What to see from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole

Wanderlog staff
Updated • updatedJul 19, 2021

How long is the drive from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton National Park?

The direct drive from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton National Park is 325 mi (523 km), and should have a drive time of 5 hrs 30 mins in normal traffic.

If you’re going on a road trip from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton National Park, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Jackson and $Ogden and top places to visit like Station Park and Lagoon Amusement Park, or the ever-popular Antelope Island.

32 stops

Cities / Attractions

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Top cities between Salt Lake City and Grand Teton National Park

The top cities between Salt Lake City and Grand Teton National Park are Jackson and Ogden. Jackson is the most popular city on the route — it's 5 hours from Salt Lake City and less than an hour from Grand Teton National Park.

1

Ogden

Ogden is a city north of Salt Lake City, in Utah. It’s a gateway to ski resorts like Snowbasin, Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley. George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park features life-size models and a paleontology lab. Historic 25th Street, once home to Prohibition-era speakeasies, is now a shopping and dining hub. At the street’s western end, Ogden Union Station houses museums explores trains, cars and cowboy history.

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Since you will find yourself not far from Ogden, feel free to visit Union Station (a train depot turned cultural center hosting 3 museums) or Hill Aerospace Museum. Option Two: Salt Flats

26% as popular as Jackson

4 minutes off the main route, 10% of way to Grand Teton National Park

2

Jackson

Outdoor Activities

Other Outdoor Activities

Jackson is a town in Wyoming’s Jackson Hole valley, home to 3 ski areas: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee Resort. The Town Square features arches made of shed antlers from the nearby National Elk Refuge. The National Museum of Wildlife Art has works by Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keeffe. North are the peaks of Grand Teton National Park, as well as vast Yellowstone National Park.

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Tuesday nights are known for Bluegrass bands at the Wort Hotel in Jackson, WY. We enjoyed the bluegrass band until 10 and then headed over to the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar to enjoy a live band (and a burger) for the rest of the night. We requested many songs, especially our trip anthem “Die a Happy Man”. We were hoping to see Thomas Rhett, but didn’t luck out there.

Stay in Jackson tonight so you can see the rest of Grand Teton National Park tomorrow morning. Total driving time: 5.5-6 hours

Most popular city on this route

0 minutes off the main route, 87% of way to Grand Teton National Park

Best stops along Salt Lake City to Grand Teton National Park drive

The top stops along the way from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton National Park (with short detours) are Jackson Town Square, Antelope Island, and Jackson Hole Aerial Tram and Gondola Rides. Other popular stops include Lagoon Amusement Park, Lava Hot Springs Foundation World Famous Hot Springs, and Yellowstone Bear World.

1

Antelope Island

Island

Nature & Parks

State Parks

Biggest island in the Great Salt Lake, with a state park for hiking & wildlife like bison.

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If you’d rather see the Great Salt Lake that gives the city its name, it’s a 60-mile drive north to beach-rimmed Antelope Island State Park. The lake is far saltier than the sea, which makes floating in it easy, but you’ll probably have to share the water with rather pungent-smelling brine shrimp. More pleasant is a walk through its peaceful wilderness, home to free-roaming bison (the spectacular roundup is in late October), mule deer, antelope and bighorn sheep, as well as a profusion of migratory birds. Time permitting, linger to see the mountains rendered into silhouette as the sky reddens.

White-sand beaches, birds and buffalo are what attract people to the pretty, 15-mile-long Antelope Island State Park. That’s right, the largest island in the Great Salt Lake is home to a 600-strong herd of American bison (buffalo). The November roundup, for veterinary examination, is a thrilling wildlife spectacle. Hundreds of thousands of migratory birds stop to feast on tiny brine shrimp along the Great Salt Lake’s shore en route to distant lands during fall and spring migrations.

If you’ve landed in Salt Lake City in the morning and have a full day to get to Moab, consider a stop at Antelope Island State Park. You’ll get to see the Great Salt Lake and have a chance to spot wildlife like bison roaming freely.

Head to Antelope Island to see wild bison and, well, antelope. It’s a unique experience. There’s an old ranch you can tour, and if you like hiking, again, there are ample opportunities. Be sure to take a can of Off!

Wow! The views are stunning! Wildlife too -antelopes and bison and abundant bird life! It’s spectacular to see the lake and also the mountains. The beach is vast and can be walked also loads of hiking trails and even a restaurant. Camping in tents and RV’s is also available. Would be a great place for riding bikes. Bring Binoculars to see the diverse birds!

We loved it and took photos of bison with a 800mm lens. Its important to remember to give wildlife their space and watch them from a safe distance.

So many hiking trails, easy and hard. Not too busy, plenty of places to park. Beautiful views.

4.6(454)

4.5(1036)

2

Station Park

Upscale mall featuring trendy brand-name stores, a range of restaurants, movie theater & fountain.

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A great and nice outdoor mall especially for Christmas shopping. Clean and safe area with so many different shops. We loved it! There is sufficient parking and an amazing number of different restaurants.

Came shopping here with my wife and daughter. With a portion of my Christmas bonus I wanted to spoil my daughter. I've never been able to do that so it felt real good. We were there most of the day. I got some new gloves from Columbia that were a disappointment. The girls got shoes, clothes and beauty supplies. Great place to go shopping! Highly recommend, thanks Station Park!

Beautiful town center style outdoor mall with lots of upscale dining options We stayed at the Hyatt hotel over there, and had sushi for dinner. Really enjoyed strolling the park at night. They had outdoor seating and there was a stage setup. They must have open air performances.

