Grand Teton National Park encompasses nearly 310,000 acres of mountains, lakes, and plains including the major peaks of the Teton Range and the northern half of the valley of Jackson Hole. The landscape is rich with wildlife including an /expanding population of grizzly bears.
Grand Teton National Park advises that grizzly bears are active around the park and guests are asked to follow bear safety guidelines to peacefully coexist with them during their visits. These rules include allowing grizzly bears space (stay back 100 yards for your safety) and remaining in your vehicle should you encounter a grizzly on the road.
The following encounter happened on June 1st, 2025 when Colorado based photographer Kristen Hayes was driving through Grand Teton and pulled over to make way for a passing grizzly bear. As the grizzly ambled by her vehicle you can clearly hear its claws (which can grow to 4 inches in length) clatter across the asphalt:
Grand Teton National Park understands that seeing a grizzly bear in its natural habitat can be a life-changing experience which can inspire visitors to help the species succeed as they continue to disperse across their historical range. At the same time they recognize these firsthand observations of grizzlies are not without risk but much of it can be mitigated by following simple safety guidelines:
“Recreating in bear country requires awareness and actions on our part to keep both bears and humans safe.”
Learn more about grizzly bear safety at Grand Teton National Park below:
Grand Teton National Park Bear Safety Guidelines:
• Do not approach the animal. Enjoy the moment from a safe distance: minimum 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other animals.
• Never park in front of a crossing animal. Give wildlife the space they need.
• Follow directions from park staff. The Wildlife Brigade is trained to observe animal behavior. A safe spot one minute may not be safe the next.
• Stay flexible and alert. These are dynamic situations, and guidance may change quickly.
• Expect crowds. Wildlife sightings draw a lot of attention—especially bears.
• Watch for traffic. Stay out of travel lanes and remain right of the white line where applicable. That applies to viewing on foot and in stopped vehicles.
• Some jams may be shut down. If safety becomes a concern, we may need to clear the area.
• Different rules in developed areas. In places like campgrounds or lodges, our goal is to help the animal move on—not to manage a viewing opportunity.
