Summary
There is an abundance of activities in the town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. However, most visitors utilize the valley as a hub for exploring the remarkably wild and beautiful surrounding areas.
Two of the United States’ most renowned national parks are located within 60 miles (97km) of Jackson Hole, and the history of the American West is ever-present in the region. The following four excursions exemplify this connection.
1. Follow the bison to Mormon Row and Lower Slide Lake
Travel time: 20 minutes by car (15 miles)
Venture northeast along the Gros Ventre River from Jackson through the lush Antelope Flats to reach Lower Slide Lake in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. A brief detour north leads to Mormon Row, a historic site located within Grand Teton National Park that was previously the settlement of Grovont. Presently, a few homesteads remain, featuring scenic barns set against the backdrop of the mountains, making them highly sought-after by photographers. The valley is home to a herd of over 700 bison, presenting excellent opportunities for capturing stunning photographs of these majestic animals.
Continuing another 30 minutes by car brings you to Lower Slide Lake, where a boat ramp provides convenient access for kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and rowboats. The lake is stocked with trout for fishing enthusiasts and is particularly breathtaking in the fall when the cottonwoods and aspens surround the shore in vibrant gold. A short interpretive trail explains the local geology, particularly the significant landslide that shaped the lake. Afterward, proceed past the lake to discover several picturesque campgrounds and numerous trailheads, allowing access to the expansive Bridger-Teton National Forest.
2. Get close to nature at its wildest at Yellowstone National Park
Travel time: 75 minutes by car to South Entrance (57 miles)
Vibrantly colored mineral springs, boiling mud pots, erupting geysers, and hissing fumaroles: these geothermal wonders attracted 19th-century explorers who documented this dramatic and enigmatic landscape. These naturalists subsequently advocated for the preservation of the area, resulting in its designation as Yellowstone National Park, thereby establishing the national park system.
Additionally recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Yellowstone boasts over 10,000 hydrothermal features, constituting more than half of the world’s geysers. Among these is the most iconic: Old Faithful, which erupts every one to two hours, releasing water as high as 180 ft (55 m) into the air. Underneath this vibrant activity, geothermal forces continue to shape the area, as scientists now believe Yellowstone is situated atop one of the world’s largest supervolcanoes, which may be more active than previously understood.
While mud pots and geysers such as Grand Prismatic Spring and Artist Paint Pots could provide stunning photographic opportunities, the park encompasses far more than these water features. Experience the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone along with its Upper and Lower Falls; marvel at the travertine terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs; and allocate time to observe wolves in the meadows, admire moose in the forests, and yield to bison leisurely crossing the road.
3. Explore the jagged peaks of Grand Teton National Park
Travel time: 7 minutes by car (5 miles)
Almost adjoining Yellowstone to the south, Grand Teton National Park emphasizes the Teton peaks and the optimal locations for observing and engaging with their rugged, snow-covered beauty. With most of the park’s essential attractions positioned along the north-south corridor of Teton Park Rd (which operates from May through October), many visitors erroneously stop at a few viewpoints and then conclude their park experience. While it is advisable to pause at Albright View, Glacier View, Snake River Overlook, and Willow Flats Overlook––all of which provide varied perspectives of the Teton spires against the sky––the park presents an abundance of additional experiences.
Consider taking a moment for a picnic at Colter Bay on Jackson Lake while watching fly fishers casting their lines along Oxbow Bend. However, reserve your longest stop for Jenny Lake, where a ferry awaits to transport you across the water to begin a one-mile trail to Hidden Lake and Inspiration Point. Should time permit, bypass the ferry return and circle back via the lakeside trail. A slight detour to Moose Pond may reward you with a glimpse of the namesake wildlife foraging along the shore or nurturing a young one amidst the reeds.
Hiking to a pristine mountain lake is one of the great joys of Grand Teton National Park. A suitable option for all ages is the 1.8-mile round trip to String and Leigh Lakes, which remain relatively undiscovered by most park visitors. You’ll encounter larger crowds on the five-mile trek to Bradley and Taggart Lakes, both of which are renowned among photographers for their reflective vistas of Grand and Middle Teton.
4. Visit the Wild West town of Cody
Travel time: 4 hours by car (177 miles)
Established in 1896 by William F. Cody—more widely recognized to countless 19th-century Americans as “Buffalo Bill” from the popular traveling Wild West show—this eponymous town resembles a living Western film set. Cody is flanked by mountain ranges on three sides—the Absarokas, the Bighorns, and the Owl Creeks—and is situated just 53 miles (85km) east of Yellowstone (virtually in close proximity in this region). The town was developed to celebrate the lives of cowboys and mountain men, and today, that Wild West aura remains vibrant.
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West, housing five museums in one, introduces visitors to the life and times of this larger-than-life figure and provides insight into life on the frontier. Among the most enlightening exhibits is the Plains Indian Museum, showcasing a nationally recognized collection of art and artifacts created by the Crow, Blackfeet, Cree, and other Indigenous peoples who inhabited this land prior to colonization.
A more dynamic glimpse into frontier life can be experienced at Old Trail Town and the Museum of the Old West, displaying 26 log structures collected from various historic locations, including blacksmith and woodworking shops; cabins used by Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, and their outlaw Hole-in-the-Wall Gang; along with a barn that houses pioneer wagons.
Cody asserts itself as the Rodeo Capital of the World, with the tradition of bull riding and calf roping very much alive. The Cody Nite Rodeo, celebrating over 80 years of operation, occurs nightly from June 1 through Labor Day weekend. Sheridan Ave, Cody’s main thoroughfare, continues the cowboy ambiance, featuring old-fashioned saloons and eateries, in addition to shops offering handcrafted saddles, cowboy boots, and silver jewelry.
This article was first published on January 5, 2022, and updated on October 6, 2024.
