Grand Teton National Park announces change to backcountry camping permits

Effective January 10, 2024, Grand Teton National Park will change the backcountry camping permit fee to $20, plus a $7 per person, per night fee to camp overnight in the backcountry. Grand Teton began charging for backcountry permits in 2014 and last modified the fees in 2018.

Approximately 30% of backcountry camping permits will be available on Recreation.gov for advanced reservations beginning January 10, 2024, at 8 a.m. MST for the 2024 camping season which runs May 1 through October 31. Starting May 1, 2024, the remaining 70% of backcountry camping permits will be available one day before the start of the trip as “walk-up” permits and must be obtained in-person at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, Colter Bay Visitor Center or Jenny Lake Ranger Station permit offices. Advanced reservation permits must be picked up in-person by 10 a.m. the day of the trip or the permit will be cancelled and made available to others.

Grand Teton National Park is pleased to offer additional benefits through the Recreation.gov system including allowing reservation holders to modify their permit reservations to add or subtract the number of people in the party or the nights stayed. When advanced reservations are cancelled or modified on the website, those dates will become available for others to reserve online throughout the summer. The backcountry camping permit fee is non-refundable. The nightly per person fee is refundable when the permit is cancelled, or the number of people is modified and reduced at least five days prior to the permit start date.

The backcountry permit system is vital to providing an outstanding visitor experience. The revenue from backcountry permit fees allows the park to offset a portion of the costs associated with visitor use management while continuing to provide high-quality, high-demand backcountry visitor experiences. Backcountry camping permit fees allow staff to provide safety and route information, patrol campsites and provide visitor services, aid in search and rescue efforts, maintain and improve trails, campsites, facilities and other amenities that directly enhance the visitor experience. Another benefit of the backcountry permit system is the park has the ability to designate specific camping areas, limiting impacts on the backcountry environment.

Begin planning your next backcountry adventure in Grand Teton at go.nps.gov/tetonbackcountry.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

National Park Service and USDA Forest Service seek public input on proposed guidance for managing climbing, protecting natural and cultural resources in wilderness areas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and the Department of the Interior’s National Park Service (NPS) are seeking public input on proposed guidance that would guide agency personnel in managing climbing opportunities on national forests, grasslands and parks. The public is invited to provide input on both agencies’ guidance through Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024.

Climbing activities (including rock climbing, snow and ice climbing, mountaineering, canyoneering, and caving) are popular in national forests, national parks and across public lands. Fixed climbing equipment, also referred to as fixed anchors, includes bolts or other equipment that is left permanently in place after the climb. Some fixed anchors may be necessary for safe public use of the resource. The proposed guidance affirms that climbing is an appropriate use of public lands, including in wilderness areas, and should be managed in a manner that helps protect cultural and natural resources.

The draft guidance reflects input received during NPS- and USFS-held Tribal listening and Tribal consultation sessions for Tribes, Native Hawaiian Organizations and Alaskan Tribes and Organizations. Following the public comment period, the NPS and USFS will develop and publish final policy and guidance informed by public comments.

National Park Service
This draft NPS guidance will help NPS wilderness and climbing managers make informed decisions regarding the placement and/or replacement of permanent bolts, chains, or other climbing equipment used in NPS wilderness areas. The draft guidance outlines the processes for managing existing and new climbing routes in wilderness. The analysis will help NPS determine what level of fixed anchor use best preserves the totality of wilderness character while taking account of human safety concerns.

“Like many in the climbing community, I share a lifelong love and appreciation of outdoor recreation sparked by a childhood spent exploring and enjoying the natural world,” National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said. “The proposed guidance will help provide a consistent process for installing new or replacing existing fixed anchors in wilderness and ensure that we are managing these important areas for the benefit of current and future generations.”

