“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul,” said naturalist, conservation advocate and writer, John Muir. He’s right; there is something exceptional about a walk or a drive in the woods. The Bridger-Teton National Forest can provide both serenity and countless recreation opportunities.
The 3.4 million acre forest is the single largest piece of public land in the 15-plus million acre Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, making it bigger than Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks combined. Located adjacent to both Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge, the Bridger-Teton has three nationally dedicated wilderness areas, including the Bridger Wilderness, the Gros Ventre Wilderness and the Teton Wilderness.
“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”
If you have skied out in Jackson at Snow King Mountain or Jackson Hole Mountain Resort before, you have been in the Bridger-Teton National Forest! In addition to these ski resorts, many of Jackson’s most beloved places are located in the BTNF’s Jackson Ranger District, such as Cache Creek, Teton Pass, Curtis Canyon and Shadow Mountain.
Things To Do In Bridger-Teton National Forest
Take a Hike
Like Grand Teton National Park, the forest offers miles and miles of scenic hikes, some more challenging than others. A popular hiking area near the town of Jackson is Cache Creek and Snow King Mountain also boasts beloved hiking trails such as the Snow King Nature Trail and Josie’s Ridge. Other trails to check out are Game Creek Trail, the Goodwin Lake Trail, Little Granite Creek Trail, Shadow Mountain trails and Phillip’s Ridge among countless others. Click here to read about more. For those who may prefer to have a knowledgeable local tromp through the woods with them, Hole Hiking Experience provides guided day hikes in the Bridger-Teton.
Get in the Water
There’s nothing like taking a cool dip in a forest lake or rafting a river through a spectacularly scenic canyon. Combine hiking and a jump into an alpine lake via the Goodwin Lake Trail (accessible through Curtis Canyon, located above the National Elk Refuge) or Ski Lake Trail off the Teton Pass. Guided whitewater rafting trips through the iconic Snake River Canyon in the Bridger-Teton National Forest are a bucket list item for a visit to Jackson Hole, or you can choose to kayak your way through the smooth parts as well as the rapids.
If a soak in a hot spring is more your style, head out to Granite Creek Hot Springs and mingle with the relaxing thermals or visit Astoria Hot Springs, located within Astoria Park along the banks of the Snake River in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Astoria features six different man-made soaking pools filled with natural thermal waters
Slide Lake in the Gros Ventre Wilderness is a terrific option for swimming or paddle boarding/kayaking without a crush of other tourists.
Fun Fact: The Gros Ventre Slide is another natural landmark that visitors to the forest love to see. On June 23, 1925, a one-mile-wide section of Sheep Mountain collapsed, damming the Gros Ventre River. Lower Slide Lake formed behind the dam; two years later the dam gave way, flooding the town of Kelly. This unique geologic site is located 18 miles northeast of Jackson. An interpretive trail winds through the area enabling visitors to learn the history and ecology of this massive landslide.
RELATED STORY: Jackson Hole Whitewater Rafting, Hiking in Jackson Hole; Snow King Guided Hiking Tours
Quick Facts
Established: July 1973
Entry fee: NONE! Size: 3.4 million acres — the size of the state of Connecticut!
Countless miles of hiking and biking trails
Includes: 74 species of mammals, 355 species of birds and 25 species of fish
More information: The Forest's Visitor Center is at 340 N. Cache; 307-739-5500
Website: fs.usda.gov/btnf
Cast a Line
Both the Snake and Hoback rivers feature crystal clear water that lends itself to world-class fishing. There is also excellent fishing to be had at Goodwin Lake and Slide Lake.
Pitch a Tent
Experience the Jackson Hole area off-grid, so to speak, by camping in a tent, vehicle or in a camper-trailer/RV in the forest. There are several designated dispersed camping areas throughout the forest in the Jackson Ranger and adjacent Blackrock Ranger districts. All are first-come, first-served and sites fill up very quickly! Two paid campgrounds are another option — Curtis Canyon Campground and Atherton Creek Campground — but these are also first-come, first-served; the early bird gets the worm, er, campsite.
Observe Wildlife
Wildlife on the Bridger-Teton is diverse and the Forest provides habitat for an abundance of species. Summer visitors are likely to see trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, coyotes, bald eagles, mule deer, the occasional pronghorn and elk. Other wildlife less visible during the summer become easier to see in winter as they move to lower elevations. Examples of wildlife more visible in winter include moose and bighorn sheep. Although widely known for its large mammals, including grizzly bears, Bridger-Teton also supports more than 355 species of birds.
Set Out on Two Wheels
The Jackson Ranger District of the Forest is rich with mountain biking trails. Cache Creek is accessible from downtown Jackson and is popular with locals and visitors alike. There are numerous trails in and around Cache and the Greater Snow King area to keep you pedaling for hours. Other areas to check out include Shadow Mountain/Ditch Creek, Teton Pass and Munger Mountain. Teton Mountain Bikes offers guided mountain bike tours through various parts of the Forest for every skill level, from families to the most seasoned of bikers.
RELATED STORIES: Jackson Hole Biking: The Essentials; Wildlife Tours in Jackson Hole: The Essentials, Free Camping Near Jackson Hole; Go Fly Fishing in Jackson Hole
The Last Word
As you can see, the Bridger-Teton National Forest is a special mecca for recreation, scenic drives and wildlife spotting. Put a visit to it on your Jackson Hole vacation “bucket list.” And — to paraphrase Yoda — “May the forest be with you.”