Jedediah Smith Wilderness

The Wyoming Wilderness Act, and similar legislation established over the years in other states, set the standard for encouraging responsible stewardship of spectacular landscapes. Hikers setting out to explore the trails in and around Teton Valley will enter wilderness areas through the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, with posted signage that they are entering into the designated Wyoming Wilderness. The information provided will include a notice that dogs are not permitted in these protected areas. This is important information to know before heading out as many hikers are accustomed to sharing a hike with their furry friends. However, outside of the wilderness, there are plenty of hiking & biking trails in the valley where dogs are indeed welcome.

In the wilderness, you’ll share the trails and other natural resources with bikers, skiers, fishermen and also hunters, during the appropriate seasons. Teton Springs guests are within easy striking distance to many areas in the Wilderness Area including many popular hikes in Grand Teton National Park, a most coveted destination for everyone visiting the valley of the Tetons. Wildlife viewing is always a highlight and a critical agenda item for visitors to this Yellowstone ecosystem, home to big horn sheep, elk, deer, bison, moose and both black & grizzly bears, to name a few. Teton Springs Lodge & Spa guests can view these amazing creatures from the comfort of specially designed vans and expert guides from Brushbuck Wildlife Tours.

Brushbuck, a Jackson Hole based company, has worked with Teton Springs guests for years and are highly respected for their expertise and extraordinary wildlife knowledge, in both Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks. Both kids and adults will forever remember an outing with Brushbuck as in addition to wildlife discovery, your guide will point out all the breathtaking scenery and points-of-interest along the way. Both summer and winter excursions are available through Brushbuck. The knowledgeable staff at Teton Springs Lodge make scheduling a tour with Brushbuck easy.

There are so many choices for a day of outdoor adventure filled with eye-popping views in and around the Jedediah Smith Wilderness Area, all within an easy drive from Teton Springs Lodge & Spa. One outing that should be in everyone’s sights is a day tour to Mesa Falls, deep in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. To reach Mesa Falls you’ll travel north from Victor through Idaho’s breadbasket; fields of golden rich alfalfa, wheat and hay (not to mention the famous Idaho spuds) for as far as the eye can see, accompanied by unobstructed views of the Grand Tetons. It’s a gorgeous drive through Idaho’s magnificent farm country and when you reach Ashton, Idaho, you’ll know you’re close.

Mesa Falls features two magnificent waterfalls, the Upper & Lower Falls. The viewing platforms give you a birds-eye view of the thundering falls with the cascading water crashing into the famous Henry’s Fork of the Snake River. Interpretative stations are scattered throughout the Mesa Falls complex and its rich ecological history is revealed. Scout out the short, easy trek into the forest via the nature trail that connects two of the last undisturbed waterfalls of consequence in the west and be sure to stop by the Mesa Falls Visitor Information Center. Here you’ll get the true sense of the historical significance of this quaint & lovely cabin. After all, in its glory years in the early 1900’s, the now visitor center was the popular Big Falls Inn, which served as the social gathering spot and way station for those headed to Yellowstone National Park.

Teton Springs Lodge & Spa – the undisputed gateway to the Rocky Mountain’s best attractions and the optimum family destination, in all seasons. Explore, discover, expect to be wowed…

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