A Major Conservation Win for Grand Teton National Park

Why This Land Matters to Grand Teton National Park

Protecting these properties was a longstanding priority for the National Park Service to safeguard the scenic character of the park’s southwestern entrance, conserve sensitive wildlife habitat, and help maintain the recreational quality of the popular Valley Trail.

The land sits within the park’s Moose-Wilson corridor, a vibrant mosaic of forest, wetlands, and sagebrush along the Snake River that provides habitat for grizzly bears, moose, black bears, and many other species. Protecting these lands from development preserves important routes for wildlife movement and helps keep Grand Teton connected to the broader Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest intact temperate ecosystems left on Earth.

In addition to providing world class recreation and critical wildlife habitat, Grand Teton National Park is also a powerful economic engine for the region. In 2024, the park welcomed more than 3.6 million visitors, generating an estimated $983 million in economic activity for local communities and supporting more than 6,860 jobs.

How Six Properties Came Together Over 25 Years

For more than two decades, The Conservation Fund worked alongside the National Park Service and the landowners to acquire and protect the six strategically important properties, one transaction at a time. With the final property permanently protected this summer, the full 210-acre conservation effort is complete, closing the door on a significant development threat at one of Grand Teton’s most sensitive and scenic gateways. The mountain views, wildlife corridors, and trails that make this landscape unforgettable will remain protected for the visitors, wildlife, and communities that depend on it.

 
This conservation effort was supported by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which reinvests a portion of offshore energy revenues into conservation and outdoor recreation projects nationwide. Special thanks to the Snake River Ranch, whose three families and dozens of family members exhibited uncommon patience in helping to see this multi-decade effort come to fruition.