If you don’t find the answer to your question here check at park visitor centers and entrance stations, as well as the park’s Facebook and Twitter accounts at GrandTetonNPS, park’s mobile app, park eclipse info line at 307-739-3566, and park road info line at 307-739-3682. Additional community information, including Bridger-Teton National Forest information, can be found at tetoneclipse.com.
Q. How can you get the best view of the eclipse?
A. We encourage visitors to park along the Gros Ventre Road, on the south end of the park, located in the path of totality. This area is being specifically staffed and managed for visitor parking and viewing of the eclipse.
Q. Where will the eclipse be visible?
A. A partial eclipse will be visible anywhere in the lower 48, with a narrow band of totality that will stretch across the country, including across the southern end of Grand Teton National Park. The location of the Sun/eclipse on the morning of August 21 will be more in the southern sky and NOT over the Tetons.
Q. Will there be park employees or volunteers to help me view the eclipse?
A. There will be four viewing areas with interpretive rangers and telescopes to aid in eclipse viewing. These will be located at the Gros Ventre Campground, Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, Jackson Lake Lodge, and the Colter Bay Visitor Center.
Q. Do I or my children need special glasses for viewing the eclipse?
A. We can’t stress this enough: everyone will need eclipse glasses in order to view the eclipse. Sunglasses and welding glasses will not protect your eyes. A variety of viewing glasses are available from Grand Teton Association, online or from their outlets in each park visitor center, as well as the interagency visitor center in Jackson. Viewing glasses are also available from several vendors in the local communities.
Q. Does it matter if you use binoculars or telescope? If so is there a special lens or way you to view it?
A. Yes, special filters are needed for binoculars, telescopes and cameras. Your equipment, and possibly your vision, will be damaged if not properly designed or fitted for a solar eclipse. Please consult a camera or media store for filter specifics for your device.
Q. Does the weather affect the eclipse?
A. The eclipse will happen no matter the weather. Clear skies are best for ideal viewing conditions.
Q. Does it cost to enter the park and view the eclipse?
A. On the day of the eclipse, Monday, August 21, entrance fees for Grand Teton National Park will be waived, helping to facilitate traffic flow at the entrance stations. Entrances fees will be charged all other days.
Q. Where can people park?
A. Parking is available first-come first-served at most designated pullouts and parking areas in the park. Parking for eclipse viewing will not be allowed in the park prior to 6 a.m. on August 21. Roadside parking will not be allowed along US Hwy 26/89/191, the Teton Park Road, or the Moose-Wilson Road.
Q. Will the Moose-Wilson Road be open the day of the eclipse?
A. Yes, the Moose-Wilson Road will be open the day of the eclipse.
Q. Where will restrooms be located?
A. Restrooms are available at all visitor centers and at most trailheads. The park has rented a number of portable toilets that will be strategically located in high-use areas such as along the Gros Ventre Road. These locations are subject to change based on availability and projected needs.
Q. What will happen to the animals?
A. Most animals will behave and take actions as routine for sunset and dusk activities.
Q. How can I best prepare for the eclipse?
A. The top things to be prepared are:
1. Have ample water and snacks for everyone in your party to last for the entire day. Please note that groceries/supplies may be limited in the days leading up to and following the eclipse, so stock up early.
2. Have your vehicle filled with fuel.
3. Have appropriate solar eclipse viewing glasses (glasses will be available for purchase at park visitor centers) and appropriate filter for your camera.
4. Be patient, expect long lines and congestion, and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. Plan to arrive and at your viewing area before the eclipse commences at 10:16 am.
5. Do not expect to have cell phone access or internet service in most areas of the park.
6. Pack it in, pack it out.
7. Know where the closest restroom will be to your viewing area.
Q. What happens if I’m involved in a motor vehicle accident during the day of the eclipse?
A. Call or text 911 with the location of your accident and the nature of any injuries. All emergency requests will be prioritized and responded to as quickly as feasible.
Q. Will there be water/food available in the park?
A. There are several concessioners in the park that offer food and drinks. Refillable water stations are located at visitor centers and campgrounds. It is best to come prepared with water and snacks for everyone in your group for the day.
Q. Is lodging available in the park, or in the local community?
A. There are several concessioners in the park that offer overnight accommodations, but, most accommodations have been sold out for the dates around the eclipse. For information about lodging availability please contact the concessioners directly, or for lodging in Jackson, please visit https://www.jacksonholechamber.com/events-calendar/total-solar-eclipse/.
