Including Grand Tetons NP
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is a renowned destination nestled within the breathtaking Teton Range and surrounded by pristine wilderness. Known for its stunning natural beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and vibrant western charm, Jackson Hole attracts visitors from around the world seeking adventure, relaxation, and a taste of the American West.
Jackson Hole serves as a gateway to two of America’s most iconic national parks: Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Both parks are easily accessible from Jackson and offer unparalleled opportunities for outdoor adventure and exploration, including hiking, camping, and geyser watching.
The Same
While exploring Wyoming’s national parks, both The Dinks and The Family ventured into the same parks, but their experiences varied in the activities they pursued within them. Despite visiting the same natural wonders, such as Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, each group tailored their adventures to their preferences and interests. Whether it was hiking through scenic trails, marveling at breathtaking landscapes, or engaging in wildlife observation, both The Dinks and The Family found unique ways to immerse themselves in the beauty and wonder of Wyoming’s wilderness.
If heading to Yellowstone . . .
Check out our blog to see how we did this amazing park differently.
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park in northwestern Wyoming is a stunning wilderness area known for its majestic mountains, pristine lakes, and abundant wildlife. Spanning over 300,000 acres, the park offers a wealth of outdoor activities and natural beauty. The iconic Teton Range, with its dramatic, jagged peaks, is the centerpiece of the park. Scenic drives like Teton Park Road provide breathtaking views and numerous photo opportunities. The park’s 200 miles of hiking trails, including popular routes like Cascade Canyon and the Taggart Lake Loop, offer diverse landscapes to explore.
Grand Teton National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including elk, moose, bison, grizzly bears, black bears, and bald eagles. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot these majestic creatures roaming through meadows, grazing along riverbanks, or soaring through the skies.
- As one of the best areas for wildlife viewing in Grand Teton National Park, Moose Junction offers visitors the chance to spot a variety of iconic Rocky Mountain animals. Yes Moose, in particular, are frequently sighted in the vicinity, along with elk, deer, bears, and a diverse array of bird species. Wildlife enthusiasts often gather at Moose Junction in hopes of catching a glimpse of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
Local Cuisine
Wyoming’s cuisine reflects its rugged, Western heritage and reliance on locally sourced ingredients. As always we both checked out some of the local cusiine including:
- Buffalo/Bison: A staple meat in Wyoming, buffalo/bison is lean and rich in flavor. It’s served in various forms such as steaks, burgers, and stews.
- Trout: With abundant rivers and lakes, trout fishing is popular in Wyoming. Freshly caught trout is often grilled, pan-fried, or smoked.
- Wyoming Beef: Known for its ranching heritage, Wyoming produces high-quality beef. Look for locally sourced steaks, burgers, and beef jerky.
- Green Chile: Wyoming shares a culinary influence with neighboring states like New Mexico, and green chile peppers are often used to spice up dishes like burgers, stews, and breakfast burritos.
- Huckleberries: Found in the mountainous regions of Wyoming, huckleberries are used in desserts like pies, jams, and sauces.
- Cowboy Beans: A hearty dish made with beans (usually pinto beans), bacon, ground beef, onions, and sometimes tomatoes or barbecue sauce, slow-cooked for a smoky flavor.
- Chili: A comforting dish often prepared with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices. It’s a popular choice during cold Wyoming winters.
- Fry Bread: A Native American dish that has become popular throughout Wyoming, fry bread is deep-fried dough served sweet with powdered sugar or savory as a base for tacos or Indian tacos.
The DINKs
We stayed in Jackson Hole and found out that it just so happened to be this two week off season while we were visited. The time between the winter and summer crowds.
Jackson
Roadhouse Brewing Co. is a craft brewery located in Jackson, Wyoming, known for its innovative and high-quality beers inspired by the spirit of the American West. The Roadhouse Brewing Co. taproom provides a welcoming and laid-back atmosphere where visitors can sample a variety of beers straight from the source. With its rustic decor, friendly staff, and rotating selection of draft beers, the taproom is the perfect spot to relax with friends, enjoy live music, or catch a game on the big screen. We loved the balcony overlooking the center square. Besides beer, they also make a high end seltzer what we loved so much we purchased a 12 back to take home with us.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Jackson: This is where we stayed when visiting Jackson, WY. Located near Jackson’s town square, it provided easy access to local shops, restaurants, and attractions. It’s also a short drive from Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The hotel offers roomy suites with fully equipped kitchens, separate living and sleeping areas, which was nice since we were working remotely. It included Complimentary Breakfast and even had Evening Social, which we unfortunately didn’t take advantage of since we used our evenings to explore the town. After a day of exploring Jackson or Tetons, we enjoyed relaxing in the indoor pool or hot tub.
Grand Tetons NP
- So this was our first time seeing a glacier. Yes, it is far away and small but hey it counts. Don’t worry we would later go on to do Glacier Bay NP in Alaska and Tetlis Glacial Cave in Switzerland but you never forget your first.
- Grizzly 399 is a famous grizzly bear in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. She is one of the most well-known and beloved bears in the region, often referred to as the “Queen of the Tetons.” My husband started following her on Twitter before we arrived so that we could track her down on our visit. And yes, we were successful in doing so. Grizzly 399 was born around 1996 and has successfully raised numerous cubs over the years, contributing to the region’s grizzly bear population. She is known for her distinctive light-colored fur and her habit of foraging for food along roadsides, rivers, and meadows within the park. Despite her proximity to human activity, Grizzly 399 has exhibited a generally calm demeanor and has become somewhat habituated to the presence of people.
- As if we didn’t see enough animals in Grand Tetons NP (We saw tons,) we still stopped by The National Elk Refuge on our way back to Jackson, Wyoming. It is a vital sanctuary for one of North America’s largest elk herds and offers visitors a unique opportunity to observe these majestic animals in their natural habitat. Each winter, thousands of elk migrate from the high elevations of Grand Teton National Park and the surrounding mountains to the lower valleys of the National Elk Refuge in search of food and shelter. The refuge provides essential winter habitat for these elk, offering nutritious forage and protection from harsh weather conditions. Since it was early spring there was still thousands of them still on the refuge and the refuge itself was closed to visitors. But we still got a great view of them from afar.
The Family
The Continental Divide
The Continental Divide is a continuous ridge that extends from Alaska’s Brooks Range to the Andes Mountains, dividing North America’s watersheds into those that flow eastward and those that flow westward. Within Grand Teton National Park, it marks the boundary between the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean watersheds.
This time, we started our visit at the Continental Divide before heading to the visitor center, which helps get the kids excited and engaged with the park’s wonders. The visitor center near Moose Junction serves as the primary hub for information, orientation, and education, featuring engaging exhibits on the park’s natural and cultural history, geology, and wildlife.
Summary
In Jackson, Wyoming, the DINKs and the Family enjoyed the region’s natural beauty and culinary delights in different ways. The DINKs embraced the vibrant hub of Jackson Hole, with its lively atmosphere, quaint shops, and diverse dining options after exploring Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The Family, on the other hand, stayed within Yellowstone, enjoying unparalleled access to its awe-inspiring landscapes and geothermal wonders, complemented by a visit to the Continental Divide. Both experiences offered unique advantages, catering to different preferences. Jackson Hole provided the DINKs with a blend of outdoor adventure and cultural charm, while the Family’s immersion in Yellowstone allowed for deeper exploration of its diverse ecosystems and geological marvels.
Ultimately, Jackson and its surrounding national parks offer varied experiences, from the lively ambiance of a bustling town to the tranquility of pristine wilderness, highlighting Wyoming’s natural and cultural treasures.
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