Spring has come early to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem! Wildlife is waking up in Wyoming and it is that time of year you need to be Bear Aware! The first grizzly of 2026 was spotted in Yellowstone National Park on March 9th on the north end of the park! There has also been chatter that people have spotted grizzly bear tracks in Grand Teton National Park. So don’t forget to bring bear spray on your outdoor adventures!
Grizzlies are not the only animals waking up and on the move. The first mountain blue bird was spotted several weeks ago marking the start to spring, along with many other migrating birds such as sandhill cranes and red wing black birds. It’s a great time to come see elk, bison, moose, pronghorn and even potentially wolves without the crowds that summer draws. Don’t forget you’r binoculars and spotting scopes for a closer view of all these amazing animals.
Even though there may not be snow in downtown Jackson, winter sports are going on like snowshoeing, cross-country and backcountry skiing and split-boarding. The snow pack varies drastically depending on where you are wanting to go so make sure to do some homework before heading out. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions.
Grand Teton National Parks inner road is now plowed but is only open to foot traffic and biking. Cross-country skiing up in the park is still very much doable by following along the side of the inner park road from Taggart Trailhead or up north in Turpin Meadows. Places we would still recommend having snowshoes or micro-spikes are Taggert and Bradly Lake or north in the park near Colter Bay along the Lake Shore Trail or Hermitage Point Trail.
Backcountry skiing and split-boarding is still in full swing up in the mountains! There may be some technical terrain to work through with a thin base at the bottom of the Tetons but up high there is spring skiing conditions. It is important to remember that even though the Tetons have not gotten new snow recently, avalanches are still a large hazard and avalanche equipment like beacon, shovels, probes and airbags are still needed and available for rent.