Q. Where can I camp in the park?
A. Camping in the park is only allowed at designated campgrounds. Most campgrounds are first-come, first-served, but it highly anticipated that the sites will fill in advance of the eclipse.
Q. Are pets allowed in the park?
A. Pets are allowed anywhere you can take a car. They are not allowed in buildings, on park trails, in rivers or in lakes (except Jackson Lake). Pets must be kept on a leash (6 feet or less) at all times, and within 30 feet of roadways.
Q. Can I climb the peaks to get a better view?
A. The backcountry is open to climbers and hikers. Many peaks are expected to see increased visitation. Rescue resources will be extremely limited, so appropriate skill level relevant to the climb or hike is essential to your safety. Backcountry permits are required for overnight trips. Campers must use all nights on a permit to keep the permit valid. If a night on the permit is not used, the permit is automatically cancelled.
Q. How long is the eclipse?
A. In Grand Teton National Park, the eclipse will begin at about 10:15 a.m. and end at about 1 p.m. The period of totality will begin at 11:34 and last for a little over 2 minutes from the Colter Bay area to the south boundary of the park.
Q. What happens if I get to my spot and it’s filled with people?
A. You will need to go somewhere else. All parking in designated parking areas and pullouts are first-come, first-served.
Q. What can I expect regarding traffic the day of the eclipse?
A. Expect heavy traffic and congestion on the day of the eclipse, as well as the days before and after the eclipse. Immediately after the eclipse and into the afternoon expect very congested traffic and gridlock.
Q. Can I park alongside any road to view the eclipse?
A. For safety reasons, roadside parking will not be allowed on US Hwy 26/89/191, the Teton Park Road, or the Moose-Wilson Road. Parking will only be allowed in designated pullouts, parking areas and parking lots in addition to the temporary one-way section of the Gros Ventre Road from Gros Ventre Junction with US Hwy 26/89/191 to the community of Kelly. Eclipse viewing parking will not be allowed before 6 am on August 21.
Q. Am I able to watch the eclipse from boat or any watercraft?
A. If you have the proper permits to be on park waters, you are able to watch the eclipse from a boat or watercraft. Permits required include a park boat permit and a Wyoming Game and Fish Aquatic Invasive Species decal. Trailer parking will be limited.
Q. What is the diamond effect?
A. The diamond-ring effect occurs at the beginning and end of totality. It is a dwindling patch of bright sunlight still visible as the Sun disappears and the shadow of the moon makes its appearance, and as the Sun begins to reappear. It looks like a ring with glittering light or diamonds on it.
Q. Do I need bear spray?
A. Grand Teton National Park is home to black and grizzly bears and it is always highly encouraged that visitors have bear spray accessible when hiking and visiting the park. It is also very important that visitors “pack it in and pack it out”- do not leave food or attractants unattended at any time and always dispose of your trash appropriately.
Q. What if I have an emergency or car trouble?
A. If you have an emergency, please dial or text 911. Please note that it is anticipated to be a very busy time on the day of the eclipse, as well as the days leading to and after the eclipse. All emergency requests will be prioritized and responded to as quickly as feasible.
Q. Will the park be selling Grand Teton National Park eclipse items?
A. Yes, Grand Teton Association is selling eclipse items at all visitor centers in the park, and at the interagency visitor center in Jackson. Concessioners in the park are also selling eclipse items, as well as many vendors in local communities.
Q. Will there be public transit to the park?
A. There is no public transit transportation to the park. Carpooling and alternative forms of travel such as biking and hiking are highly encouraged.
Q. How early do I need to arrive to get parking?
A. The earliest anyone will be able to park for the event is 6 am. Overnight parking/camping is not allowed in areas outside a designated campground.
Q. Can I bring a lawn chair and set up in the sage?
A. Yes, but please minimize your impacts to the vegetation. Do not damage or remove any vegetation, and please pack out everything you pack in.
Q. Am I able to purchase vehicle gas and diesel in the park?
A. Yes, fuel is available from concessioners at Signal Mountain, Jackson Lake Lodge, Colter Bay and Flagg Ranch, and at private business Dornans.
