A queuing system could slow your drive down the bucolic Moose-Wilson Road in Grand Teton National Park next summer as park officials work to protect the scenic corridor's natural resources and history from too much vehicle traffic.
Park visitors flock to the 15-mile-long Moose-Wilson Road in early fall to take in the changing colors and catch sights of bears munching through berry-laden bushes and moose browsing riparian vegetation. As a result, illegal parking impacts the narrow road's shoulders, bear and moose sightings lead to traffic jams, and visitors approach wildlife too closely.
Key management strategies that have been approved include:
- The northernmost 0.6 miles of the Moose-Wilson Road will be realigned to address wildlife habitat connectivity and operational issues. The segment between Sawmill Ponds Overlook and the Death Canyon Road junction will be retained in its existing alignment. The portion of the road adjacent to wetlands will be reconstructed to correct drainage issues and improve road conditions. Other portions of the road will be reconstructed and repaved when needed. Wildlife safety mitigation measures will be included in the design of the road reconstruction.
- The existing 1.1-mile segment of the Moose-Wilson Road that is currently unpaved will be reconstructed and paved, but the approximate alignment of the road will be retained. This segment of the road has gradually become wider over the years as a result of drivers maneuvering around potholes, and the width of the road will be narrowed for consistency with the existing paved portions of the road.
- A visitor capacity will be set for the Moose-Wilson corridor, including Death Canyon Trailhead, the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, Granite Canyon Trailhead, and the Moose-Wilson Road. The total visitor capacity for the Moose-Wilson corridor will be set at 550 people at one time, the equivalent of 200 vehicles at one time.
- Increases in traffic and volume-related congestion on Moose-Wilson Road will be addressed by using timed sequencing techniques to limit the number of vehicles entering the corridor at any one time during peak use periods. Queuing lanes at the north and south ends of the corridor will be provided as needed. If additional traffic management measures are needed in the future, a corridor reservation system and/or transit system may be considered.
- Death Canyon: At this trailhead, 220 people can be accommodated at one time. Access to this trailhead is highly sought after. Large amounts of overflow parking occur during the summer. The capacity determination supports current use levels at Death Canyon Trailhead while also ensuring a high likelihood of access to the area and experiences of solitude while visitors hike on the associated trails.
- Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve: At this location, 120 people can be accommodated at one time. The LSR Preserve is one of the most popular destinations in the corridor. Current use levels support specific visitor capacities established during the creation of the preserve. The capacity determination continues the current use levels at the LSR Preserve and on the trails associated with it while also ensuring that opportunities for contemplation and solitude remain.
- Granite Canyon: At this location, 50 people can be accommodated at one time. Granite Canyon is a relatively lower-use area in the corridor; however, winter recreation is popular at this trailhead. Current use levels support visitor opportunities to view scenic vistas and begin a variety of hikes from this location. The capacity determination continues the current use levels at Granite Canyon and on the trails associated with it.
- Moose-Wilson Road: Along the roadway, 160 people can be accommodated at one time. Moose-Wilson Road itself is a destination for scenic driving as well as a way to access other destinations. The turnouts and viewing areas, such as Sawmill Ponds Overlook, associated with the road are temporary stopping areas where visitors can enjoy scenery and wildlife viewing. Current use levels support these opportunities. The capacity determination continues the current use levels along Moose-Wilson Road and at turnouts and viewing areas.
National Park Service Intermountain Regional Director Sue Masica signed off on the plan Monday.
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Comments
I'm not familiar with the area and can't speak to the details, but it's encouraging to see NPS management respond to crowding by choosing quotas over mandatory mass transit.
I despise this plan almost as much as I despise the Yellowstone Winter Adaptive Management Plan. Solving a problem that exists largely in people's imagination.
-Extremely liberal park supporter
I agree. The charter of the Park mandates Moose-Wilson Road to be open to the People.
If any visitors to the Park should be limited it should be foreign visitors not US Citizens. The National Parks are for the enjoyment of the American People and the American People should be given priority in Park visitation ques.
I visited this section this year. A lot of people use this as a pass through rather than slowing down to look at wildlife. The plan seems to be a good plan. Restricting access during high peak times is necessary to protect the resources. Best advice anyone can give is get there early. You probably won't see a lot of wildlife in peak times. You also beat a lot of crowds.
I'm unaware of what park charter you are speaking of. Parks don't generally have charters, I'm not aware of one. Are you meaning the Congressional law establishing the park? If so, the road was a wagon track when that happened.
https://www.nps.gov/grte/learn/management/upload/Grand-Teton-NP-enabling... Moose Wilson Road is a right of way.
Ah. Thanks. Of course, subject to regulations promulgated by the Secretary, such as those which will be implementing this new plan.
That said I think the plan is bunk, but not because the state or the driving public have overriding interest.