11 Amazing Wyoming Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive
Wyoming is the 10th largest state in the US, with an area of 97,813 square miles. Despite its large size, Wyoming is the least populated state, with fewer than 600,000 residents. The state's only international airport is in Casper, but there are several main regional hubs and airports with direct flights to major cities. One main hub that is a hotspot for exploring the wild side of Wyoming is Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), with direct flights to Seattle, Chigaco, Denver, New York, and more! It is located in Grand Teton National Park near the town of Jackson and is the only commercial airport inside a US national park.
To clear up any confusion, Jackson Hole refers to the geographical feature of the valley beside the 40-mile-long Teton Mountain Range, while Jackson is the town on its southern end. Either way, Jackson Hole is surrounded by natural beauty and rich history, making it an excellent base for day trips to various landmarks, museums, galleries, attractions, and parks. Learn more about 11 amazing day trips within a four-hour drive of Jackson Hole Airport (JAC).
Grand Teton National Park
Day trippers won’t have far to go from the Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) to Grand Teton National Park as it’s located near the park's southern boundary, making for a quick 10-minute drive so that visitors can maximize their time in the park. The main road through that park is called Scenic Loop Drive, where sightseers will find the park’s over-the-top views, bison sightings, and trailheads for the hiking enthusiasts in the car.
There are plenty of spectacular sites to see and photograph. For first-time visitors, must-see hotspots include Mormon Row, a historic district established by Mormon settlers featuring well-preserved, rustic barns against the backdrop of the Teton mountain range; the Snake River Overlook, famously captured by Ansel Adams in 1942; the iconic Schwabacher Landing, a scenic spot to see the reflection of the mountains in Snake River; and the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive where hikers can hop out of the car, stretch their legs, and take the 1.8-mile Leigh Lake Trail.
Hot Springs State Park, Thermopolis
In Hot Springs State Park, more than 1.8 million gallons of water flow over the colorful terraces along the Big Horn River every 24 hours at 128 degrees Fahrenheit. Visitors can walk along the boardwalks and paths showcasing these otherworldly geological creations or take a longer hike on one of the 6.2 miles of hiking trails that run through Hot Springs. Pick up gourmet picnic supplies on the way into the park to enjoy at one of the reservable picnic shelters.
Hot Springs State Park is a 3.5-hour drive from Jackson Airport through incredible scenic landscapes, including parts of the Wind River Canyon, with opportunities to spot bison en route. What makes this day trip well worth the drive is soaking in 104-degree mineral water in the free State Bath House when visitors arrive.
National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson
Just 2.5 miles north of Jackson, the National Museum of Wildlife Art is an excellent day trip and is only a 10-minute drive from the airport. The building housing the museum is a work of art itself—inspired by the ruins of the Slains Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Visitors can spend the entire day exploring the 51,000-square-foot building and its extensive collection of over 550 artists and 5,000 paintings, sculptures, and photography in its 14 galleries.
Outside, art lovers can wander along the 0.75-mile Sculpture Trail with nearly 30 life-size bronze sculptures, including Wapiti Trail—a series of five stationary elk, a bald eagle, a bear waiting for salmon, bison, and other works of art. Plan to stay for lunch at the onsite restaurant Palate, where food is served against the backdrop of the stunning Tetons and the 25,000-square-foot National Elk Refuge that shares the museum’s property.
Sinks Canyon State Park, Lander
Outdoor enthusiasts day tripping through Wyoming won’t want to miss Sinks Canyon State Park in the Wind River Mountains on the middle fork of the Popo Agie River, about 2.5 hours from the airport. The park’s name comes from an odd geologic phenomenon in which the Popo Agie River disappears into a vast underground cavern known as “The Sinks.” Then it reappears down the river in a calm pool, "The Rise, " teaming with rainbow trout. Some trout weigh up to 12 pounds, but fishing is prohibited at "The Rise." Follow the well-marked 0.25-mile trail that connects “The Sinks” to “The Rise” called the Sinks to Rise Trail.
On either side of the Sinks Canyon, towering canyon walls are home to world-class rock climbing—one of the main draws of Sinks Canyon State Park. Still, the canyon has plenty of other recreational opportunities to keep an active family busy for a day, including photography, fishing, hiking, and access to miles of mountain bike trails. Look for fantastic wildlife throughout Sinks Canyon State Park, including mule deer, golden eagles, and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.
Star Valley, Afton
Star Valley is a 45-mile-long valley on the Wyoming-Idaho border, about 90 minutes from the airport, that comprises the towns of Afton, Thayne, Star Valley, and Alpine. There are plenty of out-of-the-ordinary sights to see in Star Valley, like the World’s Largest Elkhorn Antler Arch in Afton. The 75-foot-wide arch comprises 3,011 elk antlers and is the perfect spot to stop for a group photo before exploring the small town.
Other must-see attractions include the Star Valley Wyoming Temple—the first Mormon temple built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in Wyoming, and the Periodic Spring (also known as the Intermittent Spring)—a rare, natural cold-water spring that cycles on and off every 15-20 minutes.
Teton Raptor Center, Wilson
Raptor enthusiasts will be flying high during a visit to Teton Raptor Center—a passion project started by two field biologists over 20 years ago. Today, the non-profit center attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually to learn about raptor conservation for species like eagles, hawks, and owls through research, education, and rehabilitation. Reservations to visit the center are required, so bird lovers should book in advance before making the 20-minute drive from JAC.
