Peterson Space Force Base Explores the Wild Side of Grand Teton National Park
Fourteen military members paddled, hiked, and rafted their way through one of the nation’s most iconic landscapes.
Towering peaks, alpine lakes, and a river running straight through it all — Grand Teton National Park offers a rare kind of wild that stays with you long after the trip ends. That’s exactly what a group from Peterson Space Force Base experienced on a recent outdoor recreation trip made possible in partnership with National Park Trust.
Led by Peterson Space Force Base’s Outdoor Recreation program, 14 participants traveled to Grand Teton, giving them “the opportunity to experience the incredible landscapes, wildlife, and outdoor recreation activities that the park has to offer,” according to the program’s Outdoor Program Facilitator.
The group spent time stand-up paddleboarding across Jackson Lake and rafting a scenic stretch of the Snake River, taking in the Tetons from the water. On land, participants hiked both the Lakeshore Trail and Taggart Lake Trail, and even found a chance to cool off with a swim in an alpine lake.
Park rangers led educational programs throughout the trip, giving participants a deeper understanding of the landscape and its history. Wildlife at the park also made quite an impression: the group spotted a bull moose, a bald eagle, and a mother grizzly bear with her cubs! Evenings included a dinner in Jackson, Wyoming, giving the group a chance to unwind and reflect on the day’s adventures together.
“This amazing and unforgettable trip would not have been possible for these military members without the planning, insight, and financial help that National Park Trust provided,” said Peterson Space Force Base’s Outdoor Program Facilitator. “Their contribution to this trip provided our participants with the opportunity to explore one of our nation’s most beautiful parks.”
“Our participants were able to build connections and learn about the natural environment, all the while making memories that will last a lifetime,” the facilitator added. “Peterson Outdoor Recreation is incredibly grateful for our partnership with National Park Trust for helping to make this adventure a possibility for our military community.”
What are National Park Trust’s Military Family Programs?
National Park Trust is proud to support outdoor recreation programs like the one at Peterson Space Force Base, helping make trips like this possible for military members and their families. Through funding, planning support, and logistical guidance, we help connect military communities to the parks and public lands they’ve helped protect.
In 2025 alone, we partnered with military installations and military-focused nonprofits to connect over 1,200 individuals from 350 families through 50 outdoor outings nationwide.
Learn more about our Military Family Programs.
How can you support National Park Trust’s Military Family Programs?
Trips like this one don’t happen without support. Your contribution helps cover the planning and funding for outings that give military members the chance to explore places like Grand Teton, build connections with one another, and create memories that last a lifetime. Learn about ways to support our mission.
About National Park Trust
National Park Trust is an independent, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has protected national park land since 1983, acquiring missing pieces of our national parks and benefiting 58 national park sites nationwide. Our mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow.
Our youth education and family initiatives — Buddy Bison School Programs, College Ambassador Program, and Military Family Programs, along with National Kids to Parks Day — connect tens of thousands of people to the outdoors each year.
We believe public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed, and preserved by all, for current and future generations. Learn more at parktrust.org.
