This Quiet Wyoming City Is An Underrated Gem For Nature Lovers
Covering nearly 98,000 square miles, Wyoming is a massive state—over six times the size of Switzerland! Many dream of exploring this beautiful state but often struggle with where to start. Jackson, in the state’s west, is home to only 10,600 people and, as a result, is often overlooked. However, this town perfectly captures the essence of Wyoming. Near the towering peaks of Grand Teton National Park, the roaming bison herds of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and the secluded Granite Hot Springs, Jackson is full of majestic spots to explore. If you are planning a trip to Wyoming this year, this underrated town should be the first one on your list.
Grand Teton National Park
Jackson is just a few miles south of one of the country’s most gorgeous national parks: Grand Teton National Park. This park gained federal protection in 1929 and expanded in 1950 to encompass 310,000 acres. Throughout the park, travelers can appreciate alpine lakes, mountain meadows, green valleys, and the towering mountain peaks of the Grand Teton Mountain Range.
Miles of hiking trails wind through the national park, while lakes like Jenny Lake, Bradley Lake, and Jackson Lake provide opportunities for kayaking and canoeing. Jackson Lake, the park’s largest lake, provides incredible views of Mount Moran, a towering 12,605-foot granite peak. The Snake River also winds through the entire park, serving as a popular site for fly fishing and white water rafting.
Visitors who want to immerse themselves in nature can camp in one of the park’s five National Park Service Campgrounds, which are first come, first serve and can fill up fairly quickly in the summer months. With over 3 million visitors annually, the park ranks among the ten most visited national parks in the U.S.
Other Hiking and Walking Trails
Beyond Grand Teton National Park, there are countless hiking trails to explore near Jackson. Travelers looking for a challenge can hike Snow King Mountain, a steep 1.8-mile winding trail that rewards hikers with panoramic views of the valley from the summit. Travelers can also use the Snow King Mountain trail as an access point for multi-use trails like Game Creek Trail, which passes through pine forests, willows, sagebrush, and wildflower meadows. If you prefer a laid-back excursion, consider hiking the Snake River levees. These trails, between Wilson and Jackson, feature relatively flat terrain, which makes it the perfect hike for families and beginner hikers.
Traveling a bit further, visitors can also choose from numerous hiking trails in Teton Village. From the base of this village, travelers can access a seven-mile hiking trail that leads to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain. They can also skip the climb and take an aerial tram directly up to the top, which ascends 4,139 feet in only 12 minutes. After disembarking from the tram, hikers will be able to explore an expansive trail network that connects Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort together.
Hot Springs
There are several natural hydrothermal springs in the Jackson Hole area. Astoria Hot Springs, on the banks of the Snake River, is easily accessible from Jackson. The springs feature six reinforced pools along the hillside: four hot pools, a cold plunge pool, and a shallow pool for children. There are over six mineral compounds in the water, making the springs a renowned place for wellness and relaxation. Travelers looking to reflect and unwind can soak in the two hot pools that are reserved as reflective areas. The shallow pools near the top of the path, meanwhile, have a family-friendly atmosphere. Those who wish to visit Astoria Hot Springs should make a reservation in advance and keep in mind that they are closed on Wednesdays.
Granite Hot Springs is a popular natural spring offering a wonderful soaking experience. This hot spring is in the heart of the Bridger-Teton National Forest and is more difficult to reach than Astoria Hot Springs. Travelers may want to visit the springs on a guided tour, such as Teton Tour Co., which offers snowmobile trips, or Jackson Hole Iditarod Sled Dog Tours, providing a unique dog sledding experience. Alternatively, travelers can reach the springs on their own via a 10-mile cross-country ski trip. The trip out to the springs, however, is well worth it. Upon arriving, visitors will be greeted by a secluded, crystal-clear hot spring that is surrounded by lush forest.
Wildlife & Bird Watching
Jackson is in the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which spans 20 million acres and is the last remaining temperate ecosystem in the contiguous United States. This ecosystem is the only place in the country where the same big-game animals from the Lewis and Clark era still roam. One of the best opportunities for travelers to see this wildlife up close is on a wildlife tour. The Guides of Jackson Hole offers year-round wildlife tours of Grand Teton National Park. During this tour, travelers will spend eight hours in the national park, where they may be able to spot species like wolves, bison, elk, mule deer, moose, pronghorn, and big horn sheep. In the spring and summer, the park is a great spot to see birds as well, including bald eagles, golden eagles, osprey, sandhill cranes, owls, and hawks.
The National Elk Refuge is another excellent place to spot local wildlife. This refuge on the edge of Jackson spans more than 24,700 acres and features grasslands, forests, and wetlands. The best time to see the elk roaming in the refuge is between mid-December and early April. By late spring, they start to migrate towards higher elevations in both the Bridger Teton National Forest and Grand Teton National Park.
Jackson: A Gateway to Wyoming’s Wild Beauty
While Wyoming is home to many beautiful places, Jackson is near some of the most incredible. With its smaller, more remote population, it is a fantastic destination for travelers who want to truly connect with nature and escape the crowds. Whether you want to take the aerial tram up to the top of Rendezvous Mountain or relax in the waters of Astoria Hot Springs, Jackson offers a chance to experience nature in its truest form.
