Teton County, Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park Area
The most common soil here is Tineman, on about 9% of the land: a gravelly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Taglake and Tetonville come next.
About 60% of the land drains well, and 15% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 5% of it.
USDA rates 67% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 45% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 13% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 28% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Teton County, Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park Area, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Teton County, Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park Area. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taglake-Sebud association * | 41K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 34K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Rock outcrop-Teewinot-Moran association * | 27K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Tineman gravelly loam | 26K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Leighcan-Rock outcrop-Walcott association * | 20K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tineman-Bearmouth gravelly loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tetonville-Wilsonville fine sandy loams | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cryaquolls-Cryofibrists complex * | 14K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubble land-Midfork-Starman association * | 13K | A | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Rock outcrop * | 11K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Starman-Owlcan association * | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leighcan-Moran-Walcott association * | 10K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rubble land-Walcott-Leighcan association * | 10K | Well drained | A | Not rated | Not rated |
| Taglake-Sebud association, steep * | 9K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubble land * | 8K | A | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Uhl-Roxal association * | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tetonville gravelly loam | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tetonville-Riverwash complex | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Greyback gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tineman-Bearmouth gravelly loams, 3 to 40 percent slopes * | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 45% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 67% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.