News Release

Celebrate Junior Ranger Day at Grand Teton National Park

Date: April 23, 2025

MOOSE, Wyo.– Families and aspiring Junior Rangers of all ages are invited to participate in Junior Ranger Day Saturday, May 3. This free, public event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center in Moose and is hosted by Grand Teton National Park with support from community partners.
 
The indoor and outdoor event is a great way to kick off spring and is designed to spark curiosity and connection with the natural world through hands-on activities, games, and educational exhibits. 

We know nature is full of incredible creatures—some we rarely see, some with amazing abilities, and some with stories that have been passed down for generations. This Junior Ranger Day, we’re exploring the mysterious animals that hide in our ecosystems, the magical adaptations that help them survive, and the mythical tales that connect people to wildlife. From camouflage to incredible senses, nature’s “superpowers” are real—and they make our world even more exciting to discover!  

Junior Ranger Day activities will include: 

• Park-themed games and hands-on learning stations
• The chance to meet park rangers and explore rescue vehicles such as fire engines, patrol vehicles and snowplows
• Opportunities to earn an official Junior Ranger Day badge
• Educational exhibits from partners including Teton Science Schools, Cougar Fund, National Elk Refuge, Teton Raptor Center, Wyoming Stargazing, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Teton County Library and Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation.

Junior Ranger Day is made possible in part with support from the Grand Teton Association. In addition, the Grand Teton Association will offer a 15% discount on all bookstore purchases during the event.  
 
As park roads begin opening, here are more tips and reminders to help visitors prepare for spring at Grand Teton National Park: 
  

• Check for road information and weather conditions before you visit. The Teton Park Road and Moose-Wilson Road are expected to open May 1, weather permitting. Temporary road and wildlife closures may affect where you can go in the park. Spring weather is unpredictable and can change within hours from sunny and warm to stormy and cold. 
• Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center opens for the season May 1. Other roads, facilities, and services will open later in the spring and early summer.
• While the Junior Ranger event is free, Entrance fees are required to enter the park beyond the entrance stations. Fees and passes can be paid at the Moose and Moran entrance stations, or at Recreation.gov. 
• Be watchful and cautious of wildlife on park roads. This is an important time of year for ungulate migrations. Animals like bison and elk may travel on park roads. 
• Bears are active in the park. The best way to stay safe in bear country is to come prepared. Carry bear spray, have it readily accessible and know how to use it. Stay at least 100 yards away from any bear. 
• Leave No Trace and dispose of trash in receptacles.  
• Elk and other ungulates are shedding their antlers in and around Grand Teton. People visiting or passing through the park must note that it's illegal to take, collect, retrieve, possess, or transport any natural product, including shed antlers, from the park at any time of the year. 

 

–NPS–