Dear NEXT TRAVELER to Wyoming ~ Jackson Hole!
Highlights/Recommendations:
1. Jackson Town Square & Elk Antler Arch
2. Jackson Hole Aerial Tram & Gondola Rides
3. National Elk Refuge
4. National Museum of Wildlife Art
5. Mormon Row Historic District
6. Grand Teton National Park
7. Yellowstone National Park

Whenever anyone mentions Wyoming, the city of Jackson Hole is soon to be mentioned. It has been the location of numerous films, including: “The Revenant” directed by Clint Eastwood & “Dances with Wolves” by Kevin Costner. Wyoming & Jackson Hole’s landscape is stunning in all seasons. Jackson Hole, which became incorporated in 1914, was named after David Edward “Davy” Jackson, who trapped beaver in the area in the late 1820s. The term “hole” was used by early trappers as a term for a large mountain valley. Jackson Hole is the entire valley surrounded by the beautiful Teton mountains. Jackson is the town in the middle of the valley.

Jackson Town Square and Elk Antler Arch. When you drive into the town of Jackson, in the very middle is a quaint town square. In the center is George Washington Memorial Park and the famous Elk Antler Arches. Each corner of the square has arches made from elk antlers collected from the Elk Refuge. The first antler arch was built in 1953, and every so often, each arch is disassembled and redone. In the center of the park is a stone memorial honoring local veterans that served in America’s wars. In the winter months, the Town Square is home to an ice-skating rink, and the arches are covered in Christmas lights. Within the blocks of the town square are shops, art galleries, a famous bar, and a great assortment of restaurants. We walked around the town square, took pictures with the Elk Antler Arch and visited the art gallery. We spent about an hour, but if you want to explore all of the shops and eat at some of the restaurants, plan for a couple hours.

Jackson Hole Aerial Tram & Gondola Rides. You can ride the Aerial Tram and in just a few minutes be 4,139 feet up the mountain. From the top, you can see 360-degree views of the Tetons, Jackson Hole Valley, have access to great hiking trails, and the Grand Teton Skywalk. At the top is also the world-famous waffles in Corbet’s Cabin. You can pick up or purchase your Tram wristband at the Tickets & Guest Services Building, 3395 Cody Ln Teton Village. The pricing for the tram depends on the season. There are also evening tram rides. You can even go paragliding.

National Elk Refuge. There are over 24,700 acres of grasslands, wetlands, and forests are on the Refuge. The refuge was officially established in 1912 and began offering winter sleigh ride tours to the public in 1965.
Elk are typically visible on the Refuge from mid-December through early April. You can watch them grazing throughout the refuge. On average, there are roughly 5,000 elk that migrate to the Refuge during the winter months. In the Refuge you might also see bison, bighorn sheep, bald eagles, wolves, mountain lions, and grizzly bears. You can also book a spot on a dog sled tour or rent a snowmobile to explore the Wyoming backcountry.

National Museum of Wildlife Art. This is an incredible indoor museum and the stunning outdoor Sculpture Trail. You can see part of the Trail statues from the road leading to the museum. They’re spectacular. The ¾ mile Sculpture Trail opened in 2012 and presents “fine art wildlife sculptures within the fabric of Jackson Hole’s incomparable landscape. The trail stretches along the bluff to the north and south, overlooking the National Elk Refuge.” Tickets are $18/adults & $10/children.

Mormon Row Historic District. A historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Moulton Barns and Chambers Homestead remain from their 1908 to 1950 farms. It is a popular destination for tourists and photographers because of the historic buildings, bison, and the Teton Range in the background. From the National Park Service – “To get there – drive north from Jackson on Highway 191 past Moose Junction and turn right onto Antelope Flats Road. Follow the road about 1 ½ miles until you see a north-south running dirt road marked by a distinctive pink stucco house on the left with a small dirt parking area. A trail brochure and interpretive sign can be found at the parking lot.”

Grand Teton National Park. The Park is over 310,000 acres and includes the major peaks of the 40-mile-long Teton Range. Grand Teton National Park is south of Yellowstone National Park. The Park is full of lakes and rivers, including the Snake River, so many different animals including the gray wolf, grizzlies, American black bear, moose, big horn sheep, coyote, cougar, lynx and wolverines. There are unlimited outdoor activities in the park, including: mountain and rock climbing, camping, hiking, fishing, boating, and cross-country skiing. It’s a beautiful place.

Yellowstone National Park. On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park. Yellowstone contains over 2.2 million acres, with amazing animals, gorgeous lakes, and geothermal areas that contain about half the world’s active geysers. Yellowstone is an incredible place. I have visited a couple times and it’s just unreal. There is so much to see and experience. Yellowstone is super close to the Grand Teton National Park. The southern entrance of Yellowstone and the northern entrance of Grand Teton is only 8 miles apart. I’ve included Yellowstone because it’s popular for people to often visit both places. I have a detailed post about Yellowstone on my Montana state page.

Wyoming is a beautiful state. I love the places we have explored and amazing memories we have made.