Q. What can I expect after the eclipse is over?
A. Extremely congested traffic and gridlock in some areas, as well as very busy facilities.
Q. Can we drink alcohol while watching the eclipse?
A. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is allowed on park lands except in park visitor centers and official government offices. Open containers and consuming alcohol in vehicles is prohibited. Please drink responsibly.
Q. Can we bring our own food and drinks?
A. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and arrive with ample food and drink for the entire party for the day. Please pack it in and pack it out and dispose of trash and recyclable materials properly.
Q. Where will I be able to put my trash?
A. Trash and recycling will be available at the Moose, Jenny Lake, and Colter Bay visitor centers. An additional collection station will be set up at the Cunningham Cabin pullout. Trash and recycling services will not be available at park pullouts or along the Gros Ventre Road.
Q. Will there be RV dump stations I can use that are located in the park?
A. RV dump stations are located at some park campgrounds (Gros Ventre, Signal Mountain, and Colter Bay Campgrounds) for campground customers.
Q. Can I float the Snake River during the eclipse?
A. All park waters designated for watercraft use are open during the eclipse. Please have the appropriate knowledge and skills to navigate a braided and ever-changing waterway. Park boat permits and Wyoming Game and Fish Department Aquatic Invasive Species decals are required.
Q. Will my cell phone work?
A. It is anticipated that cell coverage, as well as internet service, may not work due to the number of users in the area.
Q. Will I have access to the internet?
A. It is anticipated that there may be no internet access the day of the eclipse due to the high volume of use.
Q. How will I be able to obtain current info on road info?
A. Call the park road information line at 307-739-3682, eclipse information line at 307-739-3566, or contact a park ranger at a visitor center or nearby. Variable message boards will be located along roadways to communicate traffic and road information.
Q. Can I park and hike through sage to find location to watch the eclipse?
A. As long as you are legally parked in a turnout or parking area, you are allowed to hike in any area of the park not under a special closure. Do not damage or remove any vegetation, and please pack out everything you pack in.
Q. What will be the best way to depart the park after the eclipse?
A. The roads may come to gridlock. Expect delays and possible long lines to get to Jackson or Yellowstone National Park. Visitors should have a full tank of gas and extra food and drinks in anticipation of long waits. The Gros Ventre Road will be on-way direction from approximately 5:30 am to 5 pm.
Q. Will there be any parking fees?
A. There are no parking fees in Grand Teton National Park. There is an entrance fee for the park, but the fee will be waived the day of the eclipse to facilitate traffic flow at the entrance stations. Park entrance fee will be charged every day other than the day of eclipse.
Q. Will the park have additional resources to manage the event?
A. The park has requested additional law enforcement and emergency services personnel to manage the event. Additionally, all park staff working that day, and not essential to another operation, will be assisting with eclipse activities.
Q. Can I camp in the backcountry to see the eclipse?
A. Backcountry camping in the park is only allowed with a permit. Permits are available on a first-come first-served basis and are highly limited due to high demand. Campers must use all nights on a permit to keep the permit valid. If a camper fails to use any night on the permit, the permit is automatically cancelled. Campers without valid permits will be turned away at the trailheads or escorted from the backcountry and issued citations.
Q. How many people are expected to visit the park on the day of the eclipse?
A. It is unknown how many visitors will be at the park to view the eclipse, although it is anticipated to be the busiest day in the history of the park.
Q. Can I ride my bike to the eclipse?
A. Yes, the park multi-use pathway will remain open during the eclipse. Bikes will be allowed on the pathways and on roads open to vehicles.
Q. How long will the Gros Ventre Road from the junction with Hwy 26/89/191 to Kelly be one-way traffic only?
A. The road is anticipated to be one-way traffic only from about 5:30 am to 5 pm on August 21. This may change depending on traffic congestion and the ability to clear the road.
Q. Where can I find more information regarding the eclipse?
A. Park information will be shared at visitor centers and entrance stations, as well as the park’s website, Facebook and Twitter accounts at GrandTetonNPS, park’s mobile app, park eclipse info line at 307-739-3566, and park road info line at 307-739-3682. Additional community information, including Bridger-Teton National Forest information, can be found at tetoneclipse.com.
Q. Am I allowed to sell goods/food inside the park?
A. No. Any sales inside the park must have a permit or agreement with the park.
Q. Am I allowed to hand out flyers or promotional materials in the park?
A. No. If someone wants to exercise their first amendment rights they should contact the park for a permit and information on designated demonstration areas.