4.6(6536)

5.0(96)

140 N W Union Ave, Farmington, UT 84025, USA

3

Lagoon Amusement Park

Amusement park

Water & Amusement Parks

Theme Parks

Seasonal theme park/water park offering thrill rides & live shows, plus a pioneer village & camping.

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It was very fun. Lines were short but took longer due to most rides (particularly roller coasters) having only one car going. We had done the South end's coasters first, leading up in intensity to eventually do Cannibal and the more intense rides at the North end of the park. There were visual staffing shortages and a lot of teenage employees. Food prices were okay for an amusement park, ranging from 5 to about 15 dollars. It does become very crowded in the Midway area with people stopping to stand in the middle of the walkway and you were always bumping into other people. Rides were great and entertaining with different levels of thrill ranging from kid rides to very intense rides. Since this is more of a family park, avoiding Kiddieland is very good, avoiding longer lines and a lot of little children. Overall a very great experience, and since I have a season passport I get to go almost every weekend.

They've really updated the kids area and rides and is just as fun as when I was a kid. Love that they let moms work for season passes as well! Makes the rides go more quickly and smooth too.

I had a lot of fun here! I arrived around 1 and stayed until 9 and still rode most of the coasters. The park wasn't too crowded until the evening time. The rides were thrilling and exciting. Word of warning: this is an amusement park, not a theme park. The theming is not the best here, because this park is meant for exciting thrill rides. Prices were okay, but still a bit on the expensive side. Overall, I enjoyed my experience here and would come here again for just a select few rides. Especially to ride Cannibal a couple more times! If you're a thrill-seaker, this is a must-ride! The initial 105 degree drop produces an unreal feeling I had never felt up to the point of this ride.

4.5(17591)

3.5(660)

375 North Lagoon Dr, Farmington, UT 84025, USA

4

Hill Aerospace Museum

Free attraction displaying planes, missiles & aerospace gear, plus exhibits on Air Force history.

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What a wonderful way to honor our history! Parking and entrance is free! Clean facilities. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Visiting hours are only until 4:00 pm. They also have a gift shop inside. It was not crowded. You just have to deal with the mask Nazis.

This place is incredible! You only get a little glimpse of it from the freeway, but the second you enter, you realize this place is way cooler than you expected! First, they have an SR-71 inside this place! The first stealth plane that flew at 80,000 and could take photographs while flying at mach 3! SUPER COOL!! Next, they have literally hundreds of things to look at including F-16s, an A-10, missiles, bombs, literally, more than 50 full size fighter jets, airplanes, helicopters, and more. You could spend hours here and it only feels like minutes! Plus, they are continuing to develop "Experiences" that let you go inside airplanes, missile silos (replace scaled down) and more. It's just amazing what they have here.

Great place to take your boys to. The Veterans working there are so sweet and eager to share. 1-2 hours to walk through it all. Cute gift shop. Masks were required.

4.8(3461)

4.5(637)

7961 Cottonwood St Building 1955, Hill AFB, UT 84056, USA

5

Ogden Union Station

Rail museum

Sights & Landmarks

Historic 1920s train station converted to an indoor marketplace with museums, art gallery & eatery.

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Oh man, we love this place so much. What a great museum. My boys are obsessed with the little train models that go around the different tracks. My only negative about this place is that the one man that is often in the Browning gun portion is really not super patient with kids. I want my kids to go to museums and think learning is fun, so I want it to be a positive experience. He hasn’t ever gotten after my kids, but I’ve heard him bark at other kids several times before for doing normal kid things, like asking him a question while he was finishing up a sentence. That type of thing does not fly with that man. And no, kids shouldn’t do that, but they are still learning and I think they could be given some grace. It’s not like they blurted out something irrelevant while he was talking, they were listening to him and learning and interested. Anyway, everything else is great. That dude stresses me out.

Fun place to visit to learn about the history of locomotives 🚂 in Ogden. There is a train exhibit outside that is supper cool- lately the museum has provided entrance to 2 train cars (the military hospital transit and USPS mail carrier). It’s neat to see how life was no too long ago. Great place for kids to explore, and awesome for family photos, particularly during sunset.

I've always loved this building, and that hasn't changed with the years that have gone by since I've last been in the doors. (Almost 30 years). It's a little rougher around the edges, but thankfully Ogden city arts department is moving in and will most definitely provide the care this place deserves. It's rich with history, and beautiful to boot. Anyone in the Ogden area is missing out if they don't stop by

4.6(2130)

4.5(279)

Union Station, 2501 Wall Ave, Ogden, UT 84401, USA

6

Snowbasin Resort

2002 Winter Olympics site offering classic ski-resort activities & year-round events since 1936.

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Pretty sweet spot. We lucked out and had some of the only fresh powder they’ve seen in a few weeks. So our experience was pretty good. Visibility was a little tough at the time towards the top. I think most runs are ski dominate. But Main Street with minimal traffic was a snowboarders dream. Not remotely a pro, or heavily experienced. But the run was well managed and wide open. Clocked us doing about 40 down through there. Wait times were never longer than maybe 5 minutes, even during the busiest part of the day on a Saturday after a snow dump on Thursday night. Not the largest park. But well managed, quality staff and well groomed runs. Highly recommend if you can get in here with fresh powder.

If you want great skiing, Snowbasin is where you should go! They take great care of their runs by grooming them regularly. Middle Bowl lift was replaced in the 2021 off season. It’s a 5 minute ride to the top! I had so much fun my last couple of visits! I look forward to going again soon.

