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The Bridger-Teton National Forest Destination encompasses areas of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, with a few cities located in the portions of each state, namely Idaho Falls, Idaho; Island Park, Idaho; and Jackson, Wyoming. A number of notable national parks comprise the destination as well: Yellowstone National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Shoshone National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, and Caribou-Targhee National Forest. The Grand Teton National Park, located in Wyoming, contains part of the Teton Mountain Range, the city of Jackson Hole, and a valley east of the Teton Mountain Range. Reaching a height of 13,770 feet above sea level, Grand Teton is acknowledged as the highest point of the Grand Teton National Park. The park has a variety of hiking trails that wind through the mountains, some of which lead to various lakes such as Jenny Lake or Jackson Lake.[1] Bridger-Teton National Forest, the namesake of the destination, is situated near Grand Teton National Park in western Wyoming. The forest is comprised of 3.4 million acres of land. Due to its size, Bridger-Teton National Forest is the third-largest national forest located outside of Alaska.[7] The weather in the area is relatively warm, dry, and clear during the summer months, while the winters are reported to be snowy and partially cloudy. For tourists looking for warm-weather activities, it is recommended that they visit between early July and mid-August.[6]
The Bridger-Teton National Forest Destination is situated on the border of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. There are a variety of towns and national landmarks to be found within the area, including Jackson, Wyoming; Idaho Falls, Idaho; Island Park, Idaho; Yellowstone National Park; Grand Teton National Park; and the namesake of the destination, Bridger-Teton National Forest. The largest city found in the region is Idaho Falls, Idaho, with a population of 64,818, according to the 2020 census. Idaho Falls is the second largest city in Idaho, after the Boise metropolitan area.[2]
The namesake of the destination, Bridger-Teton National Forest, consists of 3.4 million acres of forest. Stretching from the border of Yellowstone National Park to the eastern border of Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest extends southward to the Salt River Mountain Range and the Wyoming Mountain Range. The national forest encompasses the Teton, Bridger, and Gros Ventre wildernesses, as well as Gannett Peak—the highest peak in Wyoming, reaching 13,804 feet above sea level. There are over 2,000 miles of hiking trails found throughout the area, as well as campgrounds where visitors may use recreational vehicles.[7]
Another potential area of interest to those visiting the destination is Yellowstone National Park. All but the northeast corner of the park can be found within the borders of the destination, and visitors may see attractions such as the Old Faithful Geyser, the Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. Old Faithful erupts approximately every 94 minutes, give or take 10 minutes. Generally, the eruption from the geyser reaches 130 feet into the air and expells anywhere from 3,700–8,400 gallons of water. The Grand Prismatic Spring, located south of Old Faithful, is seated in a hydrothermal basin generally referred to as the Midway Geyser Basin. The spring is reportedly the largest hot spring on Earth and is anywhere from 200-330 feet in diameter. Moreover, this spring is also more than 121 feet deep in some places.[8]
Grand Teton National Park is located south of Yellowstone and consists of the majority of the Teton Mountain Range, as the name of the park implies. Within the park, tourists can visit Jackson Hole National Monument, which was established in the park in 1943. The national park spans 484 square miles in Wyoming. The highest peak in the park is Grand Teton, situated 13,770 feet above sea level. In lower elevation areas of the park, lodgepole pines are more common, while the high elevation areas tend to grow fir and sharp-pointed Engelmann spruce trees. Grand Teton National Park is reported to be one of the most frequently visited national parks in the country, with the majority of its visitors coming during the months of May through October.[1]
The largest city in the destination is Idaho Falls, Idaho. The city is often considered the commercial, cultural, and medical hub of eastern Idaho, as well as for parts of western Wyoming and southern Montana. According to the 2020 census, the population of the city is 64,818. The first activity in the region took place in 1846 when a ferry to cross the Snake River opened in the area. Idaho Falls became a permanent settlement when a toll bridge was established, and by 1865 the town had a bank, hotel, stable, eatery, post office, and stage station. The name for the city was chosen because of the rapids which flow under the toll bridge that was built in the area.[2]
The Bridger-Teton National Forest is situated on 1.2 million acres of land and encompasses three wilderness areas: Bridger, Gros Ventre, and Teton. The tallest mountain in Wyoming is also located within the national forest, Gannett Peak, at 13,804 feet above sea level. Reportedly, one of the largest landslides in the world occurred in the forest, the Gros Ventre Landslide. There are 40 mountains in the area that rise above 40,000 feet above sea level. Due to the extreme elevations in certain areas, snowfall is fairly common, exceeding 600 inches per year in some regions of the forest.[7]
Summers in Grand Teton National Park have been described as warm, dry, and mostly clear, while winters generally experience freezing temperatures, snow, and cloud cover. As the Bridger-Teton National Forest Destination is often noted for its outdoor recreation, many of those who have previously visited the national park for warm-weather activities suggest that future visitors go to the park from early July to mid-August. The hottest month on average for the area is July, with highs of around 79 degrees Fahrenheit and lows in the lower 40s. Generally, the coldest month of the year is January, with temperatures ranging from 6 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit.[6]
Due to the variety of national parks and forests within the destination, plants and animals that can be found in the area tend to be diverse. Some of the mammals found in the area include wapiti, American bison, American black bear, bighorn sheep, American badgers, and muskrats. Birdwatchers may be able to spot an array of birds, such as great grey owls, golden eagles, ruffed grouse, great horned owls, and trumpeter swans. As there is a variation in elevation throughout the region, some of the plants found within the destination may only grow in certain areas of the national parks and forests. Plants that naturally grow in the region include prairie smoke, glacier lily, giant red Indian paintbrush, and Jacob’s ladder. [5]
