Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Upper Mesa Falls will close August 10 for the 2026 season

The Caribou-Targhee National Forest will begin renovation operations at the popular Mesa Falls Recreation Area beginning Aug. 10, 2026. During construction, the entire Upper Mesa Falls area will be closed. The project is scheduled to continue into winter.

Although fall is a beautiful time to visit Mesa Falls, it also provides the window needed to complete this necessary renovation project, which includes road repairs and chip sealing.

“The timeline was chosen to minimize the impact to the public while still offering environmental conditions needed for success of the project,” said Steve Jenkins, Forest Engineer. “We want to get the word out early so visitors aren’t surprised at the end of summer.”

During the closure, visitors can still explore the nearby Lower Mesa Falls area, located just under a mile to the south along the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway, which includes hiking trails and scenic overlooks.



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Monday, May 25, 2026

Grand Teton National Park announces major infrastructure enhancements beginning in 2026

Grand Teton National Park will open its 2026 summer season with a series of significant infrastructure improvement projects that may impact road and trail access in some areas through mid-November. Please check current conditions and plan alternate routes before visiting the park.

“This work represents an important investment in the future of Grand Teton National Park as we approach the park’s 2029 centennial,” said Superintendent Chip Jenkins. “The improvements underway over the next several years will help ensure visitors can safely access and enjoy this landscape while we continue to protect the resources that make it so special.”

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Moose-Wilson Road, Death Canyon Road and Death Canyon Trailhead
Phase 2 of the multi-year Moose-Wilson Road rehabilitation will improve Death Canyon Road and Trailhead and construct a road realignment near Moose.

Key dates and access information:

* Moose-Wilson Road between the Granite Canyon Entrance Station and the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve is open. The northern segment between the preserve and Moose will open June 20. From June 20 to September 7 (Labor Day), visitors should expect intermittent delays of up to 45 minutes or longer as materials and equipment move through the corridor.

* Death Canyon Road and Death Canyon Trailhead (accessed via Moose-Wilson Road) will be fully closed through mid-November, with a delayed reopening anticipated in 2027.

* Initial construction for a roundabout near the Moose Entrance Station will begin this summer, affecting Teton Park Road near Moose. Visitors should expect delays while crews construct a temporary bypass ahead of construction in 2027. The multi-use pathway will remain open, and bicycling north from Moose is a good alternative for reaching destinations like Jenny Lake.

Taggart Lake Trail
The northern segment of Taggart Lake Trail, between the first junction and Bradley Lake Trail, will be closed through November 15, 2026 for trail rehabilitation. Work includes repairs, regrading, and accessibility improvements to enhance the visitor experience, particularly for families and visitors with mobility needs. The Taggart Lake Trailhead and parking area will remain open. Cottonwood Creek Picnic Area will remain open through late summer. Taggart and Bradley lakes will still be accessible via alternate marked trails.

This renewal effort is supported by Grand Teton National Park Foundation in partnership with Grand Teton National Park.

Mormon Row Historic District
Mormon Row will remain open throughout the season. Construction is scheduled from mid-June through mid-November. Visitors should expect construction equipment, noise, and localized disruptions. The project expands pedestrian and cyclist access and includes accessibility improvements. This is the final phase of a multiyear project funded by Grand Teton National Park Foundation in partnership with Grand Teton National Park.

North Park Road (Highway 89/191/287)
Construction between Leeks Marina and Lizard Creek Campground will result in nighttime delays of up to one hour between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Daytime travelers should expect delays of up to 15 minutes due to one-lane alternating traffic.

TRIP PLANNING AND INFORMATION
2025 was the park’s second-busiest year on record, and visitation is expected to remain high in 2026.



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Sunday, May 24, 2026

The world’s first written call for a national park

The joint publication of Lyrical Ballads by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1798 is widely recognized as the birth of Romanticism in English literature. Both writers are among the first documented ramblers. In 1839, Thomas De Quincey, a contemporary writer and biographer of Wordsworth, famously calculated that William must have walked at least 175,000 miles up to that point in his life. Meanwhile, the Oxford English Dictionary recognizes Samuel Taylor Coleridge as being the first person to use the word “mountaineering" while describing an outing in a letter in 1802.

Wordsworth is also recognized as being an early pioneer in the conservation movement. In 1810, he published A Guide through the District of the Lakes, which likely contains the world’s first written support for the concept of a national park. In the conclusion of the book, Wordsworth argued that the Lake District should be considered “a sort of national property, in which every man has a right and interest who has an eye to perceive and a heart to enjoy.” Although his wish was never realized during his lifetime, the Lake District would eventually be established as a national park in 1951, less than a month after the Peak District became Britain’s first national park.
Learn more about the pioneers of hiking in Ramble On: A History of Hiking.


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Virtually no one went hiking before the 19th century. What occurred that inspired ordinary people to take a walk through the woods for pleasure? Ramble On: A History of Hiking explores the rich history of hiking, and how it evolved into one of the most popular pastimes in the world.


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Saturday, May 23, 2026

Update: Yellowstone lifts several trail, backcountry campsite and fishing closures near Old Faithful following May 4 bear incident

Temporary trail, backcountry campsite, and fishing closures remain in effect northwest of the Old Faithful area following a bear incident earlier this month.
Emergency responders, including law enforcement, EMS personnel and interagency partners, responded to the scene and provided aid before transporting two male hikers, ages 15 and 28, from the area by helicopter.

Based on evidence collected so far, park staff believe a female grizzly bear with two or three cubs-of-the-year (cubs in their first year of life) were involved in the encounter. This incident remains under investigation, and there are no further details to share at this time.

Geyser basin boardwalk areas remain open.

Visitors are required to follow all posted closures. Entering closed areas can put both visitors and responders at risk.



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Friday, May 22, 2026

Opening of Wyoming section of the Beartooth Highway (US-212) delayed due to winter storm

The opening of the Wyoming section of the Beartooth Highway (US-212) from the junction of WY-296 (Chief Joseph Scenic Byway) to the Montana state line, originally scheduled for May 22, is delayed due to a winter storm. It is now scheduled to open Saturday, May 23, conditions permitting.

Yellowstone road crews are clearing heavy drifts of snow across the road. Crews, in coordination with Montana teams, will continue to monitor weather, re-evaluate conditions on Friday, and open the road as soon as it is practical and safe for travel.

Once open, temporary travel restrictions or closures can occur at any time without notice. Prepare for winter driving conditions, have flexible travel plans, and watch for quickly changing weather conditions.

Check for road status and updates on the Montana and Wyoming departments of transportation websites. 



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