U.S. Forest Service
The proposed U.S. Forest Service guidance will clarify management and provide specific guidance for climbing on National Forest System lands, including within Congressionally designated wilderness areas. The proposed guidance includes language that highlights the need for climbing area management plans that balance objectives with site-specific needs and opportunities, including alignment with the Wilderness Act. Currently, national guidance is not in place regarding acceptable climbing practices on national forests and grasslands.

“Climbing is a popular way to enjoy the outdoors and recreate on public lands,” said Forest Chief Randy Moore. “The proposed directive would ensure the Forest Service supports world-class climbing opportunities while also protecting natural and cultural resources for future generations.”

Like any recreational activity, best practices for climbing can help climbers avoid damage to natural and cultural resources. The proposed guidance will provide local Forest Service land managers with direction on how to guide climbers on the most appropriate places and practices to recreate responsibly and protect resources.

The proposed guidance follows the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which directs the Forest Service to develop guidance to manage climbing on national forests and grasslands.

Learn more about the proposed U.S. Forest Service guidance and submit your comments online: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?project=ORMS-3524 Starting November 17, learn more about the proposed National Park Service guidance and submit your comments online: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?documentID=132387



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Books For Hikers

I know it's Black Friday and you're probably already sick of being bombarded with Christmas ads, but I was hoping I could possibly simplify your shopping experience by pointing out a couple of gift ideas that you may want to consider for all your favorite hikers. And yes, as some of you may recognize, all three of these books were written by yours truly!

Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World chronicles the rich history of hiking: its roots in alpinism and mountaineering, the societal trends that fostered its growth, some of the early hikers from the 18th and 19th centuries, the first trails built specifically for hiking, the formation of the first hiking clubs, as well as what the early hikers wore, and what some of the key inventions and innovations were that led to our modern array of gear and apparel. Ramble On also examines how hiking was able to germinate and grow as a result of Romanticism and Transcendentalism, the Industrial Revolution, the labor movement, the rise of automobiles, environmentalism, club culture, and even art. The book is available in both paperback and eBook editions.

Exploring Glacier National Park is the mobile version of HikinginGlacier.com, the most comprehensive website on the internet for hiking trail information in Glacier National Park. This book was published to provide hikers with convenient access to the information contained on our website while in the park, or on the trail, where internet access is most likely unavailable. Additionally, the format of this book will provide a much better experience for smartphone users.

Exploring Glacier National Park covers 68 hikes. Like the website, the book includes driving directions to each trailhead, detailed trail descriptions, key features along the route, difficulty ratings, photographs, maps and elevation profiles. Whether you're looking for an easy stroll in the park, or an epic hike deep into Glacier's backcountry, this book provides all the tools you'll need to make your hiking trip as enjoyable as possible. The book is available on Amazon as an eBook.

Exploring Grand Teton National Park is the mobile version of TetonHikingTrails.com, the most comprehensive website on the internet for hiking trail information in Grand Teton National Park. This book was published to provide hikers with convenient access to the information contained on our website while in the park, or on the trail. The book covers 44 hikes; including 41 hikes within the park, as well as 3 hikes in the Teton Pass area, located just south of the park boundary. Like the website, the book includes driving directions to each trailhead, detailed trail descriptions, key features along the route, difficulty ratings, photographs, maps and elevation profiles. Whether you're looking for an easy stroll in the park, or an epic hike deep into Grand Teton's backcountry, this book provides all the tools you'll need to make your hiking trip as enjoyable as possible. The book is available on Amazon as an eBook.

As always, thank you very much!



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

New Film Tracks Animal Migrations in and out of Grand Teton National Park

A new wildlife documentary chronicling the large mammal migrations of Grand Teton National Park was released online this week, showing how the park is biologically connected to distant habitats in Idaho and Wyoming.

The film documents more than a decade of research revealing how Grand Teton National Park’s mule deer and pronghorn actually depend on habitats up to 190 miles away from the park boundaries.

