To celebrate the special nature of autumn in the Tetons, a variety of ranger-led programs will be offered in Grand Teton National Park during the month of September, beginning on Tuesday, September 2, and continuing through Sunday, September 21.
These programs provide opportunities to learn about park history, geology and wildlife while enjoying fall colors and other park features, according to a statement from the park’s public affairs office. Visitors and local residents should also note the closing dates for Grand Teton National Park visitor centers, listed below.
Moose Area Programs:
Map Chat — 10:30 a.m. daily, a 30-minute talk about geology, park wildlife, and the stories behind the scenery at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center relief map.
Everything Autumn — 1:00 p.m. daily except Thursdays, a 30-minute courtyard chat with a ranger discussing the changes that take place in Grand Teton in the fall.
Bear Safety — 1:00 p.m. on Thursdays, a 30-minute instruction and demonstration in how to stay safe while traveling and camping in bear country. Meet in the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center courtyard.
Wildlife Caravan — 5:00 p.m. daily, a 3-hour wildlife auto-tour from the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. Travel to various locations throughout the park to look for and learn about wildlife. Limited to 10 vehicles. Reservations required; call 739.3399 or stop by a visitor center to secure a spot. Dress warmly and bring binoculars and/or spotting scopes.
Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve (LSR Preserve) Programs:
Explore the Preserve Hike — 9:30 a.m. daily, a 2.5-hour hike to Phelps Lake to experience the pristine setting of the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve. Reservations required. Call 307.739.3654.
Fireside Chat — 9:45 a.m. daily, a 30 minute conversation over a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Learn about an issue that affects the park and share your ideas. Coffee and hot chocolate provided. Meet in the LSR Preserve Center Resource Room.
Bear Safety — 9:45 a.m. on Wednesdays, a 30-minute instruction and demonstration in how to stay safe while traveling and camping in bear country. Please allow extra travel time as parking lot is typically full during this part of the day.
Nature Explorer’s Backpack — 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, children can discover the wonders of nature using the tools provided in a special backpack that can be checked out from the LSR Preserve Center. After a brief orientation by a ranger, each child receives a journal full of activities to do.
Jenny Lake Area Programs:
Lakeshore Talk — 10:30 a.m. on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, a 30-minute easy walk to the shore of Jenny Lake for a talk on wilderness and the Wilderness Act of 1964. Meet at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center flagpole.
Bear Safety — 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, a 30-minute instruction and demonstration in how to stay safe while traveling and camping in bear country. Meet at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center flagpole.
Colter Bay Area Programs:
Teton Highlights — 11 a.m. daily, a 30-minute program and travel planner with insights to stories behind the scenery, including geology, wildlife, history, etc. in the Colter Bay Visitor Center auditorium.
Celebrating Wilderness — 2:00 p.m. daily, a 30-minute conversation with a ranger on the history and values of wilderness as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. Meet in the Colter Bay Visitor Center Auditorium.
Bear Safety — 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday, a 30-minute instruction and demonstration in how to stay safe while traveling and camping in bear country on the Colter Bay Visitor Center Back Deck.
Oxbow Bend Wildlife Watch — 6:00 p.m. daily, a 90-minute wildlife watch offered at Oxbow Bend Scenic Turnout. Bring binoculars, cameras and questions.
Campfire Program — 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, a 45-minute traditional ranger talk on various topics at the Colter Bay Amphitheater.
For further information on any of the listed activities, please call the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at 307.739.3399, Jenny Lake Visitor Center at 307.739.3392, Colter Bay Visitor Center at 307.739.3594 or the LSR Preserve Center at 307.739.3654.
The Craig Thomas, Colter Bay, Jenny Lake and LSR Preserve visitor centers are open daily during most of September. Closures for park visitor centers for the 2014 season are:
LSR Preserve Center September 21
Jenny Lake Visitor Center September 23
Colter Bay Visitor Center October 13
Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center November 2
Fall school programs will begin for the fall season on September 8. Teachers can contact grte_education@nps.gov or talk with the School Coordinator at 307.739.3349 to schedule field trips or ranger visits to their classroom.
Additional announcements about winter season operations will be made in mid-December.