Thing to Do

Moose-Wilson Road in Winter

Grand Teton National Park

Sunlit blue sky with a meandering creek running through a snow and ice covered marsh.

Grand Teton National Park

Phelps Lake in Winter
Phelps Lake Overlook in Winter

NPS Photo

The Moose-Wilson Road is a corridor road connecting the towns of Moose and Wilson. In the winter the road is closed from the south at the Granite Trailhead and from the north at the Death Canyon Junction, providing 3 miles (4.8 km) of walking, skiing, and snowshoeing. As you ski or snowshoe on the road you will wind through forest and marsh habitats, covered in deep snow and ice. Be aware that not all is frozen underfoot, as moving water under ice can be dangerous—use caution.
Group of skiers traveling up a tree lined snow covered road

NPS Photo

Trails

Moose–Wilson Road

Easy, 5.8 miles (9.3 km) round-trip, total climbing: 500 feet (152 m).
From either the north, Death Canyon Road gate, or the south, Granite Canyon Trailhead Gate, the Moose-Wilson Road is a heavily skier, snowshoer, and walker tracked trail. It gains elevation generally from the south to the north, but has numerous ups and downs along the way. Many skier tracked trails lead off the road to different destinations, know where you are going and how to get back.

Phelps Lake Overlook (from north)

Moderate, 5.2 miles (8.7 km) round-trip, total climbing: 730 feet (222 m).
Start at the Death Canyon Road gate and head north 1.6 miles. You will pass the White Grass Road gate and continue on to the Death Canyon Trailhead. From the Death Canyon Trailhead it is 0.1 mile to the Valley Trail then head southwest, to the left, on the trail 0.9 miles to the Phelps Lake Overlook. Return by the same route.

Phelps Lake (from north)

Moderate, 4.0 miles (6.4 km) round-trip, total climbing: 300 feet (91 m).
Start at the Moose-Wilson Road gate and head south 1.2 miles. On the right side of the road near the entrance to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve take the skier tracked trail up Wister Draw 0.8 miles to Phelps Lake. Return by the same route or make a loop by connecting to the old ranch road winter trail then go north on the Moose-Wilson Road.

Phelps Lake (from south)

Moderate, 4.6 miles (7.4 km) round-trip, total climbing: 450 feet (137 m).
Start at the Granite Canyon Trailhead gate on the Moose-Wilson Road. Head north 1.2 miles to a sharp turn in the road and go on a skier tracked trail along an old ranch road to the northwest. Climb moderately 1.1 miles to a stunning winter view of Phelps Lake. Return by the same route or make a loop by connecting to the Wister Draw winter trail then go south on the Moose-Wilson Road.

Moose-Wilson Road Winter Map

Map of Moose-Wilson Road in winter, with ski trails marked to Phelps Lake
Trails is in this area are skier tracked and are not flagged.

NPS Map

Directions

Death Canyon Road Gate

From Moose, Teton Park Road, drive 3 miles (4.8km) south on the Moose-Wilson Road to the gate at the Death Canyon Road. Park on the west (right) side of the road.

Granite Canyon Trailhead Gate

On the Moose-Wilson Road, WY 390, drive north from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (Teton Village), enter the park and continue north for one mile. Park at the Granite Canyon Trailhead.