Grand Teton Association Blog

Junior Ranger Program

September 3, 2026

One of our longest running programs is the Junior Ranger Program. Each year, Grand Teton National Park holds its own Junior Ranger Day on the first Saturday in May, apart from the National Parks Week Junior Ranger Day, which was held on August 30th this year. Grand Teton Association sponsors Junior Ranger Day and funds activity books, badges, pencils and related supplies.

Making of The Grand Teton Guide

August 27, 2026

The making of the Grand Teton Guide, the park newspaper, has historically always been a partnership project between Grand Teton National Park and its cooperating agencies. Since its inception in the 1970s, when it held the name Teewinot, its printing has been funded by the Grand Teton Association.

Staff Spotlight: Terri and Brad Fite – Colter Bay Store Supervisor & Retail Associate

August 20, 2026

This week we are spotlighting two of our valuable staff members who work at Colter Bay — Terri and Brad Fite. The pair have been married for 42 years and have two grown kids. They are now on their fourth season with Grand Teton Association and they intend to return next year!

Indigenous Artist Spotlight: Antonia His Law – Work on Display August 4-10

August 4, 2026

Join us August 4 – 10 at the Colter Bay Visitor Center for the Indigenous Arts & Cultural Demonstration Program featuring Antonia His Law, an Eastern Shoshone artist from the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.

Staff Spotlight: Don and Penny Powers – Jenny Lake Store Supervisor & Retail Associate

July 30, 2026

This week, we are spotlighting two valuable members of Grand Teton Association's retail team: Don and Penny Powers. When Don and Penny retired from their long careers, they left their home behind in Washington, located between Seattle and Tacoma, became full-time RVers and hit the road. “It was his dream to see many parks,” Penny said. First, they worked in Yellowstone National Park at the campgrounds through Yellowstone Forever for six seasons before landing in Grand Teton National Park, where they have also now worked with Grand Teton Association for six seasons.

Vendor Spotlight: Rachel Koszlowski, RKArtwork

July 30, 2026

This week, we are spotlighting one of our amazing vendors! Rachel Kozlowski, owner of RKArtwork is a full-time artist based in Salt Lake City. Rachel studied fine arts and printmaking at the University of Delaware. Now, she runs her business entirely alone, which she has owned for 10 years. “It’s amazing to be able to be a full-time artist. Much of my work is nature and wildlife centered,” she said. “I get to create work that people resonate with.” She crafts what she calls “functional items that have a connection to nature,” including zippered pouches with wildlife themes, bandanas, stickers, glassware, camp mugs, tea towels and more.

Murie Ranch Historical District

July 8, 2026

The Murie Ranch in Grand Teton National Park is dubbed the birthplace of the modern conservation movement. For two decades, it was The Wilderness Society’s western headquarters. Married couples Olaus and Margaret (Mardy) Murie and Adolph and Louise Murie, prominent conservationists and ecologists, settled here. Olaus and Adolph, both wildlife biologists, were half brothers; Mardy and Louise were half sisters who spent their childhood in Fairbanks, Alaska. Olaus and Mardy met there in 1921 when Mardy was home from college. Olaus, a caribou expert, was transferred to Jackson Hole in 1927 to manage the National Elk Refuge; Mardy and their two children followed. The Muries purchased what was the STS Dude Ranch in 1945, immediately removing fences, enabling wildlife to roam freely.

Trail Boxes and Trail Guides

July 1, 2026

Every summer, Grand Teton Association distributes official park trail guides at select trailheads and historic sites within Grand Teton National Park. Trail guides are available at 13 inspiring locations within the park, starting at the south end at Menor’s Ferry and Murie Ranch and stretching all the way north to Colter Bay.

Indigenous Artist Spotlight: Kelly Looking Horse – Work on Display June 30 – July 6

June 29, 2026

Join us June 30 – July 6 at the Colter Bay Visitor Center for the Indigenous Arts & Cultural Demonstration Program featuring Kelly Looking Horse, a Oglala Lakota artist from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Indigenous Artist Spotlight – Diane Trahant, Juan Broncho, Margaret (Josie) Broncho – Work on Display June 23-29 at Colter Bay

June 23, 2026

Join us June 23–29 at the Colter Bay Visitor Center for the Indigenous Arts & Cultural Demonstration Program featuring Diane Trahant, a Shoshone-Bannock artist from Fort Hall Indian Reservation, and guests, Juan and Josie Broncho.

Indigenous Artist Spotlight: HarmonyStar Straub – Work on Display June 16-22 at Colter Bay

June 16, 2026

Join us June 16–22 at the Colter Bay Visitor Center for the Indigenous Arts & Cultural Demonstration Program featuring HarmonyStar Straub, an Oglala Lakota and Northern Cheyenne artist who enrolled in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, and currently resides in western Nebraska.

Indigenous Artist Spotlight: Carolyn New Holy – Work on display June 9-15 at Colter Bay Visitor Center

June 4, 2026

Carolyn New Holy is the featured Indigenous Artist of the month! Her work will be on display at the Colter Bay Visitor Center from June 9 - 15. Holy is a cultural artist and educator from the Oglala Lakota Tribe on The Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota. She teaches in the Lakota Studies Department at the Oglala Lakota College Eagle Nest Center in Wanblee, South Dakota. Her traditional craftsmanship includes beadwork, ribbon skirts and star quilts.