Jackson Hole, WY for the eclipse- What to do, Where to go?

[Dimhof]

I am heading to Jackson very early on 8-21 to explore and hope to get a good shot of the eclipse. I was thinking of trying to get to Jackson Lake in Teton National Park but am thinking it may be jam-packed due to the rare alignment of the moon with the sun.

Anyone have advice on where to see it and some good offroading or hiking trails that are mild at best (I will be going alone)? Or any places or additional sights to see? If my research is correct Jackson or North to Grand Teton National Park is the area I'd like to be.

I am reading the eclipse starts at 10:17 AM on Monday and peaks in the Jackson area around 11:35 AM. I plan on arriving in Jackson at around 7:30 AM on Monday so anywhere within 2-2hrs and 30 minute drive-hike would be ideal.

 

[AZ Craig]

Typically Teton is not that crowded as it is kind of the under appreciated neighbor of Yellowstone where all the people are. That being said, I think all bets are off for this eclipse with the combination of hype and the sheer number of folks headed into that area.

There are a lot of great spots you could probably watch it from in Teton, including day use areas, but I'd highly recommend speeding up your time table as there are only about 3 roads of any consequence in and out of Jackson and I think traffic is going to be a nightmare there.

It's a legitimate 45 to 60 minute drive to get into some of the more remote parts of Teton from the center of Jackson and that's without several hundred thousand folks converged on the town for a once in a life time event for them . I'd be trying to get into Teton by around 7 AM and just planning on chilling for the show.

Good luck, we seriously thought about going, but our 3 month old and a trip up to Oregon for a wedding 2 weeks later made the decision for us!

 

[MissouriBreaks]

There is a great 4x4 only road along the west side of the Snake River. It is marked on the park maps. It is not very difficult, but has some great scenery and I know Toyota has filmed some commercials on the road.

 

[BettysNephew]

If you are there when things die down after the BiG E, take the breakfast boat ride on Jenny Lake, it is worth every cent you spend for it. Beautiful scenery and a really good breakfast on the island to boot.

 

[harlow2]

Head to cowboy coffee co in town. Loved having coffee last fall. Also had excellent jalapeño margaritas at the merry piglets.


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[sn_85]

I am heading to Jackson very early on 8-21 to explore and hope to get a good shot of the eclipse. I was thinking of trying to get to Jackson Lake in Teton National Park but am thinking it may be jam-packed due to the rare alignment of the moon with the sun.

Anyone have advice on where to see it and some good offroading or hiking trails that are mild at best (I will be going alone)? Or any places or additional sights to see? If my research is correct Jackson or North to Grand Teton National Park is the area I'd like to be.

I am reading the eclipse starts at 10:17 AM on Monday and peaks in the Jackson area around 11:35 AM. I plan on arriving in Jackson at around 7:30 AM on Monday so anywhere within 2-2hrs and 30 minute drive-hike would be ideal.

I just returned from Jackson, WY today. Stayed there from the 15-18th. I booked my hotel about a 1.5 months in advance and the price was about triple. Mom came to visit and wanted to see Yellowstone so I had no other choice otherwise would have tried taking her somewhere else. I looked up dates on for the eclipse for shits and giggles and all hotels were booked. The town was definitely starting to fill up today. All campgrounds in Yellowstone are spoken for and GNP was mostly full. Jenny Lake was packed and that was on Wednesday. I won't say don't go but be prepared for massive crowds.

As far as off-roading goes there isn't too much in the parks. At GNP there is an easy dirt road called Bar BC road that is fun to take and you'll probably spend 2-3 hours running it. Colter Bay is also nice. TBH I enjoy the Teton's a lot better than Yellowstone. The biggest attraction of Yellowstone are the Geysers and animals and even then I didn't find them that spectacular. I did get to see Old Faithful go off and got splashed a bit but that wasn't too exciting. After a while the Geysers start to look the same. About the best thing I saw was a fox frolicking off the side of the road. Saw about 5 Bison which everyone pulls over and gets out of their car for. Unfortunately didn't see any Grizzly's. Yellowstone is a zoo to me (the people not the animals) and I much prefer the sights of GNP.

As far as places to eat, try Liberty Burger, The Local (great ribeye), and Persephone Bakery (their breakfast is amazing!!!).

 

[Matters]

I am heading to Jackson very early on 8-21 to explore and hope to get a good shot of the eclipse. I was thinking of trying to get to Jackson Lake in Teton National Park but am thinking it may be jam-packed due to the rare alignment of the moon with the sun.

Anyone have advice on where to see it and some good offroading or hiking trails that are mild at best (I will be going alone)? Or any places or additional sights to see? If my research is correct Jackson or North to Grand Teton National Park is the area I'd like to be.

