The Short
Recently, at Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park, a probable bat colony was found in an attic area.
During their visits, at least eight visitors reported seeing or coming into contact with bats.
Visitors are being contacted by state health officials to determine their exposure risk to rabies.
While on summer vacation at Grand Teton National Park, hundreds of people might have come into contact with rabies.
Recently, a bat colony was found in a well-known lodge's attic.
Jackson Lake Lodge's bat colony
The backstory
According to the National Park Service, eight reports of overnight visitors possibly being exposed to bats in Jackson Lake Lodge rooms have been made to Grand Teton Lodge Company since June 2.
What they're saying:
The state health officer for Wyoming, Dr. Alexia Harrist, told the Jackson Hole News & Guide that management had heard enough complaints from visitors that they concluded it was not individual bats flying into rooms.
A probable bat colony was recently found in the attic area above a number of guest rooms at the Jackson Lake Lodge, according to a statement released by NPS on August 8.
Next steps: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Wyoming Department of Health are evaluating the possibility that some visitors were exposed to rabies through the bats.
For background, physical contact with a bat and bat exposure to rabies are defined as a bat biting or scratching a human. A youngster, a deep sleeper, a person with a mental illness, or someone using medicines that disrupt cognition could all be deemed at-risk because they are unable to confirm or convey a possible exposure.
Look more closely:
Because bat teeth are small, a bite may not be painful, noticeable, or bleed. A person could not believe that a bite or scrape needs medical attention, or they might not be aware that an exposure has happened.
To find out if recent visitors were exposed to bats while staying in any of the rooms below the colony, state officials are contacting them personally.
Whether any bats in the region have tested positive for rabies was not yet disclosed by NPS.
What you can do: Get in touch with Grand Teton Lodge Company at RoomsGTLC@vailresorts.com or 307-543-3044 if you believe you may have been exposed to a bat while staying at Jackson Lake Lodge between May 5, 2025, and July 27, 2025.
