Grand Teton Wildlife, Visitor Experience Threatened by Changes to Moose-Wilson Corridor

JACKSON, WY – The National Park Service has reversed its long-standing decision to protect the Moose-Wilson Corridor in Grand Teton, through a decision to allow substantial and unnecessary management changes to the area, which provides prime habitats for moose, black bears, grizzly bears, and wolves.

In its final decision, which amends the 2016 Record of Decision for Moose-Wilson Corridor Comprehensive Management Plan, the Park Service directs the construction of a multiuse pathway in the wildlife-rich, sensitive landscape and other development that was previously prohibited. This decision places recreational access in the national park over years of science and expert findings that the project will harm park resources, according to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA).

According to Park Service statements, backtracking the original decision is the result of the administration’s 2025 Executive Order 14314, “Making America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks" which calls for sweeping reevaluation of prior National Park Service actions. 'The Order opens the door on scientifically studied, publicly vetted, tax-payer funded agency decisions across the country, including the Moose-Wilson Plan. 

The Moose-Wilson Corridor in the southwest corner of Grand Teton National Park includes dense forest and pristine riparian areas and exceptional habitat for grizzly bears and others. The area provides some of the best wildlife-viewing opportunities in the country, but the grizzly-rich landscape requires thoughtful stewardship. Thirteen years ago, Grand Teton National Park undertook a multi-year management planning and comprehensive environmental review process to evaluate prospective improvements to the roadway within the Moose-Wilson Corridor. The selected action, which was chosen in 2016 and allowed for the maintenance and improvement of the existing roadway but prohibited any further proliferation of additional pathways or bypasses, was chosen after a lengthy analysis that included robust scientific and environmental review together with substantial community input.   

Statement by Allison Michalski, Grand Teton Senior Program Manager for National Parks Conservation Association 

"Ten years ago, significant concerns from park leadership and the local community, including NPCA, led to a final plan for this important corridor to be protected. We are disappointed to see many years of science, policy, and public engagement overturned to satisfy special interests that will leave parks like Grand Teton National Park and others open to damaging changes. 

"These proposed changes are not aligned with the National Park Service’s mission of preservation and abdicate the Service’s responsibility to conserve our national park lands and resources now and for future generations. 

"NPCA strongly opposes this amendment and will explore all our options to continue our fight to protect the Moose-Wilson Corridor from this and other threats.” 

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