The Definitive Guide to Exploring Wyoming
As one of the last frontiers in America, Wyoming is as beautiful as it is untamed – boasting redoubtable mountains, painted landscapes, and the spirit of the Wild West – making it well worth a visit.
However, for the uninitiated, exploring this last bastion of the gold rush can feel overwhelming. While there are plenty of core memories laden throughout the land, knowing where to start is tricky. Fortunately, we have a couple of adventurous friends who know their way around.
Filmmakers MAK and Owen (Bound for Nowhere) have spent most of the last decade exploring cool places on the road and they told us, “You have to check out Wyoming.” Whether you’re looking for breathtaking trails (literally), local haunts, or photo-worthy moments, this is the expertly curated guide to the Cowboy State.
Jackson, WY
Jackson is nestled in the picturesque Jackson Hole valley in western Wyoming. The food and art scenes are outstanding, but what makes Jackson so special is its ridiculously good access to the outdoors. Hiking, climbing, skiing, fishing, biking, snowboarding. Whatever you do, you can almost certainly do it somewhere around Jackson. OH, and it has an airport too!
Food/Drink Recs
Grand Teton National Park (15min 12.5 miles from Jackson)
Grand Teton is so close to Jackson, it’s almost hard to avoid it. The park’s namesake, Grand Teton, is the second tallest peak in Wyoming at 13,775. The Grand and its neighbors form a dramatic skyline that boasts wildly beautiful sunrises (and honestly, sunsets too). Within the National Park you can take boat tours, hike, climb, SUP, or just take a scenic drive.
Yellowstone National Park (1hr 15min 57 miles from Jackson)
Come see where National Parks got their start. The very first National Park is probably most famous for its geysers like Old Faithful, but there’s so much more than that. Yellowstone is home to the United States’ largest wild Bison herd. When you go in search of them, be prepared for hour long traffic jams as the nearly 5,000 strong herd crosses the road frequently. The setting for all this excitement is a rugged mountainous region, filled with intoxicatingly clear rivers, huge canyons, and elk filled meadows. The park offers world class fly fishing too.
Dubois, WY (1hr 35min 86 miles from Jackson)
Dubois is a small old west town tucked between the Wind River Range and the Absaroka Range. This prime location grants it access to wild, mountainous country in almost every direction. If you can handle over an hour on dirt roads, you can find yourself right in the foothills of the Absarokas with incredible hiking, fishing, and camping. The National Museum of Military Vehicles also resides in Dubois. It’s a truly fascinating collection of nearly 500 military vehicles dating back to 1897.
Food/Drink Recs
Pinedale, WY (1hr 25min 77 miles from Jackson)
Pinedale is a big destination for backpackers and angler because of its access to the Wind River Range. The scenery is absolutely lovely and some of our favorite hikes we’ve ever done are in this area. While this place is certainly no secret, you’ll still find some relief from the crowds of Jackson.
Food/Drink Recs
Teton Valley (Idaho) (55min 33 miles from Jackson)
The Teton Valley, located on the western side of the Teton Range, is full of cool towns. In all of them you’ll find good food and drinks. Here you can take a casual float down the Teton River and there’s a good chance you’ll encounter a moose. This side of the Tetons is a bit quieter which makes it easier to have a more tranquil outdoor experience.
Food/Drink Recs
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