Yellowstone Insider Your Complete Guide to America's First National Park
Owing to severe winter conditions, drivers in Grand Teton National Park are encouraged to slow down.
According to a Grand Teton press release, park rangers, along with the Wyoming State Highway Patrol and Teton County Sheriff’s Office, have responded to over 50 motor vehicle accidents since mid-December 2016. Most of the accidents have involved vehicles sliding off the road, although five roll overs, a head-on collision, and other incidents have also been reported. To date, there have been no major injuries. From the press release:
On Wednesday morning, January 4, a tractor-trailer slid off the road south of Moran Junction on US Highway 89. The road was temporarily closed for approximately 90 minutes to safely retrieve the trailer.
Grand Teton National Park Superintendent David Vela said, “Anyone driving within the park, especially north of the airport, should slow down due to winter driving conditions.” He stated it is not an issue of speeding, rather an issue of driving too fast for winter road conditions.
Snow accumulations, including some wet snow, followed by very hard freezes, have created areas of roadway covered with patches of rough icy conditions. Road conditions vary throughout the park, and visibility can be decreased at times due to fog and blowing snow.
If you encounter wildlife or vehicles flashing their emergency lights in Grand Teton National Park, please slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary. If you’re involved in or witness an accident, please call the Teton Interagency Dispatch Center at 307-739-3301 or call 911.