Yellowstone National Park, found in the destination, is the oldest national park in the United States. The park was established by the U.S. Congress in 1872 as the first national park. The park was also designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1976 and as a World Heritage site in 1978. The John D Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Highway was established in 1972, which connects Yellowstone National Park to Grand Teton National Park, located approximately 80 miles south of Yellowstone.[4]
The first people to inhabit the region that is now known as the Bridger-Teton National Forest Destination were nomadic paleo-Indians after the Pleistocene Ice Age glaciers receded from the area. Evidence of these people has been found in various forms, such as fire pits, tipi rings, and stone tools. Later, the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through the destination, and fur trappers followed soon after. Multiple trappers, such as David Edward Jackson, set up their operations in the area near Grand Teton National Park. The city of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, located near Grand Teton National Park, was officially settled in 1884 after the Homestead Act of 1862 encouraged westward expansion.[3]
Today, the largest city in the destination is Idaho Falls, Idaho. From the time the city was first established until 1949, agriculture was the main industry. The National Reactor Testing Station was built in the desert west of the city in 1949, prompting the industry of the area to change from agriculture to retail, entertainment, and medical care as more businesses moved to the area. Idaho Falls is also the headquarters of the United Potato Growers of Idaho, as well as some national corporations such as North Wind Inc. and Melaleuca Inc. [2]
Located in West Yellowstone, Montana, Yellowstone Holiday Resort lies between the Gallatin National Forest and Hebgen Lake. The campground has many places to choose from for those passing through the area, including campsites, RV sites, and cabins. Yellowstone Holiday Resort has a marina that can be used by guests, and the camp is surrounded by various hiking trails that can be explored. There are many potential activities within the resort, including fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and playing volleyball. July and August are the busiest moths for the resort, but the establishment is open from May 15th through September 30th of each year.
...Read MoreThe Campfire Lodge Resort is located near West Yellowstone, Montana, about 22 miles from the entrance to Yellowstone National Park. There are a total of 18 cabins and 19 RV sites that guests can reserve. Some of the cabins are over 100 years old, as they were built around the time that the park was first established. Every cabin is equipped with a private bathroom, the ability to house anywhere between two and six guests, and, aside from Cabins 1 and 2, a fully equipped kitchen. The RV sites are all back-in only and provide water, sewer, and 30-amp electric services. Also located on the premises are a cafe, a fly fishing shop, and a bathhouse with laundry machines. Guests who visit the region to fish can do so in the Madison River, which runs through the property, or at a number of lakes in the area.
...Read MoreThe Fireside Resort at Jackson Hole is located in Wilson, Wyoming, sitting approximately 6 miles from the south entrance to the Grand Teton National Park. The property has two types of cabins, as well as RV sites available to guests year-round. The Caboose Cabins can host up to six people per night, and the Wedge Cabins have accommodations for up to four people. The RV sites have full hookups of water, sewage, electricity, and cable television. In the area surrounding the park, those staying at the resort can visit the Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Jackson Hole Wyoming. In the city of Jackson Hole, patrons can fish, river raft, or take wildlife tours.
...Read MoreSnake River RV Park & Campground is a campground with tent sites and cabins to stay in. It is located in Idaho Falls and is surrounded by tall trees and a nearby river. The Snake River is 1,078 miles long and runs through Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon and flows into the Pacific Ocean. Many large trees are surrounding the site that provides shade around the sites so that families can find cool areas to spend their time outside. Many people that stay are traveling through on I15 headed to Yellowstone, Jacksonhole, and other nearby attractions. There are many outdoor activities to experience while in Idaho Falls, such as visiting waterfalls and parks.
...Read MoreAshton Log Cabins is located in Ashton, Idaho. The property itself is the first commercial location when entering Ashton and consists of nine distinct units. It is historic to the region as the cabins were built in 1921, 100 years ago. Each unit varies in size and layout but includes all the modern amenities found at lodging businesses. A unique thing about the property is that it has a community courtyard in the center of its nine cabins where guests can relax, barbecue, and participate in activities. Additionally, it offers its patrons a grab-and-go breakfast option each morning. The property is also centrally located near an abundance of notable attractions. Some of these include Island Park, Jackson Hole, and Yellowstone.
...Read MoreCamp Rendezvous At Swan Valley
Camp Rendezvous at Swan Valley is located just outside of Idaho Falls, Idaho in Swan Valley. The property has four cabins and twelve RV sites that are open year-round for guests to rent. The busiest season is generally from June through August. All of the RV sites have full hookups of water, sewage, and power. The sites either have 30 or 50 amp hookup capabilities. All four of the cabins have air conditioning, televisions, showers, towels, a mini-fridge, and a microwave. Across the premises is free Wi-Fi for patron usage. The owners hope that those who stay on the property can have a peaceful, relaxing stay. They strive to help guests feel "like part of the family," according to one of the owners.
...Read MoreYellowstone Lakeside RV Park is located in Rigby, Idaho. The property is located just off the main highway, in a large open lot. It is a minute drive from Rigby Lake and within a day's drive from Yellowstone National Park and The Grand Tetons. The campsite is very new, having been established in the year 2020. It mainly consists of RV sites, but there are also a few cabins and multiple tent sites. A unique feature about the camp in comparison to other camps is the park that is across the street from the property: Squealers Fun Park. The owner of Yellowstone lakeside RV Park is also the owner of the Fun Park and offers free admission to his guests, letting them play mini-golf, go go-carting, play in the batting cages, and more.
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