Commercial Group Tours

Commercial group tour entrance fees are charged to operators conducting road-based tours of Grand Teton National Park. The commercial group tour entrance pass is a seven-day pass that authorizes the pass holder to enter the park and make stops at visitor centers, park concession facilities, and paved turnouts.

The commercial group tour entrance fee is based on the manufactured seating capacity of the vehicle. Passes are valid in Grand Teton for up to seven days with the same passenger manifest. Visitor passes cannot be applied to the commercial group tour entrance fee. More entrance pass information can be found on the Fees & Passes page.

 

Fees and Passes Details

 

 

 

Conditions and Limitations

The commercial group tour entrance pass may not be transferred.

Tours and interpretive services (including but not limited to guide dialog, tour narration, and wildlife viewing) are permitted inside the vehicle, on paved roads, and at paved turnouts and parking areas only. Tours may not stop on the roadway or the road shoulder.

Company representatives or guides may not accompany clients on park trails. Commercial guided hiking is prohibited in Grand Teton.

Feeding, approaching, or willfully remaining within 100 yards (91 meters) of bears or wolves, and 25 yards (23 meters) of all other wildlife, to include moose, elk, and bison, is strictly prohibited.

All incidents involving vehicle or property damage, or personal injury must be reported to park Teton Interagency Dispatch Center (307-739-3301), 911, or a park ranger as soon as practically possible and within 24 hours.

Commercial group tours will not solicit business, collect any fees, or sell any goods or services on lands owned and controlled by the United States Government.

The commercial group tour entrance pass does not confer exclusive use of any area in the park. All commercial groups must honor the rights of others and always conduct themselves in an orderly manner.

Commercial group tours are prohibited from conducting tour activities in or from entering areas that could be considered residential in nature to include administrative areas, service areas, employee housing areas, lodging/cabin areas, and campgrounds, except when occupying reserved lodging or campsites.

Commercial group tour buses, vans, school buses, and vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) in excess of 26,000-pounds must turn off the vehicle engine while loading and unloading passengers or while parked.

For specific regulations please see the Laws & Policiess page including the Superintendent’s Compendium.

Commercial group tours will adhere to all applicable state and local public health orders and follow the guidance provided by the CDC and NPS.

Picknicking & Stops

Recommended Picnic Areas for Commercial Group Tour Buses (52-56 Passenger Capacity)

• Catholic Bay Picnic area
• Jenny Lake Visitor Plaza
• Lower Jackson Lake Dam
• Colter Bay

Groups using the commercial group tour entrance pass are prohibited from picnicking at the String Lake Picnic Area.

Commercial group tours shall not construct any structures, fixtures, or improvements within the park. This includes tents, canopies, and picnic tables, except when occupying a reserved campsite.

 

Park Logistics and Services

Paying the Fee
Commercial group tours entering Grand Teton from the east or south will pay the commercial entrance fee at either the Moose or Moran entrance stations. Commercial group tours entering from the north, from Yellowstone National Park, must pay the commercial entrance fee at the Colter Bay Visitor Center.

Alerts & Conditions
Check out the Alerts & Current Conditions page for the latest park alerts, conditions, and weather.

Roads & Parking
To access road status map, road conditons, and closures check the Park Roads page. Parking lot information (number of oversized spaces) can be found on the Parking page.

Food Services
A listing of restaurants, grocery, and food services can be found Eating & Sleeping page.

Maps & Grand Guides
Each commercial group tour bus may receive a number of park maps equaling 50% of the occupancy of the vehicle; additional park maps may be purchased in park visitor centers. Commercial group tours entering from the north may obtain maps at the Colter Bay Visitor Center. The Grand Teton Guide is also available at entrance stations and visitor centers. Park visitors are encouraged to download the NPS App to use an interactive digital map.

Dump Stations
Commercial group tour buses may not use campground dump stations.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's

What is a Commercial Group Tour?

A commercial group tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service.

What do Commercial Group Tours get with a paid commercial entrance fee?

Entry to the park, access to visitor centers, concession facilities and roadside pullouts.

Does a commercial group tour need a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA)?

No. Currently, Grand Teton National Park does not require commercial group tours to obtain a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) provided the following:

1. Commercial group tours must pay the commercial entrance fee upon arrival.

2. Commercial group tours must abide by the Superintendent Compendium Regulations.

3. Commercial group tours must abide the conditions and limitations noted above.

What is the Guided Vehicle Tour CUA?

A Guided Vehicle Tour CUA is available during the application period for commercial tour operators utilizing vehicles with a manufactured capacity of 15 people or less. A Guided Vehicle Tour CUA allows the holder to provide interpretive tours that may stop at roadside wildlife jams and utilize secondary and gravel roads that are open to public use. Specific Commercial Use Authorization information can be found here (link), including information on the CUA fee schedule. Commercial tour operators utilizing vehicles with a manufactured capacity larger than 15 people must pay the commercial group tour entrance fee to be permitted access into Grand Teton National Park.

 

To receive information on terms and conditions of commercial group tour entry email [e-mail] with company contact information.

See Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) permitted activities for more information.

 

CUAs for Commercial Tour Buses

Implementation of the National Park Service standardized Road-based Commercial Tour (RBCT) Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) Park Service wide program and changes to commercial tour entrance fees has been delayed. For additional information and status updates, please visit the National Park Service CUA page.