Grand Teton

What year did your park become an official National Park? 1872 Resource

Why was this area recognized as a National Park? The beautiful mountains and migrating wildlife. Such as… Moose, black and grizzly bears, pronghorn, elk, bald eagles, gray wolves, coyotes and bison.

From a geologist's perspective, how was the park formed? Glaciers, Erosion and Earth Quakes.

What types of rocks can be found inside your park? Granite and gneiss composing the core of the Teton Range are some of the oldest rocks in North America, but the mountains are among the youngest in the world.

What special landforms or geographic features are a part of your park? Alpine, forests, meadows, sagebrush and wetlands.

How is the land inside your park currently changing? Lightning from frequent thunderstorms create forest fires. Winds and eroding lands.

What environmental issues are affecting your park? Events often take place that alter the balance of an ecosystem and affect the species within.

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Fun Facts - Did you know that Grand Teton National Park was established in both 1929 and 1950? The original 1929 park protected the mountain peaks and the lakes near the base. The boundaries were later expanded in 1950 to include much of the adjacent valley floor. - Did you know that pronghorns are the fastest mammals in the western hemisphere? They can run up to 70 mph, but do not like to jump fences! In the summer, pronghorn live along Antelope Flats Road, but in fall they migrate almost 200 miles to central Wyoming. - Did you know that lodgepole pine trees grow on glacial moraines in Jackson Hole? Glacial moraines are ridges of rocky debris left behind as Ice Age glaciers melted. The soil on these ridges retains moisture and is more hospitable to trees than the cobbly, porous soil on the outwash plain.

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