Animal Trails: Rediscovering Grand Teton Migrations is now available for streaming, after screening in Grand Teton National Park’s Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center and Colter Bay Museum during the summer of 2023. You can watch the film on Vimeo here:

Animal Trails: Rediscovering Grand Teton Migrations from Wyoming Migration Initiative on Vimeo.

You can find more information about the film and large mammal migrations here.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Hermitage Point

Hermitage Point in Grand Teton National Park. Another excellent hike that offers great views and a bit of solitude:

Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Park seeks public input on Colter Bay Legacy planning

The National Park Service (NPS) is at the beginning of a master planning effort to reestablish Colter Bay as a key destination and central location for all visitors to stay, play and learn in Grand Teton National Park. The NPS is seeking public input from November 13 to January 11, 2024, on a range of high-level planning concepts focused on improving visitor use and experience in the Colter Bay area, located in the northern part of the park. Increasing visitation, changing visitor and employee needs and aging infrastructure highlight an opportunity to plan for the next generation of Colter Bay. The park will use this feedback to develop alternatives for the Colter Bay Legacy planning effort. Grand Teton wants to hear from you about the problems and opportunities to consider through this planning process.

There will be an opportunity to learn more about this project, how to provide feedback and ask park staff questions through a virtual meeting on November 29 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. (MST). To join the meeting, please visit the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/colterbaylegacy.

The park also invites the public to learn more about the Colter Bay Legacy planning and to submit comments through the PEPC website (linked above). The park will use this feedback to develop alternatives for the Colter Bay Legacy planning effort, which will be analyzed in the future per the National Environmental Policy Act.

You may also submit comments by mail to: Grand Teton National Park, Attention: Planning Office – Colter Bay Legacy, P.O. Box 170, Moose, WY 83012. Comments submitted through social media, phone calls, or email will not be accepted.

Dive into the details about the Colter Bay Legacy planning effort and discover ways to participate in the Civic Engagement Newsletter.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

The West That Has Passed

In 1911 Charlie Russell opened his first national exhibit at the Folsom Galleries in New York City. Widely regarded as one of one of the greatest cowboy artists, the exhibit featured more than two dozen paintings and bronze sculptures, which Russell called “The West That Has Passed.” The exhibit was effectively a requiem for the era of cowboys and Indians, the open range, and free-roaming bison that had passed during his lifetime. This wasn’t a life he observed from afar, but rather a life he witnessed growing up in Missouri, and one that he actually lived after moving to Montana at the age of sixteen.

Fast-forward to 1968 and we find Edward Abbey railing against the National Park Service for making parks more accessible. Abbey’s now famous “polemic” was written well after the west had transitioned from a land that needed to be tamed, to a land that was to be used and exploited - save for a few islands preserved for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. In his book, Desert Solitaire, Abbey bemoaned the idea of paved roads being built in Arches National Monument, his place of employment in the mid-1950s. More pointedly, he decried “The Developers, the dominant faction” within the National Park Service who sought to make parks more accessible by means of what he called “Industrial Tourism”. He feared, or foresaw, how more roads, hotels and restaurants would lead to national parks becoming overrun by “mechanized tourists,” those that he defined as the “indolent millions born on wheels and suckled on gasoline, who expect and demand paved highways to lead them in comfort, ease and safety into every nook and corner of the national parks.” He argued that these types of tourists didn’t belong in parks because they didn’t appreciate them the way he did, nor did they share his wilderness ethic.

Equally provocative, Harvey Manning asked readers in the summer 1975 issue of Backpacker Magazine: “Where did all these damn hikers come from?” In this piece Manning concluded that automobiles were squarely to blame for making trails and wilderness areas more accessible, and thus more crowded. Without question, good or bad, automobiles have played a major role in the overcrowding of parks and trails. Honestly, however, when I made my first pilgrimage to the west in 1986 I never would’ve recognized either of these complaints as legitimate. Not having anything to compare with, I didn’t see these “crowds” as being problematic.

