Vail Resorts Subsidiary Awarded $1 Billion Grand Teton National Park Contract
The National Park Service has awarded a new 15-year concessions contract expected to generate more than $1 billion in revenue over its lifetime to the Grand Teton Lodge Company, a business owned by Vail Resorts that's overseen food and beverage, retail, and other services in Wyoming's famed Grand Teton National Park since 1998.
The federal agency, in a press release, called it "one of the most significant visitor services contracts in the National Park System," noting that it's set to serve more than 50 million visitors and support about 1,000 local jobs.
According to an NPS document, the contract will create between $71.8 and $79.4 million in revenue in 2027. The NPS relies on concessioners to provide services that federal agencies don't typically offer. Concessioners pay franchise fees to the NPS.
Vail Resorts owns and operates numerous ski resorts across North America and around the world. It also sells the popular Epic Pass.
According to Vail Resorts' website, the Grand Teton Lodge Company, alongside retail and food, runs three lodging options in the park: Jackson Lake Lodge, a full-service, 385-room resort; Jenny Lake Lodge, a small retreat with 37 cabins; and Colter Bay Village, a facility with 166 log cabins, 66 tent cabins, 337 campsites and a 112-space recreational vehicle park.
The new contract "helps ensure that visitors continue to enjoy the memorable experiences that make Grand Teton National Park one of America's most treasured destinations," said Grand Teton National Park superintendent Chip Jenkins in a news release.
"This partnership will support high-quality visitor services, strengthen local communities through job opportunities and economic activity, and advance our commitment to protecting the extraordinary landscapes, wildlife and historic resources that define Grand Teton," Jenkins continued.
Under the contract, the NPS said the Grand Teton Lodge Company will make improvements like new employee housing, upgrades to fire protection systems, additional RV electric hookups at campgrounds, two new tour boats with improved accessibility, an expanded boat rental fleet, and bear spray rentals, among other tweaks.
Other contract responsibilities include campground management to reduce wildlife interactions, protection of dark night skies through exterior lighting management, and visitor education through interpretive programs and displays, the NPS said.
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This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 4:18 PM.