Superb...Fantastic experience. Very Organized. They had all kinds of Ski Slopes. Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced. 9000 feet high mountain slopes. Ski lifts or closed Gondolas to carry you up the mountain. The Resort is very popular amongst the locals. They have trained instructors. Huge gift shops with lot of items. Huge eatery, Seperate building for rentals. We took a whole day package deal along with Ski lessons and was at a good price. It is about 1 hour drive from Salt Lake City. Ample parking. Lot of warm places to sit with family and enjoy lunch. We loved it as family and would highly recommend the same to other families / Adults.

4.7(3982)

4.5(326)

3925 Snowbasin Rd, Huntsville, UT 84317, USA

7

Powder Mountain

Huge ski area with 154 separate trails, 2 terrain parks & 9 lifts, plus various resort facilities.

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A little hard to go skiing for my first time, but once I got the hang of it, it was sooooo fun. Slopes are awesome size and just so fun and diverse. Went during the night and was absolutely amazing.

Prefer over Park City every time! We live in Florida so only ski 1-2x a year and loved Powder Mountain. First, rentals were great and so easy to get. No line and great service. Staff everywhere was smiling and chatting with us at each left, super friendly and professional. The views and trails were gorgeous, well groomed and they limit how many tickets were sold so we skied ALONE many times down various green and blue trails. Eden has a few decent restaurants but also worth the 25 minute drive to Ogden for 25th street filled with restaurants and bars.

Powder Mountain has something for everyone, blue cruisers, trees and challenging blacks. I went on a Saturday and didn’t wait for more than 3 minutes at most to get on a lift.

4.7(862)

4.5(211)

6965 E Powder Mountain Rd, Eden, UT 84310, USA

8

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

Wildlife refuge

Nature & Parks

Nature & Wildlife Areas

This bird refuge & marsh area offers a 12-mile auto tour, fishing, hunting & wildlife viewing.

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February visit. Binoculars mandatory. See those black dots on the far ice? They are the bald eagles that you won't see without binoculars. And you will see a lot at certain times. If you are fortunate you will catch one in flight soaring high above. On the way to the loop you may see one on a post so look around as you drive there. We saw two single ones, two groups of two, one group of five that would have made a great photo, many farther away. Thanks to the employee, new to Utah from KY, we changed our mind to take the drive to where bald eagles had been seen. We were able to see 20-30 total -- a sight we'd never enjoyed before and almost missed -- so we can't express how grateful we are to her!

Great place to see Bald Eagles and Herons. The trip from Salt Lake City is a little long, but with coffee and good company you are there it seems in no time. If you go during the winter months, beware! The road around the refuge us a mix of CLAY, GRAVEL, DIRT AND SAND. Your car/SUV will get extremely dirty. Do not wait days to wash it. It won't cone of once it's solid. Use a high powered sprayer to get into every nook and cranny of your cars underside, especially the wheelhousing. I waited a week and it took 2 hours and 30 dollars to get my Tahoe looking new again.

Excellent place, huge collection of birds , all viewable from a driving tour. Recon on 2-3 hours to drive the full circuit.

4.6(983)

4.5(147)

2155 W Forest St, Brigham City, UT 84302, USA

9

Crystal Hot Springs

Water park

Fun & Games

Campground

Game & Entertainment Centers

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This place was amazing. The springs, themselves, were magical. The facilities at this mineral hot springs could use a little updating. The changing rooms should be clearly defined, as they are close to each other by one wall, and if you are not a local, you can find yourself seeing some human anatomy, you were not prepared to see. The spring itself has several pools of varying temperatures. The largest water holding area is very hot, with the other pools declining in heat, yet hot. Trickles of cold mineral water will refresh you in one area. There is a comfortable cave area. The water is so mineral rich that your body can float effortlessly in any pool. You can pay for the experience daily or purchase a year pass.

The Crystal Hot springs are awesome! I’ve only been here twice, but I’ve enjoyed it so much both times! The slide pass is two dollars more, but it’s definitely worth it! The slides are long and a lot of fun! The variety of pools is fantastic- if you’re feeling too hot, there are a variety of pools that are cooler to allow you to cool down. My one complaint would be that there’s not a lot of shade available in the pool, but it’s hardly a complaint because the pools are so much fun that you don’t notice the lack of shade. The facilities are very nice, and they have individual changing rooms as well as family changing rooms. As a whole, I would definitely say that it is worth a visit!

What a fun place. They tout the highest mineral content of any hot springs. They have various different temperatures in each pool. They even have a cold pool. If you go on the waterslides, the one on the left is much better.

4.3(5389)

4.0(147)

8215 UT-38, Honeyville, UT 84314, USA

10

Utah State University

Public university

Sights & Landmarks

Set at the mouth of a canyon, this scenic 1888 research university is near trails & climbing routes.

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Aggies! A beautiful campus tucked up in the mountains. There are trees everywhere and open fields to play sports or lounge around on a nice warm day. There are a lot of events going on campus wide to keep you busy. What is really great is how the entire community rallies around the university. It is a very unique dynamic and very very fun!

I'm just about to graduate with a Master's Degree and have loved my entire experience here. Awesome new buildings, cool old buildings, great professors, and great students who make for great campus life. And you can't leave out the superb outdoor recreation available all around. The PE classes are a blast! To anybody coming to USU I highly suggest taking up rock climbing, mountain biking, trail running, and skiing/snowboarding. There's even a new ski resort opening up that is only 19 minutes away. They just opened up the ARC (Aggie Recreation Center) and my wife and I love the rock climbing and everything else that is available in there. Complete party, great place to learn to become a learner, fun professors, useful clubs and student organizations, all around great place to get your degree or degrees.

Going to school here is great! There is tons to do really close to campus. The town is small, but very diverse classes are not too big when getting into your major. Online program is wonderful!