If your first visit to a major national park occurred after the dawn of the social media age you may not be aware that the experience has profoundly changed when compared to just a few years ago. To illustrate the extent of this transformation, consider that between 2013 and 2019 total national park recreational visits jumped by nearly 20%! That’s almost 54 million additional visits per year. And it shows. Discounting a reprieve in 2020 due to Covid, visitation remains near record levels.

I really don’t remember how the conversation arose, but somehow my friends and I hatched the radical idea of driving out west from our homes in suburban Cincinnati. Radical, because I don’t believe any of us had ever been west of Indiana up to that point. Being poor college kids there was never a question that this was going to be a camping trip. Several weeks later the three of us packed all of our camping equipment, a box of canned foods that we appropriated from our parents pantries, and loaded it all into John’s mid-1970s Ford Pinto hatchback. If you’ve ever seen a Pinto from this era you may be wondering how three guys and their camping equipment could fit into such a cramped vehicle. Let me tell you, it was tough! We had to lay the back seat down, which forced us to take turns lying stretched-out in the back.

We really didn’t have a plan on what we were going to do on this whirlwind trip; only the places we intended to visit, and that we would be gone for 10 days. Though there were brief stops in the Badlands and Mount Rushmore, our focus was Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Rocky Mountain national parks. Unlike today, we didn’t need a reservation to camp in the parks. We simply drove up to the campground, paid our fee, and then selected our site. We also didn’t need any timed entry permits. We drove in and out of the parks as we pleased. In fact, I don’t recall ever having to sit in any lines at any of the park entrances. Most importantly, we always found parking spots at the trailheads or the points of interest we visited. We never had to wake up before sunrise to beat the crowds into the park. Nor did we ever have to fight traffic, or sit in any slowdowns, unless of course they were caused by a herd of bison or a random bear sighting.

We had a great time. Though it was a lot of driving in a very short period of time, and we really didn’t do all that much hiking, this will always be my most memorable road trip. In Yellowstone each of us saw our first 10,000-foot peaks, our first geothermal features, our first moose, our first elk, and our first bison. One evening, after watching the sunset atop Signal Mountain in Grand Teton, we saw our first grizzly bears while driving back to our campsite in Colter Bay. One of the most sublime moments for me occurred one evening while taking a solo walk along the shores of Jackson Lake. While fully entranced by a spectacular fiery sunset, a gaggle of geese flew overhead in a perfect V formation. I was hooked forever.

Subsequent trips in the following years were similar. No matter the time of day, we never had any issues getting to any trailheads or major points of interest. Believe it or not, but once upon a time you could drive up to Logan Pass in Glacier, Glacier Gorge in Rocky Mountain, or even Jenny Lake in Grand Teton at just about any time of day and parking spaces would be available. You may be thinking that shuttles can or should’ve solved the problems of overcrowding in recent years. That doesn’t appear to be the case. In fact, there are unintended consequences associated with shuttles. According to one study, after the introduction of shuttles in 2007 the annual number of people hiking to Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park had tripled to 90,000 by 2011. During that same time period the number of visitors hiking the Highline Trail from Logan Pass to “The Loop” exploded from just 1800 hikers per year to more than 40,000, despite overall park visitation remaining flat during this time period. The study’s author, Norma P. Nickerson, Ph.D., blames the increase on the park’s shuttle system, which has made trailheads more accessible. Prior to the introduction of shuttles hikers were forced to go elsewhere once trailhead parking areas became full.

