Grand Teton National Park is one of Wyoming’s most popular destinations, and for good reason. The park’s towering mountains, sparkling lakes and expansive trails system offer visitors ample opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Wyoming. But the features that draw millions to visit Grand Teton and the Jackson area each year can be found in other parts of the Cowboy State, as well.
Take a look at this list of stunning destinations outside of Grand Teton National Park and consider adding these hidden gems to your Wyoming itinerary.
Green River Lakes & Squaretop Mountain
Distance from Grand Teton National Park: 105 miles | 2.5 hours
Compare to: Grand Teton National Park skyline
If you’ve fallen in love with how the Teton Range seems to jut up from nowhere, showcasing drastic peaks against a beautiful blue sky, consider traveling to Green River Lakes & Squaretop Mountain. Located southwest of the park in the beautiful Wind River Range, this area offers an equally-stunning skyline that features the recognizeable Squaretop Mountain. Be prepared for wildlife and slower travel along gravel forest service to get to this lesser-known area.
Go farther: Discover more mountain ranges to explore in Wyoming.
Fremont Lake
Distance from Grand Teton National Park: 89 miles | 2 hours
Compare to: Jackson Lake
Fans of Grand Teton National Park’s Jackson Lake will love this alpine lake just four miles outside of Pinedale. Twelve miles long, up to one mile wide and 610 feet deep, Fremont Lake is the second largest natural lake in Wyoming. The lake offers a handful of recreation activities – such as boating, sailing, water skiing and fishing – and it features an incredible overlook of the Wind River Range at the top of Skyline Drive.
Go farther: Located in central Wyoming just south of Casper, Alcova Reservoir is another incredible destination not to be missed. This shimmering reservoir offers boating, fishing and swimming, as well as a handful of campsites and an interpretive hiking trail. Find rentals at the Alcova Resort marina for boats, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and bikes. Here, you’ll also find a convenience store, restaurant, ice cream shop and more to make the most of your days on the water. Dive into these other lakes and reservoirs across Wyoming.
Alcova Reservoir is about 250 miles, or 4 hours, from Grand Teton.
Wind River Range
Distance from Grand Teton National Park: 96.5 miles | 2 hours (Elkhart Park Trailhead)
Compare to: The Teton backcountry
Wyoming’s Wind River Range is arguably just as stunning as the Teton Range. (Some even prefer the views of the Winds over the Tetons.) If you are looking for a backpacking adventure, the Wind River Range features two of Wyoming’s most popular backpacking routes: Titcomb Basin (pictured) and Cirque of the Towers. Start your Titcomb Basin adventure from Elkhart Park in the town of Pinedale or from Green River Lakes near Cora. Travel a bit farther south (138 miles, 3.5 hours) from the Jackson area to Big Sandy Trailhead near Boulder, Wyoming for Cirque of the Towers.
Go farther: For another backpacking option, consider a trek through Cloud Peak Wilderness in Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountain Range northeast of the Tetons.
Meadowlark Lake Trailhead near Cloud Peak Wilderness is 258 miles, or 4.5 hours, from Grand Teton.
Periodic Intermittent Spring
Distance from Grand Teton National Park: 79 miles | 1 hour, 45 minutes
Compare to: Hidden Falls
Hidden falls are fine, but what about a spring that actually hides on a regular interval? This rare spring is something that can only be seen in a few parts of the world, including nearly two hours south of Grand Teton National Park in Afton, Wyoming. Intermittent Spring’s flow of water stops every 18 minutes from late August through May. Take a short 1.5 mile hike to see this natural wonder for yourself.
Go farther: Travel to Curt Gowdy State Park near Cheyenne and Laramie in southeast Wyoming to find another Hidden Falls. Hikers can follow Crow Creek Trail for two miles to this beautiful waterfall in one of Wyoming’s 12 state parks.
Curt Gowdy State Park is 373 miles, or nearly 6 hours, from Grand Teton.
Cottonwood Lake
Distance from Grand Teton National Park: 88.5 miles | 2 hours
Compare to: Jenny Lake
Located in the Salt River Mountains near Wyoming’s Star Valley, Cottonwood Lake features reflective waters at prime conditions. Those visiting this hidden gem can find fishing, small-craft boating (there is no ramp), camping and trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Prepare to travel on gravel forest service roads to access this beautiful alpine lake.
Go farther: For another serene alpine lake experience, consider heading to Lake Marie in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. Located in southwest Wyoming near Laramie, this lake is a quick stop off the Snowy Range Scenic Byway. A trailhead near the lake offers several hikes with varying difficulty, but the Lake Marie trail is an accessible, paved trail circling the lake. Pack a picnic and a fishing rod to fully enjoy this beautiful alpine lake. Find even more lakes and reservoirs to explore in Wyoming.
Lake Marie is 327 miles, or 5.5 hours, southwest of Grand Teton.
Devils Tower National Monument
Distance from Grand Teton National Park: 430 miles | 7 hours
Compare to: Night Skies
While Devils Tower is a bit more of a trek from Grand Teton National Park, it is worth the drive (or worth changing plans) for those seeking stellar stargazing opportunities. Much of the allure of Devils Tower comes long after the sun sets. With low light pollution and many clear-sky days, this national monument lights up with stars, planets and other solar objects each night. Head to Joyner Ridge parking lot for a stargazing opportunity with Devils Tower in the background. You can also take part in night sky programs hosted by the monument.
Go farther: Find more stargazing opportunities across Wyoming with the help of our stargazing itinerary.
World’s Largest Antler Arch
Distance from Jackson: 69 miles | 1.5 hours
Compare to: Antler arch in downtown Jackson
For another photo op with a large arch made of elk antlers, head 1.5 hours south to Afton, Wyoming. This Star Valley town’s elk antler arch is made up of over 3,000 elk antlers and arch spans across the entire roadway in the middle of downtown Afton. The size of this small town’s arch has earned it the title of the largest elk antler arch in the world.
Go farther: Find a list of Wyoming roadside attractions spread across the state.
National Bighorn Sheep Center
Distance from Jackson: 85 miles | 1.5 hours
Compare to: National Elk Refuge
This non-profit dedicated to providing education for the conservation of bighorn sheep is worth a stop, especially if Jackson’s National Elk Refuge is on your list of must-sees. The National Bighorn Sheep Center in Dubois features interactive exhibits and gives visitors the chance to see these animals in the wild.
Go farther: Directly south of Grand Teton National Park, you’ll find another worthy area for wildlife viewing: Bear River State Park. This state park in Evanston is home to small herds of bison and elk. Other wildlife you might encounter includes moose, pronghorn antelope, sandhill cranes, bald eagles and more. Find even more places to spot wildlife in Wyoming.
Bear River State Park is 197 miles, or about 3.5 hours, south of Grand Teton.
The Brinton Museum
Distance from Jackson: 370 miles | 6.5 hours
Compare to: National Museum of Wildlife Art
Those seeking a state-of-the-art museum experience should consider traveling west to The Brinton Museum near Sheridan. This museum connects the past and present of the American West through fine art, American Indian art collections and more. Open year-round and free to the public, The Brinton Museum is worth adding to your Wyoming bucket list. In addition to the traditional museum, you can tour a beautiful ranch house on site or take a leather workshop tour for a small fee. You’ll also find a bistro serving up lunch and brunch to hungry museum-goers. Discover more Wyoming museums.