4.3(173)

4.5(157)

11

Wind Caves Trailhead

Hiking area

Outdoor Activities

Hiking Trails

Starting spot for a popular 1.8-mi. hike up to a dramatic viewpoint with arched rock formations.

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Easy smooth trail to follow. The only challenge was the elevation gain. Otherwise it was nice and easy. Unfortunately we went on a weekend so it was a bit crowded…as expected. Not terrible but I’m certain it would be really nice on a weekday. Worth the short hike. Interest view and caves for your effort. Recommend.

Excellent hike in the east mountains not fair from Logan. The hike is decent and contains excellent views throughout the journey with the caves at the end worth the hike

I'm new to hiking and I would recommend this trail for beginner I think. I did fell down coming down (embarass). Other than that advise trail can be muddy/slushy due to snow and rain. But hey FTW I did enjoy it.

4.6(193)

4.5(111)

Wind Caves, Logan, UT 84341, USA

12

Downata Hot Springs

Resort hotel

Nature & Parks

Basic wood cabins with private bathrooms in a simple resort offering pools, casual dining & a spa.

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We had a great time and enjoyed the value of their Baby It's Cold Outside special. I could smell the freshly baked cinnamon rolls from the parking lot! The delicious soup was homemade chicken noodle. The servers were friendly and made us feel welcome, as always. Of course we spent plenty of time soaking and relaxing. I just love this place.

My wife and I recently visited Downata for the first time. We specifically did the "steak and soak" which involved a ribeye dinner and a soak in the hot pools. For starters, the staff was friendly and helpful throughout the experience, from making reservations earlier in the day, to the great service received during dinner. The food was surprisingly good. From the bread, to the different butters, salad, perfectly-cooked steak, baked potato, chicken alfredo, and cheesecake; it was all fantastic and exceeded expectations. The changing rooms were clean and well kept, and provided all the amenities needed. The soaking pools were warm but not uncomfortably so. We hadn't planned on staying in the pools for long, but we ended up spending the better part of 2 hours in them. There's no better way to enjoy hot pools than on a cold rainy/snowy night. Overall a fantastic experience. We'll definitely be making it at least an annual date night. Highly recommended!

What a hidden gem! Our daughter told us about this hot springs and we decided to check it out and am sure glad we did. Nice facilities, wonderful pools and no crowds. Doesn't get much better than that!

4.3(839)

3.5(71)

25900 S Downata Rd, Downey, ID 83234, USA

13

Lava Hot Springs Olympic Swimming Complex

Water park

Water & Amusement Parks

Public swimming pool

Swimming pool

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Great place for the whole family! We loved the slides and towers! The 3rd platform is a MUST! Just don't do a belly flop! 😕 The diving boards are great and it's fun to see people do some amazing tricks. Great area for little kids as well as for the Irish red heads who need an indoor pool in the heat of the day. There's a diving board and rock wall to climb is a well. Lots of fun here!

Great stop for the whole family. $10 - $12 entrance fee Possitives Lots of grass to sit on and relax. Several diving boards and platforms from 2 feet to 40 feet 4 seated lifeguards outside A little kids splash area Inside and outside pools Large slides for thise seeking a thrill Clean bathrooms and showers Negatives Parking is a bit crowded and none for RVs...best to find a camp ground and walk or drive to this location No FOOD or drinks so be sure to bring your own. No Alchohol...it would be nice to sip on a beer...but oh well...rules are rules...LOL

We went in February, so this is about the indoor pool area only. Very nice, clean and well maintained facilities. Indoor pool with diving board and mini basketball hoops. I recommend diving toys and floating balls for catch. Kiddie pool is basically an indoor splash Park with very warm water- perfect for the little ones. Hot tub was extremely hot so you either won't be able to stay in long or won't be able to get in at all. Vending machines for soda, and behind the ticket counter there are some snacks available for purchase. There is no place to sit in the lobby area to eat food.

4.6(1750)

4.5(116)

195 N Center St, Lava Hot Springs, ID 83246, USA

14

Lava Hot Springs Foundation World Famous Hot Springs

Natural hot springs offering several outdoor pools with different temperature levels, plus a shop.

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This place was very wonderful. The nice thing is they have pools with different temperature for 105 to 112 degrees F. The have indoor and outdoor lockers the indoor lockers are smaller than the outdoor ones The out door locker can fit a large gym bag the cost of the large locker is 1$ and the indoor locker is 50 cents.

I went to this place 2 times in the last week on our family road trip. I found it very clean and well maintained with the amount of people that go through there. It has a ton of visitors each day I was there. We did bring 3 of our children and they all liked it as well. There are strict rules about splashing and actual swimming etc. Which I find nice for the atmosphere it's trying to breed. Would definitely suggest going there I'd you are able to.

It's my first time going to a hot spring and I was surprised at how fun it was. The hotest pool was at 115 degrees, while the coolest one was at 105, it was nice with the weather being so cold to have the two temperature s balance out.

4.7(4782)

4.5(526)

430 Main St Ste.A, Lava Hot Springs, ID 83246, USA

15

Fort Hall

Casinos & Gambling

Casinos

Fort Hall is a census-designated place in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Idaho which is split between Bannock County in the south and Bingham County in the north.

3.0(76)

16

Idaho Potato Museum & Potato Station Cafe

Exhibits on the history & cultivation of potatoes in a former train depot with a cafe & gift shop.

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Excellent experience! Everything you want to know about Idaho potatoes is in this museum! Definitely worth the stop! #idahopotaotes

Very interesting. Well maintained and super clean. Who knew there was so much to learn about the humble potato. Even the building itself is interesting Great value!