Today’s experience is significantly different in multiple ways. In recent years more precise planning is required. Hotel reservations are now needed at least 9 or 10 months in advance. You need to be at your computer at a precise moment to ensure you’ll be able to secure timed entry permits for the park you’re planning to visit. As a result, you now need to know several months ahead of time which hikes, or at least the area of some parks you plan to visit on any given day. Even with timed entry permits it’s still a race to arrive at some trailheads in time to ensure you’ll have a parking spot waiting for you. That effectively means waking up in the wee hours and being at the trailhead by sunrise in many instances. If you wait just a little later you run the chance of not finding a parking spot, or encountering lines to get into the park. After your hike, depending on the park, you may run into more congestion on the roads. Our past two trips to Grand Teton, including this past September, were the absolute worst. We encountered major traffic jams between Teton Village, Wilson and Jackson, as well coming into Jackson from the north. We also experienced heavy traffic on the Idaho side of the park. If you plan to dine at a restaurant afterwards you may need a reservation, arrive early, or wait in yet another line.

In short, at least for me, the national park experience has deteriorated in recent years. Perhaps my perspective is the same as that of Russell, Abbey and Manning, in that I see the west as the way it used to be, and lament for those bygone days. Whether that’s perception or reality, I’ll concede is up for debate. However, as I see it, the national parks are now in a bit of a conundrum. On the one hand they were established so that all Americans can enjoy their exceptional natural beauty, while at the same time the National Park Service has been mandated to leave parks “unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” Some fear that allowing too many people to enjoy parks now could irreparably impair them for future generations. While I fully embrace the broader meaning of the line, “I know he'd be a poorer man if he never saw an eagle fly” in John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High”, something clearly needs to be done. While it’s beyond the scope of this article, I do offer several detailed suggestions in my book on the history of hiking. The final chapter is dedicated to the future of hiking, and how overcrowding is impacting trails and parks.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Hidden Lake in Glacier National Park

A view of Hidden Lake in Glacier National Park from the trail heading down to the lake:

Here's the view of Hidden Lake taken from the pass along the route to the Dragon's Tail. The Dragon's Tail is the prominent rock feature seen on the left side of the photo above:

Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Glacier National Park Announces a Pilot Vehicle Reservation System in 2024

Glacier National Park will implement a pilot vehicle reservation system in 2024, beginning May 24 for the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork and on July 1 for Many Glacier.

“Our balanced approach for the 2024 pilot reflects feedback from Tribes, the public, partners, and stakeholders, particularly regarding access to the Apgar Village area and Two Medicine,” said Glacier National Park Superintendent Dave Roemer. “We also heard that knowing what park operations and access will look like sooner, rather than later, is important.”

West Entrance
One reservation per vehicle will be required to travel Going-to-the-Sun Road beyond the Apgar Village area from May 24 through Sept. 8, 2024, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can enter before 6 a.m. or after 3 p.m. without a vehicle reservation. New in 2024, vehicle reservations will be valid for one day only, down from three days in 2023. Data from 2023 indicates that only two percent of three-day reservations were used for all three days. By changing to a one-day reservation, consistent with other park areas, a greater number of reservations can be made available.

Also new in 2024, visitors will be able to access Apgar Village amenities, including the Apgar Visitor Center, without a vehicle reservation. Lodging, camping (including front country developed campgrounds and backcountry camping permits), transportation, or commercial activity reservations originating in Apgar will no longer provide access beyond the Apgar filter check point.

North Fork
One reservation per vehicle will be required at the entrance station May 24 through Sept. 8, 2024, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are good for one day. Visitors can enter before 6 a.m. or after 3 p.m. without a vehicle reservation. There are no changes in the North Fork from 2023.

Many Glacier Valley
One reservation per vehicle will be required at the entrance station July 1 through Sept. 8, 2024, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are good for one day. Visitors can enter the valley before 6 a.m. or after 3 p.m. without a vehicle reservation. There are no changes in Many Glacier from 2023.

Also new in 2024, visitors will be able to access the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the east side beyond Rising Sun without a vehicle reservation. Visitors will also have access to the St. Mary Visitor Center and shuttle stop on the east side of Glacier National Park, as in 2023.

