Take a Detour

Arriving in Jackson Hole via the road has always been one of the most popular ways to begin enjoying and exploring the area. Depending on where your adventure begins, there are some unforgettable road trips that you can weave around your time in the Tetons.

From the West Coast…

If you’re headed from Seattle to Jackson Hole, there are plenty of adventurous and memorable stops along the way. Some must-see spots along the route include:

• The Columbia River – a breathtakingly impressive waterway carved into the landscape
• Lake Coeur d’Alene – one of northern Idaho’s most scenic areas
• Missoula, Montana – a bustling University town with some of the West’s best fly fishing
• Virginia City, Montana – once the heart of Montana’s gold rush, Virginia City offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of the West 
• Yellowstone National Park – traverse Yellowstone from North to South, arriving in Jackson Hole

From the South…

If you’re approaching Jackson Hole from the Southwestern states, there are plenty of stop-worthy points along the trail. A handful that are worth a visit include:

• Monument Valley – straddling the border of Arizona and Utah, this iconic desert Western landscape feels straight out of a movie 
• Mesa Verde – visit some of the continent’s oldest and most well-preserved ancient cliff dwellings
• Arches National Park – hike through the iconic rock features, and explore this otherworldly slice of the Utah desert around Moab
• Dinosaur National Monument – this nationally-celebrated paleontological site is where some of the world’s most impressive dinosaur relics have been unearthed
• Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area – a beautiful mountain lake, Flaming Gorge offers picturesque camping, hiking, and fishing opportunities

From the Northeast…

There are plenty of exciting and intriguing locales between the Northeast and Jackson Hole, which means there’s no need to rush your way West. Definitely carve out time to visit:

• Lancaster, Pennsylvania – tour the Amish village and get a feel for this relaxed, family-focused way of life
• Hershey, Pennsylvania – Who doesn’t want a stop that involves the nation’s most renowned chocolate factory?
• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – stop in Cleveland, OH, to pay homage to some of music’s most noteworthy legends
• Fort Wayne Museum of Art – enjoy a tour of modern and classical artwork in one of Indiana’s most celebrated museums
• Wrigley Field – catch a baseball game at Chicago’s iconic stadium, followed up by a signature deep-dish Chicago pizza
• And the adventure continues…

From the Midwest…

There is no shortage of fascinating stops if you’re enjoying a road trip across the country from the Midwest. A few that simply shouldn’t be missed include:

• The Wisconsin Dells – distinctive glacier-carved sandstone formations offer wonderful hiking and camping
• Badlands and Black Hills National Parks – these stunning grassland parks offer a unique perspective on the expansive plains in the Dakotas
• Wind Cave National Park – a South Dakota park offering one of the world’s most complex cave systems
• Mount Rushmore – an iconic American landmark, you’ll find this place is infinitely more impressive in person than in photos
• Devil’s Tower National Monument- one of Wyoming’s most fascinating geological sites, as well as a spiritually-important location to regional tribes
• Buffalo Bill Historical Center – located in Cody, the eastern gateway to Yellowstone National Park, this expansive museum is worth a full-day visit