We had an excellent visit except when leaving the girl closing the museum was rude. As we were leaving the museum (through the gift shop). She told us ‘I’m locking up now’. It was uncomfortable - I tried to explain that we weren’t trying to enter the museum and that we were leaving after viewing. There’s also a cafe here. I ordered some yummy fries and my partner ordered chili fries. If it weren’t for the rude service when we were exiting I would definitely recommend visiting this place if you have an hour so spare. Also if you’re from out of state you get a free instant potato packet. If you have AAA or military ID they offer a small discount on admission.

4.5(1468)

4.0(248)

130 NW Main St, Blackfoot, ID 83221, USA

17

Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park

A broad range of international animals on display, plus a petting zoo & bird aviary, spring to fall.

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You can never go wrong with a guick trip to this zoo. My grandson loves it here and enjoys seeing all his "friends". We come here enough that he knows where all his favorites are. The animals are all well cared for and the enclosures are very natural looking. This year there are at least 3 new babies!

This Zoo is extremely affordable and worth the money. You get to see lots of wildlife, even when some animals aren't in the outside enclosures. This was a good use of my afternoon/a few hours, and I'll likely come again

This place was a lot bigger than I expected and it was really well kept. Normally zoo's stink but I didn't smell anything until I hit the zebras! Very impressed with their collection of animals, cleanliness and informative signs! First time my daughter got to see any animals and we both had a blast! From seeing our favorite animals (flamingos and donkeys), learning about new animals and feeding goats- it was the perfect way to spend family time! Thank you so much guys!

4.6(2069)

4.5(230)

2940 Carnival Way, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, USA

18

Museum of Idaho

Established in 2003, this museum features exhibits on science & regional history, plus archives.

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Went for the last day of the BodyWorlds: Animal Inside Out exhibit. It was way cool. After going through that exhibit, my boyfriend and I walked through the rest of the museum. I enjoyed it. I would definitely go back for future exhibits.

What a true treat stopping at this museum was. I learned so much about the state of Idaho, from the native American Indian tribes to the farming history to the types of gems that can be found in the state, etc. The stuffed animals on display were fascinating, as were the storefront displays with information about certain items. I could tell that whoever contributed to putting the displays together cared a great deal about what he/she was doing. The native American Indian artifacts were incredible! I enjoyed seeing so much handcrafted materials as well as the artifacts of people who lived on the homesteads in the state in the past. Learning about some of the plants that grow in the area peaked my interest, and there was a great description of the sagebrush that I came across. Everything was intriguing at the Museum of Idaho. It was a trip well worth it, in my opinion and I would go back again. There's quite a bit to see.

Well what is to say about this museum, it does change so thus review can be a hard one! Currently on 10-18-2021 the exhibit is "Animals Inside out" and I must say it was super cool! I've never had a bad experience or tour of what's been in the museum ever so, I suggest the museum to anyone visiting, passing through, looking to kill time, or even just the joy of museums! They have a great section (large) about Idaho falls, filled with so much information, and the staff is always friendly.

4.5(1360)

4.5(290)

200 N Eastern Ave, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, USA

19

Idaho Falls River Walk - Greenbelt Trail

Park

Sights & Landmarks

Points of Interest & Landmarks

Expansive green space on the banks of the river, offering benches, sculptures & views of the falls.

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So nice!!! Glad we stopped by on this beautiful spot on their city while on our way to Yellowstone..it was gloomy tho and the pic taken late Sept 2021, lots of restaurant and hotel around nice bike path too..

Enjoyed the river walk immensely. Saw both at night and in the morning. Trails are well maintained with plenty of seating and unique benches.

The green belt is wonderful. It’s very peaceful. I only wish it were longer and that people would do a better job cleaning up after their dogs.

4.8(2027)

4.5(461)

525 River Pkwy, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, USA

20

Yellowstone Bear World

Wildlife park

Zoos & Aquariums

Drive-thru wildlife tours, a petting zoo with public feeding times & kids’ rides open April-October.

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Even though Bear World is in Rexburg, Idaho, it made the list because many people drive by it on their way to West Yellowstone. Bear World gives you a chance to see bears in a way different than anywhere else. You drive through and see free roaming bison, wolves, black bears, grizzlies, and elk.

It's a neat place, most of the bears here are former actor/performance animals, or descendants of said bears, so they cannot be in the wild. Place offers a few different ways to see them as well. (Drive thru the park in your own vehicle, or use their truck to toss them food, as well as a small petting zoo for the kids.)

Wow! We went during Cubpalooza last week. The kids loved it and want to go back again. They have amusement rides that are included with admission. The bears were very active and the cubs were 100% adorable.

At first glance, the price seems really steep being $24 an adult but once you realize just how many animals are actually offered either to see (bison, elk, bears, moose etc.) or to pet at the petting zoo (deer, goats, pigs etc.) I soon understood why! This place was so cool driving in with all of the big bears, elk and bison! Not to mention the adorable petting zoo and amusement park which is also built into the admission price! Also, their fudge in the giftshop? Delicious!! Absolutely worth a visit at least once! My family had a wonderful trip and we will be back! Thanks guys! Very impressed.

4.6(3376)

4.0(489)

6010 S 4300 W, Rexburg, ID 83440, USA

21

Grand Teton Brewing Company

Craft brewer of ales & lagers that can be tasted in a relaxed on-site pub with seasonal food trucks.

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Great place to enjoy some easy drinking, quality beers and chat with locals or fellow travelers, and watch the sunset over the mountains. Dog-friendly patio area too!

