Grand Teton National Park is a Scenic 60 minutes
away. Established in 1929, Grand Teton National
Park emerged from a complicated and controversial series
of events. The park first consisted of the mountain range
and several glacial lakes. Later the valley floor was protected
as Jackson Hole National Monument. The two areas were combined
in 1950.
Today the park encompasses nearly 310,000 acres and protects the Teton
Range, Jackson Hole (mountain valley), a 50-mile portion of the Snake
River, seven morainal lakes, over 100 backcountry and alpine lakes, and
a wide range of wildlife and plant species.
The park is also rich in a cultural history that includes seven eras
of human history: early peoples (paleo-indians), Native Americans (modern
tribes), fur trappers, homesteaders, ranchers/farmers, conservationists,
and recreationalists. Climbing, hiking and backpacking, camping, fishing,
wildlife and bird watching, horseback riding, boating on Jackson and
Jenny Lakes, rafting on the Snake River, bicycling, and photography are
all common activities in the area.
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