Vehicle reservations and entrance passes
Vehicle reservations will be available on https://www.recreation.gov/, the Recreation.gov mobile app, or the Recreation.gov Call Center (Reservation Line: 877-444-6777). Each of the specified areas of the park will require a separate reservation. Visitors will need to set up an account on Recreation.gov to obtain reservations. The only cost associated with booking a reservation is a $2 Recreation.gov processing fee.

Pursuant to the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978, vehicle reservations are not required for tribal members throughout the park. Vehicle reservations will be available through two booking windows:

* A portion of reservations will be available 120 days or approximately four months advance, starting on Jan. 25, 2024, at 8 a.m. MST on a rolling basis on Recreation.gov.

* New in 2024, the remaining vehicle reservations will be available at 7 p.m. MDT for next-day entry starting on May 23, 2024.

In addition to a vehicle reservation, each vehicle entering the park is required to have an entrance pass for any entry point into the park. These passes could include any of the following: a $35 vehicle pass, good for seven days; a valid Interagency Annual/Lifetime Pass; or a Glacier National Park Annual Pass. A vehicle reservation does not include an entrance pass, and the park entrance pass does not serve as a vehicle reservation.

Like previous years, visitors with lodging, camping, transportation, or commercial activity reservations within the specified reservation areas can use proof of their reservation for entry in lieu of a Recreation.gov reservation to gain access to the portion of the park for which they have a reservation.

As in past years, entry will be temporarily restricted in areas of the park that become too congested for visitor safety and resource protection. Parking at Logan Pass, Apgar Village, and other areas may be unavailable. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of free shuttles for hiker access to Logan Pass although waits for shuttles may be long depending on the time and location. Visitors are encouraged to plan their visit outside of peak hours (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Visitors with service reservations (e.g., boat tours, lodging, horseback ride, guided hikes) in these areas will be permitted entry during temporary restrictions.

Visitors are encouraged to check the park website frequently for updates and additional information.

This will be the fourth year of piloting vehicle reservations in the park. The pilots help test the effectiveness of different approaches to manage high traffic volumes within the park while delivering quality visitor experiences. During an open comment period for 2024 Visitor Use Management Strategies, a total of 1,408 comments were received. Input from these comments has helped inform strategies for how visitors will access park areas in the summer of 2024. The comments along with a summary report can be found on the park’s 2024 Visitor Use Management Strategy web page.

* Don't forget to pick-up a copy of Exploring Glacier National Park, the mobile version of HikinginGlacier.com, the most comprehensive website on the internet for hiking trail information in Glacier National Park. This eBook was published to provide hikers with convenient access to trail information while on the trail, where internet access is most likely unavailable.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Concessioners selected for guided mountain climbing, climbing instruction and ski mountaineering

The National Park Service (NPS) has selected two companies to provide guided mountain climbing, climbing instruction and ski mountaineering within Grand Teton National Park. The two companies are Exum Guide Service and School of Mountaineering, Inc., doing business as Exum Mountain Guides and The Mountain Guides, Inc., doing business as Jackson Hole Mountain Guides. The two new contracts will be effective for a term of 10 years beginning January 1, 2024.

Exum Mountain Guides and Jackson Hole Mountain Guides are both currently serving as concessioners under contracts that were effective January 1, 2014, and will expire on December 31, 2023. The public is not expected to experience any interruptions in services.

“Exum and Jackson Hole Mountain Guides have provided visitors with exceptional mountain climbing and guide services in the park for years and we look forward to continuing this long-standing tradition for another decade,” said Chip Jenkins, superintendent of Grand Teton National Park.

Concessioners fill a vital role in helping the NPS carry out its mission by operating publicly owned facilities and offering high-quality, commercial visitor services. Grand Teton National Park has 26 concession contracts and approximately 160 commercial use authorization holders that provide a variety of visitor services in the park.

