about these activities, please view the park newspaper or inquire at a visitor center.

Moose District

Taggart Lake Hike
Hike with a ranger along the scenic Taggart Lake Trail, where a variety of stories unfold. The hike leaves at 9 am from the Taggart Lake Trailhead. Be prepared for a 3-mile, 2-hour long hike. Topics vary. Offered daily.

Map Chat
Join a ranger around the raised-relief map in the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center in Moose hear about the stories behind the scenery. Learn about the wildlife that calls this place home and the forces that shaped this landscape during a 30 minute presentation at 10:30 am. Topics vary. Offered daily.

A Walk into the Past
Join a ranger for a walking tour of the Menor's Ferry Historic District. Discover the history of this homestead, settlement of the valley and formation of the park. See a replica of the ferry that once crossed the Snake River. Meet at the ferry dock for a 45 minute tour beginning at 2:30 pm. Offered daily.

Nature in a Nutshell
Short on time? Explore Grand Teton's diverse natural world in 20 minutes. Topics vary. Program begins a 1 pm. Offered: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Bear Safety
Discover techniques that will help you stay safe while traveling and camping in bear country. Includes instruction in the use of bear pepper spray. Offered at 1 pm for 20 minutes: Sunday and Wednesday.

Jenny Lake District

Inspiration Point Hike
Join a ranger to learn about the formation of this magnificent landscape on a hike to Hidden Falls and on to Inspiration Point. This is a great family activity! To reserve your space, please obtain a token for each member of your group at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center prior to meeting the ranger. This activity is limited to 25 on a first-come, first-served basis. Meet the ranger in front of the Jenny Lake Visitor Center at 8:30 am. We will take a shuttle boat across Jenny Lake (fee charged), and hike one mile up to Inspiration Point climbing 420 feet. The ranger will leave you at 11:00 am. at Inspiration Point. Offered daily.

Bear Safety
Discover techniques that will help you stay safe while traveling and camping in bear country. Includes instruction in the use of bear pepper spray. Meet in front of the Jenny Lake Visitor Center at 1:30 pm for 20 minutes, offered daily.

Colter Bay District

Teton Topics
Gain insight into the stories behind the scenery, including geology, wildlife, history and other topics. Meet the ranger at the visitor center back deck at 10 am for 30 minutes, offered daily.

Swan Lake Hike
Hike through forest and wetland communities and learn about the plants and animals living in the park. Meet the ranger at the visitor center flagpole. Offered daily at 1 pm, lasts 3 hours, distance 3 miles, difficulty easy.

Bear Safety
Discover techniques that will help you stay safe while traveling and camping in bear country. Including instruction in the use of bear pepper spray. Meet on the visitor center back deck at 4 pm for 20 minutes, offered daily.

Tipi Demo
Join a ranger to learn about the structure the plains Indians called home. Meet in the Colter Bay amphitheater at 9 am for 45 minutes, offered Wednesday.

Indian Arts & Culture
Join a ranger for an in-depth look at a facet of American Indian art and culture. Meet in the Colter Bay Visitor Center auditorium at 1:30 pm for 45 minutes, offered Tuesday.

Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve

Explore the Preserve Hike
Open your senses and immerse yourself in the pristine setting of the Preserve. Join a ranger at 9:30 am for a three mile hike along the Lake Creek Trail through forest and meadows to the shore of Phelps Lake offering dramatic views of the Teton Range. Reservations recommended [phone]. Group size 10. Offered daily.

Critter Chat
Every day a different animal or insect is the star of this fun, family friendly program. Meet on the porch of the Preserve Center at 3:30 pm for 30 minutes. Offered daily.

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Hikers near Taggart Lake in Fall

2012 Autumn Programs (note 2013 offerings will change)

Moose District

Map Chat
Join a ranger around the raised-relief map in the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center in Moose to hear about the stories behind the scenery. Learn about the wildlife that calls this place home and the forces that shaped this landscape during a 30 minute presentation at 11:30 am.

Autumn Stroll
Hike with a ranger along the scenic Taggart Lake Trail, where a variety of stories unfold. The hike leaves at 1:30 pm from the Taggart Lake Trailhead. Be prepared for a 3 mile, 2 1/2 hour long hike (1.5 miles guided).

Wildlife Caravan
Travel with a ranger to look for wildlife during the early evening; the best viewing time. Be prepared to drive or ride to multiple locations. Dress warmly and bring binoculars or spotting scopes. Limited to 10 vehicles. Reservations are required. Please call the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, [phone], or make reservations in person. Ride sharing will be strongly encouraged. Meet at the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center in Moose at 5 pm. The tour lasts 3 hours.

Jenny Lake District

Explore Jenny Lake
Explore Grand Teton National Park by joining a ranger on a hike around the south end of Jenny Lake. Meet the ranger at the flagpole in front of the Jenny Lake Visitor Center at 9:30 am for a 3 mile, 2.5 hour excursion.

Bear Safety
Discover techniques that will help you stay safe while traveling and camping in bear country. Includes instruction in the use of bear pepper spray. Meet at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center flagpole at 2:30 pm for a 20 minute program.

Colter Bay District

Teton Highlights
Wondering what to do and see in the park? Join a ranger for 30 minutes at 11 am in the Colter Bay Visitor Center Auditorium for some great ideas.

Oxbow Bend Wildlife Watch
Join a ranger at the Oxbow Bend Overlook for an evening wildlife watch. Stop by anytime between 6:00 pm and 7:30 pm to scan the area for birdlife and large mammals.

Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve

Explore the Preserve Hike
Open your senses and immerse yourself in the pristine setting of the Preserve. Join a ranger at 9:30 am for a three mile hike lasting 2.5 hours along the Lake Creek Trail through forest and meadows to the shore of Phelps Lake offering dramatic views of the Teton Range. Reservations recommended [phone]. Group size 10.

Autumn at the Preserve
Join a ranger to hear about the interesting adaptations that occur in animals and plants with the changing of the seasons. Stop by the Preserve Center anytime between 10:30 am. and 11:45 am.

Fireside Chat
Pull up a chair by our fireplace for a ranger program on a variety of subjects including wildlife of the Preserve, history of the JY Ranch, environmental topics, conversation and literature. Join us in the resource room at 4 pm for 30 minutes. Wheelchair accessible.

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Visitors on ranger-lead snowshoe hike near the Snake River.

Winter Programs

Join a ranger for an educational and fun hike through the snow. Rangers offer guided snowshoe hikes from the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. Programs begin on December 26th and run through mid-March, conditions permitting. Reservations are required, call [phone] for more details and to make reservations. Reservations are accepted beginning on December 1, 2012. Please wear appropriate winter clothing (e.g. hat, gloves, snow/wind pants, boots, etc.) and don't forget your sunscreen and sunglasses. Snowshoes are available for a rental fee of $5 for adults and $2 for children, 8 years or older.

Programs are offered daily at 1:30 p.m. and last two hours, ending at 3:30 p.m.

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Sage grouse displaying during spring strut.

Spring Programs

Join a ranger for a special opportunity to view sage grouse during their spring strut. Meet the ranger at 5:30 am and caravan to a lek where male sage grouse put on a spectacular display for the females. Reservations are required, call [phone] for more information and to make reservations beginning on April 1. Grouse strut programs will tentatively be offered the last three weekends in April, 2013: 4/13-14, 4/20-21, and 4/27-28. Come join us to witness this amazing display!

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