Masks Mandatory At Grand Teton Visitor Centers

Above, Grand Teton's Colter Bay Visitor Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One nice thing about visiting national parks is going outdoors and enjoying the fresh air.

Indoors in national parks, however, is a different story.

Masks are required in national park visitor centers, that includes those in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

According to Jackson Hole News & Guide:

The public will be required to wear masks inside Grand Teton National Park visitor centers and other buildings in 2021, a policy shift ushered in by the change in presidential administration.

Wearing face coverings indoors to reduce transmission of COVID-19 was strongly encouraged by Teton park in the summer of 2020, but local federal employees lacked the authority to enact a mask mandate.

“We could not enforce it,” park spokeswoman Denise Germann said.

As a result, mask rules in federal buildings at Moose, Jenny Lake and elsewhere did not square with a countywide mask mandate that took effect in July, going above the statewide rules.

That’s changing under President Joe Biden’s administration. Last week the Department of the Interior announced in a statement a blanket indoor mask mandate for visitors and employees — and some additional requirements when conditions are crowded outdoors.

“Wearing a mask around others, physical distancing, and washing your hands are the simplest and most effective public health measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19,” Sara Newman, the National Park Service’s public health director captain, said in a news release. “Getting outside and enjoying our public lands is essential to improving mental and physical health, but we all need to work together to recreate responsibly.”

Outdoors, face coverings will be required when physical distancing isn’t possible, such as along narrow and busy trails, at overlooks or outside historic homes.  

No visitor centers are open in Teton park, but the policy change took effect immediately across the Park Service’s 423 properties when it was announced last Tuesday. 

Now that masks are required, maybe now the visitor centers can be reopened.

To read more, go here.