What a great local brewery. Friendly staff and great cold beer selections and not to mention the outdoor seating with a great view. They do not serve food here but they welcome you to bring your own. Great relaxing place to enjoy local beers.

Good beer with a great view. Relaxing atmosphere, lots of outdoor seating and lounge chairs. They helped me get some water for my pup. they have rotating food trucks if you happen to get hungry! Cool merch as well.

4.7(202)

4.5(91)

430 Old Jackson Hwy, Victor, ID 83455, USA

22

Jackson Town Square

Park

Sights & Landmarks

Points of Interest & Landmarks

Popular park with iconic elk antler archways at each corner & a grassy center with trees & benches.

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As landmarks go, you’ll find few in Jackson Hole that match up to Town Square- at least according to the reviewers on Trip Advisor who’ve been there, seen that, and got the t-shirt to prove it. ‘Great place to sit and people watch and so convenient to all the shops. Love the creatures in the park!

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What a great place. Luckily it's off season for tourists. Ended up buying a mini hair tie in the fur shop. That's about all most people could afford.

The town square of downtown Jackson Hole is very unique and charming. The antler archers on the 4 corners of the town square are a staple for your visit. We enjoyed a beautiful brisk afternoon walking around and popping into the different shops. My main reason for giving 4 stars is that I wish downtown Jackson Hole had more local good/unique shops rather than SO many touristy tee shirt shops.

This is truly one of the nicest cleanest amazing towns I've ever been in. If your traveling close to Jackson hole Wyoming it is a must see for sure. It's a beautiful city with amazing shops an anything you can think of for rustic an western art home decorating furs you name it they've got it there in one of those street side shops

4.6(2341)

4.5(2307)

10 E Broadway Ave, Jackson, WY 83001, USA

23

National Elk Refuge

Wildlife refuge

Nature & Parks

Various wildlife inhabit this preserve where elk herds descend in winter & sleigh rides are offered.

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Jackson Hole isn’t just a prime destination for vacationers, it’s also a hotspot for some of the country’s most majestic wildlife. As the temperatures start to drop, legions of elk make their way to the National Elk Refuge, a non-enclosed sanctuary that offers respite against the harsh winds of winter. If you want to see these stunning creatures for yourself, you can either take a car ride through the refuge or, if you really want to make the most of the experience, take a guided sleigh ride, an option that comes very much recommended if you visit during the Christmas season.

As you make your way north toward the Moose Entrance, the National Elk Refuge hugs the road to the right. This area is home to one of the largest elk herds ever recorded!. There is no fee to enter the refuge if you’re interested in getting a closer look.

While visitors can see elk at other times of the year, the roughly 6,000-head herd congregates in this area every winter. That’s one of the largest elk herds in the world. The area is fenced, but that’s for the elk’s protection.

The National Elk Refuge provides, preserves, restores, and manages winter habitat for the nationally significant Jackson Elk Herd as well as habitat for endangered species, birds, fish, and other mammals.

We came to the elk refuge for the sleigh ride without a reservation and the ladies in the ticket booth got us in when another party hadn't shown up and within 5 minutes we were on the shuttle to get to the sleigh ride. The whole process to get on the ride was quick and easy. The only downfall is the area you load into the ride was very muddy (probably due to the recent snow melting). We also didn't have a "sleigh" ride it was more of a pulled wagon due to the snow melting and it was super bumpy, but overall our guide was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed seeing all of the Elk. My 6 year old daughter loved it. We would definitely do this tour again!

Amazing experience! I went out before the sun was up and watched the sun hit the Tetons. I then watched a pack of coyotes kill a elk calf and then fight eagles over the calf for hours. I also saw bighorn sheep and moose.

Our sleigh ride experience at the elk refuge was exhilarating! Lynn was knowledgeable & gave us a whole new appreciation for the wildlife and the refuge.

4.7(1075)

4.5(1556)

675 E Broadway Ave, Jackson, WY 83001, USA

24

Teton Valley Lodge

Laid-back, all-inclusive fishing resort set on a river offering fly-fishing trips & a fly shop.

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We enjoyed a fabulous meal at one of Teton Valley Lodges private events. The staff was extremely friendly and the chef treated us to a phenomenal 3 course dinner. If you get the chance to participate in one of these events I would highly recommend it!

Great stay with modern room design, large tv and fantastic and friendly host Brenda! Be it skiing at Grand Targhee, hiking around the Tetons or fly-fishing Teton Creek, this is a great place to stay!

Wonderful staff. Amazing food, great views, knowledgeable and friendly guides. You don't need to know how to fly fish. You will catch many beautiful trout of varying types as well as other fun native species. My wife had never fly fished in her life and really enjoyed herself over three nights and two days at the lodge. The cabins are large and comfortable. Water pressure was great haha. There are cute puppies running around. The staff takes care to get to know you. Our first guide helped me improve my dry fly presentation and I was amazed as trout rose to sip my fly on top water. I won't spoil the other wonderful surprises in store. Our second guide taught us casting techniques for a heavier rig on a larger river to target the fatties. My wife out fished me again catching native cutthroats, cutbows, rainbows and browns. We saw moose and baldies and enjoyed over-stuffed lunch boxes on the river at scenic locations. The guides went above and beyond to make the experience the best ever. I would 100% recommend this place to new and experienced anglers.

4.9(58)

5.0(178)

3733 Adams Rd, Driggs, ID 83422, USA

25

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Popular ski & snowboard resort with challenging terrain, an aerial tram & a lively base village.

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As US New’s top pick of things to do in Jackson Hole, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has a lot to live up to – something it succeeds in admirably. Boasting numerous dining options, hotels, an adventure park, and, of course, world-class skiing and snowboarding, it’s a vacation destination in its own right. In winter, you get to ski the slopes to your hearts content; in summer, you can ride them in style atop a mountain bike (or simply hike them, depending on your preference).

