Join ranger-led programs, such as hikes and wildlife tours, and peruse an exhibit of Native American art at this information center.
Plan your vacation within Grand Teton National Park and around Jackson Lake with a visit to the Colter Bay Visitor Center. Chat with friendly rangers to learn about the activities, ecology, geology and wildlife within the park. Pick up a copy of the Grand Teton Guide, which has a current schedule of events, tips and safety warnings. Purchase permits for boating, camping, fishing and journeys into the backcountry.
A major highlight of the center is its series of informative ranger tours that take place throughout the day. These tours include guided walks along the Lakeshore Trail and to Swan Lake. Go in search of wildlife such as bears, elk, moose and wolves. Listen to stories about the history of the park and Teton Range. Watch a ranger construct a tipi similar to the ones used by the Plains Indians.
Children of all ages can have fun becoming Junior Rangers. Ask at the reception area for an activity sheet with park-related educational puzzles, quizzes and tasks. The reward for successfully completing the tasks is a Junior Ranger badge.
Don’t miss the David T. Vernon Collection museum exhibit. It features over 30 artifacts and works of art that showcase the lifestyles of Native American communities. See examples of headdresses, footwear, jewelry and tools in addition to paintings, photographs and sculptures. Laurance S. Rockefeller donated the objects to the Grand Teton National Park after purchasing 10,000 pieces from the indigenous art collector David T. Vernon.
The information center is located on the waterfront of Colter Bay Village, about a 20-minute drive from the Moran Entrance Station in Moran. Use the free parking available in the village and at Colter Bay Marina. Popular park attractions within a short drive from Colter Bay Village are Jackson Lake Dam, Jackson Lake Lookout and Oxbow Bend.
Colter Bay Visitor Center is open from May to early October. Admission to the museum exhibit is free.