The National Park Service will resume construction activities addressing infrastructure needs in the southern portion of the Moose-Wilson Road. Construction will include paving the unpaved section of the road, improving trailheads and pullouts, and upgrading the Granite Canyon Entrance, while preserving the rustic character of the corridor to provide high-quality visitor opportunities, including wildlife and scenery viewing.
2023 Construction Impacts
Moose-Wilson Road Closure
The road is open to through traffic, seven days a week, with possible 20-minute delays.
Granite Canyon Trailhead is closed summer and fall 2023. The trail network is accessible from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Will open in December 2023 for winter recreation.
*RVs and trailers 23.3 feet in length or greater are not permitted on the Moose-Wilson Road at any time.
Granite Canyon Trailhead and Parking
Granite Canyon Trailhead is closed to all access during construction, seek alternatives.
First 1/2 mile of trail from the Granite Canyon Trailhead is closed
The road is tentatively scheduled to be open the following dates in 2023*:
7 p.m. Friday, May 26 through 7 a.m. Tuesday, May 30
7 p.m. Friday, June 2 through 7 a.m. Monday, June 5
7 p.m. Friday, June 9 through 7 a.m. Monday, June 12
7 p.m. Friday, June 16 through 7 a.m. Tuesday, June 20
7 p.m. Friday, June 23 through 7 a.m. Monday, June 26
3 p.m. Friday, June 30 through 7 a.m. Thursday, July 6
5 p.m. Friday, July 7 through 7 a.m. Monday, July 10
5 p.m. Friday, July 14 through 7 a.m. Monday, July 17
5 p.m. Friday, July 21 through 7 a.m. Monday, July 24
5 p.m. Friday, July 28 through 7 a.m. Monday, July 31
Road opens (with possible 20-minute delays) late July through October 31
*Subject to change
In autumn, the Moose-Wilson Road provides visitors with scenic views of fall foliage.
NPS Photo
Visitor Access
Granite Canyon Trails
Trails originating from the Granite Canyon Trailhead, including Granite Canyon, Marion Lake, and the Teton Crest Trail, will be accessible from Teton Village and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. To access park trails from Teton Village, park in the Ranch Lot and walk or take the shuttle bus to the base area. Begin hiking from here or ride up the Aerial Tram or Bridger Gondola (fees apply) to avoid hiking up the initial elevation.
Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve
The LSR Preserve Center and LSR Preserve trails will be open in 2023. Official trail road crossings will remain open with minimal reroutes during construction. The LSR Preserve will be accessible from the north via Moose based on road conditions and wildlife activity throughout the regular season. Access from the south via the Granite Canyon Entrance will be available on weekends (5 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Monday) through late July. In late July, the road will open to through traffic, seven days a week, with possible 20-minute delays.
Death Canyon Trailhead
The Death Canyon Trailhead will be accessible from the north via Moose based on road conditions and wildlife activity. Access from the south via the Granite Canyon Entrance will be available on weekends (5 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Monday) through late July. In late July, the road will open to through traffic, seven days a week, with possible 20-minute delays.
Biking
Bicycles will have the same access to the road as vehicles during construction. Use extreme caution when riding along the road through construction zones. Hazards and uneven road surfaces will be present in addition to the poor visibility around narrow, winding curves. Access from the south via the Granite Canyon Entrance will be available on weekends (5 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Monday) through late July. In late July, the road will open to through traffic, seven days a week, with possible 20-minute delays. When the southern portion of the road is closed to vehicles, it is closed to all use, including cycling. The northern portion of the road will be accessible to bicycles based on road conditions and wildlife activity.
Construction Improvements
Left image
Conceptional design rendering of upgraded Granite Canyon Trailhead.
Right image
The unpaved Granite Canyon Trailhead overflowing with vehicles on a summer day.
Phase I construction will take place between the Granite Canyon Entrance and the LSR Preserve.
Phase I
Location: Southern Portion of Moose-Wilson Road
Timeline: 2022-2023
Pave the gravel section
Repair and improve pullouts and roadway between the Granite Canyon Entrance and the LSR Preserve
Repair and improve the Granite Canyon Trailhead and Poker Flats horse trailer parking
Apply an overlay on the entrance road to the LSR Preserve
Rehab and expand the Granite Canyon Entrance Station
Construction on the Kaufmann Creek Bridge
Improve visitor information signage
The contractor plans to complete road base preparation in the spring before installing asphalt south of the LSRP. Plans are contingent on weather conditions and snow melt.
