This National Park Is Getting Bigger After Years of Legal Drama

Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park attracts millions of visitors every year and stands as one of the most-trafficked national parks in the system. And the expansive swath of federally protected land is about to get even bigger. 

On Nov. 7, the Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners voted to move forward with selling a breathtaking piece of state property within the park to the federal government to the tune of $100 million. It's not a huge parcel of land—just one square mile in size—but it has a gorgeous unobstructed view of the Teton Range. Up until now, the state has leased the plot for grazing. 

The vote, taken by Gov. Mark Gordon and four Republican elected officials, comes after decades of threats to sell the land to the highest bidder. This could've meant a sale to private developers, a potential move that was criticized by conservation and hunting groups. 

"There’s clearly a right decision to be made. This is a very rare opportunity for you to do the right thing for education in Wyoming," Wyoming Senate President Ogden Driskill said before the vote, per The Associated Press. 

The Wyoming state legislature approved the $100 million sale in the most recent state budget. The deal stipulates that a federal fund will provide the land's appraised value of $62 million with the rest of it coming from private funding. State treasurer Curt Meier is ready to take the next step in making Grand Teton a world-class destination with unmatched views. "This is the time for us to go forward," he said before the vote. 

Grand Teton National Park is open year-round, but summer remains the most popular season to visit. Make sure you plan your next trip well in advance.