With more than 4,000 feet of vertical terrain, one of the highest snowfall totals in the country (500+ inches of average snowfall annually) and unprecedented access to out-of-bounds terrain, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is a true skier’s paradise no matter your experience level. Pros can tackle the largest lift-accessed vertical drop in the country (4,139 feet), cliffs, chutes, peaks and bowls. Meanwhile, beginners and intermediate riders can take lessons from the pros.

Regardless of whether you want a luxury reception for 300 guests or an intimate ceremony for only the two of you, this mountain resort can handle it. They have various venues and wedding packages to choose from, starting at just under $3,000. Jackson Hole Resort strives to use locally sourced ingredients in their catering!

Teton Village, located just 12 miles from downtown Jackson, is home to the world-famous Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, known to many ski and snowboard aficionados as The Big One. It is also located just 1 mile from Grand Teton National Park’s southern entranc... TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 1033 ReviewsWrite a Review

Challenging, well maintained mountain resort in Jackson, Wyoming. With tons of trails and lifts, you can get runs in where you never see another person. Unique feature of the resort is the aerial tram that takes skiers to the top at over 10,000 vertical feet. Ski rental, bars, restaurants and hotels right at the base of the mountain so you have everything you could need at your fingertips.

My First visit in December 2021 was epic. Challenging terrain, incredible snow conditions, well groomed, friendly and helpful staff, many lifts and gondolas, multiple options for food/drink, and downright beautiful. There were some things that were less-than-epic though. Finding a Parking spot was challenge, and parking is expensive ($30-40 for a few hours). Private lesson was great for my sons but expensive - almost $800 for 4 hours. An electrical problem disabled most of the lifts one day…A refund wasn’t offered. Lift tickets are very expensive - $135 for half day. Weeks in advance, I Couldn’t even get full day tickets because they were limiting sales due to Covid (?) My sons are novice-level snowboarders and beginner terrain is limited.

This is such a great resort. The check in process on day one was super easy and everyone is so friendly! Skiing and snowboarding is definitely some of the most challenging I have ever done in the world. So amazing and worth the challenge though.

4.7(3045)

4.5(916)

3395 Cody Ln, Teton Village, WY 83025, USA

26

Jackson Hole Aerial Tram and Gondola Rides

Ski resort

Transportation

Tramways

Aerial gondola rides over a picturesque valley to a peak with 3 restaurants, skiing & hiking trails.

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During the summer, free gondola rides start daily at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Ride the "gondi" up to the top for happy hour on The Deck, which overlooks the whole of the Hole. The Deck is a favorite of both Jackson Hole denizens and visitors alike.

Pull up by bike or car to enjoy the best outdoor deck in the valley. Lift offers a delicious menu, full bar and outdoor games. Located at the base of Snow King Mountain with plenty of parking.

Good service at the Gondola, nice maps of hiking trails. Just stunning views to wherever you look. The Restaurant on top was nice with some really good pizza. Having that on the terrace by fabulous sunshine and the great view was awesome. We hiked a couple of trails on top and then decided to walk down. It was no piece of cake and we were late to catch the other Gondola half way down. Our knees and toes suffered a bit on the way down however it is doable. Many nice benches and resting places to take it easy. I hope to be back.

This place is so cool! Sadly, we went while the tram was closed for the summer BUT we still had a great time! From the guys working the free parking booth helping us with navigation and offering us a nice map as first time visitors, to the nice employees who made buying tickets for the gondola and ropes course easy and the sweet employees at the ropes course letting me sit in the shade while my sister was on the course- this experience could have only have been better if the smoke from the California fires could've gone away! Anyways, we will definitely be coming back to do everything we couldn't do yet like mountain biking, hiking and rock climbing! There is just so much cool stuff to do here! This place was definitely a 6 out of 5 stars and definitely has there s%*t together to help families have a wonderful trip! Thanks guys!

We had a blast at JH aerial tram and resort. Plenty of winter activities to do. alpine coaster is awesome.

4.7(623)

4.5(1772)

3275 West Village Dr, Teton Village, WY 83025, USA

27

Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve

Nature preserve

Nature & Parks

Tranquil nature preserve with miles of hiking trails, a sandy lakefront beach & a visitor center.

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Located on Moose-Wilson Road, this 1,106-acre refuge within Grand Teton National Park features an 8-mile trail system and a LEED-certified visitor’s center with unique, multi-sensory exhibits ranging from innovative videos and photography to a meditative soundscape room. The preserve offers a number of ranger-led programs for adults and children. The hiking trails lead to pristine Phelps Lake, where you can swim, picnic or take a thrilling leap from the “Jumping Rock.” They also connect to more extensive trails leading to other parts of Grand Teton National Park.

That said, one of the safest assumptions we can make is that any visitor to Jackson Hole has at least a passing interest in nature. In which case, splashing out on a Jackson Hole Eco Tour Adventure is probably going to do more than just float your boat. The company offers a tremendous number of tours and adventures for those looking to get up close and personal with nature, with some of the most popular taking in both the Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park.

In contrast to other visitor centers, this beautiful center is a meditative experience. Sitting on 3100 acres donated by the Rockefeller family, the sparely furnished green building is certified by LEED...

Wonderful experience. Well worth a visit. Take some time to look around the unusual and beautiful building then walk to river and waterfall. You can keep hiking from here to Phelps lake. Lovely wildflower meadow and great view of the mountains.