I am reading the eclipse starts at 10:17 AM on Monday and peaks in the Jackson area around 11:35 AM. I plan on arriving in Jackson at around 7:30 AM on Monday so anywhere within 2-2hrs and 30 minute drive-hike would be ideal.

Good luck finding a place to stay or camp! Just got back from a week long camping trip. The place is always packed this time of year, even without the eclipse. I've been staying there every summer for 30 years and have unfortunately seen the extreme increase in tourism. You might have some luck in the Gros Ventre campground which is also near a designated viewing area. It's a beautiful area but has become very busy this time of year. Have fun!

 

[phillychee]

I'm headed up towards Jackson from Omaha. We're gonna stay in the Lander area and camp in national forest land. Then roll into Jackson after the eclipse. Then onto Glacier on Tuesday.

 

[Dimhof]

Thank you gentlemen for the tips. I must have gotten lucky because I was able to book a room for the night of the 21st today. Spent probably double but i figured what the hell, I've never been and this whole moon thing hasn't happened in a while. Plus it will be my weekend and camping just doesn't do it for me when its one night that is over an hour drive. Thanks again!

 

[AZ Craig]

Also, check out Snake River Brewing if you're into the whole craft beer scene.

 

[phillychee]

Also, check out Snake River Brewing if you're into the whole craft beer scene.

To piggyback on this, Melvin Brewing is there too and makes amazing beer [emoji482]

 

[PhilJ]

There's a restaurant there that was on Diner's, Driveins, and Dives.

 

[sn_85]

There's a restaurant there that was on Diner's, Driveins, and Dives.

Meh, sometimes I wonder how Guy Fieri has a show. I've been to a few DDD restaurants and they've been okay. I guess it depends on what you like but his recommendations end up being on the heavier side.

 

[Mvm]

Try some Wyoming Whiskey while you're there. Its good stuff.

 

[ttft2]

There is a great 4x4 only road along the west side of the Snake River. It is marked on the park maps. It is not very difficult, but has some great scenery and I know Toyota has filmed some commercials on the road.

X2, if you can get to it. I suspect it'll be crowded early. It's an easy "4x4" road and only about 3 miles from the Park entrance. It's called Cottonwood Creek Rd. It follows along a bluff above the Snake and hooks up with Bar B C Rd. It's wide open sagebrush with great 360 degree views. Good luck!


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[DanMan]

Best of luck it's getting crazy already. Gas already hard to come by..

As others have mentioned not really any real offroading. There are some water crossings on and around Uhl Hill Rd southeast of the Moran entrance. A scramble up Uhl Hill might actually not be a bad place to view the eclipse from.

The best bang for buck hike in GTNP is Delta Lake. Honorable mention you can hike into Cascade Canyon if you're looking to see a moose. Take the boat shuttle across Jenny Lake to shorten the hike (unpublished: $5 cash roundtrip if you catch the first boat at 7am).

Might check out the Idaho side for food. Not to say it's not going to be a mess, but it will be less of a mess than Jackson. The Brakeman in Victor, ID has really good burgers. Emporium next door has great milkshakes.

 

[PhilJ]

Meh, sometimes I wonder how Guy Fieri has a show. I've been to a few DDD restaurants and they've been okay. I guess it depends on what you like but his recommendations end up being on the heavier side.

I'll agree that he's divisive but they even Andrew Zimmern has said in an interview that he has an important place in the Food TV Industry.

 

[the_dude33]

Visiting Jackson

+1 for Snake River Brewing - good food, great beer, but be prepared, the place is usually packed on a "normal" night.

Lots of good options in the area, and plenty to see if you've never visited before.

As others have mentioned, Jenny Lake is a great excursion. I also an a big fan of taking the tram to the summit at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village - again both popular stops.

Most of all, enjoy it, but keep in mind that Jackson is nothing like the rest of Wyoming...and we are perfectly fine with that!

 

[Nostrathomas]

Make sure you hit https://www.jacksonholebbq.com Get there early and get a full order of burnt ends. Enjoy!

 

[Ohio_Steve]

X2, if you can get to it. I suspect it'll be crowded early. It's an easy "4x4" road and only about 3 miles from the Park entrance. It's called Cottonwood Creek Rd. It follows along a bluff above the Snake and hooks up with Bar B C Rd. It's wide open sagebrush with great 360 degree views. Good luck!


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There is a great 4x4 only road along the west side of the Snake River. It is marked on the park maps. It is not very difficult, but has some great scenery and I know Toyota has filmed some commercials on the road.

Unfortunately, a section of the north/south portion of the road collapsed into the Snake River. Due to agreements with various coalitions, there does not seem to be any expectation that this road will ever be reopened. Only the section to the ranch and the north section to the river are open at this time.

Too bad, as that was a wonderful, serene drive along the beautiful Snake River.

River Road disappearing into the Snake, and history | Environmental | jhnewsandguide.com