Friends of Pathways fully supports the National Park Service initiative to reevaluate the long-imagined Moose-Wilson Pathway, connecting Moose in Grand Teton National Park to Teton Village.
This project would complete the critical missing link in the 30-mile Grand Loop pathway connecting Moose, Jackson, Wilson, and Teton Village — a cornerstone of the region’s world-class pathway network.
A carefully designed pathway for biking and walking would improve safety, expand visitor access to Grand Teton National Park, support alternative transportation options, and provide environmentally responsible access for future generations.
Friends of Pathways also supports the associated environmental improvement to relocate just over one mile of the northern Moose-Wilson Road out of wetland habitat and onto less sensitive upland terrain. This would allow for an adjacent pathway along the new road segment while reducing current impacts to wetland wildlife habitat — a net benefit for wildlife and park visitors.
Why the Moose-Wilson Pathway Is Needed
Families, youth riders, and less experienced cyclists are especially vulnerable when sharing a narrow, busy roadway with vehicle traffic. A separated pathway would:
- Create a safer travel option for people biking and walking
- Improve the visitor experience along one of the park’s most scenic corridors
- Provide transportation options for employees, residents, and visitors traveling between Moose and Teton Village
- Reduce conflicts between vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians
- Support the National Park Service mission to improve visitor access while protecting natural resources
A Thoughtful Design Approach
Experience from existing Grand Teton pathways shows that carefully designed trails can coexist with wildlife when paired with adaptive management tools such as context-sensitive routing, seasonal closures, and visitor education.
The Moose-Wilson Pathway should include:
- A 10-foot-wide paved shared-use pathway designed for walking, biking, adaptive users, and families
- Careful alignment to minimize vegetation and wildlife impacts while improving visitor experience
- Use of existing disturbed corridors where possible
- ADA-accessible grades and context-sensitive design standards
Four-Season and Future Transit Opportunities
The Moose-Wilson corridor has strong potential to support enhanced winter recreation, including Nordic skiing, walking, and fat biking, expanding visitor access while distributing use across seasons.
The project could also support future transit connections between Moose and Teton Village, advancing long-standing transportation goals for Grand Teton National Park and the surrounding community.
Project Cost and Private Funding Support
Friends of Pathways believes this project can be advanced through a strong public-private partnership, with meaningful private funding support from the community. Completing the Moose-Wilson Pathway would be a lasting investment in safety, access, conservation, and the future of non-motorized transportation in Jackson Hole.