While we did not visit the center, we did hike the Lake. Though we hike fast, it did take us about four hours do to the site seeing and photos. We saw deer, fish and tadpoles. Traumatized watching a fish just swallow a bug that was trying to swim to land. Def mosquitoes. We almost got lost as it started to get dark fast but we found our way out thanks to flashlights.

Loved the hike to Phelps Lake stunning. Saw 3 bears on the trail a mama and her cubs that was awesome!

4.8(263)

4.5(775)

28

Grand Targhee Resort

Resort hotel

Nature & Parks

Slopeside rooms & suites, plus a spa, 4 restaurants, a heated outdoor pool & guided snowshoe tours.

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Just 42 miles from Jackson, Grand Targhee offers 2,602 skiable acres and five lifts near the town of Alta. If you love to make fresh tracks, this Wyoming ski area is for you. Most of the resort features ungroomed, off-piste, intermediate riding.

We had a great time at Grand Targhee. We were there on a weekend after three days at Jackson Hole. The parking lot was full on the Saturday but there were no real crowds on the hill except for a few lift lines here and there. Sunday was much quieter. We arrived at 830am and got parking right up front. Beautiful place with great terrain. It was a really nice change of pace from Jackson Hole which definitely feels like the "big city" of skiing by comparison. I can't wait to get back on a powder day. The next time I come I will bring my XC gear too as the track looks phenomenal from up above on the hill.

Honestly one of my favorite 'off the map' resorts. Always a great place to grab some powder caches, friendly staff with a mom and pop feel. They do have a hotel at the mountain if that is your fancy. Prices are resonable and planning on some serious upgrades over the 2023 winter!

The Grand Targhee Resort provided the perfect place for our guys trip this year. The accommodations were simple & clean with comfortable beds and worked well with our group. If we had a wish list a kitchenette and better Wi-Fi (worked fine Sunday and Monday, but terrible otherwise) would have been included, but otherwise everything was covered. Plan for little to no cell service. The skiing was first class with decent vert and lots of terrain. Even with heavy fog on top you can escape to a lower lift. This place would be incredible on a powder day! A highlight for our group was the excellent food, service and drinks we received at the Branding Iron. A special thanks to our favorite bartender Evan and her team for making every effort to ensure our experience was a great one! We will be back.

4.4(876)

4.5(409)

3300 Ski Hill Rd, Alta, WY 83414, USA

29

Dry Ridge Outfitters

Horseback riding service

Tours

Horseback Riding Tours

Nature & Wildlife Tours

Multi-day Tours

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We recently returned from a five day Yellowstone pack trip. I would say it was a trip of a lifetime but I am definitely going back!! The friendliest, most patient, and entertaining staff. We were truly blessed to see parts of the Yellowstone not seen by many. Beautiful back country, waterfalls, landscapes and night skies. The horses were amazing, patient, gentle and well suited for different levels. The food was superb. Kevin, Debbie, Greg and Lacey were the best. They did everything to make sure everyone had a great time. I would say don't miss this trip but please don't take my spot!!!

What a blast! If you are looking to take a day trip adventure on horseback in the beautiful mountains, do not look any further. This was such a memorable experience with my family. Deb and Kevin were professional, knowledgeable, kind, and patient with these city slickers. The horses were sure footed and gentle as we traversed through lush trails and opening up to an amazing vista. I would highly recommend and definitely plan to book again when we come back. Thank you Deb and Kevin! The best!

The 5-day pack trip to Tetons was fantastic!  Deb and Kevin are warm and friendly.  They are patient with the young and the old (our group was aged 13 to 70) , the experienced and the complete novice.  The mountains are breathtakingly beautiful. The horses were sure footed and forgiving.  Boone the wonder dog was friendly and loving and everyone wanted to take the Australian shepherd home.  I would use Dry Ridge outfitters again and again.  Saddle bags nicely hold trail gear, like water bottles, binoculars, or a trail snack.  There is much to do when getting ready in the morning or after a ride, but people can do as little or much as they are comfortable with.  Everyone in our group gladly helped groom and saddle with particular care for their own horse for the week.  Bring a pair of work gloves getting the horses ready, they are not needed for riding.  The cooking was great, and it was nice not having to worry about helping with that task, Greg was a terrific camp cook for our trip -- master of the dutch oven.  Our trip was in mid August and the fields were covered in blooming wildflowers and virtually no bugs!

5.0(17)

5.0(48)

12500 Reece Rd, Felt, ID 83424, USA

30

Upper Mesa Falls

A viewing platform offers a close view of this powerful 10-story waterfall along the Snake River.

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After you head out of Big Sky, your next stop would be West Yellowstone. Take note that if you need gas, get it in Big Sky. There is nothing between Big Sky and West Yellowstone.

We live so close (Rexburg) that I can't believe we haven't been up here before. Although seeing it in fall colors made for a heck of a first impression. I've been posting photos on social media from around Idaho this week, yet these photos of Mesa Falls seem to generate the biggest, most positive response. Maybe my out-of-state friends (like me, until this visit) didn't know such an impressive falls was here. The trail is easy, and I like both the accessible option and the stairs option. Whoever designed the observation points did a great job. and everything is maintained perfectly. We will definitely be bringing out of state visitors up here, now that we know how beautiful this place is. $5 per car, or our interagency annual pass got us in for free.

Cool Falls on the way to Yellostone National Park, the trails are really well maintained too along with visitor center …

Great place to see an amazing water fall. Easy trail on a wood walking path.

4.9(251)

5.0(335)

What is the most scenic route from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole?

What is there to see between Salt Lake City and Grand Tetons?

What is there to see between Salt Lake City and Yellowstone?

Is the drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Scenic?