Solicitation of concession business opportunities within NPS sites and the selection of best proposals are routine processes for the NPS, dictated by the 1998 Concessions Management Improvement Act. By law, all contracts are issued through a fully open and competitive process, awarding contracts to those with the best proposal.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Changing visitation in Grand Teton

This year’s visitation statistics show September as the second busiest September on record in Grand Teton National Park. This year’s month of September saw more recreation visits than the month of June. Historically, June, July and August were the most visited months of the year, however, this year, July, August and September have been the most visited months thus far.

In addition, the park’s total recreation visitation for 2023 (3,059,238) has exceeded the total recreation visits for all of 2022 (2,806,223), indicating a 21% increase year-to-date.

Data from trail counters indicate that trail use from June–August 2023 increased by 1.2% compared to last year and 12% compared to 2019. For the month of September, trail use increased 4% compared to September 2022. Year-to-date backcountry overnight stays also increased 4.3% this year compared to the same time frame in 2022.

Grand Teton continues to see changes in how and when people visit the park. The park just completed initial Visitor Use and Experience civic engagement where the public was asked for their input about how they visit the park and what their experiences have been. Park staff are reviewing the comments that were received and will share the results in the upcoming months.

If you are interested in learning more about visitation statistics in Grand Teton National Park or any other National Park Service site, please visit irma.nps.gov/STATS/.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Mt. Ida in Rocky Mountain National Park

Hands down, Mount Ida is the best hike in Rocky Mountain National Park (in my opinion, of course). The views from the 12,889-foot summit are simply epic. In fact, hikers will enjoy sweeping panoramic views along much of the route. Although the terrain becomes fairly rugged on the final leg to the summit, you'll have very little exposure to steep drop-offs.

Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Three Gift Ideas For Hikers

With the Christmas shopping season around the corner, I just wanted to take a brief moment to point out a couple of gift ideas you may want to consider for all your favorite hikers. And yes, as some of you may recognize, all three of these books were written by yours truly!

Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World chronicles the rich history of hiking: its roots in alpinism and mountaineering, the societal trends that fostered its growth, some of the early hikers from the 18th and 19th centuries, the first trails built specifically for hiking, the formation of the first hiking clubs, as well as what the early hikers wore, and what some of the key inventions and innovations were that led to our modern array of gear and apparel. Ramble On also examines how hiking was able to germinate and grow as a result of Romanticism and Transcendentalism, the Industrial Revolution, the labor movement, the rise of automobiles, environmentalism, club culture, and even art. The book is available in both paperback and eBook editions.

Exploring Glacier National Park is the mobile version of HikinginGlacier.com, the most comprehensive website on the internet for hiking trail information in Glacier National Park. This book was published to provide hikers with convenient access to the information contained on our website while in the park, or on the trail, where internet access is most likely unavailable. Additionally, the format of this book will provide a much better experience for smartphone users.

Exploring Glacier National Park covers 68 hikes. Like the website, the book includes driving directions to each trailhead, detailed trail descriptions, key features along the route, difficulty ratings, photographs, maps and elevation profiles. Whether you're looking for an easy stroll in the park, or an epic hike deep into Glacier's backcountry, this book provides all the tools you'll need to make your hiking trip as enjoyable as possible. The book is available on Amazon as an eBook.

Exploring Grand Teton National Park is the mobile version of TetonHikingTrails.com, the most comprehensive website on the internet for hiking trail information in Grand Teton National Park. This book was published to provide hikers with convenient access to the information contained on our website while in the park, or on the trail. The book covers 44 hikes; including 41 hikes within the park, as well as 3 hikes in the Teton Pass area, located just south of the park boundary. Like the website, the book includes driving directions to each trailhead, detailed trail descriptions, key features along the route, difficulty ratings, photographs, maps and elevation profiles. Whether you're looking for an easy stroll in the park, or an epic hike deep into Grand Teton's backcountry, this book provides all the tools you'll need to make your hiking trip as enjoyable as possible. The book is available on Amazon as an eBook.

As always, thank you very much!



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park