Granite Canyon Trailhead construction will be completed in the fall of this year with parking lot paving, the addition of vault toilets, concrete walks, pavement markings, signs, and site restoration.
Granite Entrance Station site construction will be completed in the fall with improved entrance and exit lanes, and construction of a bicycle connection to the Teton County pathway. Site restoration and the architectural addition at the entrance station will occur after the road construction is completed.
Poker Flats will open for equestrian activity in the fall, with an accessible horse mounting area and redesigned trails to better connect with the new parking area.
Phase II construction will take place between the LSR Preserve and the Death Canyon Trailhead and at the Moose-Wilson Road and Teton Park Road Intersection.
Phase II
Location: Northern Portion of Moose-Wilson Road
Timeline: 2024-2025
Repair the Death Canyon access road and junction
Repair and improve the Death Canyon Trailhead
Repair and improve pullouts on the road north of the LSR Preserve
Realign the north section of the roadway at the Teton Park Road Instersection
Improve the new Teton Park Road Instersection and bicycle transition
Final landscape and reclamation efforts of the former roadway
The unpaved section of the Moose-Wilson Road requires routine maintenance and repair.
NPS Photo/J. Bonney
Background
The Moose-Wilson Road is a 7.1 mile-long corridor located in the southwest area of Grand Teton National Park that seasonally connects key areas of the local community, such as the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Teton Village, and residential areas, with the interior of the park. The narrow, winding road includes approximately 1.4 miles of unpaved surface and is highly valued for its rustic character, opportunities for viewing wildlife and scenery, and access to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve and hiking trails.
Segments of roadway along the Moose-Wilson Road were never constructed to any design standard and have suffered from significant frost heaving and drainage issues, which contributes to the poor condition of the roadway. These issues continually degrade the roadway and require constant maintenance which is becoming inefficient.
Additionally, the road has inherent risks for motor vehicles and pedestrians that utilize it due to its narrow and winding character coupled with its alignment between a steep hillside, wetlands, and thick vegetation cover.
Project Overview
A Record of Decision for the Moose-Wilson Corridor Comprehensive Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement was approved in 2016. Documents may be found on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) web page. As part of a multi-year planning process, the park thoughtfully evaluated options to provide the greatest amount of visitor access with the lowest additional cost and construction duration, while providing for the safety of visitors and crews during construction activities. The selected action best protects the corridor’s natural and cultural resources and retains the character of the rustic road corridor. The Western Federal Lands Highway Division is overseeing the project in partnership with the National Park Service.
Work will be completed in phases, with the first phase implemented in 2022-2023, the second phase in 2024-2025, and additional phases designed and implemented in the future. Phase I of the Moose-Wilson Road project is funded by the Great American Outdoors Act legacy Restoration Fund. The GAOA was created to significantly reduce maintenance backlogs in national parks, public lands, and tribal schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Time for outside construction is limited and summer months are the best times to accomplish work. The park thoughtfully evaluated options to provide the greatest amount of visitor access with the lowest additional cost and construction duration.
Cyclists will access the road the same as vehicles.Access from the south via the Granite Canyon Entrance will be available on weekends (5 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Monday) through late July. In late July, the road will open to through traffic, seven days a week, with possible 20-minute delays.
When the road is closed to vehicles, it is closed to all use, including hiking, cycling, and running. However, there are several trail crossing areas along the roadway that will remain open to hikers who are utilizing a designated park trail. This also applies to horse users. Keep in mind there is a closure on the first half mile of the Granite Canyon Trail from the closed parking area.
Yes, backcountry permits will be available at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, Colter Bay Visitor Center, and the Jenny Lake Ranger Station during summer operations. Advanced backcountry permits are available via recreation.gov.
No parking is permitted within the construction area. Violators of this closure will likely have their vehicles towed or booted.
Yes, there will be access to the Granite Canyon Trailhead beginning in December 2023
Fees will be collected when the entrance station is staffed and through traffic is permitted.
Plan ahead and prepare for delays on your trip to Yellowstone.
Last updated: September 14, 2023
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Contact Info
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 170
Moose,
WY
83012
Phone:
307-739-3399
Talk to a Ranger? To speak to a Grand Teton National Park ranger call 307–739–3399 for visitor information Monday-Friday during business hours.
