John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway Park

Website: https://www.nps.gov/jodr/

Admission: No entrance fee (free)

The John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway is a National Park Service-managed corridor that links Grand Teton National Park to the southern boundary of Yellowstone National Park. It preserves wildlife habitat, scenic roadways, and trail connections between the two parks.

The parkway contains trailheads, pullouts, and undeveloped backcountry used for hiking and wildlife viewing; it also serves to reduce development pressure in the important ecological link between the parks. Management emphasizes landscape-scale conservation and visitor access to natural features.

The parkway was created in the late 20th century to protect the corridor between the neighboring national parks and to commemorate John D. Rockefeller Jr.’s contributions to national park conservation. It is administered by the National Park Service as part of the regional park complex.

Geographically it lies in northwestern Wyoming between the southern boundary of Yellowstone and the northern part of Grand Teton National Park, accessed via the national park road network and nearby towns such as Jackson, Wyoming.

• Connector corridor: The parkway functions as a protected scenic corridor linking Grand Teton National Park and the South Entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

The John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway is the National Park Service corridor that connects Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks along the highways US‑191/US‑89/US‑287. Access is by driving those routes between the parks; from Jackson, WY, follow US‑191/US‑89 north toward Grand Teton and onward into the parkway area - exact distances and access points vary depending on which trailhead or pullout you plan to use, so consult park maps for the specific segment you intend to visit.

• Use the Parkway as the scenic connector between Grand Teton and Yellowstone-plan multiple short stops rather than driving straight through so you don't miss pullouts where wildlife and vistas are often seen.
• Check the National Park Service road and seasonal-closure updates before travel; the Parkway sits at high elevation and conditions (snow, wildlife closures) can change access windows.
• Drive slowly and scan meadow and river pullouts-early morning and dusk are best for spotting elk, bison and bears along the corridor, and stopping at official overlooks avoids blocking shoulders.