During the Avian Experience, visitors can tour the restored historic campus, learn about the center’s work and the vital role raptors play in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, and even meet three Avian Ambassador birds "on glove."
Not far away, you can also explore Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, which has many ski slopes and an aerial tram.
Yellowstone National Park, South Entrance
Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park was the first national park in the world and is home to more than half of the world's geysers. It’s only a 60 to 75-minute drive from Jackson Hole Airport to the Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone, which forms a 142-mile figure-8-shaped paved road connecting the park’s main attractions. There are natural areas to see in the park and one-way roads off the Grand Loop to discover. Firehole Lake Drive has geysers and hot springs drivers can see from the road, including Sunrise Pool, Great Fountain Geyser, White Dome Geyser, and many more, plus a boardwalk around Firehole Lake itself.
Visitors can explore the Yellowstone Caldera (a dormant supervolcano), which features geothermal hot spots, Old Faithful, and “mud pots.” The Grand Prismatic Spring is the park’s largest hot spring, 200 to 330 feet in diameter and more than 121 feet deep. It is also the most-photographed thermal feature in Yellowstone, thanks to its bands of bright yellow, orange, and green reflected in the deep blue waters in the spring. Along the drive, keep an eye out for wildlife such as bison, elk, grizzlies, moose, and bighorn sheep.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody
Just under a 4-hour drive from JAC, the Buffalo Bill Center in Cody has five museums in one and is known as the Smithsonian of the West. It is a museum that is well worth the drive, where cowboy culture enthusiasts should plan on spending a whole day. The Buffalo Bill Museum gives a glimpse into the world of Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley, and the Cody he loved. The kid-friendly Draper Natural History Museum showcases Yellowstone's sights, sounds, and smells and includes a scavenger hunt through four ecosystems.
The Plains Indian Museum is an opportunity to explore the culture and history of Plains Indian peoples through its extensive collection of Native American art. The Whitney Western Art Museum lets visitors see the art that shaped the Wild West through the artists who loved it. Finally, the Cody Firearms Museum exhibits more than 4,000 firearms, the most comprehensive firearms museum in the US.
Bridger-Teton National Forest
The Bridger-Teton National Forest offers 3.4 million acres of pristine land east of Grand Teton National Park. Known for its wild and scenic rivers, the three jewels in the forest’s crown are its three wilderness areas: Bridger, Gros Ventre, and Teton Wilderness. It is one of the largest forests in the United States, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventurers, including miles of trails from easy walks to challenging backcountry hikes, lakes and rivers for fishing, and designated trails for mountain biking.
Numerous outfitters in the area also offer 2 to 4-hour guided horseback tours through the wilderness. Depending on the destination, it typically takes 30 to 50 minutes from the airport to reach the forest.
Granite Hot Springs, Bridger-Teton National Forest
Located in the Gros Ventre Mountains in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, a day trip to the Granite Hot Springs starts with a one-hour scenic drive from the airport through the stunning Hoback Canyon alongside the winding designated Wild and Scenic Hoback River with lots of photo ops along the way. On the bumpy road to the Granite Hot Springs, be sure to stop along the way and walk down to the river to the Granite Creek Falls via an easy trail to get a close-up view of the falls. There is a natural spring near the falls, too, easily identified by the steam rising off the water.
The Granite Hot Springs Pool is an outdoor concrete hot spring pool tucked amongst giant spruce, fir, and pine forests. The water temperature is 93 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and 112 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, where day trippers can spend a relaxing afternoon in the healing waters. The area is relatively isolated, so pack a picnic and a bathing suit.
Jenny Lake, Grand Teton National Park
Jenny Lake is one of the most visited areas in Grand Teton National Park and well deserving of its own day trip. The lake is a centerpiece of the park, tucked at the base of the Teton Range. It is an adventure lover’s paradise where hikers can walk around the lake and visit Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Stop at the Visitor Center for a map of the trails before setting off.
The Hidden Falls Trail is a popular hike with younger family members, as the hike is only 1.3 miles roundtrip. The 2.2-mile roundtrip hike to Inspiration Point is rocky and steep, so suitable footwear is recommended. Enjoy the uphill walk, the stunning scenery known as the Cathedral Group (Teewinot Mountain, Grand Teton, and Mount Owen), and the spectacular view of Jenny Lake from above. Jenny Lake is about 20 minutes from JAC via Teton Park Road, which leads directly to the lake and is a scenic drive through Grand Teton National Park.
The Equality State offers a wealth of day trip adventures, each showcasing the state's stunning natural beauty and unique attractions. While Casper is home to Wyoming's only international airport, just a short drive from Jackson Hole Airport, visitors can explore Grand Teton National Park’s breathtaking vistas and diverse wildlife or relax in the mineral-rich waters at Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis. Culture lovers can enjoy the National Museum of Wildlife Art or appreciate the history of the Old West at the Buffalo Bill Center in Cody. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike in Sinks Canyon State Park, visit the Teton Raptor Center, or unwind at Granite Hot Springs. Whether marveling at geological wonders or enjoying recreational activities, Wyoming's amazing day trips promise unforgettable experiences.
