About this Location

Facility Overview

The Moran Entrance Station serves as the iconic northeastern gateway to Grand Teton National Park, located just west of Moran Junction along US Highway 26/287 / US Highway 89 in northwestern Wyoming. While primary operations revolve around vehicle access control and fee collection for national park visitors, the station features dedicated surface pull-off areas and short-term staging parking. The facility is an open-air surface lot layout nestled against the backdrop of the northern Teton Range and the Buffalo Fork River valley. Because it serves as a critical national park transit threshold, the area easily accommodates standard passenger sedans, oversized 4x4 trucks, camper vans, RVs, and vehicles towing boat or horse trailers. There are no overhead clearance restrictions or parking garages in the area, offering unlimited vertical clearance suitable for high-clearance overland rigs and large motorhomes.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned on the scenic travel corridor connecting Dubois and Jackson to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, this location provides immediate access to world-renowned natural landmarks and recreation hubs:

Oxbow Bend: Located approximately 4 miles west along the highway (about a 6-minute drive), this famous Snake River overlook offers premier sunrise photography, moose watching, and mirror reflections of Mount Moran.
Jackson Lake Junction & Jackson Lake Lodge: Situated roughly 5 miles west, featuring dining options like the Pioneer Grill and the Mural Room, as well as trailheads and historic lodging.
Colter Bay Village & Marina: Approximately 10 miles northwest, providing boat rentals, visitor center services, grocery essentials, and lakefront hiking trails.
Moran Junction & Buffalo Valley: Located directly to the east, home to rustic guest ranches, outfitters, fly-fishing access on the Buffalo Fork, and fuel services.
Yellowstone National Park (South Entrance): Accessible by continuing north on US-89 / US-191, roughly 27 miles from the Moran gate.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Accessing the Moran Entrance Station is straightforward via US Highway 26 / US Highway 287 from the east (Dubois and Riverton) or US Highway 89 from the north and south. The roadway expands into multiple marked queuing lanes at the physical tollbooths to streamline high-volume summer traffic, accompanied by adjacent pullouts designed for pass purchasing, map consultations, and ranger inquiries. There is no scheduled public transit or light rail servicing this remote mountain outpost; private automobiles, chartered national park tour coaches, camper vans, and long-distance cyclists represent the primary modes of transit. The highways are well-maintained by the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) and the National Park Service, though winter conditions require snow tires or 4WD/AWD equipment.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Staging: Ground-level asphalt and gravel turnouts with no vehicle height restrictions.
Ranger Station Assistance: Staffed information booths during operating hours offering maps, wildlife advisories, bear spray advice, and park regulations.
Oversized Vehicle Accommodation: Ample maneuvering room designed to handle tour buses, large fifth-wheel campers, and RVs.
Park Pass Processing: Multiple booth lanes equipped with card payment readers accepting America the Beautiful annual interagency passes, digital passes, and major credit cards.
Restroom Facilities: Vault and seasonal flush restrooms are located near the administrative and staging area.
Scenic Viewpoints: Immediate panoramic views of Mount Moran and the northern Teton peaks directly from the approach lanes.

Ideal For

National Park Roadtrippers: Travelers entering Grand Teton National Park from eastern Wyoming, Dubois, or Denver via Highway 26/287.
Wildlife Enthusiasts & Photographers: Visitors positioning themselves early in the morning for quick transit to Oxbow Bend, Willow Flats, and the Snake River.
RV and Overland Campers: Campers requiring straightforward highway navigation without low bridge clearances or tight turnaround radiuses.
Yellowstone-Bound Travelers: Drivers transitioning through Grand Teton en route to the South Entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Summer midday hours (typically 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM from June through August) experience heavy vehicular queues at the entrance booths; arriving before 8:30 AM or in the late afternoon ensures near-instant passage. Park entry fees apply (a standard vehicle entry pass or America the Beautiful interagency annual pass is required for travel beyond the gate), though short-term pull-off staging at the entrance booths incurs no independent hourly parking fee. If arriving during winter or shoulder seasons when booths may be unstaffed, vehicles may proceed through automated pass lanes or display a digital Recreation.gov pass on the vehicle dash. Keep your headlights on for safety along two-lane mountain corridors, watch closely for wandering elk, bison, and moose along the roadway shoulders, and carry bear spray whenever leaving your vehicle.